The Mata Memo
September 19, 2023
Principal's Message
Dear Mata family,
I hope this message finds you well. I am excited to share some important updates regarding our school community. First and foremost, I want to emphasize the significance of "Education Go Get It Week," which we are celebrating this week. This week-long event is designed to inspire and empower our students to embrace the value of education and set ambitious goals for their academic journey. It is a time when we come together as a school family to reinforce the importance of learning, curiosity, and personal growth. I encourage you to engage with your children during this week, ask them about their aspirations, and take part in our various activities designed to foster a love for learning.
Additionally, I would like to draw your attention to North Texas Giving Day, a fantastic opportunity for our school to raise funds through the sponsorship of PTA, that will directly benefit our students and enhance their educational experience. Your support during this event can make a significant difference in our ability to provide resources, programs, and opportunities that will help our students thrive. I urge you to consider participating in this event, whether through a donation or by spreading the word to friends and family. Together, we can contribute to the continued success of our school and the bright futures of our students.
Lastly, I kindly request that you take a few moments to complete the Counselor Parent Needs Assessment. Your input is invaluable in helping us understand your family's unique needs and how we can best support you and your child. Your feedback will enable us to tailor our services and resources to better serve our students and their families.
Thank you for your ongoing support and partnership in nurturing the growth and development of our students. Together, we can make a lasting impact on their educational journey.
Tomeka Middleton-Williams
Principal
Calendar at A Glance
Sept. 18th-22nd: Education Go Get It Week!
September 20th - Attendance Awareness: Life is Better in Camo. Show Up Dressed in Camouflage!
- September 21st - North Texas Giving Day
- September 23rd -WWHS Homecoming Spirit Battle
- September 26th - PTA Chipotle Fundraiser
- September 27th - Attendance Awareness: Tye Die to Great Learning!
- September 29th - Parent University
Hispanic Heritage Month - Sept. 15- Oct. 15
Meet our Newest Mata Montessori Team Member!
Dr. Davis serves our campus as a Principal Resident. Dr. Davis is a high-performing leader who has been chosen to learn and grow in preparation for the principalship. This means that he will serve as an additional administrator for our campus. Please welcome him to our campus!
Here's a little bit of information about him!
Dr. James Davis is a native of Miami, FL. He has served in education for 21 years spending most of that time working as an elementary school teacher, math interventionist and administrator at a single-gender middle school within Atlanta Public Schools. During his 15 years serving the families and communities in APS, Dr. Davis was selected Teacher of the Year after his 3rd year of teaching and a recipient of the Atlanta Families' Award for Excellence in Education. He was honored to receive classroom visits from U.S. Department of Education Secretary Margaret Spellings and Former First Lady Laura Bush because of his impact on student achievement.
In 2017, Dr. Davis decided to relocate to Dallas, TX to continue his work of promoting student growth and building strong partnerships with staff and community stakeholders. He joined Dallas ISD as a Campus Instructional Coach at Larry Smith Elementary School and was promoted to Assistant Principal where he served for 4 years. During the 2021-2022 school year, Dr. Davis helped the school earn its “B” rating and three distinctions in mathematics, science and closing the gaps.
Seeking a new challenge, Dr. Davis moved to Young Men's Leadership Academy as a Sixth Grade Assistant Principal during the 2022-2023 school year. He led the math, science and social studies departments. Dr. Davis was successful in helping math students move closer to their individual goals while closing achievement gaps. He also contributed to helping to improve staff climate and culture while at YMLA.
Last year, Dr. Davis successfully completed DISD's Future Principals Institute and has been recently selected to be a part of the district's Principal Residency Program. He will receive mentorship and job-embedded practice from high performing and veteran principal, Tomeka Middleton-Williams, during his time at Mata. Next year, Dr. Davis hopes to be leading his own campus after gaining such experiences.
Dr. Davis earned a Master in Education Administration from Cambridge College in Cambridge MA. He recently earned his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from National University in San Diego, CA.
Dr. Davis is a father and mentor to several students. He enjoys traveling, bowling, and attending sporting events. Dr. Davis is a huge fan of all his Miami hometown teams. He understands that students are the most important resource on any campus and that their lives should be positively impacted. He continues to serve in Dallas ISD with compassion, equity and the will to SUCCEED!
Mata Montessori Parent Needs Assessment - Everyone please complete!
Greetings Families! The Counseling Department is looking forward to supporting your scholar's social-emotional, academic, and career development growth this year. Could you please complete this brief survey to help us plan and develop quality programs that best meets the needs of your scholar and family. Your input is valuable and your responses are anonymous. Thank you for your time!
¡Saludos Familias! El Departamento de Consejería espera poder apoyar el crecimiento socioemocional, académico y de desarrollo profesional de su estudiante este año. ¿Podría completar esta breve encuesta para ayudarnos a planificar y desarrollar programas de calidad que satisfagan mejor las necesidades de su estudiante y su familia? Su aporte es valioso y sus respuestas son anónimas. ¡Gracias por tu tiempo!
Middle School ESports
Middle School ESports
Is your child great at playing videogames and want to show their Mata pride by competing districtwide?
Then have them come to the interest meeting for Coach Millan’s team for Middle School esports. The meeting will happen next Monday, September 25th at 3:30 pm and we will talk all about esports. Join us and be a winner!
Join the TMSCA Team!
