Wednesday eFolder – September 11, 2019

Happy Wednesday, Thunderbirds!

Don’t forget that we have Back to School night this Thursday (9/12) from 4:30-7:05 (full schedule below). Eat some pizza, meet the PTA and Administration, learn about your child’s classroom routines and expectations, and tour our specials’ rooms (art, library, computer, music, and gym).

MOST Importantly! Today is the first day that parents can join their kiddos for lunch. Every Wednesday and Friday we welcome you—please visit the office when you get here to sign in. Find out what’s for lunch here!

FIRST LOWER GRADE ASSEMBLY—Friday!

Hey Kindergarteners, 1st Graders, and 2nd Graders…let’s see your school pride this Friday! Parents are welcome to join. Meet in the gym at 7:35 rockin’ your Thunderbird shirt! If you still need one, you can purchase it in the lobby starting at 7:15. It may be one of the last chances to get one!

PTA MEMBERSHIP DRIVE—next week.

Next week is PTA Membership Drive Week (September 16th–20th). Please note that even if you were a member last year, you need to renew your membership (it’s only good for one year). Representatives will be set up in the lobby each morning to answer questions and welcome new parents who are interested in being making THES the best it can be! We will also have a table on the play pad at pickup each day. If you are not able to sign up in person, we have a handy dandy online form you can fill out at your convenience. Our goal is 100% participation!

Some may ask, why join? What does being a member mean? Among many reasons, your membership means a lot for advocacy at the city, state, and local level. The Texas PTA has over 500,000 members (and National PTA close to 4 million). This past session they fought (with other organizations) to get our legislators to fund our schools properly. They also continue to fight for the safety of our schools. The more members we have, the more of an impact they have.

PTA President Gretchen Otto would like to welcome you to the 2019/20 school year! Read her letter here.

GIFTED AND TALENTED NOMINATIONS: 3RD – 5TH GRADES

Open September 9-20

*Nominations forms will be in the office, or you can ask your classroom teacher. 

Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible to be screened for Gifted and Talented (GT) and Talent Explore (TE) in Austin ISD through a nomination and screening process. All campuses in Austin ISD provide screening, identification, and services for Gifted and Talented students. Additionally, students screened for Gifted and Talented who are not identified for GT services are automatically considered for Talent Explore. Talent Explore identification is for high ability students who do not qualify for Gifted and Talented but demonstrate the potential to perform at high levels when grouped with Gifted and Talented students. Students may be identified through the screening process in one or more of the following areas:

• GT STEM (science and mathematics),
• GT Humanities (language arts and social studies),
• Talent Explore STEM (science and mathematics), or
• Talent Explore Humanities (language arts and social studies).

DOI DAYS (no school)—mark your calendars.

As part of AISD’s District of Innovation status, the Travis Vertical Team (which includes Travis Heights) has added five in-service days. These are student holidays in addition to those on the AISD calendar: September 23, October 11, November 11, December 19, January 7, and February 14. Please note, other schools may have different dates than Travis Heights.

For parents needing childcare, Extend-A-Care (512.472.9402) and Creative Action (512.442.8773) are offering day camps.  

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION — one more date left.

Tuesday, September 24, 8am

All volunteers (including field trip chaperones) must submit a background check through Austin Partners in Education each year, and complete an AISD Confidentiality Agreement. Please see the volunteer page of our website for more details.

FALL PICTURE DAY—smile pretty 🙂

Thursday, September 26

Your teacher will be sending home pre-printed envelope order forms.

FALL BEAUTIFICATION DAY—all are welcome!

Saturday, September 28

Come together starting at 9am to work on beautifying our school! Bring your children, relatives, neighbors, and anyone who enjoys gardening, carpentry,  and grounds clean–up. Whether you stay one hour or the entire day, that is fine by us. Don’t forget a water bottle, gloves, tools, and wheelbarrows needed if you have one!

FALL CARNIVAL

Friday, October 18, 5-8pm

Carnival is our big fall fundraising event and a true THES tradition! It is a great event for the whole family and community. Parent volunteers are what make the Carnival possible. Be on the lookout this Thursday at Back To School Night for a sign-up sheet in your child’s classroom. Please sign up for your chance to contribute and get to know the THES community. You’ll meet other parents, teachers and THES Alumni AND have a blast!

For more opportunities to contribute your time or become a Carnival 2019 Sponsor, contact Carnival Co-Chairs Maria Bergh, 512-585-2708, mebergh@gmail.com or Anna Roth, 832-498-2398, anna.m.roth@gmail.com

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT SCHEDULE—this week.

Thursday, September 12, 4:30-7:05pm

4:30-5:00 – (PK ONLY) Visit your child’s class and hear about classroom routines and expectations, what your child will be learning this year, and how you can help. PLEASE NOTE: childcare is unavailable during this time.  

4:30-5:15 – Pizza will be served in the cafeteria.  Please bring a salad or side to share with others!

5:00-5:30 – (Kinder-5th) Visit our Art room, Music room, Computer Lab, Library, and Gym. Stop by the tables at the front entrance to learn how you can support your school (regular classrooms are closed during this time).

5:30-6:00 – Join us in the gym to meet the administration, teachers, and PTA Executive Board. Hear updates on the school; learn about our upcoming special programs, & events. You’ll also have the opportunity to ask questions about and vote on the PTA budget for the school year.

6:00-6:30 – Classroom #1: Visit your child’s classroom and hear about classroom routines/expectations, what your child will be learning this year, and how you can help from your child’s teacher. Q&A.

6:35-7:05 – Classroom #2:  For those with more than one child, hear a repeat of the above information.

How to make it successful:

• Childcare will be provided for school-aged children from 5:30-7:05. Younger siblings may accompany parents as needed.
• Bring your general questions regarding grade level procedures and academic expectations.
• Be ready to listen and share openly. This is the first step to building a learning community for your child this year.

We still need VOLUNTEERS to help serve food + clean up. Please sign up online!

Do you have information or an event to submit to THES’s Wednesday eFolder? Please visit our Folder FAQ page for submission requirements and guidelines.

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Thank you!