The Mata Memo
September 14, 2021
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
The Olympic Runner Usain Bolt once said that he was focused on what he wanted to do, and that he knew what he needed to be a champion, so he worked on it. This quote describes the start of our school year. We all know where we want our students to be at the end of the school year. We know that it will take consistent quality teaching, support for our students and positive collaboration with our parents to make that happen, and I am proud to see that everyone is working on it.
This week, we saw clear expectations in classrooms for culture, lesson delivery, and classroom environments. Currently, we are assessing our students using MAP and will use this data to goals for students. Thank you for continuing to support our efforts.
We would also like to remind you all of the following when it comes to safety:
- Please remind your child to wear their masks to school.
- Do not forget to bring your orange pick-up card when picking up your child.
Thank you for your continued support of Mata Montessori!
Tomeka Middleton Williams
Principal
Please read the memo carefully for information regarding:
- Calendar at a Glance
- Parental Needs Assessment
- Mata Montessori Theatre Shirt Flyer
- Free Home Internet
- Education Go Get It Week
- Attendance Awareness Month
- Tutoring Waiver
- Drop off and Pick Up Updates
- Campus Visitor Procedures
- Uniform Assistance
- How to Access Powerschool
- Uniform Policy and Reminders
- Student Technology Updates
- Dallas ISD Safety Protocols
- Mata Positive Staff Referrals
- and, much much more!
Calendar at A Glance
- Sept. 13-17: Education Go Get It Week
- Sept 27- Oct. 7th: Common Assessments (3rd-8th grade)
- Oct. 7th: End of 1st Quarter
- Oct. 8th: No School! Fair Day!
Education Go Get It Week
9/13/21 Monday- Your Future is Bright, wear shades
Primary-Why do We go to School? https://youtu.be/3qf0Z1Ju2mA
Lower- Why Education is Important https://youtu.be/SOWy1qRS4nU
Upper/Middle- Why is Education Important? https://youtu.be/YJbQphVcGxA
9/14/21 Tuesday-Poster Day!!! Create a poster or drawing of your favorite College/University, its logo, mascot, sport, or activity/Organization associated with the College/University. Drawings will be displayed in the hallway.
Virtual College Tours
SMU https://youtu.be/UmsDf1VeAfM
University of Texas Austin https://youtu.be/QklCIStFv5I
Dallas Baptist University https://youtu.be/oeqewnMKEeE
9/15/21 Wednesday-College Day show up wearing your favorite College/University gear.
Primary- What to be When You Grow Up https://youtu.be/ufGCxcU0iWE
Lower-Education and Career Guidance https://youtu.be/12ass4FSCcg
Uper/Middle- College and Career Readiness https://youtu.be/Yz81E-vr9tI
Virtual College Tours
LSU https://youtu.be/8vRjYw2O4Zo
Baylor https://youtu.be/wu4fF4D-JMo
University of Notre Dame https://youtu.be/02BIpDPdfJE
9/16/21 Thursday-Dress for Success-Students, may dress in their future career attire/Teachers and Staff dress for success or wear your Cap and Gown
Virtual College Tours
Texas A & M https://youtu.be/M8IlsJnin6I
University of North Texas https://youtu.be/uC3QIvMUqWs
9/17/21 Friday-Spirit Day Wear your Mata spirit Shirt or a College Shirt with Jeans, uniform pants, shorts, or skirts.
Virtual College Tours
Texas Tech University https://youtu.be/tNuIWDdiIHg
Xavier University https://youtu.be/7bcotzuGNT4
Fisk University https://youtu.be/bMxM9cS0nXQ
Georgetown University https://youtu.be/aQdBQtmjha4
Stanford University https://youtu.be/_Nq4Z5i7lcs
University of Oklahoma https://youtu.be/LyZnDLdYmzA
Semana de la Educacion
septiembre 13-17, 2021
9/13/21 lunes- Tu futuro es muy brillante, usar lentes de sol
Primaria-Porque Vamos a la Escuela? https://youtu.be/3qf0Z1Ju2mA
Bajo- Porque la Educacion es Importante? https://youtu.be/SOWy1qRS4nU
Alto/Secundaria- Porque la Educacion es Importante? https://youtu.be/YJbQphVcGxA
9/14/21 martes-Dia de Cartulina!!! Crear una cartulina o dibujo de tu favorito Colegio/Universidad, su logo, su masco, su deporte, o organizacion asociada con el Colegio/Universidad. Las cartulinas seran demonstradas en el pasillo.
Recorrido Virtual de Colegio
SMU https://youtu.be/UmsDf1VeAfM
University of Texas Austin https://youtu.be/QklCIStFv5I
Dallas Baptist University https://youtu.be/oeqewnMKEeE
9/15/21 miercoles-dia de colegio ven a la escuela con tu favorito camisa de Colegio/Universidad
Primaria- Que hacer cuando uno crezca https://youtu.be/ufGCxcU0iWE
Bajo-Educacion y Planear su Carrera https://youtu.be/12ass4FSCcg
Alto/Secundaria- Colegio y estar Preparado para una Carrera https://youtu.be/Yz81E-vr9tI
Recorrido Virtual de Colegio
LSU https://youtu.be/8vRjYw2O4Zo
Baylor https://youtu.be/wu4fF4D-JMo
University of Notre Dame https://youtu.be/02BIpDPdfJE
9/16/21 jueves-Vestir para Triunfar-Estudiantes, pueden vestirse de su futura Carrera/Oficio
Recorrido Virtual de Colegio
Texas A & M https://youtu.be/M8IlsJnin6I
University of North Texas https://youtu.be/uC3QIvMUqWs
9/17/21 viernes-Dia de Espiritu-Usa tu camiseta de Mata o de Colegio/Universidad con pantalon de mezclilla, pantalon de uniformer, pantalon corto, o falda.
