The Mata Memo
May 16, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
It is hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close in just a week and a half. This is the time that we PAUSE, RECALL, AND REFLECT upon our 2022-23 school year actions that have impacted teaching and learning.
Our staff is taking the time to look back and ask ourselves what has worked this year, what can we improve upon for next year, and how can we plan in order to make next year even more successful.
We know that we couldn't have made it through this year without your support. We continue to thank you for choosing Mata as your child's school. As we close out the year, we are continuing with the teaching and learning in an effort to keep our students excited about the school year.
Parents and guardians, we would like to remind you to please register your child for the 2023/24 school year and select your choice for bus routes.
We are continuing to provide information on how to make yourself dispensable in your child's life. Each one will help you move closer to your goal of raising an independent, autonomous, fully functioning young adult.
Check out this week's focus:
Your job is to give your children a system. Their job is to use it. Yes, buy your daughter a Taekwondo bag and teach her where all the equipment goes. When you buy it and teach her how to use it, your job is done. It is her job to use the system.
Teach your child how to organize his homework. His job is to organize it. Teach your child a system for respecting family books. His job is to use it.
Together we will give our children the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence!
Enjoy the Memo below!
Sincerely,
Tomeka Williams
Principal
Calendar at A Glance
District-Wide Calendar - Click Here
- May 16th - TAG Fair 5:00 pm / Talent Show 6:00 pm
- May 17th - SEL Student Survey Administration
- May 18th - Theater Banquet 4:30 PM
- May 18th - SBDM Meeting 5:00 PM
- May 19th - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 1:30 PM
- May 20th - Modern Band Jam
- May 22nd-26th - ACPs
- May 23rd - Last PTA Meeting 6 PM Budget Meeting
- May 25th- 6th Grade Level Up Party 6p-8p Cidercade
- May 26th - Last Day of School for Students
TAG Fair
SPIRIT WEEK
Everyone is welcome to participate in the events that bring them joy. Students may wear uniforms on days they do not want to participate. Jeans must fit appropriately and must not have rips or tears.
Monday: College/ Military Day represent your favprite institute of higher learning. wear your college shirt or military branch shirt with jeans.
Tuesday: Tourist Day
dress as a tourist ready for vacation at mata. Florial shirts, hats, and fanny packs galore
Wednesday: Twin/Team - Dress up like Twins or Your entire class/team can dress alike!
Thursday Sports Team Day: Wear your favorite sports Team jersey or t shirt with jeans
Friday: Celebration Day- Today is the 8th grade promotion ceremony. Dress to impress and let's all celebrate their success!
Note: Dress Pass Friday will not take place this month.
8TH GRADE SLIDESHOW PHOTO REQUEST
Recruitment of Volunteers for Teacher Lunch Hours
Specials and Middle School Teachers Lunch Hour
Interested in Summer School Programs (Enrichment and Acceleration)
Registration link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGjhUa-snGSrfZk-xrIdvlcWtwQU5BnVvAXH2Rnq8Yb3iLCw/viewform
District summer school link:
https://www.dallasisd.org/Page/87306
Talent Show/ Open Mic Night!
8th Grade Promotion Ceremony
Modern Band Jam Fest
Mata PTA General Meeting
STAAR Testing Results and TEA Reporting Delay
The spring 2023 State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR®) has been redesigned to align closer to classroom instruction and the unique ways students learn. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has indicated that reporting final test results for the redesigned STAAR will take a bit longer this year because educators from across the state will meet to provide their expert opinions on the passing scores for the redesigned assessments.
TEA has created resources that can be shared with parents regarding the spring 2023 STAAR reporting timelines.
STAAR End-of-Course Reporting Timelines
On June 30, 2023, EOC results for families will be made available in the Family Portal.
STAAR 3-8 Reporting Timelines
On August 16, 2023, STAAR 3-8 results for families will be made available in the Family Portal.
The new Family Portal was launched on January 2, 2023, and is available for parents to view test scores for the Texas Assessment Program. The portal can be accessed via the Texas Assessment.gov website, https://www.TXFamilyPortal.org, or by using the single sign on feature in PowerSchool. Beginning April 3rd, families can view results from last year through PowerSchool. This how-to guide details how CTCs can find the access codes in TIDE. Portal codes for all students are also located within the student’s MyData Portal profile.
2023-2024 Calendar
Middle School Early Release Cancelled
Upcoming Student SEL Survey (The week of May 15) 3RD-8TH Grade students
DEAR MATA FAMILIES,
WE THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR BEING OUR VALUED PARTNERS AS WE WORK TOGETHER TO EDUCATE THE CHILDREN IN OUR SCHOOL THIS YEAR. WE VALUE INPUT FROM OUR COMMUNITY AND WE NEED TO HEAR FROM YOUR CHILD(REN)! THEY ARE IMPORTANT PARTNERS AS WE WORK TO IMPROVE THEIR OVERALL EXPERIENCE AND SUPPORT THEIR NEEDS.
