TeSA

TeSA Families,

Sometimes my Monday Message has important information that is specific to the current week, and often there is information that needs to be referenced longer. For the next several weeks, I will try a new format, in which all new information is directly under my opening letter, and then repeated information is under a "repeated information" headline. Hopefully, this will help everyone find what they need. Please be sure to read though all of it. Thank you for filling out the Tutoring SURVEY if you didn't last week!

Don't forget our TeSA website is also a great place to find general information. You can also follow us on the Texas School of the Arts and TeSA PTO Facebook pages, or connect with the PTO on the TeSA PTO website. Please reach out when you don't find what you need!

Lastly, Remind will continue to be used for this newsletter and all school-wide reminders or emergency notifications (such as school closure due to inclement weather). If you are only seeing this message through your email and want to receive text messages, text the code for your child's grade-level below to 81010 to join the text thread.

K = @a427c4kgaa

1st = @cd9g9dhgeh

2nd = @ha8g8c38d4

3rd = @b6fhcg264f

4th = @ed63kad238

5th = @hfae672chd

Artistically & Academically Yours,

Betsy Compton, M.A., M.A.T., M.Ed.

Principal

• The February menus are linked below and always available on the TeSA website.
• Due to possible inclement weather and food supply shortages, the menu may need to change without notice.
• Check your child's lunch account, and add money if you see a low/negative balance.
• Emails regarding your child's balance should be coming from RevTrak. Check your junk/spam if you don't see anything.
• If your child has allergies, reference the menu when determining if your child will eat at school. Email any questions to denise.thomas@mytesa.org

This Friday, February 4th, will be another PTO Free Dress for Candy Day. Instead of wearing the regular school uniform or spirt wear, your child can bring one bag of wrapped candy, and wear any school-appropriate outfit of his/her choice.

PTO will use the candy to make Candy Grams, which are valentine gifts that you can send to your children, and they can send to each other, to be delivered to their class during their class parties. Candy Grams will be sold online only through the TeSA PTO website.

If you would like to be on the Candy Gram committee to help plan, put Candy Grams together, and/or help with delivery, please email broadwaysteph13@aol.com.

TeSA students were issued an Elementary School Day Fort Worth Stock Show ticket. This ticket is good for one day only, February 4th, for K-5th grade students. Students must arrive by 6:00 p.m. Please note the ticket is for admission to the fairgrounds, not the rodeo performance.

Wednesday, February 2nd is the 100th day of school. To celebrate, our kindergarten students will be dressing like they are 100 years old. Watch for their awesome pictures on our Facebook page. Friday, I asked several students, "What do you think you'll be doing when you're 100 years old?". Here are some of their responses:

"Helping kids." -Linkin

"I'll be sleeping." -Ili

"Doing some fun projects." -Karsyn

"Going to the park with kids." -Irene

"I'm going to die." -Mia

"I'm going to be an old man with a huge belly." -Joshua

Our TeSA students are invited to participate in the Doodle for Google contest. Your child can take something he/she has created in art class and adapt it to fit this contest, or start fresh with something new at home. All entries must be loaded through the Doodle for Google site by parents by March 4th.

This week, our featured TeSA staff members are the 5th grade team. They do a great job teaching our oldest students to be leaders here at TeSA and helping them feel prepared to go to middle school next year.

"The fifth grade teachers are awesome! I especially loved how they made the students' holiday party so fun! The students had to earn tickets to go into the different activities in each classroom. My son loved it, and he loves his teachers too!"

If you'd like to give a shout out to a TeSA staff member, please fill out the TeSA Applause Form.

We are exploring the possibility of offering online, after-school tutoring for our TeSA students. This opportunity would be in partnership with HeyTutor, which is a Texas-approved program, offered through the TCLAS grant.

If you would be interested in signing up your child for a tutoring session with a HeyTutor professional teacher, please fill out this SURVEY.

It's officially Open Enrollment time for TeSA! All current students' spots are protected; TeSA students do not need to apply or audition again. We will assume that all of our students are coming back to learn with us again in the 2022-2023 school year. If you know your family is planning to move or make a different school choice, please let us know by emailing tammy.smith@mytesa.org so your child's spot can be opened up to a new student.

