TeSA Weekly Newsletter

8-9-2024

First Day School

TeSA Families,

Our first day of school is Monday, August 12th! This will be the biggest newsletter of the year, full of information to make sure you're ready for the new year. Please bookmark the TeSA Resources tab of the website for quick access and note the calendars and schedules so you don't miss anything!

Thank you for reading everything and reaching out with your questions. I can't wait to watch our TeSA STARs shine bright!

Artistically & Academically Yours,

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

Principal

Texas School of the Arts

Arrival

Schedule

7:15 = Doors open for students only & optional breakfast

7:30 = Classrooms open for students only

7:45 = School starts

Lanes

We only use one lane during arrival. When you turn into the parking lot, stay on the right side of the cones. This will allow you to drop your child off at the curb. Students who can open their doors on their own may get out once you have made the turn to the side of the building where our teachers are on duty. Students who need help stepping down from their vehicle and shutting the door may stay in the car until a teacher opens the door for them.

Walk-Up

Parents may park in the west (front) parking lot and walk their child to the front door of the school. Due to our new safety protocols, students may not walk in through the south doors. The south doors will be for vehicle drop-off only.

1st Day for New Families

New families to TeSA are welcome to park in the front parking lot or neighborhood to the south of us and walk their child to their classroom door between 7:30-7:40. Please plan to take a quick pic, hug, and then head back out so our teachers can start the morning routine.

Dismissal

Lanes

K-1st dismiss at 3:15 and 2nd-5th dismiss at 3:30. Reference the sign as you enter to make sure you're in the correct lane. Stay in the same lane until you exit the property. Families with students in multiple grades may circle the driveline twice or come for all kids at the second dismissal.

Car Signs

A TeSA-provided car sign is required for any person picking up a student. If your child's name was not printed correctly, you need to add additional students to your sign, or you just need extra copies, email cynthia.rey@mytesa.org.

During dismissal, use a pants hanger to hang your sign on your rearview mirror from the time you enter the property until your child is in your car. Your sign tells us that you are waiting on your student to enter the vehicle. Taking your sign down signals that your child is in the car and you are waiting to exit.

Walk-Ups

If you want to walk to pick up your child, park in a designated space on the west (front) of the building or in the neighborhood. Stand in the grass by the trees and hold your sign in front of you until your child comes to you. Be aware that we do not have a crossing guard to help our walking families.

Food at TeSA

Breakfast

Breakfast is served from 7:15-7:40. Students may purchase a tray of hot food or quick breakfast items, such as whole-grain pop tarts or muffins. They may also purchase snacks to be eaten at lunch or later in the day. Go to the Resources Tab of the website to view the breakfast and lunch menues.

Lunch

Students bringing a lunch from home should have everything they need in their lunchbox. TeSA does not supply fridges, microwaves, condiments, or utensils for students. All items need to be in plastic containers or disposable bags.

Students purchasing a lunch need a lunch account. Go to the Resources Tab of the website to add money to your child's MySchoolBucks account or drop off a check or cash in the front office.

Lunch visitors must be listed on the Authorized Lunch & Dismissal form and have a valid ID to scan in the front office. Visitors must sit in the designated tables around the perimeter of the room with only their designated child(ren).

Allergies

Student allergies should've been noted in your registration paperwork. If you need to check or update your info, email cynthia.rey@mytesa.org. If your student has food allergies or restrictions that may affect snacks in the classroom, please email your child's homeroom teacher. If your child will be purchasing a lunch from school and has allergies or other restrictions, email denise.thomas@mytesa.org.

Nut Free

Until all medical forms are received, we will be a nut-free school. After we can review all student files, we will lift the nut restrictions for any homerooms without any airborne nut allergies. Thank you for not sending any type of nut until further notice.

Celebration Treats

If you want to celebrate a birthday or other special occasion at school, TeSA can help you! Email denise.thomas@mytesa.org to order a box of cookies and small treasures for your child's class.

