Mathews Messenger, 36
May 16-20, 2022
From Grace
Hello, Wonderful Mathews Community! We are closing in on the last two weeks of school... WOW! It's hard to believe we only have 10 more days with our students this year and we're planning on making the most of the time we have left together. We have field trips, assemblies, and the possibility of sliming the principal this week, along with some powerful end-of year work around our school-wide read aloud, new book clubs that have formed, and hands-on projects galore. It's going to be a fun last two weeks of school!
We wrapped up the STAAR testing last week (yay!) but we're not quite done with assessments just yet. Our end of year MAPGrowth for all grade levels is officially scheduled this week on Tuesday and Wednesday; however, there may be some changes for certain grade levels, depending on extra activities planned for our students. This is the same assessment our students took at the beginning and the middle of year to measure academic progress in reading and math. We know many of our students have summer-itis, so please encourage your kiddo to do his/her/their best. :)
And now for a registration update... We're just over 80% - SO CLOSE! Thank you to all parents who have completed the online registration. We need 85% of our students registered in the week if I'm going to get slimed! :) Also good to know, if registration is not complete prior to the start of the 2022-2023 school year, your child will not be placed in a class for the 22-23 school year. If you have any questions about registration, please email Julie Salazar @julie.salazar@austinisd.org Thank you!
As you prepare for the week, I need to ask for your help during arrival and dismissal. Families, please be respectful of the no parking zone during both arrival and dismissal. We've had cars squeezing in-between busses during pick up which is not safe for anyone. The front of the school is reserved for buses and the Spilled Milk van pick up. I know the lines can be long at pick up. If you are in a hurry to get somewhere, please plan accordingly so we can keep everyone safe! Another friendly reminder - don't make U-turns in front of the school and always watch for our students! Thank you!
Here's to a fun and meaningful week of teaching and learning at Mathews! Please read the information section below as it is full of good to know news for our community! As always, thank you for being a part of this wonderful community!
Calendar
Monday, May 16, 2022
- Everyone on Time Day! Schools begins at 7:40 am!
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
- Official MapGrowth Math Date
- 5th Grade Field Trip to George Washington Carver Museum for Ms. Osten's Class
Wednesday, May 18, 2022
- Official MapGrowth Reading Date
- 5th Grade Field Trip to George Washington Carver Museum for Ms. Shira's Class
Thursday, May 19, 2022 - C Day
- PTA Meeting in the Cafeteria at 8:00 am
- Jim Jim's Water Ice Enrollment Party and Principal Sliming at 2:00 pm (if we get to 85% registered!)
Friday, May 20, 2022
- School-wide Assembly at 8:00 am
- Mathews Friends for Excellence Alumni Scholarship Assembly at 1:30 pm for 5th and 6th Grades
Upcoming Events
- May 23 - PreK Splash Day
- May 23 - CAC Meeting
- May 24 - Barnhill Preserve Visit
- May 25 - Kinder Splash Day
- May 25 - 1st Grade End of Year Celebration
- May 25 - 2nd Grade End of Year Celebration
- May 25 - PRIDE Parade
- May 27 - 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony and Campus Walk
- May 27 - Last Day of School!
Positivity Project
This week our school community will be focusing on a review of the 24 character strengths and the Other People Mindset.
Over the course of this year, we have gained an understanding and appreciation of the 24 character strengths that are in all of us. Every 1-2 weeks we learned about a different character strength or Other People Mindset element. This knowledge has helped us build strong relationships with other people and become our best selves. People who have strong positive relationships do five things consistently - these are the five practices of the Other People Mindset. 1. Recognize the good in other people, 2. Recognize that everything you say or do affects other people, 3. Support others when they struggle, 4. Cheer people on when they succeed, 5. Remain present when giving people your attention. People who have a strong Other People Mindset are able to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with others.
This year, by deliberately and consistently teaching students that relationships are important — and that positive relationships are cultivated through character and the Other People Mindset — our school community has experienced firsthand how positive relationships help us become happier, healthier, and more resilient.
Time to Register for 2022-23 School Year
We are excited that you will be joining us for the 2022-2023 school year.
