Mathews Messenger, 5

Hello, Wonderful Mathews Community! We had a strong, but short four days of teaching and learning last week and are looking foward to another full week.

A Big Thank You to Our Grounds Day Crew!

Many thanks to everyone who showed up on Saturday for Grounds Day! It is truly amazing how much work was accomplished in just three hours, and the front of the school looks fantastic. Special thanks to Diana McMillan for trimming the back gardens; the entire campus got a wonderful lift. I am so grateful to everyone who lent a hand!

Celebrating 110 Years!

This Wednesday, September 16th, marks the 110th birthday of our school. We will hold a celebration across the front lawn and back blacktop, complete with a school-wide photo opportunity in both spots. Thanks to our amazing PTA, every student will receive a commemorative t-shirt and goody bag to mark the occasion. It is going to be a wonderful start to the day!

Looking Ahead & Classroom Highlights

Hispanic Heritage Month also begins on September 15th! Throughout the coming weeks, we look forward to honoring and centering the rich histories, contributions, and diverse voices of the Hispanic diaspora across our classrooms and community.

Beyond Wednesday's festivities, the rest of the week will be quiet and focused on the great teaching and learning happening across campus. We are now in Week 5, officially halfway through the first quarter, and our building is full of students showing diving into practice and showing the perseverance and hard work needed to thrive. I am incredibly proud of both our students and staff.

Thank you for being such a vital part of our Mathews community! We are better together.

Monday, September 14: A Day

• Welcome back to a new week of learning!

Tuesday, September 15: B Day

• Hispanic Heritage Month Begins!

Wednesday, September 16: C Day

• 110th Birthday Party Assembly at 8:00 am 🥳

• Full day of learning - no assembly

• September 18: CLI Engage BOY Window Closes
• September 21: Student and Staff Holiday (PLED)/Yom Kippur
• September 25: Happy Birthday, Brian Carmeli! 🎂
• September 25: Happy Birthday, Kirstie Osten! 🎂
• September 29: Julian Randall Author Visit for 3rd-5th Grades
• September 30: Orange Shirt Day: Every Child Matters!
• October 2: Mathews Choir Performance at Assembly
• October 8: End of the First Quarter
• October 8: Vertical Team Night at House Park (Austin High Football Game)
• October 9: Student and Staff Holiday
• October 12: Parent/Caregiver/Teacher Conference Day and Indigenous People's Day
• October 13: Start of the 2nd Quarter
• October 19-20: 5th Grade to Camp Champions!
• October 24: Octoberama!🎉
• October 30: Book Character Dress up Day
• November 2: Student and Staff Holiday
• November 3: Staff Development Day/Student Holiday/Election Day ✅
• November 15: Mathews and the Texas Book Festival
• November 23-27: Fall Break! 🍂

As we move into September, our Character Strong lessons will shift their focus to the character trait Respect (which is also the first trait we say every day in our guildines for Success: At Mathews we are respectful, responsible, safe, and kind). To learn more about this trait, please see below:

Check out September's GT Family Newsletter HERE or by clicking on the flyer below:

Want to learn more about GT services in Austin ISD? Plan to join the virtual information session on September 23rd. See below for more information:

Join the fun the with Spirit Week before Octoberama - October 19th - 23rd! See flyer below for specific dress up days!

O. Henry Middle School Round Up 2026!

• Friday, September 25 from 3:30–6:30pm

You and your family are invited to Round Up, O. Henry Middle School’s annual school carnival, featuring raffle prizes, sports booths, carnival games, a bungee jump, inflatables, food trucks and a middle school dance. Round Up is held at school and open to the community, and proceeds make a direct impact on our teachers, students and school.

Neighbors, friends and future O. Henry Mustangs are welcome! For information on sponsorship, wristbands, and volunteer opportunities visit https://ohenrypta.org/round-up/

Thank you for helping us make this year's Round Up a success.

We have a great lineup of after-school care and enrichment classes this fall, including art, sports, music, STEM, cooking, chess, and more. We hope your child finds something fun to explore!

All after-school activities begin right after dismissal. Pickup times vary by program. Students can be picked up after their enrichment classes in front of the school, or signed out from 3rd Base and iKidsU at the designated door. (Biking club pickup is at Westenfield Park.)

Registration is handled directly through each program. Space may be limited. Please contact the program or teacher directly if you have any questions.

After-care and enrichment classes will not be held on AISD school holidays.

We’re Looking for DAC Members!

Austin ISD is seeking members-parents, staff, community members- from various campuses to serve on the District Advisory Council (DAC) for the 2026–2027 School Year. The DAC plays an important role in shaping district priorities and advising on key issues that impact all students. If you're interested in sharing your voice and helping guide district decisions, please consider applying!

