Leadership Lens Vol. 2: Issue 2
"Shaping todays students into tomorrows servant leaders"
Dear Mustang Families,
We are excited to share this week’s Mustang Family S’More with you! This weekly update is designed to keep you informed about important events, reminders, and opportunities happening at Marshall Leadership Academy.
In this week’s S’More, you will find information about:
📚 Testing This Week- Our students will be testing this week, so please help us by ensuring your child gets a good night’s rest, arrives on time, and comes to school ready to do their very best!
👋 Start with Hello Spirit Week- We will also be celebrating our “Start with Hello” Spirit Week! Students will participate in activities focused on kindness, connection, and making everyone feel welcome and included.
⭐ Staff Spotlight – Get to know some of the amazing educators and staff members who make Marshall Leadership Academy special.
⚜️ Scouts of America Night – Learn more about this exciting opportunity for our students and families to get involved.
🦓 Zoo Crew – Find out more about the upcoming Zoo Crew experience and how your child can participate.
💙 Volunteers Welcomed! – We love having our Mustang families involved! Learn about the annual background check process required for volunteering, campus visits, events, and field trips.
🍎 Lunch Visitations – Review important information and expectations for parents who would like to visit their child during lunch.
🚗 Morning Drop-Off & Afternoon Dismissal – Please review our procedures to help us keep arrival and dismissal safe and efficient for everyone.
🥞 Breakfast & School Start Time – Breakfast is served from 7:50–8:10 AM. School begins promptly at 8:10 AM, so please plan to have your child on campus and ready to begin the school day on time.
We encourage every family to take a few minutes to read through the entire S’More. There are important announcements, reminders, and opportunities that will help keep our school community informed and connected.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we are Shaping Today’s Students into Tomorrow’s Servant Leaders!
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.
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!
- M - Wear green
- T - Wear a pattern (polka dots, stripes, animal print, plaid, etc.)
- W - Wear your favorite color
- Th - Wear your favorite sports team shirt or jersey
- F - Wear your house color OR a Marshall shirt
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! 💙
Mrs. Smith's Kindergarten class was learning how to draw people with Mat Man form our Handwriting Without Tears curriculum!
Ms. Jones' 1st Grade class working on adding with manipulatives using our new Math curriculum
Mrs. Ramirez's 5th Grade Science class working on states of matter this past week.
Each week, we will be shining the spotlight on our amazing Marshall Leadership Academy staff members! Our staff plays such an important role in the success of our students, and we want our families and community to get to know the incredible people who serve our Mustangs each day. Through our Staff Spotlight, you’ll learn a little more about the people who make Marshall a special place to learn, grow, and lead!
1️⃣ What inspired you to become an educator?
“I come from a family of educators and life-long learners. My mom taught elementary school for over 30 years. My dad was a high school science teacher. My sister is currently a homebound teacher for students unable to attend school.”
2️⃣ What do you love most about being a Marshall Mustang?
“I love when former students come back to visit and reminisce with former teachers.”
3️⃣ What is one thing you want every student to know about you?
“You might not be my student, but I am your teacher and I care about you.”
4️⃣ What is one goal you have for your students this school year?
“Grow in wisdom, knowledge and leadership.”
5️⃣ Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.
“When I was 8 years old, my dad challenged me to become a ham radio operator. So, I took the classes, passed the exams, and at 8 became one of the youngest licensed ham radio operators in the world. My original given call sign was KB4AIW. When I progressed through the courses and programs, my call sign changed to KB4AEV, which I still have today.”
🐴 Thank you, Mrs. Johnson, for bringing your passion for learning, leadership, and service to Marshall Leadership Academy! We are grateful to have you helping our Mustangs grow in wisdom, knowledge, and leadership.
English
Espanol
Schedule: Parents can come eat with students at scheduled time. (see pic.)
What to Bring: Visitors will need to bring their photo ID and check in at the front office.
Entry: Please ring doorbell to be let in. Do not hold door open for other visitors. All visitors will need to receive a sticker.
Visits: We are asking for parents to visit no more than once a week or 4x a month.
Attire: Just as we ask our students, parents must be appropriately dress for entry. No undergarments shown, see through clothing, or revealing attire.
Multiple Children: If parents have multiple children assigned to different visitation days, they may request to trade their assigned days so that all of their children can have visitors on the same day.
Please contact the front office for review at 972-522-7200.
Administration can/will deny entry if attire is deemed inappropriate.
We know parents love snapping pictures of their children at school! To respect the privacy of other students, we ask that you please refrain from taking photos while on campus. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your child and chat on a personal level.
Please remember, parents will not be able to walk students back to the classroom, but your time together at lunch is special and meaningful!
***DUE TO SCHOOL CLOSURE ON SEPT. 7th, MONDAY CLASSES WILL BE ALLOWED ON FRIDAY, SEPT. 11***
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.
