The Leadership Lens Issue #6

SEPTEMBER

• Hispanic Heritage Month: Sept. 15-Oct. 15

• Raising Cane's Spirit Night: Tuesday, September 16th, 4:00-8:00pm

• Big Kahuna Catalog Sales End: Wednesday, September 24th

• 2nd Grade Planetarium Field Trip: Thursday, September 25th.

• Academy 4: Friday, September 26th

• 4th Grade Planetarium Field Trip: Monday, September 29th

OCTOBER

• Big Kahuna Online Sales End: Wednesday, October 1st

• World Teacher's Day: Sunday, October 5th

• Fall Picture Day (Individual Pictures Only): Tuesday, October 7th

• NO SCHOOL: Friday, October 10th-Monday, October 13th

• Indigenous People's Day: Monday, October 13th

• Big Kahuna Delivery & Parent Pick-up: Thursday, October 16th

• PTA Meeting: Monday, October 20th, 6:30pm, Library

• House Rally - Q1 Winner: Friday, October 24th

• Red Ribbon Week: October 27th-31st (Dress-up day calendar to come!)

• GPPD Fire Prevention Program: Monday, October 27th, 8:00-10:00am

• PTA Meeting: Monday, October 20th, 6:30pm, Library

• Trunk or Treat: Thursday, October 30th, Time TBD

• Clubs/Academy 4: Friday, October 31st

• Book Character Parade: Friday, October 31st, Time TBD

Hello Mustang Families,

At Marshall Leadership Academy, we know that great leaders don’t just drift through life—they set goals, make plans, and move forward with purpose. That’s why we’re so excited to focus on Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind from the 7 Habits of Happy Kids.

This habit teaches students to think about their goals before they act. It’s all about having a vision for the future and making choices today that move them closer to those dreams. When children learn to “begin with the end in mind,” they start asking themselves: What do I want to achieve? What steps will get me there? How do my actions today shape my tomorrow?

Throughout the school year, our Mustangs will practice this habit by:

• Setting academic and personal goals for themselves

• Creating classroom mission statements as a team

• Planning projects and assignments with the final result in mind

• Visualizing their dreams for the future and taking small steps toward them

Teachers will highlight students who demonstrate this powerful habit in our weekly recognition. By building this mindset early, students discover that success doesn’t happen by accident—it comes from having a clear vision and the determination to follow it.

Families can help reinforce Habit 2 at home by encouraging kids to:

• Write down their goals and display them somewhere visible

• Plan their week with important tasks first

• Talk about their “big dreams” and what steps can help them get there

At Marshall, we’re helping our Mustangs not just imagine the future—but build it. One goal, one plan, one step at a time.

Ms. Safaa Ismail

Progress Reports are now available on Skyward. Please take a moment to log in and review your child’s current grades. If your child has a grade of 72 or below in any subject, we encourage you to schedule a parent-teacher conference so we can partner together to provide the best support for your child’s success.

Thank you to all of our parents and families who joined us for Parent Orientation! We truly appreciate you taking the time to connect with us and learn more about our school, expectations, and ways we can partner together for your child’s success. Your presence and involvement make a big difference, and we look forward to working alongside you throughout the year to ensure our students have a positive and successful experience.

Due to new state requirements under Senate Bill 12, we must now have your written consent before providing any school-based health, counseling, or emotional wellness services to your child. This includes both individual and small group support.

To ensure uninterrupted care, please complete the official consent form as soon as possible through your Skyward Family Access account. Without this form, we will not be able to offer non-emergency support services such as visiting the school nurse when not feeling well or speaking to a counselor when friends are needing peer mediation.

Please note: In emergency situations—such as when a student is in danger or reports abuse—our staff will respond immediately to ensure safety, even if a consent form has not been signed. Parents will receive a brief update following any emotional support session.

Your prompt attention to this matter helps us remain in compliance while continuing to prioritize your child’s well-being. You can click here or the picture to watch our GPISD video on facebook.

We need your help—and we need it now.

Completing the school lunch application is critical to ensuring our school receives the funding, resources, and recognition our students deserve. This form does far more than determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals—it directly impacts how much support we get from the state.

Even if you don’t plan to use school meals or believe you won’t qualify, we urgently ask every household to fill out the application. Every submission counts toward our funding and accountability, and your participation affects every student at Marshall.

