Leadership Lens Vol. 2: Issue 7

At the top of this page, you can translate this whole newsletter into any language for your convenience.

En la parte superior de esta página, puede traducir todo este boletín a cualquier idioma para su comodidad.

Dear Marshall Mustang Families,

Can you believe September is almost over? This month has flown by! We are looking forward to October and, hopefully, some cooler temperatures as we continue an exciting school year together.

As we prepare for October, our Quarter 1 Assessments are coming up on October 7th and 8th. These checkpoints are an important opportunity for our students to demonstrate what they have learned and for us to identify areas where they may need additional support. Please help your child prepare by encouraging them to get plenty of rest, eat a good breakfast, and come to school ready to do their best.

🚨 A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER ABOUT TARDIES 🚨

We are seeing an increased number of tardies, and we need your help to address this. School begins at 8:10 a.m., and students should be in their classrooms and READY TO LEARN.

Arriving late impacts more than just attendance. When students enter after the school day has started, they can miss important morning instruction, routines, and learning opportunities. Consistent on-time arrival helps students start their day successfully and sets the tone for learning.

Please make every effort to have your child on campus with enough time to get to class, unpack, and be ready to learn before 8:10 a.m.

⭐ NEW OCTOBER ATTENDANCE CHALLENGE! ⭐

Starting October 1st, we are kicking off a daily attendance contest by grade level!

Here’s how it works:

Every homeroom can help their grade level earn a daily attendance average of 96% or higher will earn a star for their grade level. Each day, we will monitor grade-level attendance and add the earned stars to the grade level’s bucket. ⭐

At the end of October, the grade level with the most stars will earn an additional 30 minutes of recess!

This is a great opportunity for our parents and students to work together, build strong attendance habits, and make sure they are here and ready to learn each day. Every student counts, and every day counts!

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. Together, we can make sure every Marshall Mustang starts each day strong and ready to learn!

Proud to be a Marshall Mustang!
Mr. Amaton, Principal

Dear Marshall Families,

This week marks an exciting milestone at Marshall Leadership Academy! We have officially reached the 30-day mark of the school year! There is a common saying that it takes about 21 days to build a habit. While research tells us there isn’t one exact number that applies to everyone, the idea has me reflecting on what we have been building together during these first 30 days.

For 30 days, our Mustangs have been learning routines, building relationships, practicing our LEADER expectations, and discovering what it means to be part of the Marshall community. Those small actions we repeat each day are beginning to become habits, and those habits are helping shape the culture we want for our campus.

We saw that culture come alive on Friday during our first House Rally! The energy, excitement, and Mustang pride throughout the building were incredible. Our students celebrated with one another, represented their Houses, and experienced what it means to belong to something bigger than themselves. And after our first rally, House of Revuer is officially in the lead! The year is just getting started, though, and there are plenty more opportunities for our Houses to earn points by demonstrating leadership and living out our campus expectations.

We also had the opportunity to hear Student Council speeches, and I was incredibly impressed by the courage and leadership our students demonstrated. Standing in front of your peers, sharing your ideas, and asking others to believe in your leadership takes confidence. Congratulations to every student who participated! Regardless of the election results, choosing to step forward, use your voice, and take a chance is leadership in action.

As we move beyond our first 30 days, our challenge is to keep building. What we practice consistently becomes part of who we are. Let’s continue creating habits of kindness, responsibility, engagement, perseverance, and excellence at school and at home.

Thirty days down, and so much ahead. I am excited to see how our Mustangs continue to learn, lead, and grow together.

With Marshall Mustang Pride,
taelor.harris@gpisd.org

September Focus: I Am Enough

As we close out September, we are celebrating everything our students have learned through our I Am Enough focus! Throughout the month, students have been encouraged to recognize their strengths, appreciate what makes them unique, and understand that they do not have to be perfect to be valuable. Being “enough” does not mean that we never make mistakes or have areas where we can grow. It means recognizing our value while continuing to learn, grow, and make positive choices.

