MATHEWS e-News
We are 'All-In' this Together at Mathews!
Did You Know? Click on the date to go to our website!
We are "All-In" Together for our Children

SAFETY FIRST!
As we continue to work together to help make this the best year for all our Mavs we always want to remember that safety begins with each one of us.
Our Crosswalk in our Carpool Line:
Please remember that in the carpool drop-off and pick-up line we have a crosswalk. It only takes a second for something heartbreaking to happen.
At all times...be mindful and watchful of our crosswalk. The crosswalk has the right-of-way at all times. We want everyone to be safe at school.
Cell Phones are Prohibited While Driving Through a School Zone:
Texas school zone law, under HB 347, prevents using a cell phone when driving through an active school crossing zone. This includes property of a public elementary, middle, or junior high school for which a local authority has designated a school crossing zone.
Thank you for leaving our campus slow and steady so you are able to make an unexpected stop just in time! Buckle up your precious cargo and don't be tempted by your cell phone.
We are "All-In" when keeping our Mathews families safe.
Click the button for more information from PISD... Key Details: Begins Friday, September 13 Applies to all stadiums (Not just Clark and Kimbrough) Applies to all levels of play (Middle School, High School, and Senior High games)


SEPTEMBER IS PEANUT BUTTER MONTH!
'Spread' the Word...
Let's teach our children how even the smallest act of kindness when provided by many makes a BIG difference in our community.
Students are encouraged to bring jars of Peanut Butter to school to donate to the North Texas Food Pantry.
We have donations drop-offs at both of the main doors as students enter the building.
Together we make a difference.
Help STOP the Hunger Crisis in North Texas. Be the Difference! Click the button and 'spread' the word!
CogAT Information from Our Counselor, Mrs. Toler

We Value You!
Because We are a Team...
The QR pictured is the same as the one we have available in our office when you sign-out following your visit. You can use your QR Scanner on your phone and share your thoughts with us.
We are "All-In" Together!
INFORMATION REGARDING P.A.C.E.

Click the button to go to PISD's Gifted Education site for information about the PACE program.

WE NEED YOU FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4!
Field Day is Friday, October 4. We need volunteers to join us in this annual tradition for it to be a success! Won't you volunteer? #MemoriesAreMadeOfThese #WeLoveFieldDayVolunteers!

SMU Counseling Services
An Amazing Resource...
Plano ISD Partners with Southern Methodist University to Provide Family Counseling and Conflict Resolution
Plano ISD and Southern Methodist University (SMU) are joining together to provide counseling and mediation services to Plano ISD staff, students and their families beginning in September 2019. With a mission to deliver developmentally appropriate and culturally sensitive services to all clients, the clinic is located in the Cox Building located at 1517 H Ave., Plano, TX 75074.
Counseling Services – SMU Center for Family Counseling at Plano ISD
· Plano ISD staff, students and their family are eligible for services.
· The clinic is located in the Plano ISD Cox Building at 1517 H Ave., Plano, TX 75074.
· Hours of operation are Wednesdays and Thursdays 4 – 8 p.m. beginning September 4. For appointment, please call 469-752-3098 on or after September 4, or at any time to leave a voice message request for appointment.
Counseling services are provided on a sliding fee scale ($0-45 per session) based on income.
Services are supervised by SMU full-time and adjunct faculty and provided by SMU counseling practicum and internship students.
Services available:
– Play therapy for children
– Activity therapy for adolescents
– Couples and families therapy for anxiety, depression, behavior difficulties (e.g., oppositional defiance, aggression), grief and loss, peer relationships, stress, trauma and parenting.
Conflict Resolution Services – SMU Center for Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management at Plano ISD
Plano ISD staff, students and their family, as well as community members with court-appointed mediation are eligible for services.
The clinic is located in the Plano ISD Cox Building at 1517 H Ave., Plano, TX 75074.
Hours of operation are Mondays through Fridays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. beginning September 4. For appointment, call 214-768-5687. Staff are available to respond to phone calls, requests for appointments and questions beginning September 4 and after Monday – Friday from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
There is an administration fee of $100 per party. This fee is waived for Legal Aid clients and for Plano ISD staff, students and their families.
Services are provided under the supervision of SMU dispute resolution faculty and co facilitated by SMU dispute resolution students enrolled in practicum and provided by certified and trained volunteers.
Services available:
– Mediation
– Arbitration
– Conflict coaching

From Our Library
Click the button to 'Read All About' the Bluebonnet List for this year!

