The Mata Memo
March 26, 2024
Principal's Message
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
I hope this message finds you well and enjoying the vibrant change of seasons.
First, I would like to remind you of the upcoming days off school on Friday, March 29th, and Monday, April 1st. We hope you enjoy the extended weekend with your loved ones.
Also, we are excited about the upcoming solar eclipse, April 8th, it is an event that offers a wonderful opportunity for our students to engage with our natural world. Information regarding the solar eclipse has been sent home with students and is also detailed in this newsletter. Please review this information as we prepare for a safe and educational viewing experience, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity about the cosmos.
I would also like to share with you that report cards were sent home with students today. This is an opportune moment to celebrate your child's accomplishments and discuss pathways for growth. We believe in the power of partnership between teachers and parents in supporting our students' educational journeys. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your child's progress further, we encourage you to reach out to their teachers.
Thank you for your continuous support and engagement with our Mata Montessori school community. Wishing you and your families a safe and pleasant week ahead.
Warm regards,
Tomeka Middleton-Williams, Principal
Event Calendar at a Glance
March 25-28 - Lower EL Lion King Performances (See below)
- March 29th - No School - Inclement Weather Day
April 1 – No School Inclement Weather Day
April 2 – Autism Awareness Day
April 8 – Total Solar Eclipse
April 13 – Mata Arcade Event – get your tickets now!
Traffic Update!
We were notified this week that traffic on the East Grand Service Road, right next to Rubials Garden Store will be rerouted to a one-way street. When dropping off and picking up students, it is important to travel down LaVista Dr. If you are dropping off and picking up at the front by the flag pole, please circle the entire building using our back drive. Traffic will exit our parking lot the same way we currently do. It is anticipated that this will last for about 3 weeks.
Solar Eclipse Viewing - April 8th
You may have heard there is quite a bit of excitement as we eagerly await Solar Eclipse Day on Monday, April 8. Dallas ISD is gearing up for this extraordinary learning opportunity, and we anticipate many will be drawn to North Texas to witness the full eclipse.
At our school, we're offering students the chance to experience this celestial event from our campus. Each student will be provided safety glasses to ensure they can safely observe the eclipse. It's an incredible opportunity for them to witness the wonders of the universe firsthand.
I also encourage you to take a moment to talk to your child about the importance of wearing these safety glasses– they are not just accessories but essential tools to ensure their eyes are protected.
With the anticipated influx of visitors to the area, there may be some transportation delays in high-traffic areas. In the event of bus delays, please be patient and utilize our transportation app for real-time updates.
Additionally, to help alleviate potential traffic concerns, we kindly request if you need to check your child out for any reason that day, please do so between 10:15 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. (Note: Students who do not report to school on Eclipse Day will receive an absence.)
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we prepare for this exciting day. Let's make it a memorable experience for our students.
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OPT-OUT Option:
Also, as a parent/guardian, should you NOT want your child to participate in the solar eclipse event, please complete the section on the form sent home today and return it to your child’s school/teacher. Alternate arrangements will be made for the solar eclipse viewing period on Monday, April 8.
2024 Parent Survey - Open Now- Please complete
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.
When arriving for the show please plan to arrive early to find parking. Do not park along the fire line for dismissal or in front of the library. If there are no parking spots, please park along the street La Vista Drive, NOT in front of the school/under the bridge.
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)
Parent Curriculum Support
Parental involvement plays a significant role in shaping a student’s educational journey. In an effort to assist you all with understanding what your children are learning, the Dallas ISD Academic Services team has released a Parent Curriculum Support Website.
This platform serves as a resource hub, offering activities that are designed to bolster learning in Reading Language Arts and Mathematics. By utilizing these resources at home, we empower you to become active participants in your child's education and foster a supportive learning environment beyond the classroom.
Thank you for partnering with us!
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?
Spring 2024 UIL Competition Results!
