The Mata Memo
April 25, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
As we move into the final 5 weeks of the year. We are focusing on what we are grateful for and what is going well. Author Elena Aguilar states that "It's a cliched idea to tell people to focus on the positives. However, focusing on what we're grateful for, and what's going well, probably works wonders on the mind.
Our negativity-seeking brains try to persuade us to dwell on possible threats. That's why it's so easy to get caught up in negative thoughts. To counter this, Aguilar challenges us to notice what is going well!"
Here at Mata, we are grateful for our students, our parents, and our community. We have a strong team of Montessorians, staff and personnel that have an unwavering dedication to the work and to your children. We appreciate each other, and we appreciate you!
This week continues the information on how to make yourself dispensable in your child's life. Each one will help you move closer to your goal of raising an independent, autonomous, fully functioning young adult.
Check out this week's focus:
Teach your children to ask for help. One way to do that is not to help them until they ask. Parents often rush in with help before the child has articulated a desire for help. Why would they ever need to ask for help if it always arrives without asking?
Teach your children the words to use when asking for help. Role-play with them so they can practice a few times. Empower them by teaching them this important skill.
Together we will give our children the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence!
Enjoy the Memo below!
Sincerely,
Tomeka Williams
Principal
Tuesday Tutoring
Please reach out to the main office if you have additional questions.
Calendar at A Glance
District-Wide Calendar - Click Here
- April 25 PTA General Meeting
- April 26 STAAR Social Studies (Grade 8)
- April 27 Upper and Lower Field Day
- April 28 Inclement Weather Day, No School
- May 3rd - STAAR Math
- May 4th - Modern Band Concert
- May 7th- CAT Fest! 1:00-4:00
- May 10th- SBDM's Evaluation and Modification Subcommittee Meeting (Campus Needs Assessment)
Orchestra News!
4th-8th grade orchestra students who are attending String Fling at Bryan Adams High School this Saturday, April 29:
Must have signed BLUE permission slip turned in to Ms. Powers no later than Thursday, April 27.
Must pick up instrument from the orchestra room by the end of the day on Thursday and return it to Mata on Monday, May 1.
Please feel free to email Ms. Powers if you have questions. JPowers@dallasisd.org
It is going to be a wonderful event!!
Support your Child's Social Emotional Development
5 Tips for Coping with Test Anxiety (for Kids)
Mata's Monarch Heros!
Congratulations to Sra. Gonzales and Sra. Vazquez and our School for becoming Certified Monarch Heros! When their garden work day got postponed due to conditions, our Girl Scout troops and Cub Scout pack stepped in and assisted in planting the diverse pollinator garden. Mata Montessori now has a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Our Teachers would like to invite parent volunteers to assist with Wednesday after school sessions working on the garden with students. More info to come, the Sign up Genius is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4FAAAD28A5FD0-monarch
It's time to register!
The registration for the 2023-24 school year officially started on April 1, 2023. Parents of new and returning students are required to complete registration in the district’s online enrollment system, SchoolMint.
Rescheduled Field Day!
Rescheduled Field Day!
Sign up to Volunteer Here
Mata PTA Slate - Election Meeting April 25th
PTA Officer Elections
The Nominating Committee for the Mata PTA Officer Election is excited to announce your slate for the 2023-24 school year:
President- Amy Nickell
Vp Programs- Ruben De La Paz
VP Membership- Anh Le
VP Arts- Brandi Askenase
Treasurer- Brittany Connell
Secretary- Melissa Gonzales
Thank you Mata Community for your nominations. Many thanks also to our great candidates for stepping up to help our Eagles soar next year. The election is Tuesday, April 25th at 6pm.
Family Fit Fest 2023
The Health & Physical Education Department is excited to invite Dallas families to participate in the upcoming Family Fit Fest event, formerly known as Get Kids Fit Fest. Hosted by the Community Council of Greater Dallas, this FREE community expo offers fun for all ages, with a focus on improving overall health and wellness.
This event is designed to enhance and improve the quality of life for North Texas families, with over 3,000 attendees expected to participate. The first 500 attendees will receive a FREE T-SHIRT and SWAG BAG, and the first 1000 attendees will receive a Box of Food courtesy of the North Texas Food Bank.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Location: Dallas Market Hall
Start Time: 11:00 am
End Time: 3:00 pm
Cost to Attend: FREE Admission and FREE Parking
Official Website: www.Familyfitfest.org
Entertainment: Kidz Zone Area, Live Music/DJ, Photos, Voter Registration, Hundreds of fun and free activities for the whole family!
Mata's Modern Bad Concert!