Food Assistance

TeSA has an Angel Account to help families in need pay for meals at TeSA. If you'd like to donate money to the Angel Account, bring cash or check to the front office. If you need assistance, email denise.thomas@mytesa.org. If you need additional food at home, email amy.may@mytesa.org.

Uniforms

TeSA students should always wear the approved TeSA uniform unless it is a designated dress-up, free-dress, or spirit day. Please review the dress code policy in the handbook or on the uniform section of the Resources Tab on the website. There were a few changes this year to give parents and students more choices within our uniform parameters.

We will be sending home dress code warning slips this week. At this time, these will not result in any disciplinary actions. Please note what is needed to be in uniform compliance and email amy.may@mytesa.org if you need to request uniform assistance.

REPEATED INFORMATION

REQUIRED: Handbook Acknowledgement

The 2024-2025 TeSA Student Handbook is available in the resources section of the TeSA website. Please click HERE to review the handbook and then fill out the digital acknowledgement form!
https://www.artsacademics.org/academies/tesa/resources-tesa/
https://forms.gle/KqbPxHCaqHQwkPE17

REQUIRED: Communication through Remind

This newsletter was sent new families through both Remind and email. In a few more weeks, we will exclusively use Remind for all general communication. Please make sure you are opted into your child's grade-level Remind account. You can join through the app or website, or by texting the codes below to 81010.

K = @tesakinder

1 = @tesa1st

2 = @tesa2nd

3 = @tesa3rd

4 = @tesa4th

5 = @tesa5th

RECOMMENDED: Send Additional Paperwork

If your child was served on an IEP or 504 Plan at another school OR completed testing over the summer, we appreciate receiving this in advance so we can best prepare for your child's services. As part of the transfer process, we will request all legal records from your outgoing campus in August, however as the parent, you are welcome to request these records at any time. Thank you for sending your child's plan to our Special Populations Coordinator, Rebecca Young, at rebecca.young@mytesa.org.

Meet Goose!

Therapy dog, Goose, will be on campus a few days a week this year with our Counselor, Mrs. May. Research has shown that therapy dogs support psychological and academic growth while increasing social skills and self-esteem in children and adolescents. Mrs. May will be introducing key rules and guidelines about interacting with Goose before he is present with students. If you have any questions, please send an email to Amy.May@mytesa.org. Parents will have the option to opt-out of their student visiting with Goose by completing the form here: https://forms.gle/a2cZs6N2pe6PAHLr7

UPCOMING EVENTS

Boohoo/Woohoo Breakfast

Join the PTO in the shade under the trees in the walk-up area immediately after arrival on the first day of school. All parents are welcome!

TCA+A Gala

Date: August 24, 2024

Time: VIP special performance by Coffey Anderson at 6pm*, Gala doors open at 7pm!

*tickets sold separately

Where: Stockyards Station

Theme: Boots & Bow Ties

Link to Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0A4DACA623A6FBCF8-50394448-2024

This year’s Gala promises to be an unforgettable evening, filled with stunning performances by our talented students, silent auction, buffet dinner provided by Cousins BBQ, open bar serving beer/wine, games, and more! Whether you're a returning guest or joining us for the first time, we can’t wait to share this special occasion with you and celebrate the TCA+A, FWAFA, and TeSA community.

Tables and Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to secure your spot soon! Please click here for ticket purchase!

Please visit our Gala Website for more information! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to celebrate with us and make memories that will last a lifetime. We look forward to seeing you there!

For questions, please contact Torie Skinner, Director of Development, torie.skinner@artsacademics.org

Howdy Week

One of our TeSA traditions is to host Howdy Week during the third week of school. Each day has a different theme, allowing students to show their creativity through their outfits. No one is expected to purchase anything. Have fun going through your closets and dress-up clothes or borrowing things from friends! Participation in these days is FREE. We highly encourage all students to participate!