Mathews Messenger, 10
October 19-23, 2026
Please fill out the form below. As items become available, a team member will reach out to you.
For the past 13 years, ACC has held a poetry contest for k-12 students in the Austin area called Vision+Voice.
This year we are holding the competition a little earlier, so the celebration will not conflict with all of the activities in April and May.
Our new deadline for submissions is November 1st, and our celebration will be in February 2027.
Want to learn more? Go to our website k12.visionandvoice.org for more information.
School breakfast and lunch are available at Mathews and are a delicious and nutritious way to fuel our students for learning! All families are encouraged to apply for free or reduced meals and to take advantage of our cafeteria offerings! Please see below for more information:
How families apply for free or reduced-price meals:
Online applications are preferred. Families may create an account and apply at www.SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD.
New for this school year, we may now accept PDF applications in English or Spanish completed by families with a digital signature and returned to foodservicebusinesssupport@austinisd.org.
Families may also complete a paper application and return to your front office.
Please share completed applications with your cafe manager upon receipt.
Families may apply for state funded benefits, such as SNAP, at www.yourtexasbenefits.com.
We’d love for you to join our PTA! By becoming a member, you’ll help support our students, teachers, and school community through events, volunteer opportunities, and important initiatives. Whether you have a little time or a lot, your voice and involvement make a big difference. Join us in creating an amazing school year together!
Scan the QR code or click the button below to join our amazing PTA!
AISD prioritizes campus safety by implementing The "I Love U Guys" Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which establishes clear, uniform language and actions across all schools. Through this framework, students and staff build crisis-response muscle memory by routinely practicing five core drill actions:
- Hold (keeping hallways clear for localized issues),
- Secure (locking all external doors for potential hazards outside the building),
- Lockdown (locks, lights, and out of sight for threats inside the building),
- Evacuate (moving safely to designated rally points), and
- Shelter (taking cover during severe weather or hazmat situations).
Drill schedules range from monthly evacuation exercises to per-semester Lockdown, Secure, and Hold drills, ensuring everyone on campus can react swiftly and calmly during a real emergency. For more information, please see the parent handout below:
2026-27 Bus Information for Eligible Students
We recommend families whose students are eligible for General Education transportation to check their bus information by checking the district’s “Bus Stop Finder''. The system will be live on our website effective Monday, August 3rd.
Families whose students have special needs will receive their information in person from their bus teams. Please keep in mind routes and stops may change periodically, so visit the website for the latest route/stops information.
The only thing we ask of our families and schools is to update students' contact information in the district’s Student Information System (SIS). Transportation does not update or edit any student information. This step is very important so student information is accurate during the nightly import into our scheduling system.
“Where's The Bus” App for Families
Austin ISD’s transportation team offers families the "Where's The Bus” app, which provides timely information about the location of their student’s assigned bus, including when it will arrive at their stop.
The free app is available on any device with internet access (smartphone, tablet, personal computer, iPad)—and takes less than five minutes to install. Instructions are available at https://www.austinisd.org/transportation.
Menus & Nutrition: Menus, as well as nutrition information, allergens, ingredients, and carb counts are available at SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD or via the SchoolCafe app. Meals are made daily in our school kitchen and meet or exceed federal nutrition standards. Our menu includes healthy versions of student favorites, scratch-prepared items, plant-based options, and global flavors, featuring local and sustainable ingredients.
Check out our new Introduction to School Lunch Video in English or Spanish to learn more!
Food Allergies & Special Diets: We can accommodate students with documented food allergies and dietary needs with a completed Dietary Accommodation Form (English / Spanish).
Meals for Elementary Students: Breakfast: $1.90 / Lunch: $3.40 - View full price list.
Families may apply at any time for free or reduced-price meals through their SchoolCafe account, by completing a PDF application (English / Spanish), or a paper application available in our front office. Thanks to state funding, all students who qualify for reduced-price meals this year will receive free breakfast and lunch.
Meals for Parents/Adult Guests: Breakfast: $3.50 / Lunch: $5.25
We’re happy to welcome parents to enjoy meals with us! Unfortunately, federal regulations prevent us from offering free or reduced meals for parents/adult guests.
Wellness Policy: AISD policies govern food served outside the cafeteria. Please review our Wellness Policy Overview for guidelines on classroom celebrations, food fundraisers, and food rewards. Celebrations of any kind may not interfere with a students’ regular meal times.
Please reach out with any questions. I look forward to seeing you in the cafeteria this year!
Of course! Here's a version tailored for a school newsletter:
📣 Stay in the Loop with Konstella!
We use Konstella as our official school communication platform and we want all families to be connected! Sign up now to recieve communication from Mathews. You'll add connect your account with your child's teacher after classes are announced on the 14th.
Konstella makes it easy to receive important announcements, classroom updates, event details, and volunteer opportunities—all in one place. It’s quick to sign up and even easier to stay informed and engaged in your child’s school experience.
✨ Don’t miss out—sign up today and stay connected all year long!
Need help getting started? Click the button below for directions!
Start Strong: Every Minute Counts!
Arriving at school on time is one of the simplest and most effective ways to set your student up for a successful day. Being in the classroom before the bell gives students time to settle in, connect with classmates, listen to morning announcements, and transition into learning without feeling rushed or stressed. This school year, all students should be in their classrooms by 7:40 a.m., ready to start their day!
Did you know that 9:45 a.m. is our official attendance time each day? According to the State of Texas Attendance Policy, students must be present at school at 9:45 a.m. to be counted for the day. Any student who is not on campus at that time will be marked absent, even if he or she arrives later.
Whenever possible, we kindly ask that you schedule medical or other appointments to ensure your child is in school at 9:45 am so your child is counted present and their learning time is maximized.
Attendance not only supports your child’s success in the classroom but also directly affects our school’s state funding. Last year, Mathews students lost over $190,000 in state funding due to absences. (❗) Thank you for your partnership in helping every student shine!
