TeSA Weekly Newsletter

8-16-2024

Arrival & Dismissal

TeSA Families,

Arrival and dismissal got a little better each day this week. Please review the expectations below and share all of the information with anyone who drops off or picks up your child. Thank you for keeping us all safe by following the TeSA rules and procedures!

Additional Reminders:

Morning walk-ups are only through the front door.
Drop-offs are never allowed on the street.
Teachers/Administrators are not available to speak to parents during arrival or dismissal. Please email for an appointment.
All cars should pull right up to the car in front of them to keep everyone as close together as possible.
Schools zones are cell-phone free zones. Please put down your phone while in the driveline.

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.

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.

Last Call for Paperwork

We take pride in meeting the needs of all TeSA students. If you have any documentation not submitted, please reach out to us this week. You can scan and send files to cynthia.rey@mytesa.org or come by the front office.

Forms Needed:

Authorized Lunch/Dismissal Form

Medicine Administration Form

Immunization Records

Home Language Survey

Volunteer Applications

IEP or 504 Plans

Dress Code

Thank you for reviewing the Dress Code in the Uniform section of the TeSA Resources tab on the website. The following are the most noticeable infractions so far:

Polos should ONLY be navy or red and MUST have the TeSA logo. (No white polos are allowed.)
Although the light blue oxford shirt can be bought at any store, it should be the same color as the official shirt sold through Flynn O'Hara.
Students must have tennis shoes for P.E.
All jackets, sweaters, and hoodies must have the TeSA logo.

Last Chance for Gala Tickets

The last chance to grab your tickets for the Boots & Bow Ties Gala is Monday, August 19th! Don't miss out on this unforgettable event—get yours before they're gone by clicking HERE.

REPEATED INFORMATION

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

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!