MATHEWS e-News
We are 'All-In' this Together at Mathews!
A GREAT Start to a GREAT YEAR!
We are off to a great start!
Thank you to our staff, students, parents, PTA, and school community for helping make the start of the 2019-20 school year such a successful one!
Grade Level Parent Curriculum meetings begin next week. The schedule is different from years past. We believe you will like the additional time for a more thorough review and not have to 'divide and conquer' to attend each grade level meeting for your children. These meetings are intended for parents.
New Parents to Mathews
Monday, August 19 we invite all parents who are new to Mathews to a New Parent Information Meeting with Mr. Steele and Mrs. Powell. You will also have the opportunity to meet our amazing PTA board. The meeting is from 6:00-6:45 in the cafeteria.
Grades 2 and 3
On Tuesday, August 20 we have Grade 2 meets from 6:00-6:45 in the cafeteria with Grade 3 following in the gym from 6:45-7:30.
Grades 4 and 5
Thursday, August 22 we have Grade 4 in the Cafeteria from 6:00-6:45 followed by Grade 5 in the gym from 6:45-7:30. Following the Grade 5 meeting will be a parent meeting regarding Fifth Grade Camp.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend and as always, we look forward to Monday!
Bus Badges Kindergarten and First Grade
Mathews Kinders and First Grade:
To: Parent/Guardian of Kindergarten and 1st grade regular education students
Re: Bus badges
Dear Parent/Guardian,
We are adding a layer of support to help our bus drivers more easily identify our youngest student riders as they unload at their respective bus stop. Your Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and 1st grade students will have a color coded bus badge attached to their backpacks by their teachers in the coming days. The bus badge will list your student’s name, grade, school, bus route and bus stop location. This will serve as a visual tool for the driver to better monitor these students as they ride and exit the bus at their bus stop.
While a missing bus badge will not result in your Kindergarten or 1st grade student being refused bus service to and from their elementary campus, the routine of having the bus badge displayed daily will play an important support role for our drivers at the bus stop. Replacement bus badges are available by emailing buses@pisd.edu and requesting a replacement bus badge.
Please review the following bus stop release guideline reminders to help us serve your students.
STUDENTS ARE ONLY TO USE THE DESIGNATED BUS STOP LISTED ON HIS/HER BUS BADGE FOR PICK UP AND DROP OFF.
Students are assigned to bus stops based on their home address and the campuses serving that address. Due to safety concerns, students may not use alternate bus stops or bus routes.
Parents must be at the stops to meet K & 1st grade students at the designated pick up time. A student will not be dropped off unless a parent or designee is there to meet them. In the event a parent is not at the bus stop to receive the student, or have proper identification the student will be escorted into the home school office. You will be required to go inside with proper identification before the student will be released. A Bus Safety Violation Notice will be issued. After three reports the student may be temporarily suspended from the bus. If this occurs more than three times the student will be denied bus transportation for a period of time to be determined by the campus. Parent/Guardian must come to the bus door to ensure the driver can confirm a safe handoff. This is for the safety of the child.
Students in the 2nd grade may be released without a parent/guardian or older sibling. We are not able to release younger siblings to a 2nd grade student.
Children must remain seated while on the bus and follow all school bus safety rules.
Please work with us to help the student understand the importance of bus safety.
Thank you in advance for helping to make the badge system and the parent/guardian presence at the bus stop a safe and organized hand off process.
Sincerely,
Plano ISD Transportation Services Staff
School Based Improvement Committee
A School Based Improvement Committee (SBIC) is established at each campus in the state of Texas. The committee serves in an advisory role. In the role, the committee is involved in goal setting, campus educational planning, and performance objectives. The committee also reviews the Campus Improvement Plan and is invited to provide feedback.
Our committee consists of staff members, district-level personnel, parents, community members (residents of the district, but not parents of students), and business representatives. Parent membership includes a PTA representative, one parent appointed by the principal, and three parents determined by a random drawing from among volunteers. Members serve for a one or two year term.
We meet after the school day three times a year in September, January and May.
If you would be interested in serving on the committee, please complete the information below.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Powell at Patricia.Powell@pisd.edu or by phone at 469-752-2311.
INFORMATION REGARDING P.A.C.E.
ATTENDANCE
Ready to Start the Day...
Our school opens at 7:00 a.m. We have breakfast available that can be purchased from 7:00-7:30.
Students who arrive before 7:30 will either have breakfast in the cafeteria, or sit with their grade level in the gym with adult supervision.
At 7:30 are students are welcomed in the grade level to begin their day.
We recommend and encourage that your child arrive no later than 7:30 each morning. This allows your child time to get to his/her classroom, unpack, sharpen pencils, use the restroom, visit with their teacher and classmates...whatever they might need to do to settle in for the day. Walking in to the classroom after the bell has rung, is not the best way to start the day and is often times awkward for a child.
Each day is an opportunity to learn. Attendance is important. We thank you for teaching your child the importance of being at school by scheduling trips during school breaks and doctors appointments after the school day or during school breaks as well.