7 Habits Connection: Habit 1 – Be Proactive

Being proactive means recognizing that we have the power to choose our attitude, actions, and responses. Students can reflect on how they can continue choosing confidence, kindness, responsibility, and positive self-talk throughout the school year.

Individual & Family Support

I am available to support students and families with social-emotional needs, and challenges that may impact a student’s success at school. If your child is experiencing a concern or your family could use additional support or resources, please reach out. I am here to listen, provide support, and help connect you with appropriate resources.

Family Engagement Updates

Thank you to all of our families who participated in our September Family Engagement Activity! We appreciate you taking the time to complete the activity together and support our school community.

📣 This is the last week to turn in the September activity for points!

Be on the lookout for our October Family Engagement Activity, which will be coming home the week of October 5. We look forward to seeing our families participate again!

Ms. Anderson, School Counselor

(972) 522-7210

Lakedra.anderson@gpisd.org

SEPTEMBER:

• 9/15-10/15: Hispanic Heritage Month

• 28: Council of PTA’s Meeting @ Grand Family Service Center 6:00pm

• 30: Big Kahuna Online Sales End

OCTOBER

• All month:

• 9/15-10/15: Hispanic Heritage Month

• National Principal Month

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month

• Dyslexia Awareness Month

• Down Syndrome Awareness Month

• Bullying Prevention Month

• Cybersecurity Awareness Month

• 5: Family Community Night @ Marshall

• 5: SchoolStore.net Fundraiser Kickoff

• 7-8: Q1 Checkpoints

• 8: Last day of Q1

• 9-13: Fall Break (No school)

• 14: Q2 begins

• 14-23: Fall Service Project: Food Drive (canned chili and beans)

• 15: Report Card Grades Due by 10:59pm

• 16: Big Kahuna Delivery, 8:00-11:00am

• 16: Big Kahuna Parent Pickup, 12:00-2:30pm

• 16: Big Kahuna Creature Teacher Show, 1:00pm

• 20: Leaders 5, 1:15-2:45

• 21: 3rd Grade GT Field Trip- Dallas Arboretum

• 22: Q1 AttenDANCE

• 22: MLA's Title I Meeting

• 26-30: Red Ribbon Week

• 26: GPISD's Trunk or Treat @ Dubiski HS 6:00-8:00pm

• 29: Book Character Parade, 9:30am

• 29: Marshall's Trunk or Treat, 5:30-7:00pm

• 30: House Rally/Family Time 8:10-9:30

• 30: Academy 4, 1:15-2:45

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!

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Rebeca Moreno, one of our amazing Marshall Mustangs! 🐴❤️🖤

1️⃣ What inspired you to become an educator?
“When I first came to the United States, I had a teacher who did not treat me very well. I remember how that made me feel, and it stayed with me. That experience made me want to become a teacher who treats every child with kindness, patience, and respect. I wanted to make a difference for my students and make sure they feel welcomed, supported, and know that they are important. I want to be the teacher I needed when I was a student.”

2️⃣ What do you love most about being a Marshall Mustang?
“The sense of family. I love being part of a school where teachers and families work together to support our children. It means a lot to me when families are involved in their child’s learning and support what we are doing in the classroom.”

3️⃣ What is one thing you want every student to know about you?
“I want my students to know that they can always trust me. I want them to feel comfortable coming to me when they need help, when something is bothering them, or even when they just need someone to listen. I may not always have the answer right away, but I will always do whatever I can to help them.”

4️⃣ What is one goal you have for your students this school year?
“I want my students to know that I care and believe in them. I want them to grow academically, but most importantly, I want them to love learning and always try their best. I want my students to leave kindergarten feeling proud of themselves and knowing that they can do hard things.”

5️⃣ Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.
“I’m actually a pretty shy and timid person. I can get very nervous when I have to speak in front of a big group of people. Sometimes I may look confident on the outside, but inside I’m probably nervous! I feel completely different when I’m in my classroom with my students.”

