The Mata Memo
January 5, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Mata families,
Happy New Year, to you, the amazing community of Mata Montessori School! I hope you had time to relax and unwind while enjoying your family. We could not be more proud of the work our teachers, students, and parents have done leading up to winter break. January gives us the renewal of purpose and a collective commitment to excellence. Our plan is to continue to focus on improving student outcomes to finish the second half of this year even stronger.
Thank you for partnering with us! We are looking forward to a wonderful 2021!
Please read the memo carefully for information regarding:
- Calendar at a Glance
- MOY MAP testing for 1st-2nd Grade
- Mata Application Window
- Attitude of Gratitude
- Congratulations
- Stress Management Parent University
- Covid Updates
- Mata's Virtual Career Day
- And much, much more!
We look forward to another great week of teaching and learning!
Tomeka Williams
Principal
Calendar at A Glance
- Jan. 5th: Students return
- Jan 12th: Stress Management Virtual Parent University 12:00 PM
- Jan. 18 Martin L. King Jr. Holiday (No School)
- Jan. 20 MOY MAP testing for 1st and 2nd Grade
Jan. 20 Virtual Open House for Prospective Families
- Jan. 22 Virtual Career Day
- Jan. 23 Tech Fest 2020
- Jan. 29 Second nine weeks ends
- Jan 31 New Student Application Deadline for Mata's 21/22 School Year Lottery
Middle of the Year MAP Testing for 1st and 2nd Grade
On Wednesday, January 20th we will administer the middle of the year MAP test in reading and math to our 1st and 2nd grade students. NWEA MAP Growth provides teachers with accurate and actionable evidence to help target instruction for each student or groups of students.
Distance learning students can come to campus for the administration of the MOY assessment. To allow for physical distancing, students will test in the new wing of the building in one of the large science lab classrooms. Testing will begin at 8:30 a.m. and students will contact their parent upon completion of testing to be picked up from campus.
Distance learning students who are unable to participate on-campus setting will assess remotely.
Please take a moment to complete the Google form sent by your child’s teacher so that we may plan accordingly.
El miércoles 20 de enero administraremos la prueba MAP de mitad de año en lectura y matemáticas a nuestros estudiantes del 1º y 2º grado. NWEA MAP Growth proporciona a los maestros evidencia precisa y procesable para ayudar a orientar la instrucción para cada estudiante o grupos de estudiantes.
Los estudiantes de educación de distancia pueden venir a la escuela para la administración de la evaluación de medio ano. Para permitir el distanciamiento físico, los estudiantes tomarán la prueba en uno de los laboratorios de ciencias que esta en el edificio nuevo. Las pruebas comenzarán a las 8:30 a.m. y los estudiantes se comunicarán con sus padres una vez que completen la prueba para que los recojan de la escuela.
Los estudiantes de educación a distancia que no pueden participar en el entorno del campus evaluarán de forma remota.
Tómese un momento para completar el formulario de Google enviado por el maestro de su hijo/a para que podamos planificar.
Have a child that wants to come to Mata next school year?
If you have a sibling, you must complete the application prior to January 31st. Please reach out to Ms. Leija or Ms. Sosa for more information!
Congratulations to our Middle School UIL Winners!
Mata Montessori Middle School UIL team received 8 placements!
Congratulations to:
Jazlyn Mojica - Listening, 3rd Place
Anabelle Caballero - Listening, 5th Place
David Arriaga - MGC, 1st
Ivan Gonzalez - Math, 6th Place
Ivan Gonzalez - Number Sense, 10th Place
Ivan Gonzalez - Science, 10th Place
Adrian Torres - Science, 2nd Place
David Zavala - Spelling, 3rd Place
Thank you to Ms. J. Thompson and Ms. Macias for the sponsorship! Mata Montessori Rocks!
