Mata News
Fall Newsletter
October 2018
Greetings Mata Families,
It is hard to believe that we have just completed the first grading period of the school year. The staff has been working extremely hard to ensure that our students grow in their academic and social development. We ask for and appreciate your continued support and teamwork with the following as we move forward into the second nine weeks.
Arrival: Please ensure that your child is in the building by 8:35 am. Any student arriving after this time will be considered tardy.
Car Rider Line: Please remain in one line to drop off students in the car rider line. This will help to increase student safety by dropping them off next to the curb and not having them cross in front of cars in the car rider line.
Student IDs: It is important that each student wear their IDs daily for safety. All students have been issued an ID. IDs that have been lost or damaged must be replaced. The cost is $5.
Please know that you are welcome to visit our school and look forward to you joining us for future family events.
Soaring to New Heights...Every Student, Every Day!,
Mrs. Coleman-Diaz
Principal
Counselors' Corner
Counselors: Mrs. Soto (5th grade) & Ms. Stovall (6th grade)
When: Oct. 23rd – 31st
This is the time of the year when we inform our students of the dangers of drugs. We will be advocating how to stay away from drugs throughout the week. The classroom (one 5th grade and one 6th grade) with the most participation will receive a pizza party!!! We will also be having a drug-free poster contest. The top 3 winners will also receive a prize! More information coming your way soon!!!
Character Focus
Conflict Resolution
A conflict is when there is a disagreement or argument about something important. We use Conflict Resolution when we work to sort things out fairly for everyone who is involved.
Helpful Hints…
1. Calm down as much as possible before speaking
2. Be an active listener
3. Try to understand the other person’s point of view
4. Talk quietly and calmly
5. Work together to come up with a solution
Clinic News
Flu Season is here. The key to a healthy school year will be prevention and awareness.
Tips for protection:
* Wash your hands: Handwashing is the #1 way to prevent the spread of germs.
*Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
* Use tissues to cover your mouth when sneezing or coughing.
* If your child is sick, keep them home. Do not send sick children to school. Children should remain home until they have been fever free for at least 24 hours.
The Flu is highly contagious. Please contact your child's Primary Care Physician at early onset symptoms for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Trina Goodwin, Librarian
Students can access the library catalog and digital resources from school or home.
Students have all received a blue bookmark with login information for Follett Destiny and for accessing digital resources from home.
· hub.aliefisd.net
· Select the Follett Destiny icon
· Student username: 6-digit ID
· Student password: 6-digit ID plus first letter of first name and first letter of last name
· Select “catalog” to search for books
To access digital resources, https://www.aliefisd.net/site/Default.aspx?PageID=1304
BOOK FAIR is coming soon!!
November 5 – 9
Parents are welcome!
More information will be coming home with students soon.
Please follow us on Twitter to keep up with Library news and information: @Mata_Library
Sandra Weston, Science Specialist
To help our students develop critical thinking skills, collect and analyze data, and engage in meaningful learning, Alief ISD adopted Accelerate Learning, STEMscopes, as part of our science instruction and curriculum. One of the many great features of STEMscopes is that your K-5th grade child has their own account. Teachers can create assignments for your child to complete in the classroom, as well as at home. Your child is able to access STEMscopes using any device that has Internet access, such as any smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer, etc.
Here are the steps for accessing STEMscopes (Accelerate Learning) at home:
Go to STEMscopes at: http://n11060d41180.acceleratelearning.com/login
Candice Barnett, Family Liaison
The family center is offering classes for parents in Technology, Nutrition, Parenting Skills, Basic English, Workforce Readiness, Academic Support, Finance, Volunteer Opportunities, Parent Workshop, Fitness and so much more. Please join us!
Natalia Nouel, Math Specialist
This year, we will be implementing i-Ready, an engaging online assessment and instruction program.
i-Ready assesses students’ academic skills in reading, helping teachers design individualized instruction for them based on their unique needs while setting a personalized pathway for students within the i-Ready Instruction.
Barbara Wicks, Reading Specialist
Mata Intermediate started the year off by challenging our students to read up to 40 books this year. Teachers are helping to support this schoolwide initiative by completing read-alouds with our students in class and giving them a chance to respond to different genres or kinds of books with our “40 Book Challenge Menu”. Students receive incentives and prizes such as pencils, reading chains, bookmarks, water bottles, pizza coupons, picnics, and will end the year with a DJ Book Party.
One way to support and encourage your child to read is to ask them questions about what they are reading. Try asking questions to start conversations that require them to think. “How has the character changed throughout your book?” or “How does the book you’re reading challenge, change, or confirm your thinking about things that happen in life?"
Other ways to encourage your child to read are:
* Establish a routine for your child to read daily.
* Let your child read and reread their favorite books to build their confidence and fluency.
* Visit the public library to allow your child to choose the books they find interesting.
* Write short notes to your child to encourage them to reflect and write about what they are reading.
* Read to your child, read with your child, and let your child read to you to build comprehension skills and vocabulary.
* Use technology or free reading websites such as www.mycapstonelibrary.com that offers audio recorded books on different levels, subjects, and genres.
Remember, when we give our children opportunities to read, we are building better readers, writers, and thinkers.
October
23-30 Red Ribbon Week
27 Alief International Parade
November
2 Book Fair Preview
5-9 Book Fair
8 Fall Family Festival Night @ 6:00-7:30
9 Progress Reports
10 Alief Proud Day
19-23 Thanksgiving Break
December
4 Math District Assessment
5 Reading District Assessment
6 Progress Reports
6 Winter Band Performance @ 6:30-7:30
11 Science District Assessment
11 Winter Orchestra Performance @ 6:30
13 Rodeo Art Open House
18 Winter Choir Performance @6:30
20 40 Book Challenge #2 Due
21 End of the 2nd 9 weeks
24– January 7 Winter Break
January
10 Report Cards