❤️🖤 Thank you, Ms. Moreno, for creating a classroom where our youngest Mustangs feel safe, valued, supported, and confident! Your kindness, patience, and belief in every child make a lasting difference.

This week, we’re shining the spotlight on Alejandra Ramirez, one of our amazing Marshall Mustangs! 🐴❤️🖤

1️⃣ What inspired you to become an educator?
“My kindergarten teacher, Ms. Martinez, was one of my biggest inspirations for becoming a teacher. She, along with many other teachers throughout my years in school, poured so much love, encouragement, and support into me. They inspired me to become the kind of educator who does the same for my students.”

2️⃣ What do you love most about being a Marshall Mustang?
“I love the sense of community at Marshall. Everyone gets the opportunity to interact, connect, and support one another, and the community has been so warm and welcoming. Marshall truly is a place where we are creating and growing leaders.”

3️⃣ What is one thing you want every student to know about you?
“I want every student to know that I believe in them and that my classroom is a safe place to learn, make mistakes, ask questions, and grow. I will always be in their corner cheering them on!”

4️⃣ What is one goal you have for your students this school year?
“One of my biggest goals is for my students to become confident, curious, and independent learners. I want them to leave my classroom knowing that they are capable of doing hard things and that mistakes are simply part of learning.”

5️⃣ Tell us something people might be surprised to learn about you.
“I’m the oldest of three siblings and the first in my family to graduate from college. Outside of school, I’m a huge dog mom to my little dog, Bruno!” 🐶❤️

❤️🖤 Thank you, Ms. Ramirez, for creating a classroom where students feel safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow! Your belief in our Mustangs and your commitment to developing confident, curious, and independent learners make a difference every day.

From September 15th through October 15th, Marshall Leadership Academy celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month! This is a special time to recognize and honor the rich cultures, traditions, languages, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities.

Throughout the month, our students will have opportunities to learn, celebrate, and appreciate the diverse cultures that make our Mustang Family so special. Different cultures, One community!

Don’t miss out! Online Big Kahuna sales end September 30th! Get your orders in before the deadline and help support Marshall Mustangs! 🐴💥

September 30th is the last day to order!

You're invited...

Marshall Mustangs,

October 7th & 8th are our Quarter 1 Checkpoints! These assessments give us an opportunity to show what we’ve learned and celebrate our growth.

Get plenty of rest, come prepared, and SHOW WHAT YOU KNOW! 💪🏽📈

Let’s finish Quarter 1 strong!

Marshall Mustangs, mark your calendars! October 9–13 is Fall Break, and there will be NO SCHOOL. Enjoy the long break, get some rest, and make some great memories with your family! ❤️🐴

We’ll see everyone back and ready to learn on October 14!

Our school is at risk of losing important funding if our participation percentages remain low. We are asking all families who have not yet applied for free and reduced-price meals to please complete an application.

Even if you don’t believe you would qualify, we kindly ask that you apply. Every application makes a difference and helps support our students and school.

Thank you for your continued support of Marshall Leadership Academy! Together, we can make a difference! ❤️🖤🐴

***EXPIRES OCTOBER 31, 2026***

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!

We love having our Mustang families involved, and volunteers are always needed and appreciated! Whether you’re helping on campus, Presenting, attending a campus event, or chaperoning a field trip, we want you to be part of the experience.

📝 Before You Can Volunteer

All parents and guardians who wish to volunteer, visit campus, attend campus events, or chaperone field trips must complete a volunteer background check annually.

⏰ Plan Ahead!
Volunteer applications may take up to 72 hours to process. Please complete the online application at least 3 days before you plan to volunteer or chaperone an event.

📌 Important: You will not receive an email confirming your approval to volunteer. Please plan accordingly and complete the application in advance.

Thank you for partnering with us and helping make Marshall Leadership Academy a place where every student can learn, lead, and thrive!

We will be transitioning from ClassDojo