Mathews Messenger, 37
May 20-24, 2024
From Grace
Hello, Wonderful Mathews Community! Thank you to everyone who supported our Market Day last week! What an extraordinary day it was to see all of our young people showcasing their talents and creativity. We had service products like manicures, hand massages, and hair design along with delicious edible products, art work, stress balls, and more! Our students were so proud of their work and I'm already looking forward to next year's big event! Thank you also to those of you who supported or 6th grade trip this year as well. The California STEAM adventure was simply incredible and I am so grateful that our students had this opportunity! And finally, many thanks to all of you who supported our choir this year. They put on a fantastic pops performance on Friday evening - what a great way to close out the week!
It's hard to believe that we've arrived at the last week of school! On Monday, we'll have two guest principals who will take over the school - Aldo and Emile will be leading the school and overseeing fun Minecraft activities during special areas and the delightful Jim Jim's celebration at the end of the day (rescheduled from last week's rainy Monday). It should be a lot of fun!
As we approach the end of this incredible school year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for this community and the immense pride in the growth and achievements of our students. This year has been filled with myriad moments of learning, discovery, and progress for each of our students. From mastering new mathematical concepts to delving into the wonders of literature, from exploring the world around them to developing important social and emotional skills, our kiddos have embraced the year with enthusiasm and determination. I am continuously inspired by the resilience, creativity, and kindness demonstrated by our young learners; they have overcome challenges, celebrated successes, and created friendships along the way.
This week, we'll celebrate all of these accomplishments as grade levels and as a whole school. We'll hold our final House Meeting of the year, host end-of-year gatherings and excursions, and honor our 6th grade leaders at their Promotion Ceremony. This week is always bittersweet as we come to the end of one year and say goodbye to students, families, and staff members who are moving on to new adventures. We'll formally say goodbye to both our 6th grade leaders and our outgoing staff members during our Flower Walk on Thursday afternoon. To those of you who are not returning to Mathews next year, wish you joy and happiness on your journey. To those of you returning to our great school, we can't wait to see you again in August and hear all about your summer!
Thank you for entrusting us with the privilege of educating and empowering your children this year. On behalf of all of us at Mathews, I wish each of you a joyous summer filled with laughter, fun, and countless opportunities for growth.
Week at a Glance
Monday, May 20, 2024 - Mazilla Monday!
- Aldo and Emile are Principals for the Day!
- End of Year House Meeting at 8:00 am
- Jim Jim's Water Ice at 2:30 pm on the Blacktop
- Virtual CAC Meeting at 4:00 pm
Tuesday, May 21, 2024 - Sporty Tuesday!
- Kinder Splash Day!
- Mathews Variety Show! at 1:30 pm
Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - Wacky Wednesday!
- MFE Day at Galaxy - 15% of All Sales (Breakfast to Dinner) support the MFE Scholarship Fund!
- 5th Grade End-of-Year Ceremony at 8:30 am
- 5th Grade End-of-Year Swim Party at 9:00 am at Deep Eddy
- Kinder End-of-Year Celebration Picnic at10:00 am in the Park
Thursday, May 23, 2024 - Last Day of the School Year and Beachy Thursday!
- Happy Birthday, Sandra Velazquez! :)
- 6th Grade Promotion Ceremony at 9:00 am in the Gym
- Goodbye Flower Walk for Staff Members and 6th Grade Students at 1:30 pm
- PTA Sponsored End-of-Year Party at 3:30 pm at West Austin Park (Snacks provided!)
Upcoming Events
August 16: Back to School Day!
August 20: First Day of the 24-25 School Year!
Positivity Project
This week is a spiral review of the many character traits our students have learned all year!
Summer Reading Options
Goodbye
We have several staff members who are moving on to new adventures at the end of the school year. Please join me in thanking the following folks for their outstanding dedication and work with our students over the years:
Congratulations to our Retiring Staff Members:
- Suzie Plyer, first grade teacher, and educator extraordinaire is looking forward to trying something new. She's excited to be able to spend time with her family, especially with her grandchildren, volunteer more at her church (and maybe Mathews!), and enjoy traveling and the great outdoors!
- Vicky Gutierrez, head custodian and super student greeter each morning, is retiring to hopefully put her feet up and get some rest! She's looking forward to spending more time with her family, dancing the days away, cooking delicious food and enjoying a more leisurely life!
Goodbye to:
- Casey Pence, House Leader for Matumaimi and awesome Kinder teacher. Casey is moving back home to Michigan to be closer to family and to escape this summer heat! He's going to excel in whatever he chooses to do next!
- Joan Moreno, House Leader for Integritas, super 5th Grade Humanities teacher, and Mathews Teacher of the Year. Joan is stepping away from teaching and has accepted a project management position at the Holdsworth Center which focuses on excellence in educational leadership. She's going to be great in this new role!