To make sure no student loses out, our team will be personally reaching out to families who haven’t yet completed the form. But you can save time and help us move forward faster by submitting it today.

We’re also working hard to make lunchtime more enjoyable and structured for all students—and starting this week, we’re thrilled to invite parents to join their children for lunch on designated days.

Thank you for acting quickly and standing with us to support every child at Marshall.

We are looking for a parent representative from one of our amazing Dual Language (DL) classes to serve on our Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC).

The LPAC plays a vital role in supporting our Emergent Bilingual students by:

• Reviewing student language proficiency levels.

• Helping determine the best instructional supports for success.

• Collaborating with teachers and staff to ensure students receive the resources they need.

If you’re interested in serving as an LPAC representative and making a difference for our bilingual students, please reach out to me by email at ernie.amaton@gpisd.org!

Dear Mustang Families,

As we continue our journey through this exciting school year, I want to take a moment to thank you for being such dedicated partners in your child’s learning. At Marshall Leadership Academy, we truly believe that when schools and families work together, students thrive and we are already seeing the positive results of that teamwork across campus.

It has been a joy working alongside Mr. Amaton, whose leadership and vision for our school is both inspiring and grounded in a deep commitment to student success. His ability to lead with compassion and clarity sets the tone for the strong, united community we are building together.

Celebrating Excellence

Please help us congratulate our Staff Member of the Month, 2nd grade teacher Ms. Ismail! Her dedication to her students and her collaborative spirit have not gone unnoticed. We are so lucky to have her as part of the Mustang family!

We also want to thank all the families who attended our Grade Level Orientation Nights. Your presence and engagement mean the world to us! If you were unable to attend, please reach out to your child’s teacher for the information that was shared. We want every family to feel informed and supported.

Important Reminders

As we move forward, we ask for your continued support with a few key items:

• Attendance Matters! Help Us Stay On Track: At Marshall Leadership Academy, we know that every school day counts. When students miss school, even just a few days it can impact their learning, friendships, and confidence in the classroom.

Texas law (Education Code §25.092) says that students must attend at least 90% of the school year. That means in a school year with 175 days, students shouldn't miss more than 17 days total, even if the absences are excused. We want to make sure every Mustang has the best chance to learn and grow, and it all starts with being present.

• Dress Code: We ask that all students follow the dress code guidelines outlined in the student handbook. This helps us maintain a focused and respectful learning environment.
  
  
• Skyward & Senate Bill 12: If you have not done so already, please log in to Skyward and complete the Required Consent for Routine School-Related Services (Senate Bill 12). This is essential for us to continue supporting your child fully.

Pony Up,

taelor.harris@gpisd.org

📧 Email: lakedra.anderson@gpisd.org
📞 Phone: 972-522-7210

Let’s make it a great year! 💙

Dear Parents,

Learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends, and your involvement at home can make a big difference. Try incorporating learning into everyday routines—like practicing math while cooking, or exploring science during a nature walk. Encourage your child to ask questions and think critically by talking through their thoughts and ideas with them. Keep in mind that consistency helps, so setting up a regular homework time and a calm, organized space can go a long way. And remember, your encouragement and interest show your child that learning is valuable—not just in school, but in life.

Warm regards,
Cassandra Kelley
Instructional Coach

You'll find:

📅Upcoming events calendar

🎖️Leaders of the Week

🚨Senate Bill 12 Information - ACTION NEEDED! 🚨

🍪Big Kahuna Fundraiser Information

🍗PTA Spirit Night at Raising Cane's

🏕️Cub Scouts Informational Meeting

📸 Fall Picture Day Information

🔗 Links to purchase iPad insurance and replacements badge sleeves and lanyards.

Please check out our weekly Leadership and Events page!

Our first member meeting was held on Monday, September 8th, and we are so grateful for the wonderful turnout. 💙 Seeing so many parents join us meant the world, and we truly appreciate your support as we kick off this school year together.

• We’re also excited to share that our House Sock Fundraiser is underway! This is a fun way to show house pride, and every purchase helps fund exciting activities for our students. You can check out the details by clicking on the flyer below.

• Mark your calendars—our next event will be at Raising Cane’s in Grand Prairie on Tuesday, September 16th, from 4–8 PM. We can’t wait to spend time with families and enjoy a fun evening together!

