MST Magnet Elementary
Week of August 24th
Welcome Back!
Our theme for the 2015-2016 school year is MST Version 2.0: Uploading Excellence for 20 Years. This year marks our 20th anniversary! MST Magnet Elementary opened in 1995 at the Arapaho building and moved to the present location in 2005 after Richardson Junior High School was closed and repurposed. MST has built a legacy of innovation, creativity, and dedication to student learning that is immeasurable. It is through our partnership with our parents and community towards the devotion to student achievement and our genuine love for MST, that teach year has brought continued success.
Convocation 2015
Back to School
Staff Development Week
Staff Spotlight - Mrs. Barrett - 5th Grade Teacher
I was born and grew up in Fort Worth, TX with two wild brothers! I attended UT Arlington and, I graduated with a degree in English and minored in psychology. Shortly after graduation, I began the Tarleton Model for Accelerated Teacher Education and began teaching third grade. After a few wonderful years with third graders, I made the move to fifth grade and have been there ever since!
My husband, Austin and I got married in 2012 and a year later moved to Dallas, when I was so lucky to find MST! We have an opinionated cat, Chewy and energetic lab named June. In February of 2015, we welcomed Benjamin, the love of our lives into the world! During my spare time, I enjoy walking around White Rock Lake, cooking, reading, and practicing yoga.
I feel blessed to be teaching at MST because incorporating technology into instruction is one of my biggest passions! This year I will juggling parenthood, teaching wonderful fifth graders, and attending SMU’s Accelerated School Leadership Program. I look forward to an exciting school year and graduating in May!
Staff Spotlight - Mrs. Hebert - Technology Education Specialist
This is my 17th year of teaching, and my 9th year at MST. I graduated from University of Houston at Clear Lake, and worked in Special Education for 8 years before moving to Technology Education. I finished my Master’s Degree in Instructional Technology (also from University of Houston Clear Lake) in 2008. I love helping others learn to use technology as a tool to achieve their goals in new ways! I am also the sponsor for the school Robotics Club (4-6) and Safety Patrol (6).
In addition, I am a Mom of 3 children. My son completed Kinder through 6th at MST, and is currently a student at West. I have a daughter in 3rd grade at MST, and a 3 year-old daughter in pre-school. I love baseball, reading, new technology, and spending time with my family.
Keep an eye out for my blog with helpful tips in navigating the world of technology with your children. Please feel free to contact me if I can help in any way.
MST Security Measures
MST is committed to the safety and security of all students and staff. To enter the school, you must present a state issued picture ID that will be scanned. You will be given a sticker badge to wear while you are in the building. Please come back through the office to sign out.
Our MST Office phone number is 469-593-7300. Please realize that we have a very busy office and there will be times when you will need to leave a message on our voice mail. These messages are retrieved and distributed throughout the day.
Transportation Changes
If your child has a change in transportation plans, you MUST send a note to the teacher in writing at least 1 day prior to the transportation change. Email notifications are not the most reliable avenue for transportation changes, as teachers are involved in instruction and may not check email until after school hours. Please contact the front office by 2:00 pm for emergency changes. Parents, please go over your child’s transportation plans with them before school. Our first concern is the safety of your student.
Lunch Visitors
There will be no lunch visitors for the first four (4) weeks of school to allow the students the opportunity to learn the cafeteria procedures and establish relationships with their peers. Parents may begin having lunches with students on September 21st.
In order to make sure we have enough room for all of our visitors, please follow the schedule below and eat with your student only on their assigned day. Please do not invite friends to sit with you as space is limited.
K—2 Monday, Wednesday & Friday
3—6 Tuesday and Thursday
School lunch prices have increased slightly this year. The student lunch is $2.40; the adult lunch is $3.50.
To apply for Free/Reduced lunch, go to www.schoollunchapp.com. It’s quick and easy and your information is protected.
If you pay for your student’s meals with a check, you must put your Driver’s License number and your date of birth on your check.
Tardy Procedures
Students should be in their seats by 8:00 am each day ready to work. The continuity and pace of instruction is established at the very beginning of each day. Students arriving after the 8:00 am bell will be counted tardy. Attendance time is 9:00 am This is different from past years. If your child arrives after 9:00 am, they will be considered absent.
