Mathews Weekly
Week of January 2, 2018
From Grace
Before school gets back in session, let's talk about transfers. In a surprise move, on Monday night before the break, the district closed Mathews to transfers for the 2018-2019 school year because we are projected to be at 110% of our permanent capacity. I know this decision has caused some concern and stress for some of you (and me!) as you prepare for the next year. Please know that I am working with Gilbert Hicks, the Associate Superintendent for Area 2 Elementary Schools, on solutions for our community. I have stressed the importance of keeping families together and students at Mathews.
Moving forward, it is imperative that I have an accurate count of how many families and students this decision may affect. If you planned on requesting a transfer to Mathews next year for a sibling of a current student, a preK student moving to kindergarten, and/or a current student who is moving out of our attendance zone between now and next year, please let me know as soon as possible. If you need a transfer next year, please submit the paperwork and follow the appeal process (if/when request is denied).
Students who are currently at Mathews on a transfer do not need to apply for a new transfer - once a transfer is granted, it is good through 6th grade! If you have any questions about this process, please don't hesitate to reach out. I will continue to keep you informed as I learn new information.
Please take a look at the Important Information Section below for updates on our school report card, an opportunity to attend the opera, Girl Day at UT, and easy ways to support our school. What a great way to kick off the third quarter of learning - I anticipate a rewarding second semester, full of learning and fun. As always, when we return to school this week, please remember to follow safety rules during drop off and pick up. Thank you!
Enjoy the rest of the Winter Break and Happy New Year to all! We'll see everyone on Wednesday 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
TEA School Report Card
Information about the State of Texas 2016–17 School Report Card for Mathews Elementary is included in this section. This is a report required by the Texas Legislature and prepared by the Texas Education Agency. It is to be sent to the parent or guardian of every child enrolled in a Texas public school. The report provides information concerning student performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®), as well as information on student enrollment, class size averages, and financial expenditures.
The information contained in the School Report Card is required by state law and is briefly described in the “2016–17 School Report Card Definitions.” The report for our school may or may not have all the information described because the information presented depends on whether the school is an elementary, middle, or high school.
State law requires that the school report card display information about the state, the district, and the school. Where possible, the information must be reported by race/ ethnicity and socioeconomic status of the students and must include at least two years of results.
The School Report Cards can be found online at: https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/perfreport/src/2017/campus.srch.html
A more complete report about Mathews, the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR), is available by contacting my office or can be accessed online at: https://rptsvr1.tea.texas.gov/perfreport/tapr/index.html
Please contact me if you have any questions concerning this report card. Thank you for your continued support of Mathews!
Peace Through Pie
Ariande auf Naxos Opera Connection
We have partnered with The Austin Lyric Opera and they have gifted us with 40 free tickets for the dress rehearsal of Ariande auf Naxos - description below - on January 25, 2018. This is, unfortunately, a school night but it is a lovely opportunity for our students and families to see the opera without charge. Please keep in mind that some operas are intended for more mature audiences and keep that in mind, along with the late evening, when thinking about attending.
Tickets will be given on a first come, first served basis - simply let the office know how many you'd like (limit 4). Enjoy!
************************************************************************
Ariadne comes to Texas! Come see this playful and passionate tale, complete with dazzling vocal pyrotechnics. Set in a Central Texas barn, opera and pop culture collide to bring hijinks, hilarity, and glorious music to Austin Opera!
Richard Strauss’s tour de force, Ariadne auf Naxos, tells the story of a ranch owner who has assembled two groups of performers in his home – opera singers preparing for a serious opera, and a troupe of comedians scheduled to perform an Italian comedy. As time grows short, the ranch owner demands that the opera and the comedy be performed at the same time, leading to an array of unexpected – and ultimately very satisfying – results.
This production by celebrated director Francesca Zambello debuted at the prestigious Glimmerglass Festival. Glorious music and vocal fireworks from an ensemble cast led by soprano Alexandra LoBianco, tenor Jonathan Burton, soprano Jeni Houser, and mezzo-soprano Aleks Romano bring this romantic tale of backstage shenanigans to life.
Total run time: approximately 2.5 hours
All performances and pre-show events are held at:
The Long Center for the Performing Arts
701 West Riverside Drive
Austin, Texas 78704
Easy Ways to Support our School
Did you know that you can support Mathews while you shop for groceries, supplies, and goods?
Mathews participates in the Box Tops for Education program which gives us $0.10 for each Box Top collected and turned in. Many of the items you already purchase have Box Tops on them; simply cut out the Box Tops and drop them off in the pink boxes on the window sills by the cafeteria. In November, we made almost $25.00. While that may not seem like a lot, it can add up quickly and we appreciate all the help. If you'd like to learn more about this program, this link has helpful information: https://www.boxtops4education.com/about
Girl Day at UT
Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day and the Girl Day STEM Festival
Saturday, February 24, 2018
12-5 p.m.
UT Austin Campus
For more information, and to register a girl (or boy) to attend, please visit: http://www.girlday.utexas.edu
Arrival Update and Dismissal
Dismissal: We have more buses/vans picking up our kiddos this year. Please do not park in the front between 2:00 and 3:15 pm, even if waiting for dismissal. It is important that we leave the front lane open for buses and childcare vans. Thank you!!
Wednesday Folders
The Week at a Glance
Happy Belated Birthday to Sharon Briceno - December 28th!
Monday, January 1, 2018
- Student and Staff Holiday
Tuesday, January 2, 2018
- Student Holiday/Staff Development Day
Wednesday, January 3, 2018
- First Day of the Second Semester - Welcome Back!
Friday, January 5, 2018
- Assembly - 7:50 am - Gym - All - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Dragon Reveal
- 6th Grade Field Trip to Wonder Movie (rescheduled)
- 2nd Quarter Report Cards Sent Home
Upcoming Events:
- January 8 - Second Quarter Honor Roll Assembly
- January 11 - Fire Drill
- January 12 - Principal Coffee with O.Henry Principal
- January 13 - Peace Through Pie Social at Sweet Home Baptist Church
- January 15 - MLK Day of Service Holiday
- January 17 - 3rd-6th Math MOY
- January 18 - 3rd-6th Reading MOY
- January 22 - CAC
- January 23 - GT Nominations Open - K-2nd Grades
- January 23 - 5th Grade Science MOY
- January 25 - Access Opera Dress Rehearsal of Richard Strauss' Ariande auf Naxos
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