Mathews Weekly
Week of October 30, 2017
From Grace
Good afternoon, Wonderful Mathews Community! I hope you're enjoying this gorgeous weekend! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who helped make Octoberama an absolutely spectacular event on Saturday! While we couldn't have asked for better weather, what truly made it so amazing was the months of hard work, planning, and organizing the Octoberama team put in. Way to go! For everyone who helped, pitched in, donated, and showed up for the fun - I appreciate you and your support of Mathews!
This week is a busy week for us at school. In addition to the learning taking place in the classrooms, We're celebrating students who earned Honor Roll and Most Improved in 3rd-6th grades and starting a new tradition as well. Teachers in 3rd-6th grades have chosen a student who has worked diligently all quarter and they have been invited to our first Celebrate your PB (personal best) with Cookies and Tea event with me. We'll gather together and talk about learning, goals, and motivation among other topics. I can't wait for our discussions! Mathews has also been invited back to the ACC Fall Forum - last year focused on Innovation in Education and this year, the theme is Fostering Creativity. We'll take a few students in 5th and 6th grades to represent our school and share their learning with the audience. They'll also be part of a panel discussion where the leaders and professors of ACC will ask them questions about their learning and education. What an honor to be invited back - I know our students will simply shine.
This week is also our Annual Book Character Dress up Day! On Friday, all students (and staff) are invited to come to school dressed as their favorite book character. This is one of my favorite days and I love the book talks that naturally come out of the questions about costumes and why characters were chosen. I'm going to be interested to see if any of the characters from Where the Mountain Meets the Moon show up. If you'd like more information about this event, please contact our fantastic librarian, Sandra Velazquez. A flyer about the event was included in last week's electron Wednesday folder info and can be found here: https://www.mathews360.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Book-Character-Day-Letter.pdf It's going to be so much fun!
I want to highlight a few things I noticed while walking the halls last week. Students were engaged in productive struggle with 'Lil Bits, designing trebuchets and catapults, prototyping playground equipment for students with "differabilities" (a combination of different and abilities rather than disabilities). Students were tending the garden, reading texts and making connections, engaged in scientific experiments and diving into mathematical concepts. It was an awesome week of learning! We also had visitors from the Committee for Children, the group that produces our SEL Second Step curriculum, and they were blown away by the lessons they observed and the welcoming way students greeted them. All in all, great things are happening at Mathews - here's to another lovely, fun-filled week of learning.
Important Information and Friendly Reminders:
- The bond election is coming up. Please learn about the bond and remember to VOTE! Early voting runs through November 3rd and early voting locations can be found here: http://traviscountyclerk.org/eclerk/content/images/polling_locations/pdf_tc_elections_2017.11.07_G17_EV.pdf
- Lost and Found - jackets and sweaters are starting to pile up! Please remind your students to bring their items home. In our efforts to keep our school neat and ready for learning, we will be gathering all items left hanging on hooks the last school day of each month (THAT'S THIS TUESDAY!) and donating them to Goodwill.
- Remember to drive safely around our school, especially during drop off and pick up.
- Please have your children in class by 7:45 am. Thanks!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and we'll see everyone on Monday 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
AISD Bond
The Bond Election Date is just around the corner. Still have questions about the scope of the bond and what it means for Mathews, the Austin High Vertical Team and the district as a whole?
- The Austin High Vertical Team is expected to get $77 million for improvement projects that modernize our schools. Mathews is scheduled to get needed work in the first year and full modernization within the next 6-12 years.
- Specific information about work scheduled for Mathews (a few things may change) within the first year can be found here: https://www.aecomconnect.com/AISD_FCA/Docs/DraftBondScenario/ElementarySchools/AISD_Bond%20Planning_Mathews%20ES_A3.pdf
- Check out www.AISDFuture.com for school project sheets, financial FAQ videos, etc.
Arrival Update and Dismissal
Dismissal: We have move 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 - Spirit Week!
Monday, October 30, 2017
- Honor Roll Assembly - 8:00 am
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
- Happy Halloween!
Wednesday, November 1, 2017
- 3rd Grade Field Trip to Austin Wildflower Center
- 3rd - 6th Grade Students - Celebrate Your Personal Best with Cookies and Tea
Thursday, November 2, 2017
- 5th Grade Musical Prep - 3:00 - 5:00 pm
Friday, November 3, 2017
- Book Character Dress up Day!
- School-wide Assembly - 7:50 am - Gym - All
- 5th and 6th Grade Reps to ACC Innovation Conference
Upcoming Events:
- November 9 - 5th Grade Musical - community performance
- November 9 - Lockdown Drill
- November 10 - 5th Grade Musical - school performance
- November 14 - Fire Drill
- November 16 - Austin Jazz Workshop
- November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break
- November 27 - CAC Meeting
- December 8 - Mathews Meeting
- December 12 - Winter Concert
- December 14 - Fire Drill
- December 15 - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Dragon Reveal
- December 15 - Fairy Tale Theater
- December 15 - Reverse Evacuation Drill
- December 20 - Winter Break!
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