Absences
When your student is absent, send a note to the teacher about the absence when the child returns to school. Handwritten and signed excuse notes must be received within 3 school days of the absence, otherwise the absence is considered unexcused. Emails and text messages will not be accepted. If your child needs to miss a portion of the day due to a medical appointment, we must receive a note from the medical provider to excuse the absence.
Birthdays
If you would like to celebrate your child’s birthday at school, please bring non-food items such as pencils, erasers, stickers, etc. to share with the class. Food items for the class will not be permitted in the cafeteria or classrooms. Parents may eat with their child in the cafeteria on their birthday, even if it is not their designated day. Outside food at lunch is permitted for their child only.
Student Afternoon Dismissal
School does not officially end until 3:00 pm. It is important that you do not come to pick up your student between 2:30 and 3:00 pm as this causes disruption at the end of the day. If a student has a doctor’s appointment or needs to leave school early, you must check him/her out before 2:30pm.
Rainy Day Dismissal
Within the next couple of weeks, you will be receiving a new Rainy Day car hanger. The new hanger will have the year 2015-2016 on it. As the students move to a new grade level, they are assigned a new number that corresponds to that grade. This makes any old hangers invalid. Please throw away any old car hangers that you may have.
Volunteer at MST!
Thursday Folders are now Tuesday Folders
For the past 19 years, the MST Communication folder has been sent home on Thursdays. In 2015-2016, it will be sent home on Tuesdays. Look for important information from the school and your teachers to come home in the Tuesday folder. Sign any papers that need to be signed, sign the envelope and return it to school the next day. Please consider volunteering to help stuff the envelopes on Tuesday mornings.
Counselor's Corner
Individual Counseling
Teacher or Parent referred
Self-referred
Group Counseling
Often meet during lunch or at the beginning or end of the day.
Classroom Guidance
30-minute sessions on a rotating basis covering a variety of topics including internet safety, bullying awareness, and character traits.
Important Dates:
Red Ribbon Week October 23-30
Attitude of Gratitude November 2-20
Pennies for Pasta February 1-19
Kindness Counts February 8-12
College & Career Week May 23-27
Career Day May 25
A Message from Ms. Daniel
I am very excited to begin my first full year as MST’s school counselor. Please don’t hesitate to utilize my services which include individual, small group, and school-wide counseling services. I am here to serve our students! September guidance lessons will focus on internet safety.
Tips for Parents to Encourage Student Success All Year Long
Create a safe space to communicate.
Let your child know you are willing to discuss any concerns right from the start of the school year. Offer communication opportunities all year.
Create an environment at home that models a love of learning.
It is important to role-model the behaviors we seek in our children. This creates trust and respect, and sets the stage for developing positive habits. Students who have parents who read are more likely to read. Parents who enjoy friendly debates create an environment that fosters a love of discussion and learning.
Provide your child with the tools to stay organized throughout the school year-before the semester gets too hectic. A day calendar or a chalkboard on which your child can write all upcoming assignments, quizzes and school activities can help provide an organizational support system that serves to help him or her address and meet school responsibilities throughout the year.
Provide academic support.
Students who have parents involved in their education are more likely to do well in school. Ask your child how you can be of assistance, and try to be available and supportive. If your schedule is too busy, find tutoring or afterschool assistance programs in your neighborhood or at school and help your child by providing some one-on-one academic support.
It’s going to be a GREAT school year!!!
Meet the Teacher
Thursday, Aug 27, 2015, 06:00 PM
450 Abrams Road, Richardson, TX, United States
Labor Day
Monday, Sep 7, 2015, 08:00 AM
Math Science Technology School, Abrams Road, Richardson, TX, United States
Spring Creek BBQ Fundraiser Night
Tuesday, Sep 15, 2015, 05:00 PM
270 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX, United States
Hearing & Vision Screening
Tuesday, Sep 22, 2015, 08:00 AM
Math Science Technology School, Abrams Road, Richardson, TX, United States
MST Magnet Elementary
Website: http://www.edline.net/pages/MST_Magnet
Location: 450 Abrams Road, Richardson, TX, United States
Phone: 469-593-7300
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mstmagnet
Twitter: @mstmagnet