Mathews Elementary from Castleview Productions on Vimeo.

DEADLINE TO REGISTER: March 21^st,2009

Details of the Spanish program (spring semester):

When: Tuesdays 3:00-4:00 Dates: March 24, 31; Feb 7, 14, 21, 28; May 5, 12

Location: All classes conveniently held at Mathews Elementary .

Cost: $95 per semester (8 weeks)

Confirmations: Confirmations will be sent via email only, so please provide email address and mark your calendars. If there is a change in your course status, we will call you. Please make sure we have a daytime phone number on file for you.

Register Online at www.futuraadventures.com;

Parent Pages … /SouthTexas/MatE, by phone 512-483-1512, 210-240-2071 or mail the portion below with payment to: Futura Language Professionals 2038 Milan, San Antonio, TX 78258

Download this form: futura-spanish-spring-09 (pdf)

Tuesdays

• The Nature of Austin – K-2G
• Enterprise City – K-2G
• Robotics – 3-6 G

Wednesdays

• Jr. Builders – K-2
• Basketball – K-2

We will easily raise that amouint by having every member of our community participate with an average grocery card purchase of $150 per month or donation of $10 per month.

Learn more about the Grocery Card Program, and funding our technology teacher/specialist, Christy Gates

These classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30 – 8 AM.  You can register online at www.Futuraadventures.com or by phone (210) 240-2071.

-Ruthann Rushing

Christy Gates, Mathews Technology Specialist

There is little in our lives that is not touched by technology and as all parent surveys demonstrate we want to insure that the kids at Mathews are going to be prepared for an increasingly technological world. To accomplish this goal Christy Gates was hired as our part-time computer technology specialist this year. She spends the morning as a literacy specialist and is in the computer lab in the afternoon. Each class, kindergarten through 6th, has computer lab for 45 minutes a week. Prior to her arrival, our kids were not getting consistent technology training and according to Christy many lacked basic computer skills. In the short time that she has been at Mathews she has seen a remarkable improvement. “I feel like a celebrity with the kids. I work with all the students and they love coming to computer class.”, Christy Gates tells me when I ask how she has settled in at Mathews.

AISD established technology TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and skills) requirements for each grade level. Christy has developed a curriculum that reflects those goals. The younger grades learn the basics while doing a fun activity that reinforces classroom learning using Pixie and Kidspiration. In 2nd grade students begin to focus on the skills necessary for reports and slide shows. The goals for 3rd through 6th graders are to develop progressive competency in Word, Excel and Power Point as well as the confidence to seek out and incorporate new technologies. Christy observes, “The more they come to computer lab, the more comfortable they feel, the more they want to explore on their own.”

Christy works with teachers to integrate and reinforce the importance of technology in learning, processing and sharing information with meaningful projects. As a by-product teachers are becoming more comfortable with technology too. “The teachers often do not have time to go through new programs and find what is most relevant for their class.” Christy explains, “My job is to sit down and play with the programs and give teachers ideas that will translate well.” She has become a valuable resource for the teachers.

Before arriving at Mathews, Christy spent 2 years in the Peace Corp after graduating form UT in 2006. She lived in Schoemansdal, South Africa, a rural village near Kruger National Park where she taught adults and children computer skills and initiated a library for the village. She also volunteered with a community organization that focused on HIV education as well as at an orphanage where she taught and led camps. During her time in Africa she learned to speak two languages, siSwati and Zulu.

This school year we are lucky to have Christy at Mathews. Her position was expanded to include technology specialist because of a special fundraising effort launched last summer under the direction of Amy Kinkade and led by parent, Garry Mauro. Although AISD has technology TEKS, the district does not provide funding for this position. The PTA has decided to follow a course that many other schools have taken and ask our community to help us raise the $22,000 needed to continue the position. Our plan is to expand the HEB grocery card program, implement a similar program for Randalls and organize a fundraising campaign with the long term goal of the grocery programs sustaining the staff position. Please find a way to contribute to our effort through participation in the grocery card program and/or a donation. As Christy remarked, “It would be a shame not to continue the momentum.”

These sites are extremely productive in our securing the many volunteers we need at Mathews and with the new year, many potential volunteers are checking these sites.  Unfortunately, January is a frantic
month for me and I just don’t have the time to do this.

There are 3 sites and the work can be done from your computer at home at any time you choose. Please give me a call at #841-1516 or email rrushing@austin.isd.org.

Thank You! -Ruthann Rushing

Mathews could use several of these for classroom and office recycling.  Please
consider donating yours to the school by dropping it by to Ruthann Rushing.

This year’s theme:  ”Wow!”

Deadline:  Extended to Friday, November 21 – turn in entries to Mrs. Rushing

Support the arts in your home by encouraging your student to participate!

- Ruthann Rushing