Please click on this button for lots of important and helpful information from our school nurse, Laura Miller for September.
Reflections Contest

More information about each type of contest available for this year's Reflection Contest.
ATTENDANCE
Ready to Start the Day...
Our school opens at 7:00 a.m. We have breakfast available that can be purchased from 7:00-7:30.
Students who arrive before 7:30 will either have breakfast in the cafeteria, or sit with their grade level in the gym with adult supervision.
At 7:30 are students are welcomed in the grade level to begin their day.
We recommend and encourage that your child arrive no later than 7:30 each morning. This allows your child time to get to his/her classroom, unpack, sharpen pencils, use the restroom, visit with their teacher and classmates...whatever they might need to do to settle in for the day. Walking in to the classroom after the bell has rung, is not the best way to start the day and is often times awkward for a child.
Each day is an opportunity to learn. Attendance is important. We thank you for teaching your child the importance of being at school by scheduling trips during school breaks and doctors appointments after the school day or during school breaks as well.
When you enroll your child you click that you have reviewed and read the Attendance Truancy Notice.
Under 'District News' near the bottom of the newsletter is a link for your review that helps explain the two laws regarding Truancy and Grade Level Advancement in regards to absences and tardies. Please take a moment to review the information below.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Powell.
Please click the button to review state laws regarding attendance including excused and unexcused absences as well as tardies. We want to welcome your child to school each morning on time for a great day of learning! Thank you for your support.
MATHEWS INFORMATION
Click the button to have contact information at your fingertips! This information is also available on our Mathews website too! Reach out whenever we can help.
Each grade level posts updated newsletters on the 1st and on the 15th of each month. Read up to the minute info on our Mathews website. Just click on this button. This will also take you to archived newsletters from the start of the year. Enjoy!
Click the button to learn about joining your children for lunch at Mathew. Parents are welcome to start having lunch with their child after the first six weeks of school.
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Please click on the button to review the breakfast menu. Parents you are welcome to join your children for breakfast at Mathews! Breakfast is served from 7:00-7:30 each morning.
Mathews Lunch Menu. When you click the link, you can click the 'X' in the top right corner to create a profile. The box will disappear and you can see the menu behind it.
Lunch, Recess and Specials Schedule

