The Mata Memo
November 15, 2022
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
With the Thanksgiving holidays swiftly approaching, I thought it would be nice to simply offer heartfelt thanks to all of our Mata Community!
We are grateful that you chose us and trust us with your most prized possession, your children.
As we focus on the end of the semester and all of the additional responsibilities that come along with the holiday season, I encourage each of you to place a high priority on your own self-care, your family, your friends, and your fellow Mata Montessorians. Take breaks, connect with friends, play a game with the kids, breathe, plan ahead, continue healthy habits, reach out to someone, share a cup of coffee or even a simple smile, and express your appreciation to those who have helped you.
It’s the small things that sometimes have the greatest impact.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!
Tomeka Williams
Principal
Calendar at A Glance
District Wide Calendar - Click Here
- Nov. 14th-18th - Anti-Bullying Week
- Nov. 16th- Picture Day!
- Nov. 17th - SBDM Meeting 5:00 PM
- Nov. 21-24th - Thanksgiving Break
- Nov. 29th - Evaluation and Modification Subcommittee meeting at 5:00 PM
- Nov. 29th - General PTA Meeting 6:00 PM
Nov. 30th - Theatre Performance "She Kills Monsters"
Dec. 1st - Prospective Parent Open House 5:30-6:30
P.A.L.S. fundraises for Common Cents!
"The Counseling office at Mata has partnered with the P.A.L.S. Class (Peer Assisted Learning Strategies) in Middle School to offer our school a way to support youth who are less fortunate.
The P.A.L.S. class chose a non-profit organization called DARE TO DREAM CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION (https://www.daretodream-dallas.org/). This community institution helps at-risk youth who need guidance and support. Our fundraiser will take place from November 14-December 16, 2022.
Jars will be placed in the main office and in the counseling office of our school. Drop in and place your loose change and dollars, or you can give online at https://dallasisd.revtrak.net/common-cents/#/v/mata-montessori-common-cents-campaign
Orchestra News!
It is time to hear and see what our wonderful orchestra students have accomplished so far this school year. Please come and hear them in Concert!
Tuesday, November 29th - All 4th and 5th grade orchestra students will be performing at the PTA meeting at 6:00 p.m. (Students need to be in the orchestra room at 5:00 p.m. See gold colored paper sent home with your child).
Wednesday, December 7th - All 6th, 7th and 8th grade orchestra students will be performing at 6:00 p.m. in the Mata auditorium (Students need to be in the orchestra room at 5:00 p.m. See blue colored paper sent home with your child).
If you have questions, please contact Ms. Powers at JPowers@dallasisd.org
3rd and 4th Grade Dallas Arboretum for Students
Looking for a fun way to make sure your 3rd, 4th or 5th grade student gets more hands-on science this year? Join us for our Closing the Gap Science Learning Series on November 12 and 19 from 9:30-11:30. With our evaluator-proven hands-on approach to science learning, our Closing the Gap Science Learning Series will focus on some of the most highly tested concepts for 3rd-5th graders and boost the confidence of your student scientist – all with authentic garden connections! Both the 3rd and 4th grade courses cover topics tested in 5th grade. Scholarship opportunities are available by contacting swilson@dallasarboretum.org
The Dallas Arboretum has scholarship spots available for their Closing the Gap Saturday learning series for 3rd and 4th graders. Reliant Energy has generously sponsored this program for the fall and we can host up to 18 students in each grade level. This is a really fun opportunity for students to get more hands-on science! All 36 Spaces are reserved for Mata students! It will be first come, first served!
SBDM Evaluation and Modification Subcommittee Meeting
Please join us for our first meeting: November 29th, 5:00-5:55 PM in the Mata library. All are encouraged and welcome to attend this meeting!
Email Lucy Arnold at lucyarnold@ymail.com with any questions.
Thanksgiving Reading BINGO - Sponsored by the PTA
MATA PTA GIVING Tuesday, November 29th!
PTA has kicked off our their annual Teacher wishlist Grants fundraiser. While in the past we have done an annual check writing campaign, and participated in North Texas Giving Day, this year we are participating in Giving Tuesday. We hope you will join us in Giving Tuesday by one of our “5 ways to give” and sharing this campaign with your family and friends. https://bit.ly/3td2ejt
Dallas ISD Parent Academy Specialized ECSE
Their presenters will share information on the use of visuals to support communication.
It will be held November 29th, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 9400 N Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75231.
We are Now Accepting Applications for Mata!
