The Mata Memo
September 8, 2020
Principal's Message
Dear Mata families,
School starts tomorrow! We are so happy to be back and educating your children. Please make sure that your child logs into class each day beginning at 7:45 AM to start their day with their teacher. Please see the Q & A below if you are having difficulty.
As you may be aware, health data from the county is showing improvements. Based on that information and feedback from focus groups comprised of parents, teachers, principals, and teacher organizations, we are planning a phased-in option for reopening schools for face-to-face, on-campus instruction. This plan would provide the option for our youngest learners and those in transition grade-levels to have a one-week jump-start on campus, giving them a chance to get acclimated to their new surroundings and build strong, positive relationships.
For our school, this means students in grades PK, K, and 7th grade are invited to start school on September 28th at (7:45 AM). All other students will start Monday, October 5th. We are sharing this now so that you may prepare. Of course, this is optional. You may still select a distance only option if desired.
It will be critical for you to complete the Student Survey about reentry. You may find this survey on the district’s webpage at https://www.dallasisd.org/reentry Please complete the survey by September 11, 2020.
We will follow up with information about self-screening and entry procedures, as well as supplies and other start-of-school information. Please note, these plans are based on current COVID health data and could be adjusted if there is a significant change. Safety is our top priority and we will continue to keep you informed.
Also, please mark your calendar for our beginning of the year Welcome Back Meeting with Principal Williams on September 10th from 5:00 - 6:00 PM.
To continue to have the most up-to-date information, it is essential that you keep your email address current in Powerschool. The School Messenger system utilizes the email address from the primary account in Parent Portal.
Thank you for your partnership. We are eager to kick off a new year, full of joyful and meaningful learning.
Tomeka Williams
Principal
Student Remote Schedules
Here at Mata Montessori, we understand that it is important that students have an ample opportunity to learn. We acknowledge that it is also important to give students access to a high-quality education. This means offering our students as many learning minutes available. While we have dedicated a minimum of 60 guided-learning minutes per day, we recognize that we must create a consistent environment for students as we phase in and out of remote learning. We want to ensure that our students’ schedules have the least amount of disruption throughout the school year. We are embracing the opportunity to offer up to 180 minutes of guided instruction for PK-2 and 240 minutes of guided instruction for grades 3-8.
*In the event that the remote schedule presents a hardship for a student, please contact the counselors or administration to discuss other options.
Please see below for an example video of Montessori Remote Learning
Calendar at A Glance
9/8: First Day of School for Students...virtual only
9/10: Welcome Back Meeting with Principal Williams 5:00 PM
9/11: Deadline to complete DISD survey of return to school
9/14: MAP testing window opens (see schedule and sign-up below)
9/28: Face-to-face return option for PK3, PK4, Kinder, 7th grade
10/5: Face-to-face return option for grades 1-6 and grade 8
Reminders
* Sign your child(ren) up for their scheduled Map Testing Day by 9/11
Grades 1-4 and Grades 4-8
*Complete the Dallas ISD Survey for Return by 9/11 Click Here
*Sign up for PTA Click Here
Q & A about Technology
- Call us at 972-749-7500 and let us know that a device has not been assigned.
What do I do if my password does not work?
- Call us request support with resetting your password
How do I make sure that my teacher counts me present for the day if I do not have a device?
- For attendance, the teacher will reach out and contact the student who has not been able to log in, via phone, numbers in the student information system, email, etc. If a student has not heard from their teacher by 2:00 p.m., we ask that the student/parent to call the school.
Where do I go when I log in to find my classes?
- Students will log into the Clever account from the district assigned device opening screen. From the Clever portal, you will go to their assigned online account(PK – 2 is Seesaw, 3 – 12 is Google or PowerSchool) and your schedule page is loaded or your can click on My Classes. Please visit the Dallas ISD Education Evolution website for assistance with step by step log on procedures.
https://sites.google.com/dallasisd.org/education-evolution/learning-management-systems
Registration, Enrollment and Class Assignments
New Students: We are thrilled to have your child join Eduardo Mata Montessori for the 2020-2021 school year! Enrollment for new students will be held 100% online. You may have seen or received information related to creating a Parent Portal or PowerSchool account for enrollment purposes. As the students are not currently active in our system, this portal will not be available to you just yet. Instead, we do have an external site available for all incoming new students. Please click the Registration link to the right to get started!
Mrs. Leija, our Data Controller, or Ms. Sosa, our new Registrar will be reaching out to families that show registration files as incomplete. Mrs. Leija and Ms. Sosa are working diligently to respond to all emails and phone calls as soon as possible. If you are in need of assistance, please reach out by calling the main number, 972-749-7500.
Required MAP Testing
Eduardo Mata Montessori School is so excited to start the school year on Tuesday, September 8. We know this year will be unlike any other, but we are committed to providing your student with the best learning experience. As you know it’s been a while since we’ve last seen or engaged with our students. This year, we plan on administering beginning-of-the-year assessments, for every student. But we’ll need your help by bringing your student to campus one day for a few hours, in September. We’ll follow all safety and social distancing protocols, and students will be in smaller groups. The assessment helps us understand exactly where your student is academically. Meal service will be provided, for students, along with meal service. Please look for more information, including your child’s scheduled day soon. Students are not required to come in-person and can be assessed remotely, but we encourage every student to physically come in. Thank you for your support we look forward to having a great school year.
Join the Mata Remind for your child’s grade level!
PreK 3 & 4
https://www.remind.com/join/mataprek
Kinder
https://www.remind.com/join/matakinder
1st grade
https://www.remind.com/join/mata1stgr
2nd grade
https://www.remind.com/join/mata2ndgr
3rd grade
https://www.remind.com/join/mata3rdgr
4th grade
https://www.remind.com/join/mata4thgr
5th grade
https://www.remind.com/join/mata5thgr
6th grade
https://www.remind.com/join/mata6thgr
7th & 8th grade
Texas Compulsory Attendance Law
Please email it to Ms. Lorena Sosa our registrar, at Lososa@dallasisd.org
Construction Update
Construction for Mata is still underway!
Check out some of the latest updates to construction!
Marquee Sign
Forming of Sidewalk and Compass on South Side
New Furniture in Middle School
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