• And as always, we’d love for you to support our PTA by becoming a member. Every membership helps us make a bigger impact for our students and school community.

Marshall PTA! 💙

We also have a few PTA chair positions still available. If you’d like to get more involved, please reach out to Hilda Márquez at (469) 682-6422 for more information.

If you have ideas or suggestions, we’d love to hear them! Reach out anytime at marshallleadership.pta@gmail.com.

Please join us in help completing a background check for volunteering on campus, visiting, and joining us for campus events including field trips. This would need to be completed annually.

This year, we are excited to launch a new initiative that focuses on the 6 characteristics of a true LEADER! To help bring this to life, we are introducing our school mascot, Thurgood the Mustang, who will serve as a role model for our students. Thurgood will remind us each day what it means to be a leader both in and out of the classroom. We ask that you review these leadership traits with your child at home, as we will be practicing and reinforcing them here at school. Together, we can help our Mustangs grow into confident, capable leaders!

This year's theme, "The Future of Water", invites students to explore how ongoing challenges and emerging opportunities shape the future of water. Communities that depend on the Trinity River face long-term challenges in efforts to protect and manage water resources. Droughts, floods, pollution, and growing demand place constant pressure on our water systems. At the same time, these communities and the Authority are taking action through innovation, conservation, and long-term planning. By reflecting on past progress and current efforts, along with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, this theme encourages a thoughtful and creative vision for the future of water in Texas.

The contest is open to 1st - 8th grade students who live in or go to school in TRA Board Counties (Anderson, Chambers, Dallas, Ellis, Freestone, Henderson, Houston, Kaufman, Leon, Liberty, Madison, Navarro, Polk, San Jacinto, Tarrant, Trinity, Walker) and 1st - 8th grade students living in or going to school in TRA customer cities outside of those counties (Flower Mound, Argyle, Northlake, Roanoke, Justin, and Venus).

Winners will be chosen from each grade level and will receive prizes and recognition! Entries will close on September 30, 2025.

I have attached the full information packet by visiting the website at https://trinityra.org/art. The packet includes the contest rules, resources to learn more about the theme, and the entry form.

For morning drop-off, all students will enter through the back of the school between 7:30–8:10 AM. Please use curbside drop-off only, pull forward as far as possible, and stay in your vehicle while staff assist your child. Students should exit the car once you pass the fence near Door #5. If arriving after 8:10, parents must walk students to the front office. The front driveway is for buses only, and students dropped off before 7:30 will be unsupervised. We ask all families to drive safely, be patient, and follow staff directions to keep everyone safe.

Dismissal begins at 3:35 PM and students should be promptly picked up no later than 4:00 PM. Please keep your car tag visible at all times while on campus and remain in your vehicle so we can safely assist your child. Pre-K, Kindergarten, and their older siblings will be picked up in the front of the school (inside two lanes only), and all 1st–5th graders or families with three or more siblings will dismiss from the back of the school (inside two lanes only). The third lane is for entering or exiting the parking lot only.

Please do NOT attempt to stop and pick up your child in the 3rd outermost lane. We appreciate your patience and cooperation to keep dismissal safe and efficient for everyone.

• There is ONE entry point - at the back of the school.
• Doors open from 7:30 - 8:10.
• Curbside drop-off only
• Pull as far forward as possible.
• Stay in your vehicle and allow staff to help your child get out.
• Once you clear the fence near door number 5, please let your child exit the car.
• After 8:10, students must be walked to the front of the school by a parent.
• Front drive way is for BUSSES ONLY
• Students dropped off before 7:30 will be unsupervised.
• Pay attention, drive safely, be patient, and follow school staff directions while in line.

• Dismissal begins at 3:35 and ends at 4:00pm
• Have your cartag visible the entire time on campus.
• Please be patient so we can ensure student safety.
• Front of the school - Pre-K/Kinder & their older siblings
• Inside 2 lanes only
• You must take a right turn on Fieldcrest as you exit.
• Rear of the school - 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, & groups of 3 or more siblings.
• Inside 2 lanes only
• 3rd lane can be used to enter or exit the parking lot ONLY. Do NOT attempt to stop.
• Remain in your car.
• Do not park and walk-up.

Visitor Expectations for Lunch:

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 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 students, parents must be appropriately dress for entry. No undergarments shown, see through clothing, or revealing attire. Administration 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!