The Mata Memo
March 8, 2022
Principal's Message
Mata Family!
It's the week prior to Spring Break, and it is a very busy week! We began by administering Common Assessments, we will be performing our Seussical Musical, and we will conclude with Career Day.
As we gear up for Spring Break, I would like to bring us back to our vision. Our vision is: "To provide an academic foundation that allows our students to be successful life-long learners."
Our main goal is to support your children. We are excited about our work and how we will make our students successful lifelong learners!
I would like to remind you all to please complete the parent survey for the district, this shares how our school is doing overall! And lastly, we are in the process of planning for next year, please let us know if you are coming back by March 21st.
Thank you for your feedback in advance, and as always thank you for your partnership with us!
Students return from Spring Break on March 21st. Have a safe and relaxing break!
Tomeka Middleton Williams
Principal
P.S. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @MontessoriMata
Please read the memo carefully for information regarding:
- Calendar at a Glance
- Middle School Broadcast
- Spring Break Meals
- Varsity Orchestra Congratulations
- New Mask recommendations
- Student Intent to Return
- Career Day
- UNCF
- Dallas ISD Parent Survey
- Makerspace Club
- Virtual Book Club
- Notification of Offerings
- 5 Roles of Accelerating Learning Workshop
- Mental Health Parenting Group Sessions
- Uniform Closet
- Seussical the Musical!
- Core 4 Shout Outs
- Yearbook pictures
- Mata's PTA Walking Group
- Dallas ISD Safety Protocols
- Mata Positive Staff Referrals
- and, much much more!
Calendar at A Glance
March 8 & 10th - Seussical Kids Musical
March 11th - Career Day
March 14-18th - Spring Break
March 21st- Complete the Student Intent to Return Deadline
March 23rd - Superintendent Community Conversation at Woodrow Wilson
March 24th - SBDM Meeting
March 25th - Dress Pass Friday
Spring Break Meal Service
They will provide a week's worth of meals to every child, 18 years and younger, at no charge.
Varsity Orchestra - Congratulations
This past week, our middle school Varsity Orchestra traveled to Conrad H.S. to perform for the Dallas ISD Orchestra Evaluation. They played 3 prepared pieces from the UIL Prescribed Music List for a panel of judges. Using state standards, they were evaluated on their tone, technique, and musicianship. In addition to the stage performance, the students also had to perform a piece of music that they and Ms. Powers had never seen before. She had 7 minutes to explain the music, but the students were not allowed to make any sounds before the explanation time was up. The orchestra did an excellent job on both the Concert and Sightreading. The judges were especially complimentary on their attention to the director, their intonation, and the brave manner in which each individual covered their part. We are proud of the way these students stepped up to the challenge.
For information regarding auditions for next year's middle school Varsity or Jr. Varsity Orchestras or information on other middle school or elementary string programs at Mata, please contact Ms. Powers at JPowers@dallasisd.org.
Pictured below: Abigail Jackson-violin, Emma Longoria-violin, Kaylee Resendiz-violin, Mackenzie Upham-viola, Julio Leyva-Barahona-bass, Yamileth Hernandez Garcia-cello, Mayah Reyes-violin and assistant to Ms. Powers
Community Conversations with the Superintendent!
Parents, community members and students, please register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SY87T5Z
Check out the Happenings at Mata Montessori School!
Effective Feb. 28 district shifts to masks recommended
Dallas ISD has remained consistent with a mask protocol to help protect students, staff, and families from the COVID-19 virus – and its variants. Over the last month, the numbers have been encouraging as positive cases continue to decrease districtwide. Effective on Monday, Feb. 28, masks will no longer be a requirement on district property, however, they will be recommended.
As you may have also heard, Dallas County recently transitioned to Level Orange. This additional measure gives us greater confidence to adjust some of our protocols. School visitors and volunteers will be allowed on a limited basis and masks are recommended while inside. Campuses will receive further guidance detailing the specifics on the updates.
Athletics events will still adhere to social distance practices where possible under the new mask recommendation. Cleaning and sanitizing protocols will remain in place. Additionally, campuses may continue to host co- and extra-curricular activities, competitions, or programs that for students to safely participate and engage.
The district continuously monitors data and local developments related to the health and safety of all and may consider other protocols, if needed. Thank you for your compliance this year, and Dallas ISD looks forward to returning to some sense of normalcy.
Student Intent to Return to Mata Montessori
by Monday March 21, 2022.
Please note: This form is not registration for next school year. Registration will open up on April 1, 2022.
Mata Montessori y la Oficina de Transformación e Innovación están trabajando juntos para identificar los asientos disponibles para el año escolar 2022-2023. Por favor, háganos saber si su hijo(a) va a estar regresando a Mata Montessori el próximo año. Por favor complete antes del lunes 21 de marzo de 2022.https://forms.gle/EgcpcNaSRHotcGdS8
Por favor note que esta forma no remplaza la registracion. La registracion para el siguiente ano empezara abril 1 del 2022.
Career Day is Friday, March 11th!
UNCF and Career Day
March 11th is Career Day. Students may participate by wearing their future Career attire or jeans with a College or Mata shirt.
Thank you for supporting UNCF.
2022 Dallas ISD Parent Survey
https://dallasisd.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5tqwXGsucmc2MGW
Makerspace Club
Virtual Book Club Updates
Notifications of Offers to Choice and Magnet Schools
Parents will receive official status notification via their Choose Dallas ISD application (SchoolMint) portal on March 9, 2022.
Como consecuencia de los cierres escolares causados por el mal tiempo, así como las medidas contra el Covid 19 de las últimas semanas, se cancelaron y reprogramaron las evaluaciones para escuelas magnet, las entrevistas para ECHS/PTECH, las evaluaciones para Bachillerato Internacional y las sesiones de exámenes estandarizados externas.
Los padres recibirán un aviso del estado oficial por medio del portal de solicitud de Choose Dallas ISD (SchoolMint) el 9 de marzo de 2022.
Yearbook Candid Pictures Please!
The yearbook staff needs your help! If you have photos of your student on the first day of school, Red Ribbon Week, or pajama day, please email them to anmacias@dallasisd.org. These could be published in the 21-22 yearbook.
SEL PRACTICES - OPTIMISM
Children who practice optimistic thinking are more resilient and see negative situations and events as temporary setbacks. While pessimistic kids blame themselves and believe conditions and circumstances are permanent. How can you go about raising an optimist? Here is a suggestion that you can start practicing today!
Examine Negative Narratives
Teach your child to examine familiar negative narratives with an optimistic explanatory style. A child who fails a math test may say, "I'm bad at math." In contrast, a child with a more optimistic explanatory style may say, "I didn't study—that's why I failed the test." (Edutopia)
Did you Know?
702 total students
53% Female Students
47% Male Students
18% White
5% African American
72% Hispanic
2% Native American
6% Asian
2% Multi-Race
60% Economically Disadvantaged
13% Special Education
17% Talented and Gifted
37% Emergent Bilingual
Mata's PTA Walking Group!
Join PTA
Check out their webpage at https://matamontessori.com/
Sign up for the PTA newsletter: Click Here
Dallas ISD School Safety Protocols
Core 4
Parents, students, and community members can shout out a teacher, staff member, or Dallas ISD employee by visiting https://www.dallasisd.org/shoutout
Some of the top shoutouts will be spotlighted on social media, the Core 4 webpage, and in a monthly e-newsletter!
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