The Leadership Lens Issue #24
Making Memories and Leaving Legacies
Dear Mustang Families,
February gives us a special opportunity to celebrate Black History Month, a time to honor the achievements, resilience, and leadership of individuals who helped shape our nation. For our school community, this month carries even deeper meaning because we proudly carry the name of Thurgood Marshall, a leader whose courage and determination changed history.
Thurgood Marshall believed strongly in fairness, opportunity, and the power of education. As the first African American Justice of the United States Supreme Court, he demonstrated that true leadership means standing up for what is right, even when challenges arise. His perseverance, integrity, and commitment to justice continue to inspire generations, including the students who walk our halls each day.
Throughout this month, our classrooms will highlight the stories of influential leaders while encouraging students to reflect on how they can demonstrate leadership in their own lives. Leadership begins with everyday actions—showing respect, helping others, working hard, and making positive choices. When our students practice these habits, they continue the legacy of leadership that Thurgood Marshall represents.
Families play an important role in shaping future leaders, and we encourage you to take time this month to talk with your children about the importance of courage, fairness, and perseverance. Together, as a Marshall community, we can honor the past while preparing our students to lead with purpose, character, and confidence in the future.
Warm regards,
Mr. Amaton
Dear Marshall Families,
This week, we continue honoring Black History Month by highlighting the legacy of Rosa Parks. Her courage reminds us of Habit 1: Be Proactive—choosing to do what is right, even when it is difficult. Rosa Parks’ quiet strength and determination show our students that leadership does not always require loud voices, but it does require conviction, courage, and responsibility for our actions. These are the same leadership traits we work to build in our Mustangs each day.
We would also like to give a big shout out to Ms. Anderson, our school counselor, as we celebrated School Counselor Week this last week. Ms. Anderson plays a vital role in supporting our students’ academic, social, and emotional growth, and we are so thankful for the care and guidance she provides our campus.
Families, don’t forget about our upcoming Valentine’s Day Dance, which is sure to be a fun and memorable event for our students. Be sure to also stop by and visit our school Book Fair, another great way to support literacy and a love of reading at Marshall.
Finally, congratulations to our December Staff Member of the Month, Mrs. Martinez. Thank you for your dedication, positivity, and commitment to our students and school community.
Thank you, as always, for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to another great week ahead.
Pony up,
taelor.harris@gpisd.org
💙 Individual & Family Counselor Support
GPISD has a wealth of resources available to students and their families. If your family is in need of assistance or counseling support, please reach out to me so that I can support you.
Phone: (972) 522-7220
Email: lakedra.anderson@gpisd.org
Thank you for your continued partnership in helping keep our school a safe, respectful, and caring community for all students.
— Ms. Anderson, School Counselor
Dear Families,
This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating **Habit 4: Think Win-Win**—a reminder that when we work together with kindness and respect, everyone benefits 💖. What better way to put that into action than by coming together as a school community? We warmly invite all families to join us for our **school Valentine’s Dance this Thursday night**, a fun, family-friendly evening full of smiles, music, and togetherness. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
As always, partnership between school and home helps our students thrive, so please be sure to check out our **monthly parent calendar below** for upcoming events and important dates.
-Ms. Sutton
💕 Valentine’s Dance 💕 💃
📅 When: Thursday, February 12th
⏰ Time: 5:30–7:00 PM
❤️Who: All Pre-K–5th grade Marshall students
💃🕺 Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a night of FUN!
🎟️ Tickets:
-Just $5 per student during the pre-sale
-$8 per student at the door
-Pre-sale is Monday, February 9th-Thursday, February 12th during breakfast outside the art room
-CASH ONLY!
-Students who purchase tickets will get a wristband on dance day for entry!
-Parent chaperones are free!
✨ What’s waiting for you:
-A DJ spinning awesome tunes! 🎶
-Yummy snacks from the PTA concession stand! 🍿
-Fun items and activities available for sale, like:
🩷A photo booth 📸
💜Light-up accessories ✨
❤️Valentine's goodies 💕
🩷Temporary tattoos 🎨
Students can purchase tickets at the dance (just like at a fair!) and use those tickets to enjoy the activities and goodies listed above. 🎟️
*Parents must accompany students during the entire dance.
Let's make it a night to remember! 🥰
English
Spanish
CHECK THIS OUT!
Marshall is excited to offer your student School-Based Telehealth and Telehealth at Home by Children's Health℠ Virtual Care. With your permission, your child can video chat with a provider, get diagnosed and have prescriptions sent to your pharmacy – all from school or home.
Telehealth services at MLA take place in the clinic and will be billed to your insurance provider or to Medicaid. No insurance? No problem. After your visit, Children’s Health will bill you directly. Most families qualify for a discount, and no student will be turned away for a visit.
For urgent care visits at home, children and adults can access health care resources through Virtual Visit by Children’s Health Virtual Care.
Visit childrens.com/telehealth or call 844-483-5363 to enroll and download our Virtual Visit app.
Communication resources: https://www.childrens.com/landing/sbt-school-resources
*A consent through Children’s Health is required each school year before a student can be seen. It is advised that every student has a consent signed for when the time may arise the service may be needed. Reach out to Nurse Tasha if you have more questions.
📌 PTA Meeting – Monday, February 9th, 6:30pm
Join us for our upcoming PTA meeting with important announcements and updates.
If you have suggestions, questions, fun ideas we’d love to hear from you feel free to email us at marshallleadership.pta@gmail.com .
Also our Book Fair will be open before and after the meeting, making it the perfect time to shop with your student. We hope to see you there!
**Earn 1,000 house points just for attending
Did you know GPISD offers a dinner program to students everyday? Students can receive a full packaged meal after the bell rings.
-Free to ALL students!
-Offered Monday-Friday!
-Offers an additional healthy and nutritious meal after the bell rings!
🌟Please sign up below for each child!
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¿Sabías que GPISD ofrece un programa de cena para estudiantes todos los días? Los estudiantes pueden recibir una comida completa después de que suene la campana.
-¡Gratis para TODOS los estudiantes!
-¡Disponible de lunes a viernes!
-¡Ofrece una comida adicional, sana y nutritiva después de que suene la campana!
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.
Students have received one lanyard and one badge sleeve for free. Afterward, parents need to use the link or QR code to purchase replacements through MySchoolBucks.
You will have the option to choose:
- Badge sleeve $1
- Lanyard-red $2 ❤️
- Lanyard-orange $2 🧡
- Lanyard-yellow $2 💛
- Lanyard-green $2 💚
- Lanyard-blue $2 💙
- Lanyard-purple $2 💜
- Lanyard-black $2 🖤
- Lanyard-white $2 🤍
**Please choose the lanyard color for your child's house.**
