The Mata Memo
February 15, 2022
Principal's Message
Mata Family!
Valentine’s Day was yesterday, and it was nice to see students bringing gifts, cards, candy, balloons, and much more to express their appreciation for each other and our staff. Here at Mata, I would like to say the hearts represent the love we have for our students, and we are happy to serve them with our whole hearts.
We pride ourselves in teaching with heart because we focus on the academics of our students as well as the whole child. Our priority is to build relationships, be caring, and create an environment where students feel safe to learn and are happy to be in school, and supported by their teachers. We are glad we can collaborate on this effort for your children with you!
There are many important reminders for this week. The deadline to order Seussical tickets is this Friday. We are also hosting our Cultural Intelligence and Climate Committee meeting this week. We also encourage you to register for our Campus Needs Assessment meeting. We would love to hear feedback from you!
Remember there is no school on Monday, February 21st.
As always, thank you for your collaboration and support of Mata Montessori!
Have an excellent week!
Tomeka Middleton Williams
Principal
P.S. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MontessoriMata
Please read the memo carefully for information regarding:
- Calendar at a Glance
- Black History Month
- Middle School Broadcast
- Random Acts of Kindness Week
- 2-2-22 "Twosday" Event!
- CICC Committee Meeting
- Campus Needs Assessment Meeting
- Sweetheart Read Feedback
- NAEP
- Career Day Sign UP
- Destination Imagination Congratulations
- Mental Health Parenting Group Sessions
- International Festival
- Seussical the Musical!
- February is Heart Health!
- Clean Team Pics
- Book Club Updates
- Covid 19 Testing
- Core 4 Shout Outs
- Yearbook pictures
- Mata's PTA Walking Group
- SEL Practices
- Campus Visitor Procedures
- Dallas ISD Safety Protocols
- Mata Positive Staff Referrals
- and, much much more!
Calendar at A Glance
Feb. 17th - CICC Meeting
Feb 17-18th - International Festival
Feb. 21st - President's Day No School
Feb 22nd - "Twosday"
Feb. 25th - African American Read-In
March 8 & 10th - Seussical Kids Musical
March 11th - Career Day
February is Black History Month
Middle School Broadcast! Enjoy!
International Festival
This year's International Festival will be an campus event only. Each class will be creating a classroom display as well as an optional video. Each class will visit the showcase of videos and posters on February 17-18 during school. Please see your child’s teacher for more classroom-specific information.
CICC Committee this Thursday, Feb. 17th at 5:30
Our goal is for Mata to have an inclusive community where everyone feels welcome. What are we doing well? How could we improve? Join us Thursday to share your ideas. Parent voices needed!
https://dallasisd.zoom.us/j/82969819635?pwd=cEFOTWJTbHY5b1ZsREw3M1FEbnBJUT09
Meeting ID: 829 6981 9635
Passcode: CICC
Campus Needs Assessment Meeting
SEUSSICAL KIDS!
Mata Theatre is presenting Seussical the Musical!
The performance dates will be Tuesday, March 8th at 6:30 PM and Thursday, March 10th at 6:30 pm.
Due to social distancing, we will be doing assigned seats, purchased in advance. All audience members must have tickets for the performance and NO tickets will be sold at the door. Only advance tickets sales are allowed. You will receive a confirmation email with your seat numbers. They will have your name on them the evening of your performance. Please arrive early to ensure you have time to claim your ticket and find your assigned seat! The auditorium will open at 5:30 pm.
All audience members must have a ticket to attend the performances on March 8th or March 10th and all tickets must be purchased by Friday, February 18th.
Click below for an order Form
Sweetheart Read!
"The readers we had were very engaging and picked great books."
"Loved it!!"
"My students really enjoyed the stories."
"Thank you for organizing this endeavor."
"I liked the freedom to join whenever. The students liked seeing parents they know read stories!"
"We enjoyed the fact that we were able to identify how great readers read with expression and change voices for different characters."
We can't wait to do it again next year!
National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)
Fifty of Eduardo Mata Montessori School 4th grade students will participate in the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) on February 22, 2022. NAEP is different from our state assessments because it is a common measure of achievement across the country. The assessment is administered by the National Center for Education Statistics, within the U.S. Department of Education. The results are released as The Nation’s Report Card. We know that Mata Montessori’s students will show what our nation’s students know and can do.
Career Day is Friday, March 11th!
Yearbook Candid Pictures Please!
The yearbook staff needs your help! If you have photos of your student on the first day of school, Red Ribbon Week, or pajama day, please email them to anmacias@dallasisd.org. These could be published in the 21-22 yearbook.
SEL PRACTICES - OPTIMISM
Children who practice optimistic thinking are more resilient and see negative situations and events as temporary setbacks. While pessimistic kids blame themselves and believe conditions and circumstances are permanent. How can you go about raising an optimist? Here is a suggestion that you can start practicing today!
Rose, Thorn, Bud
Pessimistic parents raise pessimistic children. Rather than grumbling exclusively about the day's thorns, why not focus on the day's roses and something you are looking forward to (rosebud)? Learn more here. (Family Dinner Project)
Mata's PTA Walking Group!
Mata's Clean Team!
Check out Ms. Calderon's class this week as they gave back to our school environment through service!
Destination Imagination
Our lower el Engineering team the “Smartiez” came in 4th place at the district tournament. Students include:
Emma Cooper
Elijah Gonzales
Faith Tidwell
George Jackson
Donavan Tipps
Charlotte Cooper
EmmaMae Vollmer
Our Destination Imagination team the Drama Llamas had a great performance!
Team members are:
Emma Calhoun
Kassie Rodriguez
Alex Soto
Damien Morales
Milah Spragling
They came home with a 6th place win!
Rising Mata Montessorian Team :Participation Award
Isabella Leija
Brandon Martinez
Juan Jose Mendoza
Anthony Chavez
Dominic Sanchez
Isabella Santoyo
Mata Montessorian Eagles Team:
Katherine Barajas
Camila Lizcano
Carly Martinez
Arianna Chavez
Yareli Mendoza
Jemera Howard
Jadeh Santoyo
This team won 3rd place in the Tricky Tales Middle School Level Competition!!!
Mata Montessorian Team:
Cristian DeLara
Ethan Gomez
Ian Curiel
Ruben Carmona
Oscar Mejia Ramos
Emiliano Escobar
Mackenzi Sanchez
This team won 1st Place in the Roll With It Middle School Level Competition and will be representing Mata at the State Level Competition at UT Arlington!!!
Thank you Ms. Miner, Ms, Manske, and Ms. Vazquez for your sponsorship! The students had an excellent time and did an outstanding job!
Middle School Theatre Competition
Congratulations to Rico Contreras and Camila Cedillo for placing 4th in the duet acting competition!
A Big Congratulations to Elliana Mitchell and Judith Guthrie for placing 3rd!
February is Heart Health Month: Give your heart some love
Heart disease and stroke are the main causes of death in the United States, but the good news is that you can do a lot to prevent developing either.
Join PTA
Check out their webpage at https://matamontessori.com/
Sign up for the PTA newsletter: Click Here
Dallas ISD Updates for Campus Visitors
While Dallas County is in Level Red, campus visitors and volunteers will not be allowed. We will use virtual meeting options to limit campus visitors. All visitors who enter the building will be required to wear a face covering and those who proceed beyond the reception area will follow specific guidelines for visitors.
Visitor Screening/PPE Requirements
Please self- screen before entering any Dallas ISD facility. If visitors have COVID-19 symptoms, or are lab confirmed with COVID-19, they must notify the campus and remain off campus until they meet the criteria for re-entry.
All individuals entering the building will be required to wear face masks.
Visitors will stand behind the shield guard installed at reception desks or recommended 6 feet distance.
Any individuals permitted to proceed beyond the reception area must follow all safety and campus protocols.
Parent curbside pick up of students and materials
Dallas ISD School Safety Protocols
Core 4
Parents, students, and community members can shout out a teacher, staff member, or Dallas ISD employee by visiting https://www.dallasisd.org/shoutout
Some of the top shoutouts will be spotlighted on social media, the Core 4 webpage, and in a monthly e-newsletter!
Mata Montessori School's Vision and Mission
Vision Statement: To provide an academic foundation which allows our students to be successful life-long learners.
Mission Statement: To provide an authentic Montessori education by focusing on educating the whole child academically, socially, and emotionally for all children.
Mata Montessori School's Key Actions
- Maintain a climate and culture that fosters academic excellence.
- Improve quality of instruction and student achievement through an aligned Montessori curriculum.
- Actively engage parents in education in meaningful and relevant ways.
The Mata Memo
Eduardo Mata Montessori School
Email: matamontessori@dallasisd.org
Website: http://www.dallasisd.org/Page/2376
Location: 7420 La Vista Drive, Dallas, TX, United States
Phone: (972)749-7500
Twitter: @MontessoriMata