- Jennifer Hatch, Innovation Teacher full of inspiration for our students and staff. Jennifer moved to Cedar Park last year and has made the long commute for us this year but needs to be closer to home for her family. She'll be teaching in the Cedar Park School District and her new students are lucky to have her!
- Carrie Allison, PE Teaching Assistant and warm morning greeter for both students and parents. Carrie is stepping down as a teaching assistant so she can focus on final preparation to earn her teaching degree! We can't wait to see her in her own classroom soon!
- Anissa Acosta, PreK Teaching Assistant and part of our dynamic morning team. We sadly lost funding for Anissa's position for the next school year but know that she is going to be supporting students somewhere. We know her new school will love having her!
We are going to miss all of these amazing humans but know they are going to shine in their new endeavors!
Update on Work Around the School
Eagle Scout Projects on the Back Play Area:
We have two amazing Eagle Scouts - Jake Holoubek and Danielle Aranda (former student!) who are supporting Mathews with their projects:
- Jake has removed the white house on the back play area and will replace it with different seating and a sun shade so students still have a place to gather and visit in a way that makes active supervision easier for all!
- Danny will be adding an outdoor classroom vibe to the area by the patch of turf near the gray shed. She'll be building a white board and also adding benches around the turf where you can bring your classes for some outdoor learning together.
I'm grateful for both of these Scouts!
Secure Vestibule, Front Doors, and New Fencing:
Our secure vestibule, originally scheduled to begin construction this summer has been delayed and will not begin construction until the summer of 2025. The reason is a good one - we will now have an ADA pathway to the street level. This pathway will impact our fencing plans so we won't be able to move forward with the new fence until the plans for the pathway are complete. The land survey took place last week. I'll keep you posted on timelines as I get them.
Even though the vestibule has been delayed, we will be getting new front doors in the fall to better secure the building.
Multi-Stall Restroom Updates:
As you know, our 4th grade bathroom committee has been advocating for improvements in our multi-stall restrooms, particularly the girls'. Because of this, our PTA has designated $30,000 as part of our 30x30 fund campaign to improve our restrooms. I've met with contractors and we now have a district-assigned project manager to help. Positive changes are coming, hopefully over the summer. Yay!
Sign Up for Creative Action After School Care for the 24-25 School Year!
Creative Action After School Care is accepting new applications for after-school care at Mathews next year. We had over 40 folks say they were interested in having Creative Action come to Mathews, in addition to our 3rd Base program, but so far, only 15 students have signed up. We need at least 40 students to join the program this month to keep it as a viable option for after-school care for the 24-25 school year. If you are in need of after school care, please sign up HERE and spread the word! Thank you!
Concerned about the cost of registering and/or the overall program?
It's good to know that if the program does not make/run, then families will get their registration fee refunded. families can pay for the program monthly and cancel at any time.
Mathews All Day Eat-A-Thon Benefiting the Scholarship Fund
Stop by Galaxy Cafe on Wednesday, May 22nd and let them know you're there from Mathews! Galaxy is generously donating 15% of sales on that day to our alumni organization, the Mathews Friends for Excellence! Just last week, this organization supported our Senior Walk and gave nine scholarships to graduating high school seniors (picture to the right) who attended Mathews when they were younger. The MFE also supports our school with special projects and professional learning.
Please enjoy a yummy meal and support the MFE! Thank you!
Free Meals this Summer
How to find free meals this summer: Families may use the following tools to find a meal site anywhere in Texas.
Call 2-1-1 to speak to a live operator.
Visit www.SummerFood.org for an interactive site locator map.
Text FOOD or COMIDA to 304-304.
Food Service will also post all AISD meal sites on the district website here and on their social media, @AustinISDFood on Facebook, Instagram, and X (Twitter).
How community feeding works: Children in the community enjoy free summer meals regardless of household income and without any registration or identification. Children do not have to be enrolled in AISD to receive free summer meals. Summer meals are served in the cafeteria and must be enjoyed on campus during the designated service times.
AISD Summer Open Feeding (Community) Sites - Dates and Times Vary by Campus
The schools listed below are open feeding sites, meaning they must welcome any children younger than 19 or enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old during designated meal service times.
Elementary Schools: Allison, Andrews, Blazier Primary, Blanton, Campbell, Casey, Dawson, Govalle, Guerrero-Thompson, Hart, Houston, Joslin, Kocurek, McBee, Menchaca, Norman-Sims, Ortega, Overton, Padron, Pecan Springs, Pickle, Pillow, Sanchez, Uphaus ECC, Widen, Wooldridge
Middle Schools: Bedichek, Burnet, Dobie, Lively, Mendez, Webb
High Schools: Akins ECHS, Crockett ECHS, LBJ ECHS, Navarro ECHS, Northeast ECHS, Travis ECHS
Other Campuses: Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Internet Access Resources
In alignment with our goal to continuously provide an equitable and accessible learning experience for our students, the Information Technology Department, today, has launched Austin ISD’s new Internet Access Resources webpage.