Recorrido Virtual de Colegio
Texas Tech University https://youtu.be/tNuIWDdiIHg
Xavier University https://youtu.be/7bcotzuGNT4
Fisk University https://youtu.be/bMxM9cS0nXQ
Georgetown University https://youtu.be/aQdBQtmjha4
Stanford University https://youtu.be/_Nq4Z5i7lcs
University of Oklahoma https://youtu.be/LyZnDLdYmzA
Parental Needs Assesment
Please complete the following link:
Spanish
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Lgz2rRExHPdB4DkYRdrc5-TQ2me5coos5DwlfNDdQQ4/edit
English
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1nPiUx_8XpiM9y6mTVbPW9CL3rmF-2mJQkiCPV-SBH6E/edit
Support Mata Montessori's Theatre Department - T-Shirt Order Form Below
Free Home Internet
Students who are without home internet have the opportunity to apply for a high-speed free home internet connection for the 2021-2022 school year.
The application deadline is Sept. 30th, and families can visit https://tinyurl.com/dallasisdinternet to apply.
A home wired internet connection provides more reliable internet service than mobile hotspots.
Need help or have questions?
Call the Dallas ISD Connectivity Hotline at 972-925-6000.
Tutoring Ratio Waver - Please complete
Join PTA
Check out their webpage at https://matamontessori.com/
Sign up for the PTA newsletter: Click Here
Drop Off and Pick Up Information
First, I would like to say thank you so much for your patience and positivity as we have worked through our dismissal process! We are proud to say that we have gotten better every day!
There are a few reminders that we would like to ask of you.
- If you are in the car line, please do not get out of your vehicle, we will ensure that your child comes to you.
- Please do not ask your child to walk to your car on Grand or La Vista. This makes for a dangerous situation. If you have signed your child up to be a walker, they should walk either down the Santa Fe Trail or across to the crossing guards.
- Please remember to use your Orange sign. If you need one, please contact the main office.
- Please tell your child to go with their youngest sibling. For example, if the youngest is in 1st, your child will wait in the auditorium with their sibling. If your youngest is in primary, they will come outside and stand with that teacher.
- Drop off begins at 7:15 AM.
- 1st- 8th Grade students may be dropped off at the main entrance. Prek-K students will report directly to class, 1st-3rd grade students will report to the gym, 4th-6th will report to the auditorium, and 7th-8th grade students will report to the cafeteria between 7:15-7:30 AM. All students arriving after 7:30 will report directly to class.
- Please drop off Pre-K-K students on the La Vista drive nearest the library. Students will report directly to their homeroom class.
- If you have multiple children, you may drop them off at the site for the youngest child.
After School Pick Up (Updated):
You will be given a carpool sign to use at pick-up daily. Please be patient with dismissal procedures and traffic, as we will be working to ensure the safety of all students.
Prek-K will be dismissed outside the main entrance beginning at 3:05.
1st-3rd will be dismissed from the door by the auditorium at 3:15.
4th-6th will be dismissed at the back of the school near the compass on the new drive at 3:15.
7th-8th will be dismissed at the back of the school near the middle school pods at 3:15.
Students with siblings in PreK-K will be outside the main entrance.
Traffic flow:
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 Mata staff. We will call for your child as you drive around the wraparound drive. 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.
If riding a bus, please send information regarding your child's bus stop and location to the teacher. It is best practice to have an index card with your child's bus number and stop located inside their backpack. Bus pick-up is located on the main drive parallel to Grand. Please do not park in this driveway.
We offer After school care through the YMCA. Please see the flyers below for details.
Please ensure that your child knows how they are going home. Inform your child's teacher in an adequate amount of time in the event of any changes.
Uniform Reminders
Please be reminded that the following is not allowed:
- Leggings, tights, or yoga pants
- Jeans are only worn on Fridays with a spirit shirt (no rips/holes)
Student Technology
Technology Support Centers
Dallas ISD Updates for Campus Visitors
While Dallas County is in Level Red, campus visitors and volunteers will not be allowed. We will use virtual meeting options to limit campus visitors. All visitors who enter the building will be required to wear a face covering and those who proceed beyond the reception area will follow specific guidelines for visitors.
Visitor Screening/PPE Requirements
Please self- screen before entering any Dallas ISD facility. If visitors have COVID-19 symptoms, or are lab confirmed with COVID-19, they must notify the campus and remain off campus until they meet the criteria for re-entry.
All individuals entering the building will be required to wear face masks.
Visitors will stand behind the shield guard installed at reception desks or recommended 6 feet distance.
Any individuals permitted to proceed beyond the reception area must follow all safety and campus protocols.
Parent curbside pick up of students and materials
Meal Viewer- Meal App
Food & Child Nutrition Services (FCNS) is pleased to announce "MealViewer" a new and improved platform to showcase student menus. MealViewer is packed with new features and benefits!
Meal Viewer provides:
- Convenience - Available 24/7 on the web and through our mobile-friendly app, MealViewer To Go, for your smartphone.
- Allergen Safety — Create personalized safety profiles for each student by selecting their allergens. Get alerts each time that allergen is on the menu!
- Fun Feedback — Students can rate their favorite meals.. .and receive alerts the next time their favorites are served!
Signing Up is easy!
1 . Go to schools.mealviewer.com or download the mobile app and register for a free account. MealViewer WILL NOT open in Internet Explorer. Please copy the link and paste it into Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
2. Create a personalized profile for you and your students by first selecting their school.
3. Next, set up your student's profile by selecting any allergens he/she has. Students can also choose their favorite meals/foods. Students will receive notifications every time any of their favorite meals are served, and any time that any of their allergens are in any food on that day's menu.
Dallas ISD School Safety Protocols
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: @mata_school