You can submit your application using the link below—be sure to select "District Advisory Council" and include your campus name, if applicable.

AISD Advisory Bodies application form: English / Spanish

¡Estamos buscando miembros para el DAC!

Austin ISD está buscando miembros —padres, personal y miembros de la comunidad— de varias escuelas para servir en el Consejo Asesor del Distrito (DAC, por sus siglas en inglés) para el año escolar 2026–2027. El DAC juega un papel importante en la definición de las prioridades del distrito y en el asesoramiento sobre temas clave que afectan a todos los estudiantes. Si le interesa compartir su opinión y ayudar a guiar las decisiones del distrito, ¡por favor considere postularse!

Puede enviar su solicitud utilizando el enlace a continuación; asegúrese de seleccionar 'District Advisory Council' e incluya el nombre de su escuela, si corresponde.

Formulario de solicitud de los órganos asesores de AISD: English / Spanish

We’d love for you to join our PTA! By becoming a member, you’ll help support our students, teachers, and school community through events, volunteer opportunities, and important initiatives. Whether you have a little time or a lot, your voice and involvement make a big difference. Join us in creating an amazing school year together!

Scan the QR code or click the button below to join our amazing PTA!

AISD prioritizes campus safety by implementing The "I Love U Guys" Foundation’s Standard Response Protocol (SRP), which establishes clear, uniform language and actions across all schools. Through this framework, students and staff build crisis-response muscle memory by routinely practicing five core drill actions:

• Hold (keeping hallways clear for localized issues),
• Secure (locking all external doors for potential hazards outside the building),
• Lockdown (locks, lights, and out of sight for threats inside the building),
• Evacuate (moving safely to designated rally points), and
• Shelter (taking cover during severe weather or hazmat situations).

The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards are currently accepting nominations through September 30th, offering a fantastic opportunity to lift up and recognize Austin ISD for its exceptional dedication to serving students. You can submit nominations across several categories—including Teachers, Principals, School Counselors, School Districts, and Early Childhood Facilities—to highlight the outstanding educators and programs making a difference every day. The H-E-B Excellence in Education program awards cash grants to finalists, winners, and their schools.

Do you have a staff member at Mathews you would like to recognize? If so, check out this site:

https://heblovesteachers.com/

All campuses in Austin ISD offer Gifted and Talented screening in grades K-12 based on referrals submitted through an online GT Referral Form. The GT Referral Form will be open from August 18 to October 16, 2026.

If you are interested in seeing whether your child demonstrates a need for Gifted and Talented Services, please follow the link above.

When a referral is submitted for a child, their parent or caregiver will be asked to complete a Parent/Caregiver GT Observation Form. Referrals are received by the Campus GT Advocate, who facilitates the implementation of GT assessment and services at the campus level.

Please click on the button below to access the AISD Student Success Guide (Previously known as the Student Code of Conduct.):

Please click on the button below to access the AISD Student Responsible Use Policy (Please note changes in consequences for deliberate damages.):

Please click on the button below to access the Mathews Elementary Parent and Student Handbook:

2026-27 Bus Information for Eligible Students

• We recommend families whose students are eligible for General Education transportation to check their bus information by checking the district’s “Bus Stop Finder''. The system will be live on our website effective Monday, August 3rd.

• Families whose students have special needs will receive their information in person from their bus teams. Please keep in mind routes and stops may change periodically, so visit the website for the latest route/stops information.

• The only thing we ask of our families and schools is to update students' contact information in the district’s Student Information System (SIS). Transportation does not update or edit any student information. This step is very important so student information is accurate during the nightly import into our scheduling system.

“Where's The Bus” App for Families

• Austin ISD’s transportation team offers families the "Where's The Bus” app, which provides timely information about the location of their student’s assigned bus, including when it will arrive at their stop.

• The free app is available on any device with internet access (smartphone, tablet, personal computer, iPad)—and takes less than five minutes to install. Instructions are available at https://www.austinisd.org/transportation.

Menus & Nutrition: Menus, as well as nutrition information, allergens, ingredients, and carb counts are available at SchoolCafe.com/AustinISD or via the SchoolCafe app. Meals are made daily in our school kitchen and meet or exceed federal nutrition standards. Our menu includes healthy versions of student favorites, scratch-prepared items, plant-based options, and global flavors, featuring local and sustainable ingredients.

Check out our new Introduction to School Lunch Video in English or Spanish to learn more!

Food Allergies & Special Diets: We can accommodate students with documented food allergies and dietary needs with a completed Dietary Accommodation Form (English / Spanish).

