TeSA Weekly Newsletter

10-10-2024

Dismissal

TeSA Families,

As a reminder, our school day ends at 3:15 for K-1st grade and at 3:30 for 2nd-5th. If you need to check out your child early, our cut-off time is 3:00. Our teachers and staff are officially dismissed at 3:45, so thank you for picking up your child prior to 3:45 through the driveline or walk-up area. If you are struggling to pick up your child on time, please make arrangements for your student to stay after school through our TCA+A Conservatory classes or Clayton Youth program. You can learn more about both options through our TeSA Resources tab of the website.

We understand unexpected delays will occasionally occur. If you're late to pick up your child, please come to the front office. Parents who are late more than three times may be charged a late pick-up fee. Thank you for your help getting our students home safely and on time!

Artistically & Academically Yours,

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

Principal

Texas School of the Arts

PTO Meeting = Friday

This month's PTO meeting is in the evening AND on zoom so that all parents can join. Meetings this year are alternating morning and evening to include the most families possible. View the TeSA Activity Calendar on the TeSA Resources page to plan in advance for each month. Please log on HERE or by clicking the graphic below to join the meeting.

Free Dress for Candy

PTO is collecting candy to help fill the trunks for trunk or treat. Send your child with one bag of individually wrapped candy to participate in the Free Dress day. Free dress consists of clothing of the student’s choice, excluding shorts more than 2 in above the knee, spaghetti straps, short skirts, inappropriate t-shirts, etc. Closed toe, closed heel shoes should still be worn with free dress. Students will also need to bring clothing for Dance and/or P.E.!

REPEATED INFORMATION

Lost & Found

Our Lost and Found is already full! Unfortunately, most of the items are not labeled. Please step into the lobby to look for your child's lost items or remind your child to look when they enter the building.

Technology Applications Implementation

The new 2024-2025 Technology Applications Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) consist of five strands that prepare students to be literate in technology applications by Grade 8. These TEKS will be taught at TeSA by academic teachers during the allotted, scheduled time each day. Instruction is presented through videos, slides, discussion, and student work directly in the Tech Apps for Texas program, which is one of the state adopted programs available to Texas schools.

Grading

K-2nd Grade: A Technology Applications statement has been added to the skills based report card. Students will be graded using completion grades from the program based on the rubric below.

0 = not assessed/no grades

1 = below 60

2 = 61-80

3 = 81-100

3rd-5th Grade: A Technology Apps course has been created in the gradebook. A grade will be entered every three weeks based on an average of completion grades from the program. Individual assignment grades can be exported from the TechApps for Texas program by teachers upon request.

For more information about the development and implementation of technology applications visit

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/subject-areas/technology-applications.

Trunk or Treat

The weather is cooling off and the smell of pumpkin spice is in the air, which means Halloween is almost here! Trunk or Treat is a fun TeSA Family tradition you don't want to miss on Saturday, October 26, from 4:00-6:00 p.m. at TeSA!

PTO needs YOU to make this year spook-tacular!

Sign up to decorate a trunk:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA9AB28A3F4C70-51070778-trunk

We provide the candy. You provide the creativity and decorations. Did we mention there are prizes for the best decorated trunks?

Sign up to volunteer the day of the event:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0D4EA9AB28A3F4C70-51066749-trunk

We have short volunteer time slots to ensure you can enjoy the event with your family, too! Also, we need volunteers to help set up and clean up.

Dress Code

Our TeSA uniform is mix and match, giving families a lot of daily options. As you plan your child's outfits, please note the following:

Polos should ONLY be red and blue. (NO white)
Polos must have the TeSA logo.
The light blue button-up shirt can be purchased from any location, but must match the Flynn O'Hara color.
Jumpers must be plaid #36. (NO khaki)
ONLY TeSA jackets and sweaters are allowed in the building. When the weather turns cold, students may bring thicker jackets to wear during recess. For now, leave other hoodies and jackets at home.
No hats are allowed unless it is a dress up day.