The Mata Memo
February 8, 2022
Principal's Message
Mata Family!
We hope you all had a safe, warm weekend during the surprise snow days last week. We have so much to look forward to in the month of February. Next week is Kindness Week with a kickoff on Valentine's with our Virtual Sweetheart Read. Look below for details of how our students and staff will recognize kindness. This week is also National Counselor's week. Help us show appreciation to our counselors by asking your child to write a note of appreciation. Also mark your calendars for our International Festival and our upcoming musical, "Seussical Kids"!
We are excited about this wonderful month of celebration!
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
- National School Counselor's Week
- Random Acts of Kindness Week
- Sweetheart Read and Valentine's Day
- PTA Virtual Family Field Trip
- Mental Health Parenting Group Sessions
- International Festival
- Seussical the Musical!
- Covid 19 Testing
- Core 4 Shout Outs
- Yearbook pictures
- YMCA Spring Sports - Sign up
- 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. 14th - Sweetheart Read
Feb. 17th - New Date for CICC Meeting
Feb 17-18th - International Festival
Feb. 21st - President's Day No School
February is Black History Month
National School Counseling Week
Thank you, Mrs. Gunter and Dr. Lopez for all you do at Mata!
Sweetheart Read and Valentine's Guidelines
Next week to celebrate Valentine's Day we have our annual Sweetheart Read! We have a wonderful lineup of community members ready to read. There are just a few spots left that parents are welcome to sign up for, we ask that each family only claim one spot as there are very few this year.
https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/506997611016246083/false#/invitation
Students may dress in red or pink with uniform bottoms on Monday in support of friendship, caring, and kindness.
In regard to snacks, we are following the guidelines of healthy food. All items must be individually wrapped and must meet the guidelines of a healthy snack. Any item that does not meet the guideline will not be delivered to the classrooms. Healthy snacks are the best option. Food items must be purchased. We cannot allow foods prepared at home.
There should be no deliveries of pizza, cupcakes, cookies, sodas, etc. This competes with the FCNS rules and guidelines for serving students meals.
Students may bring Valentine's cards or notes of appreciations to share.
Join Mata Families at the African American Museum in Fair Park for an afternoon of learning and community. The museum is located near Gate 5 at Fair Park. Parking is available at Gate 5 or Fair Park can be reached on the DART Green Line. The museum is free and families will meet in the entrance of the museum at 1pm. We hope to see you there!
Únase con Familias de Mata en el Museo Afroamericano en Fair Park para una tarde de aprendizaje y comunidad. El museo está cerca de la Puerta 5 en Fair Park. El estacionamiento está disponible en la Puerta 5 o se puede llegar a Fair Park en la Línea Verde de DART. El museo es gratuito y las familias se reunirán en la entrada del museo a las 1:00. ¡Esperamos verte ahí!
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.
Congratulations!
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.
We will begin collecting money on Monday, February 14th and they are due February 17th.
Click below for an order Form
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!
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 FROM MORNING TO NIGHT
Be Willing To Apologize.
Parenting is difficult, and stressful events can sometimes intensify emotions. Normalizing apologizing takes courage. To admit you were wrong, and to ask for forgiveness when you do get upset, or make a mistake teaches children that conflict is a normal part of life and can be solved respectfully and calmly. Learn more by reading the Family Insitute of Northwestern University's tips and a short video (below) on how to Make Amends with your children.
Mata's PTA Walking Group!
Please tell us your preferences here! https://forms.gle/xR4niqi8N9hfsFfeA
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
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