Meals for Elementary Students: Breakfast: $1.90 / Lunch: $3.40 - View full price list.
Families may apply at any time for free or reduced-price meals through their SchoolCafe account, by completing a PDF application (English / Spanish), or a paper application available in our front office. Thanks to state funding, all students who qualify for reduced-price meals this year will receive free breakfast and lunch.

Meals for Parents/Adult Guests: Breakfast: $3.50 / Lunch: $5.25
We’re happy to welcome parents to enjoy meals with us! Unfortunately, federal regulations prevent us from offering free or reduced meals for parents/adult guests.

Wellness Policy: AISD policies govern food served outside the cafeteria. Please review our Wellness Policy Overview for guidelines on classroom celebrations, food fundraisers, and food rewards. Celebrations of any kind may not interfere with a students’ regular meal times.

Please reach out with any questions. I look forward to seeing you in the cafeteria this year!

Please click on the button below to see the annual notifications about asbestos and pest management.

Of course! Here's a version tailored for a school newsletter:

📣 Stay in the Loop with Konstella!

We use Konstella as our official school communication platform and we want all families to be connected! Sign up now to recieve communication from Mathews. You'll add connect your account with your child's teacher after classes are announced on the 14th.

Konstella makes it easy to receive important announcements, classroom updates, event details, and volunteer opportunities—all in one place. It’s quick to sign up and even easier to stay informed and engaged in your child’s school experience.

✨ Don’t miss out—sign up today and stay connected all year long!

Need help getting started? Click the button below for directions!

iKids U is excited to host both full-time and part-time after school enrichment and care at Mathews Elementary starting in August! Our program is customizable to meet your family’s schedule. Enroll from 1 to all 5 days a week and only pay for what you need. Please see registration flyer below for a list of all of the fun and exciting classes being offered. Registration for the 2026-2027 School Year is currently taking place. Learn more about iKids U and secure your spot today by visiting https://ikidsu.com/find-your-school/ and clicking on your child’s campus location. We look forward to seeing you in just a few weeks!

Start Strong: Every Minute Counts!

Arriving at school on time is one of the simplest and most effective ways to set your student up for a successful day. Being in the classroom before the bell gives students time to settle in, connect with classmates, listen to morning announcements, and transition into learning without feeling rushed or stressed. This school year, all students should be in their classrooms by 7:40 a.m., ready to start their day!

Did you know that 9:45 a.m. is our official attendance time each day? According to the State of Texas Attendance Policy, students must be present at school at 9:45 a.m. to be counted for the day. Any student who is not on campus at that time will be marked absent, even if he or she arrives later.

Whenever possible, we kindly ask that you schedule medical or other appointments to ensure your child is in school at 9:45 am so your child is counted present and their learning time is maximized.

Attendance not only supports your child’s success in the classroom but also directly affects our school’s state funding. Last year, Mathews students lost over $190,000 in state funding due to absences. (❗) Thank you for your partnership in helping every student shine!

Are you interested in volunteering at Mathews? We'd love to have you! Austin ISD uses Voly for all volunteers in our school and everyone is required to sign up through the system. Please see below for information on how to sign up to volunteer at our school:

Volunteer Requirements and Application Process

To ensure student safety and maintain a secure environment, all volunteers must meet the following requirements:

• Complete a Volunteer Application, which must be renewed each school year.
  • The application takes approximately five minutes to complete and should be submitted as early as possible.
  • Applications can take up to five business days to process.
• Pass a background check as part of the Volunteer Application process.
• Present your photo ID at the campus to be scanned into Raptor
• Represent yourself and Austin ISD in a professional manner and treat students, staff, and other volunteers with respect.

Additional Information:

The Volunteer Application is separate from the campus Raptor check-in process, which ensures all names are screened for safety and security purposes. All campus visitors are required to sign in and print either a visitor or volunteer badge.

How to Become a Volunteer

1. Create an Account: Visit austinisd.voly.org to sign up.
2. Complete the Application: Fill out your profile, select the schools you’d like to volunteer with, and submit the required information, including:
   • Full name
   • Email address
   • Address
   • Confidentiality agreement
   • Volunteer guidelines acknowledgment
   • Background check consent form
3. Pass the Background Check: Background checks typically take 2 hours to 5 days to process.
   • You must wait until your background check is cleared before volunteering.
   • Once cleared, you will receive a notification email confirming your approval.
4. Find Opportunities: After receiving your clearance, explore and sign up for volunteer opportunities that match your interests.

AISD has an App to help you keep up with district information. Please see the flyer below for the QR Code: