Mathews Weekly
Week of September 4, 2017
From Grace
Good afternoon, Wonderful Mathews Community! I hope everyone is enjoying this long and sunny three-day weekend. As a friendly reminder, there is no school tomorrow for students or staff as we observe the Labor Day Holiday. Thank you for the sweet birthday wishes and goodies on Friday. It truly made my day and warmed my heart. I am so thankful to be a part of this beautifully caring community.
Speaking of community, many of you have asked me if we'll be getting any of the students who have evacuated to Austin as a result of Hurricane Harvey. I have informed the district that we are ready to receive any students who need a school home as I truly cannot think of a better community to welcome and care for these students as they get back to school. With the city's decision to move the shelter from the Convention Center to SE Austin, however, we may now be too far away for it to make logistical sense. Regardless, the teachers, staff, and I stand ready should any students come to Mathews.
With the hurricane and the start of the school, there has been much to worry about and Friday at assembly, I read the students, Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes, a charming picture book about a little mouse who worries way to much. The story is her journey from worry about literally everything to being able to enjoy her day at school. It's a good reminder for all of us that worry is a natural part of life but it doesn't need to take over our lives. The children shared strategies they could use if they ever found themselves worried about something - their ideas ranged from connecting with a friend to spending time outdoors, to reading a good book or looking forward to something fun. I am continually amazed at the strength and resilience of our students and enjoyed hearing their solid ideas for regulating worry when it occurs.
As adults, it's important that we too employ strategies for calming anxiety and other strong emotions. With that in mind, I want to offer some reassurance to our new to school parents. The goodbye process at the beginning of the day can cause a little sadness in some of our students and, as a parent, I know there is nothing harder than seeing our children sad or unhappy. My oldest son had a difficult time with drop off when he first started going to school and I remember worrying all day about how he was doing, only to be told by his teacher (day after day) that he'd had a fantastic time at school and the tears had not lasted long. So it is both my personal and professional experience, that tears and/or some sadness is a normal part of the beginning of the year for our students (and ourselves) and that our students, like the character Wemberly, are stronger than we know and, once the day gets started, leave their worry behind as they engage in the classroom routines and learning. If there is ever a time a child remains distressed, we will certainly reach out and let you know.
Here's to another fantastic week at school. I'm looking forward to watching our students learn and grow and hearing more about their ideas on a myriad of topics. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and we'll see everyone Tuesday morning.
*If you happen to know of a family who isn't getting these weekly email messages, please let them know they can opt in to messages in the parent cloud at: my.austinsid.org
Important Information
Arrival Update
- If you wish to accompany your child into the building between 7:00-7:30 am, please do so, hug your child goodbye, and then exit the cafeteria.
- If you plan on eating breakfast with your child before 7:30 am, please do so, then hug your child goodbye and exit the cafeteria.
- If you wish to accompany your child into the building on or after 7:35 am, please walk your child directly to the classroom, and once the teacher and class are in the room, hug your child goodbye and then exit the hallway.
This will help us have smooth transitions from cafeteria to classrooms in the morning and make sure the walkways are clear for our students and their teachers. Clear walkways and smooth transitions will lead to a pleasant and calm beginning of the day. Thank you for your cooperation!
Back to School Night
What Back to School Night is: A fantastic way for parents to learn more information about the curriculum, teaching philosophies, and grade level/classroom practices for the year.
What Back to School Night is Not: A time for an individual conference about your child with his/her teacher. Please email your child's teacher to arrange an individual conference if needed and know that we have scheduled parent and teacher conferences on October 9, 2017.
Timeline for the Evening:
6:00 pm Classroom/Grade Level Presentations
6:35 pm Transition
6:40 pm Special Area Visits
7:00 pm Have a lovely evening!
AISD Bond
- Districtwide improvements to technology for teachers and students and transportation,
- Improvements to address overcrowding and critical needs, and
- Reinvention programs for 21st century learning.
I encourage you to read more information about the bond here: https://www.austinisd.org/bond
Salad Bar Returns
Staff Spotlight
Lenzy Langford, 3rd Grade Language Arts, Science, and Social StudiesTeacher
What is your favorite thing about teaching reading?
I love that there are so many exciting adventures and worlds to explore in books.
What is your favorite book?
There are too many to pick one book. I'm currently reading The Name of the Wind but rarely read only one book at a time. Usually I have about three going so I'm going to pick up The Red Tent and Dune. I usually lean towards science fiction and historical fiction for personal reading.
What's something you enjoy outside of school?
I enjoying hanging out with my three children and being a mom.
What is your favorite part of Mathews?
I love the community here. Parents are supportive and I like how everyone comes together. This is a very caring community.
Anything else you'd like us to know?
I think it's really cool how everyone has a little bit of everyone inside and love the diversity that makes up our world.
Brett Egge, 3rd Grade Math, Science, and Social Studies Teacher
What is your favorite thing about teaching math?
I enjoy using hands on materials. It allows students the chance to solve problems using their own ideas.
Who's one of your role models?
John Wooden, the UCLA Basketball Coach, is one of my role models. In fact, I have a quote from him on my door to inspire the students, "Make every day a masterpiece."
What's something you enjoy outside of school?
I enjoy playing sports, particularly golf and baseball, and spending time exploring the outdoors.
What is your favorite Mathews tradition?
I love International Festival. From the great food to the parade of nations to watching all the students dance. I really enjoy how everyone comes together.
Anything else you'd like us to know?
I enjoy and appreciate the Mathews community.
Wednesday Folders
Octoberama!
The Week at a Glance
Sunday, September 3, 2017
- Happy Birthday, Vivien Carson! :)
Monday, September 4, 2017 - Labor Day
- Student and Staff Holiday!
Tuesday, September 5 - Thursday, September 7, 2017
- Courage in Action will work with 5th grade all week.
Friday, September 8, 2017
- School-wide Assembly - 7:50 pm - Gym - All
- Courage in Action wraps up their work with 5th grade.
Upcoming Events:
- Fire Drill - September 14
- Principal Coffee - September 15
- CAC Meeting - September 25
- CATCH the Spirit of Kindness Family Night - September 28
- Mathews Meeting - September 29
About Us
Website: mathews360.com
Location: 906 West Lynn Street, Austin, TX, United States
Phone: 512-414-4406
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mathews360/
Twitter: @mathews360