The Mata Memo
May 17, 2022
Principal's Message
Greetings Mata Family!
It is hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close in just two weeks. We are finalizing our STAAR, TXKEA, BAS/SEL, and CIRCLE testing this week, and continuing with MAP and ACPs next week. Please remind your child to bring their devices to school every day. We will also be picking up devices at the end of the year.
There is so much going on as we end the year! Please join us next week for our final PTA meeting and talent show.
Check out the rest of the Mata Memo for important updates! If you are interested in summer camps and programs, pay special attention to the end of the newsletter. New camps are added every week!
Tomeka Middleton Williams
Principal
P.S. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MontessoriMata
Calendar at A Glance
May 18th– STAAR Social Studies (Gr. 8)
May 19th- SBDM Meeting 5:00
May 20th - Dress Pass Friday
May 19th - Theatre Banquet 6:00 PM
May 24th - TAG Fair, PTA General Meeting, and Talent Show!
May 26th - 8th Grade Moving Up Ceremony @ 1:30
May 26th - 6th Grade Moving Up Skating Party
May 27th – Last student day
June 1st - 22/23 Middle School Parent Meeting
June 6th - Summer Cool Begins!
A Message from the Nurse!
Parents, if your student has medication in the clinic, it will need to be picked up by a designated adult on or before Friday, May 27th. Medications cannot be sent home with students. Medications not picked up by last day of school will be disposed of by Dallas ISD Health Services. Please call Nurse Nikki to arrange a time for pick up: 972-749-7519.
Orchestra News
Parents of current 4th-grade orchestra students- A letter was sent home with your child on green paper regarding interest in continuing orchestra for 5th grade. Please complete and return to Ms. Powers in the orchestra room 122 or to her box in the office by Friday, May 20. Your response will help determine how many spaces will be available to new students.
A Message from the Librarian!
All Library items are due this week!
Please visit https://www.youseemore.com/dallasisd/, log in with your student’s ID/lunch number (and last 4 of ID as PIN) to see what your student has checked out.
Parents of 6th-7th Grade Students
These summer assignments will be used during the first weeks of school to set academic goals for your student’s year. If you have any questions, please reach out to Ms. Z. Williams.
Also, please mark your calendars for a Middle School Parent Meeting Via Zoom on June 1st @ 9:00 AM.
Dress Pass Friday! - May 20th
SignUp Link/Enlace de SignUp https://signup.com/client/invitation2/secure/1126981283021842059/false#/invitation
Volunteer Opportunities
If you would like to help with decor for the Talent Show on 5/24 (immediately following the PTA meeting) or help with Middle school promotion ceremony decorations and reception on 5/26,
please email our PTA president breen_nadine@yahoo.com
5th Grade Plays
Our group 5 fifth graders worked the last month of the class on how to produce a play. They learned about blocking, rehearsals, and acting. This was more a classroom exercise in how to prepare for a performance than it was meant to be a finalized audience-ready performance, but we know that parents always love seeing what their kids have done! These are not edited videos, just raw footage pieced together from our final run through so there are minor mistakes/background noises. Hope you enjoy it!
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kf9UNOx6WIQ_XS3Ry59Wxi0RY-jQsc3v?usp=sharing
Mata Under the Stars!
Mata Middle School Celebration
Field Day
Check out some pics below!
Site Based Decision Making Committee - Join Us!
The Site-Based Decision Making Committee is comprised of the campus principal, teachers, school staff, parents, business and community representatives. The SBDM's primary role is to collaboratively serve as an advisory council to the principal. To accomplish this, the committee meets and discusses school-related issues, activities, and initiatives. Recommendations and suggestions made by the committee should align with the campus improvement plan.
We are looking to fill parent member vacancies for the 2022-2023 school year. If you would like to express interest or nominate a parent to serve, email the SBDM Chair, Katrina Martinez at 4salmom@gmail.com. Induction of new members will happen the week of May 16, 2022.
MAY IS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER MONTH!
AFTER SCHOOL DISMISSAL SAFETY
If you pick your students up under the Santa Fe Bridge, please note that this is not Dallas ISD property, and there is NO adult supervision. There are strangers and bikers constantly along that trail. If you are not arriving by 3:15, I encourage you to have your child picked up at the campus where they are supervised and safe.
Adopt an 8th Grader
Mata PTA Meeting 5/24/22
Mata PTA general membership meeting refreshments provided. Come early for the TAG fair, stay after for the Mata talent show immediately following.
6th Grade Moving Up Skate Party
Mata PTA Invites All Current 6th Graders to an awesome 6th Grade “Moving Up” Skating Party.
All fees are paid for by Mata PTA. Dinner, drinks, and sweets are provided. Please wear school appropriate attire, and don’t forget to wear socks! If your child does not like to skate, we will have plenty of games and fun, so please come celebrate with us.
This is a drop-off party. For Mata 6th graders only. Parents will need to pick them up by 8 pm. A liability waiver is required - Filled out at the event.
2022-2023 Returning Student Registration
All students must register for next school year. Registration is completely online and can be completed by going to www.choose.dallasisd.org. Please complete registration as soon as you can! If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Sosa or Mrs. Leija in the front office.
Detailed instructions can be found in the Registration Guides below.
STAAR Information
Dallas ISD Parent or Guardian:
An important part of the spring semester is measuring how well students have learned the skills and concepts taught during the year so we can ensure they are prepared for the following one. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, is an effective tool for measuring performance. The STAAR results will be used by teachers and schools to determine areas where additional instruction is needed so students are better prepared to master next year’s learning.
The bulk of the STAAR tests will take place May 10-20 for grades 3-8.
Dallas ISD began the transition to using the online version of STAAR in spring 2021, so our students will be ready when the Texas Education Agency switches to an online-only administration in 2023. The district has been working to ensure students are familiar with online testing platforms and are comfortable taking exams electronically. We are actively preparing students to be successful in this format through our current instructional models and all resources provided by the TEA.
The STAAR tutorials can be accessed at https://www.texasassessment.gov/practice-tests.html. We encourage all students to become familiar with the tools in the Cambium testing platform.
The TEA requires that all students complete STAAR exams on campus. By choosing to offer the STAAR online, Dallas ISD will also have a longer window during which schools can schedule each assessment.
Our school’s testing window for each of the 2022 STAAR exams is attached is above listed in the May Calendar.
Thank you for your continued support in ensuring our students’ success. If you have any questions about our school’s plans for STAAR testing, please don’t hesitate to call us at 972-749-7500.
Mata's STAAR Dates!
Steps to Volunteer at Mata
Summer Activities! - Updated Weekly!
Dallas ISD Summer Cool - For Remediation and Enrichment
Summer Cool is designed to meet the needs of the whole child. Students will experience a full day of activities ranging from reading and math content support to exposure to various extracurricular and enrichment activities. Transportation, breakfast, lunch, and participation incentives will be provided to students utilizing the face-to-face learning model.
Links:
Registration (K-8)
Dallas ISD Summer Breeze! and Summer Learning Guide
Please Click the Links below to Access the Summer Learning Guide for parents. It includes detailed descriptions of Dalla's Summer Offerings!
Enjoy!
Career Explorations Camp for Rising 7th and 8th Graders
Dallas ISD's Career Institute East is excited to inform you of two summer camp opportunities for your students. They are hosting a summer exploration camp for students during two different time frames. Students will get an opportunity to get a hands-on experience in:
- construction
- interior design
- cybersecurity
- health science
- team building
- industry partner engagement
Join PTA
Check out their webpage at https://matamontessori.com/
Sign up for the PTA newsletter: Click Here
Action for Happiness Calendars
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