2023 Cat Fest! Come on Out! Mata's DI Team Mythical Beasts will be Performing!
Campus Needs Assessment Committee (Evaluation and Modification)
You do not have to have attended previous meetings to attend this one. Please sign up at the link to confirm attendance and so that the necessary documents can be sent to you in advance. ALL welcome!
22-23 Yearbook on sale NOW
Order forms will be online at http://ybpay.com/ Our school code is 14995723 and they are $25 per book.
Thank you PTA for supporting our sponsor Mr. Langford and the yearbook class!
Middle School Families
Guardianship Information Workshop for Parents!
The Special Services Department is hosting a Guardianship Information Workshop for Parents on Monday, May 15, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 9400 N. Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231, 2nd Floor, Room 202 and 203.
This workshop will explain the importance and guidelines for the guardianship of an individual with an intellectual and developmental disability. You will have the opportunity to meet our Special Services Executive Directors, Michelle Brown, and Dr. Anabel Meyer.
6th graders: Party survey results are in!
The leveling up EOY celebration will be an Arcade Party!
Who: Current 6th grade Mata students only
What: Celebration of moving up to middle school: Pta will provide 2 hours of free play arcade time, dinner, photo booth with friends & autograph booklet (may be inserted into your yearbook if you buy one.)
When Thursday 5.25.23 6p-8p (the venue is adults only after 8pm ALL students must be picked up at 8pm)
Where: Cidercade 2777 Irving Blvd #200, Dallas, TX 75207
How: RSVP tinyurl.com/MataLevelUp
Lets go!!
Mata Closet Needs!
Parents, the Mata Closet needs donations! Items we need most are:
- New boy and girl underwear in sizes 3T, 4T and 5T
- Boy and girl uniform pants in sizes 10 and above
- Girl uniform skirts/skorts (and privacy shorts) in sizes 10 and above
- Uniform shirts in sizes 12 and above
Please make sure your donations are free of stains and tears, with intact buttons and zippers. Donations can be dropped off at the main office. Thank you!
What's Happening Around Mata Montessori?
Middle School Esports Tournament
ESPORTS CONGRATS!
All City Jam!
MAGNET SCHOOLS OF AMERICA CONFERENCE
Also, a special thank you goes to our Student Council Representatives that served as ambassadors! They did an excellent job showing off the campus!
Ms. O'dell, Ms. Stout, Ms. Mankse and Ms. Osborne Presented at the Magnet School Conference
Summer Dance Intensive - Rising 3rd-9th Grade Invited to Attend!
The office of Academic Enrichment and Support will host the annual Summer Dance Intensive (SDI) for rising 3rd-9th graders on June 5-8, 2023 from 9 AM - 3:45 PM, daily.
SDI will be hosted at three locations: W.T. White High School, W.W. Samuell High School, and Wilmer-Hutchins High School. Transportation will be provided to each location according to the assigned bus routes.
Registration is FREE for all current Dallas ISD students. Registration closes May 12, 2023 at 11:59 PM. To learn more go to the Dallas ISD Dance page, https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/14086 or our social media pages (@dallasisdvpa) for registration.
White Rock Spring Games!
After School Carpool Reminders
All cars will proceed down LaVista Dr. to the furthest entry past the school building. You will make a right turn into the drive nearest the apartments. You will remain in your car and show your sign to the Mata staff. We will call for your child as you drive around the wraparound drive. Please pull up as far as possible. Keep your child's tag showing until your child(ren) is brought to your car. When leaving the drive, turn left to circle under the bridge and proceed to the traffic light.
Please do not park in the NO Parking Zones, as this is a safety concern, and you can be ticketed.
Also, please do not walk through the lanes of the carpool. Please use the sidewalks when walking.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe.
Friendly Office Reminders
- Always bring an ID to the office for all student pick-ups.
- Cut off time for early student pick up is 2:30 PM.
- Parents must complete VOLY every school year in order to volunteer at our campus.
- No cupcakes or snacks high in sugar are permitted for Celebration of Life. Please bring healthy snacks the whole class can enjoy.
- No fast-food deliveries for students.
- Doors for students to enter the building every morning open at 7:30 AM.
- School starts at 8:00 AM and tardies are distributed after this time.
- If a student arrives after 8:20 AM this counts as a partial absence (T99).
- Always submit an excuse note anytime your student is absent.
- Please have your student adhere to the uniform policy.
Buy your spirit wear from the Eagle Wagon!
Spirit wear may be worn with jeans on Fridays
Thank you for your patience while we organize our current on hand inventory.
For new shirts, more colors, expanded sizing and embroidered options plus delivery to your home see our PTA’s online fundraising store https://matamontessori.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Join PTA!
Check out your PTA membership perks and if you’re not a member you can join online:
Action for Happiness Calendar
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.
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MataMontessori/?fref=ts
Twitter: @montessorimata