The Internet Access Resources page will provide families who may require additional resources with the following:
List of resources with locations for access to free Wi-Fi
List of options for affordable internet services
Please share the below links with families at your campus:
Summer Camp Flyers
**These camps are not endorsed or sponsored by Mathews - we are sharing the flyers as a courtesy.**
Calling all future Maroons to join us this summer at Jimmy Clay Golf Course for AHS Mini-Maroons Golf Camp. This camp is open to all K-5th grade students and is intended for golfers of all skill levels from beginners to advanced. The dates of the camp are 5/28-5/30 from 9am to noon.
Please RSVP and make payment using one of the methods below. If you have any questions, please see the attached flyer and/or email Head Golf Coach Nick Lebo at nick.lebo@austinisd.org
RSVP: bit.ly/MiniMaroonRSVP
Payment:
Venmo $250 to MaroonsGolfers
Request a Credit Card invoice through Square by emailing Lauren at ahsgolfbooster@gmail.com
Bring a check made out to Austin High Golf Boosters to the first day of camp
Sincerely,
Coach Lebo
Trojans Boy Lacrosse Camp
ATX Ballers 2024 Summer Camp registration link:
Cell Phone and Communication Devices
Enrollment and Registration for the 24-25 School Year is Now Open
Middle School Information
Join the PTA!
All are invited to join our dynamic PTA! This wonderful organization supports Mathews in myriad ways - from purchasing curriculum materials to providing staff development and student field trips to staff appreciation and soooooooo much more!
Please use the QR code to the right to sign up and be a part of the Mathews PTA!
School Meals Information
- Apply for Free/Reduced Meals
- See Daily Menus, Nutritional Information, and Allergens
- Manage Student Meal Accounts and Make Pre-Payments
School Safety
Arrival:
- We will continue to have a secure morning arrival with families/caregivers saying goodbye before students enter the building. Parents/Caregivers may walk students to the front steps or say goodbye at the lower level during car drop off/walking drop off. Staff members will be outside and inside ready to greet, welcome, and support our students as they enter the building.
- The front cafeteria doors will be open for breakfast from 7:00 - 7:30 am. At 7:30 am, the entry shifts to the main doors. Staff will be stationed at all entry doors during arrival.
- As in previous years, our PreK and Kinder teachers will be out front for the first week of school to meet and gather their classes before walking into the building together. PreK will continue this practice throughout the year.
- IMPORTANT: There is NO parking in the drive in front of the school between 7:00 - 8:00 am. This lane is reserved for drop off only. If you'd like to walk your child to the front door, please park in the neighborhood and walk to school together. Thank you!
Exterior Doors:
- All exterior doors will remain locked at all times during the school day, including doors that lead to the playground areas. Portable classroom doors will also remain fully locked all day.
- Staff will check each exterior door every evening and morning to ensure they are locked and secure.
Interior Doors:
- All classroom doors will remain locked throughout the day.
Dismissal:
- Dismissal locations are split between the front lawn and the north side lawn.
- PreK - 2nd Grades will be escorted to the front lawn by their teachers.
- 3rd - 6th Grades will be escorted to the north side exit on 9 1/2 street.
- Bus riders will be monitored (and younger grades will be escorted) as they walk to the busses after school.
- IMPORTANT: Families, please keep the bus lane in front of the school clear until all buses have arrived. There is NO PARKING in the front drive between 2:00 - 3:30 pm.
Visitors:
- Visitors are welcome at Mathews!
- The main front doors are the only entry doors to the campus for visitors. The door buzzer/office communicator is on the left side wall by the front doors. Please push the button to communicate with the office and, once verified, we will buzz you in to the building.
- All visitors MUST sign in at the front office upon arrival AND sign out at the front office when leaving. Please remember to bring your photo ID with you when visiting campus.
- IMPORTANT: Families, there are no lunch visitor allowed during the first two weeks of school as we help our students learn lunchtime routines and procedures. Thank you!
- IMPORTANT: Families, please do not ask a staff member to hold a side or back door for you to enter the building. All students, parents, and visitors must enter through the front entry doors. Thank you!
Staff Training, Campus Drills, and Threat Assessment
- Our staff will be trained on safety prior to students entering the building.
- We will review safety plans and practices throughout the year.
- We will hold all required safety drills with our students. Most of the drills will be announced drills so our students aren't surprised or alarmed by them.
- Mathews has an established threat assessment team comprised of administration, counseling and teaching staff. All members of the team have received Threat Assessment training from Texas State. Licensed Mental Health Providers and School Resource Officers are on call to assist when needed.
Weather Guidelines
AISD Weather Guidelines
Temperature guidelines have been established in order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students participating in outdoor activities at Austin ISD.
The listed temperatures, heat indexes, and wind-chill factors are designated figures for terminating and/or modifying outdoor activities including: Athletics, Fine Arts, PE, and recess.