MARK YOUR CALENDAR



Save the Date...
For many parents it is helpful to have these dates as far in advance as possible in order to be able to schedule time off work, or reschedule a trip or meeting in order to attend.
Any new events are updated in your Smore weekly.
Our theme for the 2019-2020 school year is "All-In". We are looking forward to a great year and hope you will be able to join us for special events.
Dates to Remember
Friday, September 13:
Last Day to submit PACE Referral Request
Tuesday, September 17:
Mathews Spirit Night at Chipotle
Park & Preston
September 23-27:
Fall Book Fair
Tuesday, September 24:
Picture Day!
Wednesday, September 25:
Grandparents Luncheon Day
Thursday, September 26:
PTA Book Fair Night
6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 4:
Field Day! (Save the Date to Volunteer!)
(Rain Date, if needed- October 11)
Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15:
School Holiday for Students
Tuesday, October 15:
Parent Conference Day
Wednesday, October 16:
Third Grade: HSLC Field Trip (Outdoor Learning Center)
Monday-Friday, October 21-October 25:
Red Ribbon Week
October 25:
PTA Carnival and Dance
Monday through Wednesday, November 4 through 6:
Fifth Grade Adventure Camp!
Tuesday, November 5:
Non-Camp 5th grade HSLC Field Trip (Outdoor Learning Center)
Monday, November 11:
Veterans' Day Assembly
Tuesday, November 12:
Picture Retake Day
Thursday and Friday, November 14 and 15:
5th Grade Colonial Days
Friday, November 22:
Kindergarten: Harvest Day
November 25-29:
Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, December 10:
5th Grade Music Makers Choir Concert
6:00-7:00 (Performers will arrive earlier)
Wednesday, December 11:
Cafeteria Cops visit at lunch
Thursday, December 19:
Grades K, 1, 2 Winter Parties
12:30-1:30
Grades 3, 4, & 5 Winter Parties
1:30-2:30
Friday, December 20:
Early Release for Winter Break
Noon
FAST CLICKS TO HELPFUL LINKS
To volunteer you are required to complete an annual background check. Request for background checks for the 2019-2020 school year will begin on July 1, 2019. Click the button above to complete your request for your 19-20 Volunteer Background Check.
Where to go to find out more about our fabulous Mathews PTA and upcoming events. Check out our PTA website at www.MathewsPTA.MembershipToolkit.com/ (Or click the link above!)
PASAR is Plano ISD's after-school care program for students in grades Pre-K through grade 5, located on all elementary campuses, including Head Start. Click on the button above for more information regarding PASAR.
PISD offers an online payment system for meals, Gr 5 Camp and PASAR. Parents can set up automatic payment plans, view account balances and history, receive automatic notification on balance status & more! Click the button above for PayPAMS.
DISTRICT NEWS
In English.
In Spanish.
Plano ISD AP
Did you know that Plano ISD has an app for smartphones?
On the app you can:
- View student grades and attendance
- Access school and staff info
- View news stories
- Receive important alert
- View calendar info
- Access PISD's tipline
More information can be found at: https://www.pisd.edu/mobileapp
Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store to download it today!
This will take you straight to our district's Student Parent Policy Guide.
Bus Badges Kindergarten and First Grade
Mathews Kinders and First Grade:
To: Parent/Guardian of Kindergarten and 1st grade regular education students
Re: Bus badges
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are adding a layer of support to help our bus drivers more easily identify our youngest student riders as they unload at their respective bus stop. Your Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st grade students will have a color coded bus badge attached to their backpacks by their teachers in the coming days. The bus badge will list your student’s name, grade, school, bus route and bus stop location. This will serve as a visual tool for the driver to better monitor these students as they ride and exit the bus at their bus stop.
While a missing bus badge will not result in your Kindergarten or 1st grade student being refused bus service to and from their elementary campus, the routine of having the bus badge displayed daily will play an important support role for our drivers at the bus stop. Replacement bus badges are available by emailing buses@pisd.edu and requesting a replacement bus badge.
Please review the following bus stop release guideline reminders to help us serve your students.
STUDENTS ARE ONLY TO USE THE DESIGNATED BUS STOP LISTED ON HIS/HER BUS BADGE FOR PICK UP AND DROP OFF.
Students are assigned to bus stops based on their home address and the campuses serving that address. Due to safety concerns, students may not use alternate bus stops or bus routes.
Parents must be at the stops to meet K & 1st grade students at the designated pick up time. A student will not be dropped off unless a parent or designee is there to meet them. In the event a parent is not at the bus stop to receive the student, or have proper identification the student will be escorted into the home school office. You will be required to go inside with proper identification before the student will be released. A Bus Safety Violation Notice will be issued. After three reports the student may be temporarily suspended from the bus. If this occurs more than three times the student will be denied bus transportation for a period of time to be determined by the campus. Parent/Guardian must come to the bus door to ensure the driver can confirm a safe handoff. This is for the safety of the child.
Students in the 2nd grade may be released without a parent/guardian or older sibling. We are not able to release younger siblings to a 2nd grade student.
Children must remain seated while on the bus and follow all school bus safety rules.
Please work with us to help the student understand the importance of bus safety.
Thank you in advance for helping to make the badge system and the parent/guardian presence at the bus stop a safe and organized hand off process.
Sincerely,
Plano ISD Transportation Services Staff
District Events
Free Parenting Workshops


Meeting Locations:
Evening classes are held at the Bird Center, Building B, 1300 19th Street, Plano, 75074
On Line SafetyTips
Helpful information all year long...
Tips for Parents:
· Ask general questions about whether your child has seen anything online that has made them upset or worried.
· Explain that many things that happen online can be misleading or frightening.
· Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult if they see something online or on social media that is scary or hurtful.
· Make sure your child knows that it is not okay to communicate with or follow directions from strangers online.
· Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name/location.
· Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate online behavior.
· Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and monitor its use and monitor time spent on smartphones or tablets.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s counselor. Plano ISD also offers a variety of parent education opportunities. For more information, please visit https://www.pisd.edu/parentworkshops
Additional Resources:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html
https://www.netsmartz.org/internetsafety
https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/children-internet-safety
https://www.mcgruff-safe-kids.com/2014/08/10-internet-safety-tips-for-kids/
DISTRICT CALENDAR

Mathews Elementary School
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