For new and returning students https://www.austinisd.org/enroll
If you are a new student, once you have created your account, you will receive a confirmation email where you will log in and complete the registration. Please have the following documents ready to upload in step #9 as you will not be able to go back and upload after you have confirmed your registration. You will need:
State issued Birth Certificate (passport if born outside the US) Ordering a Birth Certificate
Immunizations Immunization requirements
Social Security Card (for student)
Parent’s driver’s license
One of the following (anything else unable to be accepted) for proof of residence -
Current lease with all occupants listed, current mortgage statement, current City of Austin electric bill or gas bill
Custody documents if applicable
If you are not in the Mathews attendance zone, you will need to submit a transfer request online at https://www.austinisd.org/transfer or through your parent portal.
If you have any questions or need assistance please contact Julie Salazar at 512-414-4406 or email her at julie.salazar@austinisd.org
Registration Goody Bags
Students who have been registered for the 2022-23 school year received a goody bag last week, as our way of saying thank you for completing the process. Help your child get a goody bag and register today!
Once we hit 90% of our students registered, we'll have a big celebration for the whole school - you might just get Ms. Brewster back on the roof or get her slimed!
2022-23 School Supplies!
Save time and support our PTA! Click HERE or on the picture below to order pre-packaged school supplies for the 22-23 school year. :) PTA will receive $2.00 for every school supply kit sold. Win, win!
Mathews Pride Parade
Our very own, student-led, Mathews Pride Club, aka “Rainbow Spectrum,” has been brainstorming and planning ways to empower LGBTQIA+ students and families. The students have designated Wednesday, May 25th of this year to be Pride Day at our school. The students will lead our school in an assembly and march around the school. They are excited to share their pride and to spread awareness on supporting diverse students and families.
To learn more about the student club, read their mission statement.
This event will take place during the school day. If you like to help with the march and assembly please let Stephanie Reyna, club sponsor and school counselor, know. Thanks!
2022 Austin High Golf Mini Maroons Summer Camp
Who: Future Austin High golfers and community members entering 1st-8th grades in 2022-2023
What: This 3-Day golf camp is intended for golfers of all skill levels. Campers will be divided into developmentally appropriate groups and will improve their golf skills through drills, playing games, hitting on the range, and working on the course.
*Each session will be conducted by Austin High coaches & current Maroon golfers
When: Tuesday May 31st - Thursday June 2nd (3 Days) From 9:00 am to Noon Where: Lions Golf Course - 2901 Enfield Rd, Austin, TX 78703
Cost: $250 – Checks made payable to Austin High Golf or pay online via school cash online: https://bit.ly/MaroonCampPayment
Registration: Please bring your completed registration form on June 14th and RSVP to save your spot. The link to the registration form is: https://bit.ly/MaroonCampRSVP
For more information contact Coach Lebo @512-825-6396 or nick.lebo@austinisd.org
Austin High Soccer Summer Camps for Elementary
This camp is open to all Future Austin High Soccer players and community members.
Girls and boys are welcome at each camp. The two camp sessions for Mathews students are below:
Camp #1: players entering 1st - 5th grades in 2022/23
Camp #2: players entering 6th - 9th grades in 2022/23
WHAT:
These 4-day camps are intended for players at all different skill levels. Campers will be divided into developmentally appropriate groups to improve their skills through drills, activities & games.
*Each camp will be lead by Girls Varsity Soccer Coach & current Maroon Soccer players
WHEN:
Camp #1: Monday, June 6 – Thursday, June 9 from 9:00 – 10:30am
Camp #2: Monday, June 20 – Thursday, June 23 from 9:00 – 10:30am
WHERE:
Austin High Athletic Fields near the track on the west side of the school.
COST:
$100 per camp
Checks made payable to “Austin High Girls Soccer Booster Club” - bring on first day of each camp.
REGISTER:
By completing this form.
QUESTIONS:
Contact Coach Carnley @817-235-4080 or Jason.carnley@austinisd.org
Austin High Basketball Camp
When: June 27th – June 30, 2022
Where: Austin High School Gymnasium
Who: Boys and Girls entering 3rd – 6th grades 9:00 am – 12:00 noon
Who: Boys and Girls entering 7th – 9th grades 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Cost: $125 per camper
Campers are taught all aspects of the game. A typical day at camp includes station work with an emphasis on fundamentals: shooting, passing, footwork, defense, rebounding, ball-handling, teamwork, contests, drills, and team games. All equipment will be provided. Campers must bring their own water bottle.
