The Mata Memo
February 20, 2024
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
I hope that you all are doing great! We've got some exciting news to share: Our International Festival is just around the corner, happening on this Saturday, February 24th, and it’s shaping up to be something special.
Every class has been super busy getting ready to share a bit of the world with us. They’ve been exploring countries far and wide, from their cultures and traditions to some pretty interesting facts and achievements. And yes, there’s going to be food – lots of delicious, traditional food from all over the globe.
This isn’t just any event; it’s a day for our kids to show off what they’ve learned and for us to come together and celebrate the incredible diversity we have right here in our school. There’ll be performances, presentations, and plenty of opportunities to learn something new.
So, mark your calendars and make sure you’re there to support our young explorers and enjoy a taste of the world. It’s going to be a fun day for the whole family, and we can’t wait to see all of you there!
As always, thanks for being such a supportive community. Our school is truly a better place because of it. See you all at the festival!
Warm regards,
Tomeka Middleton-Williams, Principal
Event Calendar at a Glance
February 22nd - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day
- February 23rd - 3rd/4th Grade Field Trip (see below) deadline for permission form 2/9
- February 23rd - Parent University - Human Trafficking 8:30 AM
- February 24th - International Festival (10:00-12:00)
- February 26th- Upper El - Black History Living Museum
- March 7th - Picture Day
- March 8th - Career Day
- March 11th-15th- Spring Break
Mark Your Calendars! International Festival is this Weekend!
New Dance Club Opportunity!
Please see the attached flyer for information about an exciting new DANCE club with Texas Ballet Theater for 1st-4th grade students. If interested in joining, please fill out google form: https://forms.gle/bBNc1UAx7pSuUn32A. First come first served. Parents will be emailed information and wiaver to complete if student is admitted to program. The waiver will need to be returned prior to first meeting on Tuesday February 27th
Consulte el folleto adjunto para obtener información sobre un nuevo y emocionante club de BAILE con Texas Ballet Theatre. Si está interesado en unirse, complete el formulario de Google: https://forms.gle/bBNc1UAx7pSuUn32A. El primero en llegar es el primero en ser atendido. La exención deberá devolverse antes de la primera reunión el martes 27 de febrero.
Living History Museum
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As we enter the month of February, we are excited to announce the Upper Elementary Black History Month Live Museum event. This event aims to celebrate and honor the rich history and contributions of African Americans throughout our nation’s history. The Live Museum will take place on Monday, February 26 th from 8:30-10:00 a.m. in the 3rd floor Upper EL hallway. During this event, each student will bring to life a prominent figure from Black history by embodying them in a “living exhibit” format. Each student has been assigned a historical figure to research and represent during the event.
To make this event as authentic and educational as possible, we kindly request your assistance in ensuring that your child is appropriately prepared for their role. Students are expected to dress in costumes that resemble the attire of their chosen historical figure. Additionally, they could bring props or artifacts that help portray the significance of their character. We understand that obtaining costumes and props may require some creativity and resourcefulness. Therefore, we encourage you to utilize items you may already have at home or consider reaching out if you need assistance in acquiring any necessary materials.
Moreover, we would like to emphasize the importance of this event as an educational opportunity for our students. Through researching and portraying these influential figures, students gain a deeper understanding of the struggles, triumphs, and contributions of African Americans throughout history. We believe that by participating in events like the Live Museum, we can foster empathy, cultural awareness, and a sense of pride in our diverse community.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the event or your child’s participation, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s teacher. We appreciate your support and look forward to a successful and enlightening Black History Month Live Museum.
Kind regards,
Upper Elementary Guides and Mrs. Bailey.
Black History Month Begins February 1st!
Each February, Dallas ISD honors and celebrates the achievements of Black Americans and recognizes their critical role in U.S. History. This year's theme for Black History Month is “African Americans and the Arts.” African America
3rd-4th Grade Field Trip
Please Return Field Trip Forms ASAP!
This year our 3rd and 4th graders will be going to a dance performance of Rhythm and Soul at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Our field trip will be on Friday, February 23rd. We will leave school around 9:15 am and return to school around 11:30 am. We will have sack lunches at school when we return.
Please return the permission slips, they are past due.