When you enroll your child you click that you have reviewed and read the Attendance Truancy Notice.
Under 'District News' near the bottom of the newsletter is a link for your review that helps explain the two laws regarding Truancy and Grade Level Advancement in regards to absences and tardies. Please take a moment to review the information below.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Mrs. Powell.
MATHEWS INFORMATION
Breakfast and Lunch Menus
Lunch, Recess and Specials Schedule
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Save the Date...
For many parents it is helpful to have these dates as far in advance as possible in order to be able to schedule time off work, or reschedule a trip or meeting in order to attend.
Any new events are updated in your Smore weekly.
Our theme for the 2019-2020 school year is "All-In". We are looking forward to a great year and hope you will be able to join us for special events.
Dates to Remember
Monday, August 19:
New Parent Information Meeting
With Mr. Steele and Mrs. Powell
Meet the PTA Board
6:00-6:45 p.m. in the Cafeteria
Tuesday, August 20:
Grade Level Parent Curriculum Information Night
Grade 2: 6:00-6:45 p.m. in the Cafeteria
Grade 3: 6:45-7:30 p.m. in the Gym
Thursday, August 22:
Grade Level Parent Curriculum Information Night
Grade 4: 6:00-6:45 p.m. in the Cafeteria
Grade 5: 6:45-7:30 p.m. in the Gym
Tuesday, August 27:
Grade Level Parent Curriculum Information Night
Grade K: 6:00-6:45 p.m. in the Cafeteria
Grade 1: 6:45-7:30 p.m. in the Gym
Monday, September 2:
Labor Day: School Holiday
Wednesday, September 4:
Fourth Grade: HSLC Field Trip (Outdoor Learning Center)
Friday, September 6:
PTA General Meeting:
8:00 a.m.: Cafeteria
Friday, September 13:
Last Day to submit PACE Referral Request
Tuesday, September 17:
Mathews Spirit Night at Chipotle
Park & Preston
September 23-27:
Fall Book Fair
Tuesday, September 24:
Picture Day!
Wednesday, September 25:
Grandparents Luncheon Day
Thursday, September 26:
PTA Book Fair Night
6:00 p.m.
Friday, October 4:
Field Day! (Save the Date to Volunteer!)
(Rain Date, if needed- October 11)
Monday, October 14 and Tuesday, October 15:
School Holiday for Students
Tuesday, October 15:
Parent Conference Day
Wednesday, October 16:
Third Grade: HSLC Field Trip (Outdoor Learning Center)
Monday-Friday, October 21-October 25:
Red Ribbon Week
October 25:
PTA Carnival and Dance
Monday through Wednesday, November 4 through 6:
Fifth Grade Adventure Camp!
Tuesday, November 5:
Non-Camp 5th grade HSLC Field Trip (Outdoor Learning Center)
Monday, November 11:
Veterans' Day Assembly
Tuesday, November 12:
Picture Retake Day
Thursday and Friday, November 14 and 15:
5th Grade Colonial Days
Friday, November 22:
Kindergarten: Harvest Day
November 25-29:
Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday, December 10:
5th Grade Music Makers Choir Concert
6:00-7:00 (Performers will arrive earlier)
Wednesday, December 11:
Cafeteria Cops visit at lunch
Thursday, December 19:
Grades K, 1, 2 Winter Parties
12:30-1:30
Grades 3, 4, & 5 Winter Parties
1:30-2:30
Friday, December 20:
Early Release for Winter Break
Noon
FAST CLICKS TO HELPFUL LINKS
DISTRICT NEWS
Plano ISD AP
Did you know that Plano ISD has an app for smartphones?
On the app you can:
- View student grades and attendance
- Access school and staff info
- View news stories
- Receive important alert
- View calendar info
- Access PISD's tipline
More information can be found at: https://www.pisd.edu/mobileapp
Visit the Google Play or Apple App Store to download it today!
District Events
On Line SafetyTips
Helpful information all year long...
Tips for Parents:
· Ask general questions about whether your child has seen anything online that has made them upset or worried.
· Explain that many things that happen online can be misleading or frightening.
· Encourage your child to tell a trusted adult if they see something online or on social media that is scary or hurtful.
· Make sure your child knows that it is not okay to communicate with or follow directions from strangers online.
· Never reveal personal information, such as address, phone number, or school name/location.
· Spend time online together to teach your child appropriate online behavior.
· Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and monitor its use and monitor time spent on smartphones or tablets.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your child’s counselor. Plano ISD also offers a variety of parent education opportunities. For more information, please visit https://www.pisd.edu/parentworkshops
Additional Resources:
https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html
https://www.netsmartz.org/internetsafety
https://www.justice.gov/criminal-ceos/children-internet-safety
https://www.mcgruff-safe-kids.com/2014/08/10-internet-safety-tips-for-kids/
DISTRICT CALENDAR
Mathews Elementary School
Email: Patricia.Powell@PISD.edu
Website: https://www.pisd.edu/mathews
Location: 7500 Marchman Way, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469 752-2300
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