Thank you for sharing our application/audition information with any friends or family who may be interested in joining us by February 14th. Applications can be entered online, and then a virtual audition time will be scheduled. We will have at least a few openings in all grade levels, so it's the perfect time to recruit for TeSA! If someone you recruit completes the application and audition process, you will be entered in a drawing to win prizes later this spring.

Application/Audition Information

Campus Tour Sign-Up

Virtual Open House on Facebook

Our K-5th grade students go outside for recess every day for 20 minutes, and Coach B frequently takes them outside during PE as well. We do not take the students outside if the wind chill is below 40, or the heat index is over 100. Be sure to send layers with your child to be prepared for our always-changing Texas weather!

If you haven't looked lately, you might just find your child's jacket in our Lost and Found. Please come on in the lobby and see if you find any of your missing items.

If you need to purchase a jacket, hoodie, or other TeSA spirit wear, visit the PTO website or Uniform Resale Facebook page.

The price of the TeSA yearbook moved up to $35.00 this month. It will increase to $40.00 in March, so purchase now to save your money and have an awesome keepsake for your student.

We have to submit our number of yearbooks to order to the company by the end January. Thank you for ordering now so we will have enough for all!

What is the policy about masks?

Per Governor Abbot’s order, masks are not required at school. Students may choose to wear any face shield, mask, or gaiter of their choice. Teachers may make general comments, such as “if you brought a mask today, please make sure you’re wearing it over your mouth and nose.” However, they may not force a child to do so.

How is the school mitigating the spread of COVID-19?

In order to reduce the possible number of students within close contact of someone who tests positive for COVID-19, our students are divided into cohorts. Within a six foot radius, students sit near 4-5 students in the classroom. When they switch to another academic classroom, lunch, or Art class, they are near the same students. Although our performing arts and PE classes are mostly active, when sitting, they are near the same students again.

What cleaning procedures are in place?

This year, TeSA was able to hire our first-ever full-time custodian. Mr. Carter works hard all day, cleaning up during breakfast and lunch, responding to messes, and cleaning high touch areas, such as door knobs. Each evening, a night crew arrives to clean our floors, restrooms, and classrooms. Teachers also have access to cleaning materials in their classrooms if needed for immediate concerns. Mr. Carter is also coming on the weekend to do a deep cleaning of the building every 2 weeks.

How are close contacts determined?

When a positive case is reported, all students within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more within 48 hours prior to the test or onset of symptoms are considered to have been within close contact. These students are identified by looking at seating charts and attendance records.

Will my child be considered within close contact if she/he wears a mask?

Yes, because our students are sitting together at lunch without masks, any child within 6 feet for 15 minutes or more, regardless of wearing a mask within the classroom will be considered within close contact.

What should I do if my child tests positive for COVID-19?

Each positive case needs to be reported to tammy.smith@mytesa.org and betsy.compton@mytesa.org. Ms. Tammy will take care of all attendance reporting and Mrs. Compton will establish a timeline to return and start the contact tracing process. She will also work with Nurse Edna to contact affected families.

Can my child be tested at TeSA?

Yes! The state has provided rapid tests we can use on campus. Students who come to the nurse with symptoms or who are at school and identified as within close contact with a positive case may be tested with parent permission.

Where can I get more information?

Our TCA+A policy and daily updates are available on our website, https://www.artsacademics.org/covid-19-information-center/. To learn more about the COVID-19 disease, vaccine, and testing, we recommend visiting www.cdc.gov.

attendance/registration/enrollment = tammy.smith@mytesa.org

testing/curriculum = julie.murray@mytesa.org

counseling/special services = kiera.wallace@mytesa.org

medical forms/shot records = edna.robinson@mytesa.org

2021-2022 Health Plan = anika.perkins@mytesa.org

PTO membership/events = broadwaysteph13@aol.com

anything else = betsy.compton@mytesa.org

Click HERE to read past Monday Messages.

Email: betsy.compton@mytesa.org
Website: artsacademics.org
Location: 6025 Village Parkway, Edgecliff Village, TX, USA
Phone: 817-732-8372
Facebook: facebook.com/texasschoolofthearts