Email mlouis@dallasisd.org if you are interested in chaperoning. I will need roughly one chaperone per homeroom.
Career Day!
Dear Mata Parents,
Career Day (March 8th) is fast approaching, and we would love your help with being a presenter or by sharing information to other parents, friends and community members that may want to present to our students.
We are looking for presenters for Lower Elementary (1st-3rd), Upper Elementary (4th-6th) and Middle School (7th-8th).
Each session is allotted 15 minutes including Q & A. Sessions will begin at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:30. Presenters only sign up for the time they can attend. They DO NOT need to stay for each session. Presenters also have the option of presenting to LE, UE or Middle School.
As a reminder, all presenters must be cleared through the districts volunteer check, VOLY https://dallasisd.voly.org/
Federal Report Cards are now available!
The 2022-23 Federal Report Cards are now available for review!
The 2022-23 Federal Report Cards are now available on MyData Portal and can be accessed from Reports > Reports/Profiles > Federal.
The general public may also access these reports without having to login to MyData Portal by choosing Statistics & Reports > Federal Report Cards.
Girls Inc Power 2 The Girl Conference 6th-8th
The Lion King Elementary Performance Information
Parents and Guardians,
Our show is fast approaching! In case you have missed prior correspondence, all our lower elementary students have been preparing for a musical production of the Lion King. The performance dates and times will be as follows:
Monday March 25th at 2:15 pm: Mr. Blea and ½ of O’Dell
Tuesday March 26th at 12:10 pm: Ms. Vasquez and Ms. Ochoa
Tuesday March 26th at 2:15 pm: Ms. Stout and ½ of O’Dell
Wednesday March 27th at 12:10 pm: Ms. Gonzalez and Ms. Singleton
Thursday March 28th at 12:20 pm: Ms. Flores and Ms. Sussy
Thursday March 28th at 2:15 pm: Ms. Mankse
Please be advised that parking alone the dismissal path for the later show will not be available. Please plan accordingly to walk from neighboring streets.
All students will need to wear a plain black tshirt and black pants or jeans if possible. We have a small collection of tshirts in varying sizes if your students needs to borrow. Please send them to school in the black shirt and pants on the day of their performance.
The show is supposed to be 30 minutes long. However, we suspect it will be closer to 45 minutes.
Lastly, please continue to support your student in practicing their lines. Not only do they need to be able to say it without looking, they need to know when to say it. A great strategy is to “read” the scene with them. You say the line before theirs and then they reply with their line of text.
If you have any questions or concerns, email Ms. Bailey at mlouis@dallasisd.org
We look forward to sharing this with you!
Thank you, Ms. Bailey (Theatre), Mr. Gibbs (music), Ms. Harris (music)
Mark Your Calendar - Mata PTA Arcade Party
Join us for a retro-inspired fundraiser at Cidercade Dallas, a vibrant arcade setting, filled with the beeps and boops of classic games.
Revisit the good old days by dressing like you did in high school, embracing the iconic fashion trends of the past. Picture yourself in neon, leg warmers, and denim jackets, all while playing timeless arcade classics.
Our annual spring fundraiser is the single biggest way to help fund student activities such as field trips and the annual 4th Grade Capitol Trip, as well as materials needed for the classrooms! Come out and enjoy some 8-bit fun, local drinks, and bid on some awesome auction items.
Link to tickets and donations
What's Happening Around Mata Montessori?
Mata's Sweetheart Read was a Success!
Thank you to Ms. Lewis and the Yum Volunteer Group for assistance and Lunch!
Mata PTA Upcoming Events!
Dallas ISD Parent Newsletter
Check out Dallas ISD's New Bus Tracking System!
We Have a New Bus Tracking System which replaces Bus Bulletin and My Stop App.
Tenemos una aplicacion de seguimento nueva para los padres de alumnos cuales usan el autobus.
Volunteer at Mata!
PTA is For EVERYONE!
Joining the PTA is easy and only costs $10, but the impact you make on the community is tremendous. Sign up today! (link: https://txpta.my.salesforce-sites.com/JoinPTA)
After School Care - YMCA
Action for Happiness Calendar
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.
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: @montessorimata