The Leadership Lens Issue #19

Dear Mustang Families,

Welcome back to a new year of learning, growth, and community. This semester, we’re embracing a powerful shift: moving from doing a lot to doing what matters most. In schools, it’s easy to get busy. But this semester, we’re choosing purpose, clarity, and impact.

We’re still grounding our work in the Seven Habits, using them as a guide for how we learn, lead, and support one another.

Habit 1: Be Proactive

We focus on what we can control and lead with intention.

Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind

Every decision starts with a clear vision for student success.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

We prioritize relationships, high-quality instruction, student well-being, staff wellness, and strong family partnerships.

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

We seek solutions that help everyone rise together.

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand

We listen with empathy—students, families, and staff all deserve to be heard.

Habit 6: Synergize

We celebrate our diverse strengths and work better together.

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

We protect our wellness so we can show up as our best selves.

This semester, we commit to a community where students feel safe and challenged, staff feel valued and supported, and families feel welcomed and included. We’re not just doing more—we’re doing what matters most.

Welcome back. Let’s make this a semester of intention, joy, and meaningful progress.

Warm regards,

Mr. Amaton

Dear Mustang Families,

Happy New Year and welcome back! We hope your winter break was filled with rest, joy, and time with loved ones. We are excited to begin the second half of the school year refreshed and ready to continue growing leaders and learners at Marshall Leadership Academy.

The next two weeks, students will participate in middle-of-the-year MAP Growth testing. These assessments allow us to measure student progress from the beginning of the year and help teachers continue to adjust instruction to better meet students’ academic needs. The data we gather helps ensure that each child receives the support and challenge they need to continue making growth. To support your child, please ensure they arrive at school on time, get a good night’s rest, and eat breakfast each morning. We also ask that appointments be scheduled outside of testing times when possible so students can test in a calm, focused environment.

The start of a new year is also a great time to reflect and set goals. Some of my own goals for the new year include learning Spanish, making healthier eating choices, and spending more time in prayer. These goals align closely with Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw, which reminds us that taking care of our minds, bodies, hearts, and spirits helps us be our best selves at school and in life.

We encourage you to talk with your child about their own goals for the new year and how they plan to work toward them. Goal-setting helps students build responsibility, confidence, and ownership of their learning.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to a strong start to the new year and a successful second semester.

Pony up,

taelor.harris@gpisd.org

Welcome back! I hope your family had a restful and joyful winter break. As we return to school routines, this week is all about fresh starts, setting positive goals, and taking responsibility for our choices.

This focus connects to Habit 1: Be Proactive, which reminds students that they are in charge of their attitudes, actions, and responses—even when transitioning back after a long break.

🔄 Resetting Routines & Expectations

After time away from school, it’s normal for students to need reminders about expectations and daily routines. Families can help by gradually resetting sleep schedules, reviewing morning routines, and talking about school expectations such as listening, following directions, and doing your best.

You might ask your child:

• “What does a successful school day look like for you?”

• “What helps you feel ready for learning?”

• “How can you make good choices, even when it feels hard?”

Consistency at home and school helps students feel safe, confident, and ready to learn.

💙 Counselor Support

If your child is feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or struggling with the transition back to school, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I am here to support students and families as we settle into the new semester.

Phone: 972-522-7220

Email: lakedra.anderson@gpsid.org

Thank you for your continued partnership. Wishing your family a smooth and successful start to the new year!

— Ms. Anderson, School Counselor

Hello Mustang Families!

Welcome back to school! We are excited to begin a new year of learning, growth, and connection with our students and families. As we start this 2026 journey together, our focus this month is on Habit 4: Think Win-Win, which encourages us to look for solutions where everyone can succeed. When we approach challenges with fairness, kindness, and teamwork, we build a strong school community where students feel valued and supported. By working together—families, students, and staff—we can create positive partnerships that help every child thrive and make this a successful year for all.

- Ms. Sutton

• All Month: School Board Appreciation Month

• 5: Teacher Work Day

• 6: First day of Q3

• 6: Student Council Meeting: Mrs. Martinez's Room, 3:35-4:15pm

• 7-16: MOY MAP Testing Window

• 15: NEHS Meeting, 3:45-4:15pm

• 19: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, No School

• 20: Leaders 5: Cafeteria, 1:15-2:45pm

• 20: District Spelling Bee, GPISD Education Center, 7:30pm

• 22: Multicultural Night, 5:30-7:00pm

• 27: 100th Day of School!

• 27: RLA District Assessment

• 29: Q2 House Field Trip

• 30: Academy 4

• 30: House Rally & Family Time-Habit 3

Hello families! I hope everyone had a wonderful break! We can't wait to see all of your children's smiling faces tomorrow! We will be completing our middle-of-year MAP testing this week, so we will not be receiving lunch visitors January 6th-9th.

Purchase your child's yearbooks NOW! Purchases include 2 free customizable pages with your child's own memories from the year!

Purchase yearbooks HERE: https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1016310326852888

*Yearbooks will be delivered the last week of school!

Thank You for Being Part of Our Amazing School Community!

As we wrap up our final week of the 12 Days of Holiday Fun, the Marshall PTA Board would like to take a moment to celebrate our incredible teachers, staff, and families and express our heartfelt gratitude for everything you do each day to support our students. Your involvement, encouragement, and partnership truly make Marshall a special place.

Our amazing teachers enjoyed relaxing massages, generously provided by the Marshall PTA, as a small token of appreciation for their dedication and for being valued PTA members.

Our amazing teachers were treated to mouthwatering birria tacos, generously donated by the Rebotoc Family, paired with delicious rice prepared by Bernadette Alvarez. Thank you for your generosity, your delicious contributions, and for spreading so much joy and support to our school this holiday season!

Congratulations to Ms. Gonzalez’s 1st grade class for having the highest attendance at our Marshall PTA Spirit Night! Students enjoyed pizza and fun prizes, all generously donated by Chuck E. Cheese. A big thank you to the parents who participated and helped make this event a success. Your support truly makes a difference.

We delivered stockings to all PTA members’ children as a small token of appreciation and captured magical class photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, memories we hope will be cherished for years to come.

As we head into the holiday season, we wish all of our Marshall families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We hope you enjoy quality time with loved ones, making special memories, and a joyful, restful, and well-deserved break. Your PTA Board will be recharging and preparing to finish the school year strong together with the continued support of our wonderful families and staff.

We are so close to reaching our goal of 250 PTA members this year!👏 We currently have 228 members, up from 173 last year an incredible reflection of the strength and heart of our Marshall community.

Join the fun and help us finish strong! Becoming a PTA member is a great way to stay connected, support our school, and help create meaningful experiences for our students and school.

We’re excited about upcoming fundraisers, events, and spirit nights in the new year, and we would love for you to be part of it! We welcome new ideas, fresh energy, and new faces. If you have suggestions, questions, fun ideas, or are interested in joining the PTA, we’d love to hear from you and meet you.

marshallleadership.pta@gmail.com

Thank you for your continued support! We truly couldn’t do this without you!

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.**

To ensure a smooth and safe dismissal process, we kindly ask that there be no student check-outs on Fridays after 2:15 PM. This helps us maintain an orderly end-of-day routine and ensures all students are accounted for our Leadership trainigs. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!