Attitude of Gratitude
This winter break season did not look like previous years, but the good news is that the spirit of this season remains. In a time when gratitude is front and center, we encourage families to take on an attitude of gratitude because research suggests that grateful parents raise grateful kids. Studies also show that people who practice gratitude consistently report physical, psychological, and social benefits like:
· Stronger immune systems
· Lower blood pressure
- Less stress and anxiety
· Better sleep
· More optimism and happiness
· Feeling less lonely and isolated
Jeffrey Froh, Associate Professor of Psychology at Hofstra University and author of Making Grateful Kids, The Science of Building Character suggests parents model how to express gratitude, give thanks, and be generous to help instill gratitude in their children. Below are ideas for families to help start these conversations.
Family Gratitude Jar
Interview a Mentor or Family Member
Virtual Career Day- Please Sign Up!
Virtual Career Day at Mata Montessori-Dia de Trabajo Virtual en Mata Montessori
This school year career day will be done virtually. We are asking for your help! We know many parents, guardians, and community members have interesting professions and we would love for the students to know about them. We are asking volunteers to create short videos about their career/hobby, in order to inspire our scholars to be informed about career and community helpers.
Este ciclo escolar el día de trabajo será virtual. Estamos pidiendo su asistencia! Sabemos que muchos padres, y miembros de la comunidad tienen profesiones interesantes y queremos que nuestros estudiantes sepan sobre ellos. Estamos pidiendo a voluntarios crear videos cortos sobre sus trabajos, para inspirar a nuestros jóvenes e informar sobre las carreras y ayudantes de nuestra comunidad. Como muchos en nuestra comunidad hablan español nos encantaría ver videos en español también!
Example of a Career Video-Ejemplo de Video de Trabajo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZClQUZRJb4
Questions to Answer on Video Preguntas que Pueda Contestar en el Video
What is your educational background? (what training and degrees are required for your job) Cual es tu historia academica? (que entrenamientos o capacitaciones recibistes)
· Why did you select this field of study? What personal or academic traits led you to your career path? Porque seleccionastes tu carrera? Que intereses te atrajo a tu trabajo?
· What was the first job you had? Cuál fue tu primer trabajo que tuviste?
· What was your career path from then to now? ¿Qué trabajos tuviste desde cuando empezaste hasta ahora?
· What kind of adjacent career opportunities exist with your job? Que oficios son similares a tu trabajo?
· Who do you collaborate with? Con quienes trabajas?
· What’s a typical day like in your job today? Com se ve un dia en tu trabajo?
Videos can be uploaded via dropbox.com Los videos se pueden agregar a dropbox.com
Log in joselopez@dallasisd.org
Password Mata2020
Our goal is to have several videos for students to look at and be informed about real world experiences. Since this is a virtual event our goal si for students to have access to these videos by February. Nuestra meta es tener varios videos informativos para los estudiantes que les informa de experiencias en la comunidad. Como este es un evento virtual quisiéramos que los estudiantes tengan acceso a los videos empezando en Febrero.
Please turn in before February 1, 2021. Favor de entregar el video primero de febrero 2021.
The safety of our students and staff remains our first priority. Contact tracing occurs and if anyone is identified as close contact, they will be notified by the school and required to quarantine. To learn about the positive cases at Mata or in the district, you may visit the dashboard which is updated daily at 5 PM. COVID Dashboard Please see the most updated picture below.
We remain committed to following extensive safety protocols, which include social distancing in classrooms, hallways, offices, and elevators; masks are required for every staff member and student throughout the day; hand washing practices are regular parts of everyone’s day; thorough cleanings are scheduled, and contact tracing measures are in place and being followed.
Dallas ISD Support Services
Construction Update
Construction for Mata is still underway!
Check out some of the latest updates to construction!
Chess board and pavers at breezeway near Courtyard
Sod and landscaping at Courtyard
Installation of kitchen equipment
Sign up to receive the Dallas ISD Smart Restart Weekly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Dallas ISD weekly parents newsletter. It is available in Spanish and English!
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: @mata_school