Leadership Lens Vol. 2 Issue 1
"Shaping todays students into tomorrows servant leaders"
Mustang Families,
What an incredible first week of school! I want to take a moment to thank each of you for your patience, partnership, and support as we welcomed our students back to Marshall Leadership Academy. The first week is always filled with excitement, new routines, and a few adjustments, but I am incredibly proud of how our students and staff have embraced the year.
At Marshall, we believe that great schools are built through strong partnerships between students, families, staff, and our community. Thank you for trusting us with your children and for helping us make this a successful start to the school year. We are excited about what is ahead!
🍎 A Quick but Important Lunch Application Reminder
We are also asking every Marshall family to complete a lunch application, even if you already know your family does not qualify for free or reduced-price meals or you do not plan to use the meal benefits.
These applications are about much more than determining which students qualify for meal assistance. The information collected through the applications can help determine school funding and can impact how our campus is evaluated for accountability purposes. In other words, your participation can directly support Marshall Leadership Academy and the resources we are able to provide for our students.
All we are asking is that you take a few minutes to complete the application —whether or not you intend to use the meal services. Every application matters, and every family’s participation makes a difference. Thank you for helping us support our students and strengthen our school! If you have any questions, feel free to contact Nutrition Services or reach out to your child's homeroom teacher.
🚗 Dismissal Reminder
As we continue to establish consistent dismissal routines, please remember that students may not be signed out after 3:00 PM.
Beginning at 3:00 PM, students are transitioning to their dismissal locations, and our staff members are actively supervising and preparing students for dismissal. Because students are moving throughout the building during this time, we cannot safely have staff members leaving their assigned areas to search for individual students.
If you need to check your child out early, please plan to arrive before 3:00 PM. We appreciate your cooperation as we work to ensure a safe and orderly dismissal for every Mustang. Dismissal begins right at 3:35pm.
🤝 Join Our CIP Committee!
We are looking for parents, community members, and business partners who would like to have a voice in helping Marshall Leadership Academy grow.
Our Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) Committee plays an important role in reviewing our campus needs, discussing areas for improvement, celebrating successes, and helping us develop strategies that will move our school forward.
If you are interested in serving on our CIP Committee, please email Mr. Amaton with your name, your child(ren) grade level, and a good contact number. He would love to talk to you! Your perspective matters, and we believe that the best decisions for our students are made when we have all voices at the table. Spots are limited!
📊 Our School Rating: We Have Work to Do—and We Will!
I also want to share an important update with our Mustang Family. Marshall Leadership Academy has received its school accountability rating.
OUR OVERALL SCORE: 69 "D"
While this is certainly not the result we wanted, there is an important part of this story that I want our families to understand:
We grew from the previous year's overall score.
Growth matters. Progress matters. And most importantly, our students matter.
A score does not define our students, our teachers, or the incredible potential that exists within the walls of Marshall Leadership Academy. At the same time, we will not shy away from the areas where we need to improve. We know there is work to be done, and we are ready to do it.
We will be hosting a Parent Meeting to discuss our school rating, our areas of growth, our areas of need, and our plan moving forward. We want our parents to understand where we are, where we need to go, and—most importantly—how we can work together to get there.
This is not a time for discouragement. This is a time for action.
We are going to continue to raise expectations, strengthen instruction, build relationships, and provide our students with the support they need to succeed.
Marshall is growing. Marshall is improving. And Marshall is moving forward.
Thank you for partnering with us, believing in our students, and believing in what we are building together.
The future of Marshall Leadership Academy is bright—and we are just getting started!
With Mustang Pride,
Mr. Amaton
Principal
Marshall Leadership Academy
Shaping Today’s Students into Tomorrow’s Leaders
972.522.7200
August Focus: Start With Hello
7 Habits Connection: Habit 6 – Synergize
We’re heading into our second week of school, and this is a great time to continue building positive relationships and helping every student feel like they belong!
Throughout August, we are celebrating Start With Hello, an initiative that encourages students to notice others, reach out, and help everyone feel seen and included. Something as simple as saying “hello,” inviting someone to join in, or sitting with someone new can make a big difference.
Throughout the month, students are also practicing Start With Hello during guidance lessons by getting to know their school counselor and learning more about their classmates. These activities give students opportunities to make connections, find things they have in common with others, and practice simple ways to help everyone feel welcome and included at school.
This connects to Habit 6: Synergize, which reminds us that we are better together! When students welcome others, appreciate differences, and work together, they help create a stronger and more caring school community.
👕 Coming Soon: Start With Hello Spirit Week! August 24–28
Get ready to help us celebrate Start With Hello with a week of fun dress-up days! More details are coming soon.
Thank you for partnering with us to help every student feel welcomed, included, and connected. A simple hello can be the start of something great!
Individual and Family Support
As students continue adjusting to new teachers, classmates, schedules, and expectations, please remember that I am here to help. If your child needs additional support settling into the new school year, feel free to reach out.
📧 Email: lakedra.anderson@gpisd.org
📞 Phone: 972-522-7210
Let’s make it a great year! 💙
Visitor parking is available in the main parking lot located directly in front of the school's main entrance.
All visitors must enter through the Front Office (Door 1). Please ring the doorbell located to the right of the entrance doors and stand directly in front of the camera with your government-issued photo ID ready. The camera is used to verify your identity before you are granted access to the building. While business will not be conducted through the intercom, staff may ask a few questions to better assist you.
