The second half of the celebration will feature uplifting music from the BTW Gospel Choir and conclude with an original instrumental work. On Wednesday, February 26, we will also have a special recognition and unveiling of the portrait of the first district-appointed Principal of BTW, Wayne Manzilla. Please join us!

Last week, students attended the Senior Speaker Series program to learn how to fuel their bodies for college success. They were given a list of the top items recommended by alums and parents for living in a dorm or apartment. Several recommended items were given as prizes, and the seniors were so joyful and appreciative. Thank you to our CO25 Senior Committee—Amy Beuhler, Ann Romine, Rhonda Thompson, and Zarana Barot—and guest speaker Heather Gillett for sharing tips on nutrition, cooking, and maintaining balance in college life. We also appreciate the generous donations from those who provided 30+ giveaway prizes. Thank you, Zarana Barot, Amy Beuhler, Michelle Davitt, Rhonda Thompson, Lori Volney, Kim Weiss, and Tamara Woodchek! See the Senior News article below for a list of essentials.

Also at the next PTSA meeting, Principal Williams will review Dallas ISD's policies ensuring a welcoming and protective school for all students, staff, and families, regardless of immigration status as required by US constitutional law. We hope to see you there!

ACTION ALERT - Education Savings Accounts (ESAs)—also known as vouchers— has been declared as an emergency item in the Governor Abbott's 2025 State of the State address. This fast-tracks voucher legislation, allowing a vote before the usual 60-day waiting period. Lawmakers could act at any moment—now is the time to stand up for Texas public schools. Texas public schools urgently need adequate funding to educate 5.5 million children. Senate Bill 2 proposes a $10,000 universal voucher, diverting critical resources. The Senate could vote as soon as Tuesday or Wednesday. Please take the following action today.

Complete Texas PTA’s Call to Action on SB2 TODAY (click here)  –  Please tell your legislators to:

• Fund public schools first! Our neighborhood schools shouldn’t be shortchanged while state leaders push a voucher program. The basic allotment—set at $6,160 per student in 2019—now needs an additional $1,340 per studentjust to keep up with inflation.
• Hold voucher programs accountable! Any taxpayer-funded education program must meet the same transparency and accountability standards as public schools. Right now, public schools are funded based on attendance, while private school vouchers are proposed to be funded based on enrollment—that’s not a level playing field. Fair rules, fair funding—tell your legislators to hold voucher programs accountable!
• Let Texans decide! Vouchers would use public dollars for private education—Texans deserve a voice in this decision. Urge lawmakers to put the measure on a statewide ballot and let the people vote!
• Stay informed and make an impact! Over 500 bills affecting Texas children have been filed this session. Review Texas PTA's 89th Session Legislative Priorities and Fact Sheets to understand the key issues facing our children and schools.

Make your voice heard! Public dollars belong in public schools.

SILENT AUCTION on OPENING NIGHT, February 27! Stop by the silent auction table in the MAT lobby to bid on these great items and experiences:

• Pancakes with the Principal at Yolk
• Dinner with Mrs. Price at Mi Cocina, Klyde Warren Park
• Two tickets to Dallas Broadway: Back to the Future, Opening Night March 19, 2025
• Four Pack of tickets to Dino-Light as seen on America's Got Talent at Dallas Children's Theater
• Two tickets to the Dallas Chamber Symphony Orchestra's Performance of Bizet's Symphony in C on March 4, 2025
• VIP Package to the BTWHSPVA 2025 All School Musical
• BTWHSPVA PTSA Swag Bag
• Varying Gift Baskets

Do you have products or services you would like to donate to the silent auction? Donations are greatly appreciated! Contact Adam Mora, Class of 2027 Committee Chair at btwhspva2027@gmail.com.

CAST, BAND + CREW FAMILIES - Join the following two Reminds by texting 81010 @retales24 and @btwaa25. Stay tuned for upcoming Remind notifications. We will soon release the ticket link, playbill ads, promotional packages, and details about the cast, band, and crew party!

FAMILY COMMITMENT - All cast, band, and crew families are asked to support the show by volunteering and/or donating rehearsal snacks. Please let us know how your family can help by completing this formby February 17.

STUDENT FORMS DUE FEBRUARY 17

• Student Hospitality Form - request a meal during show week! Include dietary restrictions (if any).
• Bio Form - cast and student leadership must submit your bio and headshot to be included in the Playbill.

DONATIONS APPRECIATED - Please consider donating to Feed the Kids and snacks for concessions. Click on the links below. Thank you in advance for your support.

• Concession Snacks - Shop the Amazon Wishlist. 
• Feed the Kids - Make a custom donation to provide meals for the cast, band and crew.

PRODUCTION PARTNERS -  We deeply value the support of the all-school productions. Opportunities for production partners include:

• Underwriting meals.
• Providing services at a discounted rate.
• Offering free products that can be used for the production.

