Maverick News
Year of the Maverick!
Week of September 19, 2016
Last week we had our first visit from the Middle School Office (and others). As discussed in our faculty meeting, they had many positive things to say such as students doing as asked in class and wanting to please their teachers, teachers' lessons were aligned to the YPG's and transitions in the hall were smooth. They loved seeing that all UO's were posted along with the books we as staff are reading being posted for our students to see. There were two areas they invited us to reflect on and put in the forefront of our planning and lesson delivery over the next two weeks. They are: Ensure student voice is an active part of all classrooms (Teacher talk vs. Student to Student talk) and Ensure lessons are engaging and rigorous and tightly aligned to the SE. (Continue to ensure that instruction is aligned to YPGs).
I believe that if you focus on their first invitation, the second one will happen naturally, so I have included a great link below. You can download the podcast and listen to it on your commute or read through the list of strategies. Or, you could do both!! Enjoy. I challenge you to try at least one new strategies this week.
Million Father March at Mendez!
On Monday, September 19th Mendez will be participating in the Million Father March, a nation-wide event designed to celebrate our parents and community members. The MFM will create opportunities for our community members, faculty and students to become further involved in our school-community. In the morning, parents and community members will be greeted by our fantastic Maverick band, orchestra and W.E.B. leaders. Parents will then accompany their students for Breakfast in the Classroom to hear the day's announcements. After which they will be directed for a communal dialogue in the library, featuring AISD Board Members Jaime Mathias & Paul Saldana, Council Member Delia Garza, and PTSA President Robert Kibbie.
During Maverick PRIDE, teachers should quickly take attendance and then accompany our students to the theater for our featured community speakers. All speakers are Mendez Alumni and community activists, including Casey Ramos, Ricardo Zavala, and George Morales. Please use the following hashtags for our event: #MillionFatherMarch, #YearoftheMaverick, #AISDproud
Shout Outs
1. Huge shout out to Ms. Friede and everyone involved in carrying out our first pep rally. A special thank you to our cafeteria manager and team for being flexible and making sure our students had an awesome lunch when we had our alternate bell schedule. Thanks for helping to make the pep rally a huge success!
2. Thanks to Judy Campos and the LPAC team for doing incredible work to make sure our students are receiving the services they need to succeed!
SEL Moment
Family Resource Center News
The FRC is glad to report that the our Strengthening Families Program started 2 weeks ago and 8 families (a total of 25-30 children and parents) are being served! Last year, our parents reported to have gained valuable skills to communicate with their children. I know that this year families will be impacted by this program.
We are still accepting enrollment for the Any Baby Can Nurturing Parenting program until this Wednesday. Please let your grade-level counselor know if you believe a student/familiy could benefit from this parenting class on communication and stress management.
Next week, the FRC is partnering with the Central Texas Food Bank to assist families with SNAP and Medicaid applications on Wednesday, September 21st from 1 pm to 3:30 pm at the FRC. The Central Texas Food Bank has partnered with the FRC this school year on every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month from 1 pm to 3:30 pm. FRC services are open to all of Dove Springs and Travis Vertical team families at no cost.
You asked for it, we got it! PD for Classroom Management
Tweets of the Week
Maverick scholars show appreciation
STEM Ag students in action
Mendez staff 'stronger together'
Mendez Rally Towels to Go on Sale
We are having a fundraiser beginning Monday. We will be selling Mendez Rally towels for $5 dollars. Please support our fundraiser by purchasing one for your classroom or to give away to students who show school spirit or great Maverick Pride. (See Ms. Guarjardo for details.)
From the Mendez Catch Team
Thank you to those that have shown interest in becoming part of the CATCH committee. We are still asking for more people to join. So what's CATCH? (catchinfo.org) We are part of a group of organizations that meet once a month to brainstorm ways to promote health to students here and at home. Along the way we have goals that we establish.
Our next meeting will be Friday Sept, 23 from 1-2 at the FRC portable. If you can't make it that's ok. I'll push the info. out to you. On Oct. 11, we'll be having our next Family Fun Night. We will hold a health fair here at school (exact time is TBD). Please email me to join such a rewarding cause.
Brain Breaks"
Please use this link (https://sites.google.com/a/austinisd.org/pehealth/brain-breaks/secondary-brain-breaks) and scroll to the middle of the page labeled middle/high school. These are quick activities to do in class to refresh students.
Read what Dr. Cruz has to say about the importance of Literacy
Join the Mendez PTSA
Shopping for a New Couch?
Events this Week
Monday:
- Academic PLC Day
- 8:30 Million Father March
- During Maverick Pride: Assemblies in the theater
Tuesday
- Ms. Ryan off campus until 11 for Vertical Team Meeting
- Team/Mendez (Grade Level) PLC Day
- 6:00 Mendez Football vs Dobie @ Noack
- Ms. Ryan off campus for Principal's Meeting
- Academic PLC Day
- Team PLC/Whole Campus PD (Focus: SST)
- 6:00 Mendez Volleyball vs Covington: 7th grade @ Mendez; 8th grade @Covington
Friday:
- Academic PLC
- PD: Scaffolding Classroom Management (see above) held during Maverick Pride
Saturday:
Upcoming Dates:
9/25: Outside Organization will be using the C-Wing all day
9/27: SLO support team will be at Mendez offering assisting and answering questions
10/18: Mandatory Benefits Enrollment Session @ Mendez Middle School
Email: kathy.ryan@austinisd.org
Website: www.austinisd.org
Location: 5106 Village Square Drive, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512.414.3284
Facebook: facebook.com/nofacebookavailable
Twitter: @kathyryan626