Elementary Chess Club!
Mata PTA Participates in North Texas Giving Day!
This year, on Thursday, September 21, 2023, Mata PTA is participating in Communities Foundation of Texas' NTX Giving Day, an online giving extravaganza for our whole region. We're raising funds to support our mission of Mata PTA a nonprofit organization focused on improving the education, opportunities, and welfare of Mata Montessori students through facilitating engagement and cooperation among parents, teachers, and the community. Your gift helps make this possible! Thank you for helping send our kids on field trips, fund amazing new experiences, and supply our teachers with new and upgraded materials. Thank you for helping the Mata PTA empower EVERY EAGLE!
Woodrow Wilson High School Homecoming Festival! - Mata Spirit Battle
“ The WWHS Homecoming Festival on September 23 will be a fun family event! There will be something for all Wildcats, past, present and future!
Come see the all of the performances and the different school spirit traditions you might only see if you go to a pep rally or games! “
Join us at the Elementary School Spirit Battle at the Woodrow Homcoming Festival, Saturday, September 23 from 5-7pm at the Woodrow practice field. Wear Mata swag and represent us at the first ever spirit competition between all Woodrow feeder elementary schools. The grand prize is a spirit stick to take home to our school! See you there!
PTA Chipotle Fundraiser!
Guac On! Join us Tuesday, Sept. 26 between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm at the Chipotle on Garland Rd. Mata PTA receives 33% back from all sales when the flyer is shown or mentioned! You can A)mention the flyer, B)show the flyer, or C)show this digital email for your order to apply. If you can't come in person, you can still participate! Online orders count towards our goal when ordered between 4:00 pm-8:00 pm at Garland Rd. Chipotle. (Use code 3WVWWH8 when ordering online.)
Our goal is to raise $500, which requires approximately 150 families! Come show your support and get a delicious burrito!
Save the Date!
Save the Date! Our annual Trunk Or Treat Festival is on October 21st! Stay tuned for more information and how you can participate!
Neighborhood Farmers Markets are now accepting SNAP!
Looking for a Dad Volunteer!
If you are interested, please email matamontessori@dallasisd.org by September 26th!
Thank you!
Updates from Nurse Nikki!
Updates from Nurse Nikki!
- Immunization Compliance: Letters will be sent home with students this week who have incomplete or missing vaccination records. If you have not submitted your child’s updated immunization record, please send a copy to the nurse’s office or email it to Nurse Nikki at ltaggart@dallasisd.org. The deadline for compliance is October 31, 2023.
- Covid Policy: If your child tests positive for Covid, it is recommended to isolate for five days from the start of symptoms. Please notify Nurse Nikki of Covid-related absences. Covid testing is not offered by Dallas ISD.
- Sick Policy: If your child is not feeling well, please do not send them to school sick. Students must be fever-free for 24 hours (without fever-reducing medication), and 24 hours without vomiting or diarrhea to return to school.
- Medications: All medications must have a provider’s order on file with Dallas ISD. This includes over the counter medications and cough drops. Medication must be provided to the clinic by an adult in its original container. Students are not allowed to carry medicine to/from campus. If you would like to keep medicine at school for your child, please contact Nurse Nikki.
Dallas ISD Parent Newsletter
Eduardo Mata Montessori Student Attendance Information
Texas Compulsory Attendance Information
Journey's Club
Makerspace Mondays!
Check out Dallas ISD's New Bus Tracking System!
We Have a New Bus Tracking System which replaces Bus Bulletin and My Stop App.
Tenemos una aplicacion de seguimento nueva para los padres de alumnos cuales usan el autobus.
Show Up! Attendance Matters!
September is slated as National Attendance Awareness Month and will be celebrated again in our district with weekly Wednesday activities during the month using the hashtag #showupdallasisd.
Education Go-Get-It Week!
Volunteer at Mata!
Beginning of Year Testing
Curriculum Information Meeting
Enjoy!
Check out a Few Pictures of Happenings this Week at Mata Montessori!
Middle School Cheer Camp!
Mata's General PTA Meeting!
PTA is For EVERYONE!
Joining the PTA is easy and only costs $10, but the impact you make on the community is tremendous. Sign up today! (link: https://txpta.my.salesforce-sites.com/JoinPTA)
Uniform Assistance Program
Each year, the Dallas ISD Uniform Assistance Program, administered by the Department of Family and Community Involvement, provides one free uniform per year to students from Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade and limited uniforms available to high school students whose families meet. economically disadvantaged district guidelines. in accordance with board policy.
Parents can now request a uniform through PowerSchool for eligible students. See below for the guide for step-by-step instructions.
2023-2024 Family and Community Engagement Survey
Please fill out the Survey below!
Trinity River Authority of Texas Art Contest
The 2023 TRA Art Contest kicks off today! This year’s theme is “Keep Litter Out of the River.” This theme aims to educate and highlight the issue of litter and illegal dumping and how it impacts our waterways. We hope to empower students and communities to be part of the solution by preventing and cleaning up litter in our waterways.
They have also updated the entry deadline to Friday, September 29 to allow more time for those needing to mail in their artwork.
Learn about the entries and contest rules, the required entry and information form, an FAQ, and a list of resources to help students learn about litter and illegal dumping. Explore these resources and see previous winners on the TRA website here.
After School Care - YMCA
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.
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