All production partners will be recognized in the show Playbill. Custom donations for the show can be made online. Contact Leah Mora, VP of Fundraising, for more information by emailing btwhspva.fundraising@gmail.com

Calling all Faculty + Staff! You're invited to enjoy a sweets station for Valentine's Day! Details below!

Need help with FAFSA? Join the College Advisors for two FAFSA WORKSHOPS, on February 5 and 12 from 5-8 pm in Room 231. Ms. Butler and Mr. Mata will help your family navigate the 2025-2026 FAFSA form. Please sign up on this link.

What to bring: a laptop, 2023 tax returns, 2023 W2/1099

FAFSA DEADLINE: The FAFSA priority deadline for Texas is quickly approaching: February 15th! Make sure to maximize your eligibility for both need-based and merit-based aid by completing the FAFSA application before this deadline.

REMINDER - Completing the FAFSA is a graduation requirement in Texas for all students, regardless of whether you qualify for need-based aid. Additionally, some colleges and universities require the FAFSA to be filled out in order to be considered for merit-based scholarships. If you and your parents have already completed the form, please send your email confirmation to your College Advisors through the Google Classroom.

Questions? Contact your College Advisors, Ms. Butler and Mr. Mata. Follow the ASP Reminds: Text @aspbtw25 to 81010.

Did you miss the Senior Speaker Series last week?Click on this link to access the recommended items to live in a dorm or apartment.

The school dance is scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Frontiers of Flight Museum from 7:00 to 11:00 pm. The theme chosen by the Student Council is "CLUB 75201: The Teenage Rave." There will be a DJ mixing music selected by the students, a candy station, photo opportunities, and lots of fun! Students can submit song requests on this link. Tickets will be posted soon.

DONATIONS APPRECIATED: The PTSA sponsors the annual dance, and we need your help! An off campus dance will increase the ticket price. To make tickets more affordable, we are seeking donations. Please consider contributing any amount using this link. Thank you for your support! 

Questions? Contact Leah Mora, VP of Fundraising. 

Only three months of funding awards for student activities remain! Faculty sponsors and student leaders of official BTWHSPVA student organizations can apply for up to $500 per school year to fund specific needs that align with program goals, activities, events, and celebrations. The PTSA grants a Student Program Activity Fund to one student organization each month. Applications submitted by the 30th of each month will be considered for the following month's award selection. Applications are currently open for submission. Apply now! 

Off Campus:

• DISD SAT Boot Camp provided by The Princeton Review is open to students in grades 9-12 on February 8 and 22 at Townview High School from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Breakfast is provided. Visit this link for more information.

Did you know?

• The Advisory Board provides grants for students in financial need for various support such as college visits, travel, instruments, technology, supplies, and more. Applications are due February 3. Click here to apply today. Questions? Contact Tonya Perkins.
• Students can enroll into a summer college course to receive both college and high school credits at the same time! Dual Credit through Dallas College is available for DISD students. Visit the counselor page for more information. Questions? Contact Contact Yuko Goto, BTW Counselor at ygoto@dallasisd.org.

The title of the show comes from a poem Merrick would recite in correspondence: 'Tis true, my form is something odd, but blaming me, is blaming God; Could I create myself anew I would not fail in pleasing you. If I could reach from pole to pole or grasp the ocean with a span, I would be measured by the soul; The mind’s the standard of the Man.'

• February 3 (AS) Advisory Board Grand Deadline
• February 4, 11, 18, 15 (AS) SAT Prep, Gold Conference Room, 4:40-5:25 pm
• February 5-7 (T) The Standards of a Man, MIME Show, Black Box, 7 pm
• February 5, 12 (S) FAFSA Workshop, Room 231, 5-8 pm 
• February 8 (PS) Auditions for Prospective Students (by appointment)
• February 11 (AS) PTSA Meeting, The Commons, 6 pm (guild meetings to follow)
• February 13 (T) Backwards Broadway, Sammons Center, 6pm
• February 14 (AS) Faculty Appreciation Valentines Sweet Station, The MAT, 12:30-1:30 pm
• February 17 (AS) No School, President’s Day
• February 18, 19, 20, 21 (AS) TELPAS Testing
• February 20 (VA) Senior Show #2 Reception, The Hudson Gallery, 5 pm
• February 22 (AS) Winter Ball, Frontiers of Flight Museum, 7-11 pm
• February 26-28 (AS) African American Heritage Show, The MAT, 7 pm

(AS) All School, (A) Academic Conservatory, (D) Dance Conservatory, (M) Music Conservatory, (PS) Prospective Students (T) Theatre Conservatory, (VA) Visual Arts Conservatory, (S) Seniors, (F) Faculty,

Got news? If you would like to request a school wide announcement to share on the PTSA newsletter fill out this form.

The contribution of the PTSA's Sustaining Sponsors help cultivate the future of the performing and visual arts and enables the PTSA to provide school-wide productions, programs, resources and event support. Thank you to our 2024-25 sponsors.

Booker T. Washington PTSA | 2501 Flora St. | Dallas TX 75201
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