IN ORDER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT STUDENT EXPERIENCES, WE WILL BE ASKING FOR YOUR CHILD’S FEEDBACK VIA AN ONLINE SURVEY. THE SURVEY SHOULDN’T TAKE MORE THAN 30 MINUTES TO COMPLETE.
WE ARE ASKING THAT ALL OF OUR STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEYS, AS THEIR FEEDBACK WILL PROVIDE INVALUABLE INSIGHTS INTO THEIR EXPERIENCES AND HOW TO IMPROVE AND ADAPT OUR SCHOOL TO THEIR NEEDS. IF A STUDENT DOESN’T FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION TO ANSWER A QUESTION, THEY WILL BE ABLE TO SKIP THE ITEM ALTOGETHER.
THE SURVEY CONTENT WILL ASK STUDENTS TO SELF REFLECT ON THEIR OWN SKILLS IN THE FOLLOWING TOPIC AREAS: SELF-MANAGEMENT AND SELF-EFFICACY, RELATIONSHIP SKILLS, SOCIAL AWARENESS, SENSE OF SCHOOL BELONGING, SCHOOL CLIMATE, AND SCHOOL SAFETY.
WE THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE SURVEY ADMINISTRATION, PLEASE DON’T HESITATE TO CONTACT US AT MATAMONTESSORI@DALLASISD.ORG.
It's time to register!
The registration for the 2023-24 school year officially started on April 1, 2023. Parents of new and returning students are required to complete registration in the district’s online enrollment system, SchoolMint.
6th grade Celebration
The leveling up EOY celebration will be an Arcade Party!
Who: Current 6th grade Mata students only
What: Celebration of moving up to middle school: Pta will provide 2 hours of free play arcade time, dinner, photo booth with friends & autograph booklet (may be inserted into your yearbook if you buy one.)
When Thursday 5.25.23 6p-8p (the venue is adults only after 8pm ALL students must be picked up at 8pm)
Where: Cidercade 2777 Irving Blvd #200, Dallas, TX 75207
How: RSVP tinyurl.com/MataLevelUp
Lets go!!
What's Happening Around Mata Montessori?
Congratulations to Mrs. Osborne! Last Friday, she graduated with her Masters in Education from SMU!
EDUARDO MATA MONTESSORI AT THE DISTRICT'S LONE STAR CHALLENGE
Melany Mejia Ramos
Emma Calhoun
Scarlett Valverde
Zuri Tomba
Jadeh Sontoyo
Oscar Mejia Ramos
Thank you Ms. B. Vasquez for your Sponsorship!
PTA Beach Bash Was a Success!
Congratulations to our Soccer Team, They won 3-0 this past weekend!
Our School Mental Health Clinician speaks to Middle School
After School Carpool Reminders
All cars will proceed down LaVista Dr. to the furthest entry past the school building. You will make a right turn into the drive nearest the apartments. You will remain in your car and show your sign to the Mata staff. We will call for your child as you drive around the wraparound drive. Please pull up as far as possible. Keep your child's tag showing until your child(ren) is brought to your car. When leaving the drive, turn left to circle under the bridge and proceed to the traffic light.
Please do not park in the NO Parking Zones, as this is a safety concern, and you can be ticketed.
Also, please do not walk through the lanes of the carpool. Please use the sidewalks when walking.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our students safe.
Friendly Office Reminders
- Always bring an ID to the office for all student pick-ups.
- Cut off time for early student pick up is 2:30 PM.
- Parents must complete VOLY every school year in order to volunteer at our campus.
- No cupcakes or snacks high in sugar are permitted for Celebration of Life. Please bring healthy snacks the whole class can enjoy.
- No fast-food deliveries for students.
- Doors for students to enter the building every morning open at 7:30 AM.
- School starts at 8:00 AM and tardies are distributed after this time.
- If a student arrives after 8:20 AM this counts as a partial absence (T99).
- Always submit an excuse note anytime your student is absent.
- Please have your student adhere to the uniform policy.
Buy your spirit wear from the Eagle Wagon!
Spirit wear may be worn with jeans on Fridays
Thank you for your patience while we organize our current on hand inventory.
For new shirts, more colors, expanded sizing and embroidered options plus delivery to your home see our PTA’s online fundraising store https://matamontessori.itemorder.com/shop/home/
Join PTA!
Check out your PTA membership perks and if you’re not a member you can join online:
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.
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.
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