The Mata Memo
April 18, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
Can you believe we are halfway through April and 1 day from the first administration of STAAR? As we approach this testing season and the end of the school year, remember to encourage your children to keep working hard and giving their best.
We know that this time of year can be stressful, with the pressures of testing and the anticipation of the summer break, but remember we are all in this together. We are a team, and together we will conquer this season. We are committed to working hard and remaining dedicated to ensuring your child succeeds! Thank you for trusting us to do so.
We are continuing to share information of 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:
Refrain from answering for your child.
We recently overheard a conversation where a friend approached a parent and a child and spoke to the child, asking her a direct question: “How are you doing today, Maria?” The mother responded for the child, replying, “She’s not in a very good mood today.” The silent message delivered to the child was: “You don’t have to speak up for yourself. I will
take care of you.” When a doctor asks, “Why are you here today?” or the neighbor inquires, “What was your favorite birthday present?” or Grandma wants to know, “How do you like school this year?” stay out of it.
Allow your child to answer for himself.
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
- April 19th- STAAR Reading
- April 21st - Dress Pass Friday
- April 22nd - Dallas ISD Dyslexia Parent Academy
- April 25 STAAR Science (Grades 5, 7, 8)
- April 25 PTA General Meeting
- April 26 STAAR Social Studies (Grade 8)
- April 27 Upper and Lower Field Day
- April 28 Inclement Weather Day, No School
- May 3rd - STAAR Math
- May 4th - Modern Band Concert
- May 10th- SBDM's Evaluation and Modification Subcommittee Meeting (Campus Needs Assessment)
Support your Child's Social Emotional Development
5 Tips for Coping with Test Anxiety (for Kids)
Magnet Schools of America
This Friday is Dress Pass Day!
RAINBOW RUN, WALK & ROLL - Cancelled!
6th, 7th and 8th Grade Modern Band Parents
The Mata Music Department wants to inform you of two exciting events that Dallas ISD is hosting for DISD Modern Band Students.
#1: DISD is hosting an All-City Jam on Saturday, April 22 for all 6th, 7th, 8th grade students, families, and friends. This will be a really fun event where groups of students can get together and perform a song on stage. You are also invited to just come watch the various groups.
If you know of a student/band that would like to perform a song or two, please have them communicate this to Mrs. Harris at school, or email her at: dianharris@dallasisd.org.
WHAT - All-City Jam
WHERE - Seagoville High School
15920 Seagoville Road
Dallas, Tx 75253
TIME - Registration for performers starts at 9:00 AM
Show starts at 10:00 Am
Show will finish by 12:30
COST: - FREE!
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING/ATTENDING, PLEASE CONTACT MRS. HARRIS
#2: Dallas ISD is hosting a varsity event for the top Modern Band programs in Dallas ISD. This will be at the A.T.&T. Performance Center on Saturday, May 20th. More details coming soon on this event. This is not an open event to all performers. Some of Mata’s Varsity Modern Band class may be performing. However, if you’re interested in attending to watch the performances, please talk to Mrs. Harris.
Mata's Monarch Heros!
Congratulations to Sra. Gonzales and Sra. Vazquez and our School for becoming Certified Monarch Heros! When their garden work day got postponed due to conditions, our Girl Scout troops and Cub Scout pack stepped in and assisted in planting the diverse pollinator garden. Mata
Montessori now has a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat.
Our Teachers would like to invite parent volunteers to assist with Wednesday after school sessions working on the garden with students. More info to come, the Sign up Genius is here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0A4FAAAD28A5FD0-monarch
Parent Forums on Fentanyl
Dallas ISD has partnered with the city of Dallas Fentanyl Strike Force, led by Co-chairs Councilmember Paula Blackmon and Councilmember Adam Bazaldua, to create opportunities to educate the public on the dangers of Fentanyl. The district will host a series of parent forums throughout the school leadership regions to allow parents to discuss their concerns, share resources and experiences, and work together to increase public awareness of the risks associated with Fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid drug that has become increasingly popular in recent years, leading to a dramatic rise in overdoses and deaths. Its potency and availability make it a dangerous drug for youth, and parents need to be aware of the risks associated with its use. The parent forum on fentanyl prevention can be an invaluable tool for educating our parents about the dangers of this drug and providing them with resources to help keep their children safe. Through this forum, parents can learn about the signs of fentanyl use, how to talk to their children about the dangers of opioids, and strategies for preventing fentanyl abuse in their communities. We are bringing together education, prevention, and treatment experts to create a supportive community environment where parents feel comfortable discussing these issues openly.