CHESS
Leah Martinez (2nd Grade) 3rd Place
Savannah Martinez (3rd Grade) 9th Place
Emmie De La Paz (3rd Grade) 10th Place
Brandon Martinez (4th Grade) 1st Place
Asher Farber (4th Grade) 2nd Place
Ian Lozano (6th Grade) 2nd Place
Xavier Rayas (6th Grade) 4th Place
CREATIVE WRITING
Leah Martinez (2nd Grade) 3rd Place
DICTIONARY SKILLS
Brandon Martinez (4th Grade) 3rd Place
Hector Martinez (4th Grade) 5th Place
Jadeh Santoyo (5th Grade) 4th Place
Simone Dix (5th Grade) 8th Place
Xavier Rayas (6th Grade) 5th Place
LISTENING SKILLS
Kemelly Zapeta (4th Grade) 2nd Place
Julian Medina (4th Grade) 4th Place
Hector Martinez (4th Grade) 6th Place
Jadeh Santoyo (5th Grade) 10th Place
Marlen Araiza (5th Grade) 10th Place
Angelique Tukel (6th Grade) 7th Place
Samantha Martinez (6th Grade) 8th Place
MAPS, GRAPHS, AND CHARTS
Asher Farber (4th Grade) 2nd Place
Julian Medina (4th Grade) 4th Place
Alyson Perez (5th Grade) 1st Place
Angelique Tukel (6th Grade) 1st Place
Ian Lozano (6th Grade) 7th Place
Samantha Martinez (6th Grade) 10th Place
NUMBER SENSE
Matteo Lombardo (3rd Grade) 3rd Place
William Vollmer (4th Grade) 5th Place
Ariana Escamilla (5th Grade) 10th Place
Angelique Tukel (6th Grade) 1st Place
Ian Lozano (6th Grade) 2nd Place
Samantha Martinez (6th Grade) 5th Place
READY WRITING
Eva Gonzalez (3rd Grade) 5th Place
Olivia Nickell (3rd Grade) 10th Place
Everly Mitchell (4th Grade) 7th Place
Jadeh Santoyo (5th Grade) 6th Place
Ariana Escamilla (5th Grade) 7th Place
Angelique Tukel (6th Grade) 7th Place
Samantha Martinez (6th Grade) 8th Place
Xavier Rayas (6th Grade) 9th Place
SCIENCE
Ian Lozano (6th Grade) 2nd Place
Xavier Rayas (6th Grade) 6th Place
Armando Araiza (6th Grade) 9th Place
SOCIAL STUDIES
Jadeh Santoyo (5th Grade) 2nd Place
Angelique Tukel (6th Grade) 9th Place
Armando Araiza (6th Grade) 10th Place
SPELLING
Everly Mitchell (4th Grade) 2nd Place
Isabella Santoyo (4th Grade) 6th Place
Ariana Reyes (4th Grade) 10th Place
Ariana Escamilla (5th Grade) 5th Place
Jadeh Santoyo (5th Grade) 6th Place
Alyson Perez (5th Grade) 8th Place
Marlen Araiza (6th Grade) 9th Place
STORYTELLING
Darien Hernandez (3rd Grade) 3rd Place
Matthew Rodriquez (3rd Grade) 5th Place
Mata also won TOP PERFORMING SCHOOL for 6th Grade!!!
Congratulations to all our Mata EAGLES for putting a great effort into the District’s Spring UIL Competition!!!
Check out the Pictures of our UIL participants with their Ribbons!
Mata PTA Upcoming Events!
Egg Donation for Woodrow Dance
Summer 2024 Opportunities! (Will be updated weekly)
Mind of an Innovator Camp
SMU partnership camp Mind of an Innovator. There are scholarships available to participate in this fantastic opportunity that includes lunch, snacks, a backpack, a water bottle, and a t-shirt for children who qualify for free/reduced lunch or CHIP/Medicaid.Parents can scan the QR code on the SMU flyer to apply for the scholarship. There were 20 scholarships available, and no one was turned away last year.
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)
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