Instructor: Emerald Amen (Head Girls Coach)
Instructor: Brad Ingram (Head Boys Coach)
To Register please complete Form below (siblings please complete a separate form for each player attending):
Pay online:
https://austinisd.schoolcashonline.com/ search for "Austin High Summer Basketball Camp"
Bond Steering Committee
A possible bond election is being explored, under the leadership of AISD's Bond Steering Committee. Meetings are open to the public, and your input is valued and welcome. You can find more information at the link below:
Legislative Priorities
The Austin ISD board is working to identify legislative priorities for the 88th Texas Legislative session, which begins in January 2023. Strong state support for public education is an important part of strong schools in our community. We want to know what's important to you, so please share your suggestions about priorities for us to consider. https://www.austinisd.org/legislature
Be a Fit Kid
Being fit is a way of saying a person eats well, gets a lot of physical activity (exercise), and has a healthy weight. If you're fit, your body works well, feels good, and can do all the things you want to do, like run around with your friends.
People who care (parents, doctors, teachers, and others) want to know how to help kids be more fit. Some parts of this are up to parents — such as serving healthy meals or deciding to take the family on a nature hike. But kids can take charge too when it comes to their health.
Here are 5 rules to live by, if you're a kid who wants to be fit. The trick is to follow these rules most of the time, knowing that some days (like your birthday) might call for cake and ice cream.
1. Eat a Variety of Foods
You may have a favorite food, but the best choice is to eat a variety. If you eat different foods, you're more likely to get the nutrients your body needs. Taste new foods and old ones you haven't tried for a while. Some foods, such as green veggies, may taste better the older you get.
Try for at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day — 2 fruits and 3 vegetables. Here's one combination that might work for you:
- at breakfast: ½ cup (about 4 large) strawberries on your cereal
- with lunch: 6 baby carrots
- for a snack: an apple
- with dinner: ½ cup broccoli and 1 cup of salad
2. Drink Water & Milk
When you're really thirsty, water is the best thirst-quencher. And there's a reason your school cafeteria offers cartons of milk. Kids need calcium to build strong bones, and milk is a great source of this mineral. How much do kids need? If you are 4 to 8 years old, drink 2½ cups of milk a day. If you're 9 or older, aim for 3 cups of milk per day. You can mix it up by having milk, fortified soy milk, and some other calcium-rich dairy foods. Here's one combination:
- 2 cups (about half a liter) milk or soy milk
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
- ½ cup (small container) of yogurt
If you want something other than milk or water, it's OK to drink 100% juice once in a while, but no more than 1 cup a day. Don’t drink sugary drinks, like sodas, juice drinks, and sports drinks. They contain a lot of added sugar. Sugar just adds calories, not important nutrients.
3. Listen to Your Body
What does it feel like to be full? When you're eating, notice how your body feels and when your stomach feels comfortably full. Sometimes, people eat too much because they don't notice when they need to stop eating. Eating too much can make you feel uncomfortable and can lead to unhealthy weight gain.
4. Limit Screen Time
What's screen time? It's the amount of time you spend watching TV or videos, playing video games (console systems or handheld games), and using a smart phone, tablet, or computer. The more time you spend on these sitting-down activities, the less time you have for active stuff, like basketball, bike riding, and swimming. And you may not get enough sleep if you spend too much time with a screen before bed. Try to spend no more than 2 hours a day on screen time, not counting using the computer for school and educational activities.
5. Be Active
One job you have as a kid — and it's a fun one — is that you get to figure out which activities you like best. Not everyone loves baseball or soccer. Maybe your passion is karate, or kickball, or dancing. Ask your parents to help you do your favorite sports and other activities. Find ways to be active every day, like playing outside. You might even write down a list of fun stuff to do, so you can use it when your mom or dad says it's time to stop watching TV or playing computer games!
Speaking of parents, they can be a big help if you want to be a fit kid. For instance, they can stock the house with healthy foods and plan physical activities for the family. Tell your parents about these five steps you want to take and maybe you can teach them a thing or two. If you're a fit kid, why shouldn't you have a fit mom and a fit dad?
Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: March 2022
Austin ISD Notifications
AISD EQUITY ACTION PLAN
Over the course of a year (2019–2020), the AISD Office of Equity met with over 1,500 staff, students, and community for a series of information gathering sessions. The goal for these sessions was to hear staff, student, and community concerns; what they thought about equity in our district practices; and to find areas where we as the district could adjust to be more equitable.