Mathews Weekly
Week of October 9, 2017
From Grace
Good afternoon, Wonderful Mathews Community! Many thanks to those of you who volunteered your time and efforts at our fall grounds day on Saturday! The garden beds, playscapes, and blacktop look fantastic! What a great start to our goal of making our outdoor spaces beautiful and child friendly. You are appreciated!
This week is a short week for students as tomorrow is our designated parent/teacher conference day and there is no school for students. If you haven't already done so, please make sure to sign up for a conference with your child's teacher. There is no better way to get a solid understanding of your child's academic, social, and behavioral progress so far this school year. These are important conversations.
On Friday, we'll introduce our new school-wide read aloud at our morning assembly. This year we're reading Where the Mountain Meets the Moon, by Grace Lin. It's a beautifully written story of family, perseverance, friendship and the meaning of happiness. We'll actually begin reading chapter one on Monday, October 16th and I am eagerly anticipating our second year of diving into a book as a whole school.
Immediately after assembly, I'll host our October Principal's Coffee in the library. We'll be joined by Jaclyn Sepp (a former Mathews teacher), a school counselor and a lecturer in the School of Social Work at the University of Texas. Ms. Sepp is a licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist and national certified counselor and she will be talking with us about how to raise confident children. I am very much looking forward to learning from her and I hope you can join us!
Friendly Reminders:
- Student flu shots are on Wednesday - consent forms are required.
- Don't forget about the Octoberama auction and website - see info below.
- Remember to drive safely around our school, especially during drop off and pick up. (There have been two hit and runs on cars parked on 9th street since the beginning of the year - let's be careful!)
- Please have your children in class by 7:45 am. Thanks!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend and we'll see everyone on Tuesday 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
Octoberama!
Anything and everything you need to know about our annual fall carnival can be found heret: https://octoberama.com/
AISD Bond
AISD is holding a series of open house events to learn more about the bond. I encourage everyone to attend at least one so you can have the most accurate information about the bond:
Austin ISD 2017 Bond Open Houses Please join Austin ISD for a series of informational open houses to learn more about the 2017 Bond and how it could affect each campus. Meetings are 5:30–7:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and are designed in a come-and-go format, with presentations at 5:45 p.m. and at 6:45 p.m.
A districtwide open house will be 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21, with presentations at 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
- Oct. 10 LBJ ECHS cafeteria
- Oct. 12 Reagan ECHS cafeteria
- Oct. 17 Rosedale cafeteria, meeting for special campuses
- Oct. 21 Austin ISD Carruth Administration Center Board Room Districtwide meeting* *Interpretation is offered at this meeting in the following languages: American Sign Language, Arabic, Mandarin Chinese and Vietnamese. Reasonable accommodations for other languages will be provided upon request. Please provide notice at least two days in advance.
Child care, light refreshments and simultaneous Spanish presentations will take place at all meetings.
You can read more information about the bond here: https://www.austinisd.org/bond
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
Staff Spotlight
Kristen Miller, 4th Grade Math, Science, and Social Studies
Education: B.S., Tarleton State University
What is your favorite thing about teaching 4th grade?
I love teaching 4th grade because of the developmental stage children are in. They are becoming so self aware both in their learning and relationships, and I enjoy being there to help guide them.
What book are you currently reading?
In class we're reading Wonder. It's such a great book to help set the tone of the year, and we'll finish just in time for the release of the movie! Personally, I'm reading Rising Strong. I learned about Brenè Brown through TED talks, and she left me feeling so inspired. She encourages people to live whole heartedly and authentically.
What is your favorite thing about Mathews?
My favorite things are the diversity and size. I feel like these two qualities in a school are rare. My husband and I love that our son is forming meaningful relationships with other kids from all different backgrounds.
Anything else you'd like us to know?
I love playing games with family. Currently our four-year-old is obsessed with Guess Who and Jenga.
Claudia Neal, PreK
Education: B.A. - "The" Southwest Texas State University
What is your favorite thing about teaching Pre-K?
Favorite thing so far about Pre-K is being able to incorporate more play - inside & outside into the work. And, reading a lot of picture books!
What book are you currently reading and what do you enjoy outside of school?
I'm currently reading Britt Marie Was Here and Punished by Rewards. When not reading, I enjoy spending time in my garden.
What is your favorite thing about Mathews?
I love the diverse and caring community and staff.
Anything else you'd like us to know?
I was a tour guide at the Austin Zoo & drove the train 😉
The Week at a Glance
Monday, October 9, 2017
- Parent-Teacher Conference Day and Student Holiday
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
- 6th Grade Field Trip to the Paramount Theater
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
- Student Flu Shots
Friday, October 13, 2017
- School-wide Assembly - 7:50 pm - Where the Mountain Meets the Moon introduction
- Principal Coffee - 8:15 am - Raising Confident Children
Upcoming Events:
- Fire Drill - October 17
- Magnet Presentation - October 17
- Monster Concert @ Austin High - October 21
- CAC Meeting - October 23
- Octoberama - October 28
- Book Character Dress Up Day - November 3
- November 3 - ACC Innovation Conference
- November 16 - Austin Jazz Workshop
- November 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break
- November 27 - CAC Meeting
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