We are now accepting applications for new Mata students for the 2022-2023 school year. Parents can apply from November 1, 2022 to January 31, 2023 on choose.dallasisd.org. If you already have a student at our campus and would like to apply for a sibling, you must also submit an application. Please note, sibling entry is not guaranteed. Feel free to reach out to the front office with any questions at 972-749-7500.
Estamos aceptando aplicaciones para nuevos estudiantes a Mata para el año escolar 2022-2023. Los padres pueden meter una aplicacion desde el 1 de noviembre de 2022 hasta el 31 de enero de 2023 en choose.dallasisd.org. Si ya tiene un estudiante actual en Mata y desea aplicar para un hermano(a) también debe meter una aplicacion. La entrada de hermano(a)s no es garantizada. Si tiene alguna pregunta, comuníquese con la oficina principal al 972-749-7500.
Anti-Bullying Week - November 14-18
Picture Day is Wednesday, November 16th!
Students may wear what they wish as long as the school dress code guidelines are followed.
· No athletic wear
· No spaghetti straps
· Wear your Mata smile!
· Siblings will not be photographed together.
All students will be photographed regardless if they pay or not. Pictures will be featured in the yearbook.
· Payment can be made online, or by cash or money order on the day of pictures. If paying by cash, please enclose the exact amount only. The photographers can no longer make change.
· If payment is made online students should return the order envelope with their order number/approval code written on the envelope.
It's Pie Time! Sign Up to Bring A Pie- PTA Sponsored Giving Event!
MIddle School Theatre Students will Perform "She Kills Monsters" to 4th-8th Grade (Parents Please Read)
Our Middle School Theatre Students are competing in the One Act Play Festival in December! To prepare for the performance, they will be performing for UE and MS students the week we return from Thanksgiving Break. Due to the mild adult themes of the show, we wanted to send out a content warning and synopsis prior to your student viewing the performance. If you have any concerns or wish for your child to not view the performance, please contact the main office prior to Thanksgiving break.
She Kills Monsters tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly’s Dungeons & Dragons notebook, however, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of discovery and action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister’s refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres, and 90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart-pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all. This show does depict bullying of a LBGTQ student, violence and death, while those are not the main purposes or elements of the performance.
Please email Ms. Bailey, the theatre teacher with any questions or concerns. mlouis@dallasisd.org
¡Nuestros estudiantes de teatro de la escuela intermedia están compitiendo en el festival One Act Play en diciembre! Para prepararse para la actuación, actuarán para los estudiantes de UE y MS la semana que regresemos de las vacaciones de Acción de Gracias. Debido a los temas leves para adultos del programa, queríamos enviar una advertencia de contenido y una sinopsis antes de que su estudiante vea la presentación. Si tiene alguna inquietud o desea que su hijo vea ahora la presentación, comuníquese con la oficina principal antes del receso de acción de gracias.
She Kills Monsters cuenta la historia de Agnes Evans cuando deja la casa de su infancia en Ohio tras la muerte de su hermana adolescente, Tilly. Sin embargo, cuando Agnes encuentra el cuaderno de Dungeons & Dragons de Tilly, se ve catapultada a un viaje de descubrimiento y aventuras llenas de acción en el mundo imaginario que era el refugio de su hermana. En esta comedia dramática de alto octanaje cargada de hadas homicidas, ogros desagradables y cultura pop de los 90, el aclamado dramaturgo Qui Nguyen ofrece un homenaje conmovedor al friki y guerrero que todos llevamos dentro. Este espectáculo representa el acoso de un estudiante LBGTQ, la violencia y la muerte, mientras que esos no son los principales propósitos o elementos de la actuación.
Envíe un correo electrónico a la Sra. Bailey, la maestra de teatro, con cualquier pregunta o inquietud. mlouis@dallasisd.org
She Kills Monsters!
Save the date!! Our fantastic Middle School Performers are competing on 12/1 at Pinkston High School for our One Act Play competition. Come see them the night before at Mata and give them an amazing audience to perform for!! FREE admission!
This is the result of tons of hard work from our Middle School Theatre classes!! (I am biased but we got some amazing talent). Come see what it is like to be in Mata Middle School Theatre!!
General PTA Meeting Nov. 29th- Orchestra is Performing!
Middle School All City Dance Auditions!
Makerspace Monday Mornings!
PTA Reflections Coming Soon!
What's Happening Around Mata Montessori?
Check out our Makerspace Club sponsored by Mrs. Thompson!
Take A Look into some Classrooms!
Recess Volunteers Needed!
https://matamontessoripta.membershiptoolkit.com/volunteer/96994
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