The first forum is scheduled for Saturday, April 22, at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center at 1201 E. Eighth St., Dallas, Texas, 75203, from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Registration for the event is available at the following link: https://www.dallasisd.org/domain/32220
It's time to register!
The registration for the 2023-24 school year officially begins on April 1, 2023. Parents of new and returning students are required to complete registration in the district’s online enrollment system, SchoolMint.
Rescheduled Field Day!
Rescheduled Field Day!
Sign up to Volunteer Here
Mata PTA Slate - Election Meeting April 25th
Family Fit Fest 2023
The Health & Physical Education Department is excited to invite Dallas families to participate in the upcoming Family Fit Fest event, formerly known as Get Kids Fit Fest. Hosted by the Community Council of Greater Dallas, this FREE community expo offers fun for all ages, with a focus on improving overall health and wellness.
This event is designed to enhance and improve the quality of life for North Texas families, with over 3,000 attendees expected to participate. The first 500 attendees will receive a FREE T-SHIRT and SWAG BAG, and the first 1000 attendees will receive a Box of Food courtesy of the North Texas Food Bank.
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Location: Dallas Market Hall
Start Time: 11:00 am
End Time: 3:00 pm
Cost to Attend: FREE Admission and FREE Parking
Official Website: www.Familyfitfest.org
Entertainment: Kidz Zone Area, Live Music/DJ, Photos, Voter Registration, Hundreds of fun and free activities for the whole family!
Mata's Modern Bad Concert!
Campus Needs Assessment Committee ( Evaluation and Modification)
You do not have to have attended previous meetings to attend this one. Please sign up at the link to confirm attendance and so that the necessary documents can be sent to you in advance. ALL welcome!
22-23 Yearbook on sale NOW
Order forms will be online at http://ybpay.com/ Our school code is 14995723 and they are $25 per book.
Thank you PTA for supporting our sponsor Mr. Langford and the yearbook class!
Middle School Families
6th graders: Party survey results are in!
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!!
Mata Closet Needs!
Parents, the Mata Closet needs donations! Items we need most are:
- New boy and girl underwear in sizes 3T, 4T and 5T
- Boy and girl uniform pants in sizes 10 and above
- Girl uniform skirts/skorts (and privacy shorts) in sizes 10 and above
- Uniform shirts in sizes 12 and above
Please make sure your donations are free of stains and tears, with intact buttons and zippers. Donations can be dropped off at the main office. Thank you!
What's Happening Around Mata Montessori?
SECONDARY SPRING CHESS TOURNAMENT RESULTS (4/15)
READ ALL ABOUT IT! The Magnficent Mata Montessori Secondary Team competed Saturday, April 15 at Barack Obama Leadership Academy. Thanks to these young men for a job well-done!
6th Grade
Jackson Barbeau-Bronze Medal
Ethan Funes-Gomez
Diego Garcia-Hernandez
Ethan Vega- Bronze Medal
7th Grade
Gabriel Majan-Hernandez
Jayden Oliver-Jackson
Zabdiel Yepez-Morales
8th Grade
Bruce Funes-Gomez
Julio Leyva-Bronze also, received the MVP Trophy for Eduardo Mata Montessori
Andres Tovar
Thanks to Ms. Vega, Ms. Yepez, and Ms. Gomez for supporting the team.
Mrs. Pettigrew and Mrs. Singleton Chess Sponsors
White Rock Spring Games!
Woodrow Wilson HS Presents Disney's Frozen!
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