| Welcome to a Season of Creativity and Community! As we step into a new semester filled with creativity, opportunity, and community, the PTSA is excited to share a few important updates that deserve a spot on every family’s calendar. Voices and Sounds is coming up on February 27 and we would love your help spreading the word. This beloved festival will feature an exciting lineup of performances from every conservatory. It is one of the most dynamic showcases of the year, and we hope you will join us in celebrating the extraordinary talent of our scholar artists. Mark your calendar and plan to be there! We also invite all families to attend an upcoming presentation, “How to Pay for College Without Going Broke,” this Wednesday, January 14 in the Commons. This session will offer practical, proven strategies for making college more affordable and accessible. It is a valuable resource for every grade level, and we encourage you to take advantage of it. Walk-ins welcome! Thank you for staying engaged, informed, and connected. Your support helps strengthen the Booker T. community and ensures our students continue to thrive in every corner of the school. With gratitude, Leah |
|
|---|
|
|
Newsletter Archive | Visit the PTSA Membership Toolkit to access the latest newsletter and archive. View Entire Newsletter | Click on 'View Entire Message' at the bottom of your email to access all of the articles. Resources | Click on newsletter section titles, graphics, and words in blue font for more helpful information. |
|
Pegasus Pantry | Now Open to All BTW Families! |
We're excited to announce the opening of our School Family Food Pantry, designed to support our entire school community. Stop by and browse a variety of groceries and household essentials. Families are invited to pick up items that work best for their home. No sign-up required-just a community resource available to everyone. You can also use the handy checklist and have a bag ready for pickup. When | Monday -Friday, 8:30-4:30pm (or arrange another time independently) Where | School Nurses Office-Or Main Office Whether you're grabbing a few extra ingredients for meals or exploring what's new on the shelves, we're here to make life a little easier. All families are welcome. Come by and get what you can use. For more information, please contact Nurse Wiley in the clinic: pwiley@dallasisd.org or (972) 925-1207 |
Jackie Cooper serves as the BTWHSPVA PTSA Documentarian, a role created especially for her after two years serving as PTSA Historian. Her enthusiasm for capturing the spirit of Booker T. made her work indispensable, so the PTSA invited her to continue documenting the life of the school in an official capacity, which she embraced with genuine joy. Jackie lives in East Dallas, a community she adores. She originally came to Texas to attend SMU after time spent in New York and Florida, and Dallas quickly became home. Professionally, she practices law with Cooper and Scully, PC, focusing on civil litigation and trial work in products liability, personal injury, catastrophic medical malpractice, healthcare related matters, and business disputes. Her commitment to service extends far beyond the courtroom. Jackie is a devoted supporter of the Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center and an active member of First Unitarian Church of Dallas, where she teaches, advises youth, and volunteers each summer. When she is not working or volunteering, Jackie is usually with her family, her friends, and/or her rescue pups. She loves to travel, but her greatest joy is photography. She often jokes that everything she does is simply an excuse to take interesting photos. She once tried to learn guitar, but the camera won that battle. She insists she may try again someday. Jackie is endlessly inspired by the creativity at BTWHSPVA. She enjoys every performance, program, and exhibition, but the Theatre Conservatory’s Ten Minute Play Festival holds a special place in her heart. Watching students, such as her own daughter Caroline, who is a junior in the Theater Conservatory, write, direct, design, and perform their own original work feels to her like witnessing pure artistic alchemy. A fun fact about Jackie is that she lives for Texas wildflower season. It is her favorite time of year. She also believes there is no greater gift than watching young people create art. Their willingness to pour their whole selves into their work moves her deeply. As a photographer, being able to witness their process and then see the final result brings her to tears every time. She knows that each artistic moment shapes the student in meaningful ways and touches everyone who has the privilege of watching. To Jackie, that transformation is the most beautiful kind of magic. |
The BTWHSPVA PTSA is proud to celebrate Jackie Cooper for her exceptional work as our 2025-26 PTSA Documentarian. With a keen eye, a storyteller’s heart, and unwavering dedication, Jackie has transformed the way our community sees and remembers the life of Booker T. Jackie captures more than moments... she captures the spirit of our school. Through her thoughtful documentation, she preserves the artistry, energy, and emotion that define our scholar artists. Every photo, video, and highlight she creates helps families feel connected, students feel celebrated, and our community feel united. Her work ensures that the achievements, traditions, and everyday magic of Booker T. are not only recorded, but honored. Jackie’s commitment to showcasing the brilliance of our students and the vibrancy of our programs strengthens the PTSA’s mission and deepens our shared sense of pride. Thank you, Jackie, for the creativity, care, and passion you bring to your role. The stories you help us capture illuminate everything that makes Booker T. extraordinary! |
To become a sponsor or for general questions, please click the link below or contact us at btwhspvaptsa@gmail.com. |
SAVE THE DATE | VOICES AND SOUNDS | FEBRUARY 27, 2026 |
| ATTENTION MUSIC STUDENTS! BTWHSPVA Presents: VOICES & SOUNDS – AUDITIONS NOW OPEN! (Formerly known as the African American Heritage Festival) Get ready, Booker T., Voices & Sounds is set to be bigger than ever! This year’s program will feature multiple performances across all conservatories, showcasing the depth, diversity, and brilliance of our scholar artists. This reimagined, expanded celebration honors the legacy of the African Heritage Festival while opening the door for even more creative expression, collaboration, and storytelling. Voices & Sounds is your chance to bring powerful work to the stage — work that moves, inspires, and reflects the vibrant artistic community of BTWHSPVA. Music auditions TODAY Jan 12th | Rm. 146 - Bring a 1-minute cut of a song/piece that fits your voice/instrument and style.
If you would like to be considered for an EMCEE/Narrator, we recommend that you audition for both Theater (Comedic) and Music. Whether you’re creating, performing, composing, choreographing, or devising new work, Voices & Sounds is the place to share your artistry with the entire school community. Let’s celebrate our heritage, our creativity, and our collective voice. Sign up to audition TODAY! |
|
|
|
PINK HEART SOIREE | FEBRUARY 13 Join us for a pink‑tinted evening in support of the Booker T. Washington Music Guild. Enjoy cocktails, live music, and casino‑style fun while helping strengthen arts education at one of the nation’s most celebrated performing arts schools. (This event is for adults, and big hearts are warmly welcomed!)
Friday, February 13, 2026 Zounds Sounds 7:00–11:00 PM
We have a LIMITED number of VIP Tickets and General Admission Tickets available for the night so act fast! General Admission Tickets | $40 each - Starter "Booker Bucks"
- Heavy finger foods
VIP Tickets | $75 each - Everything included in GA plus...
- Reserved parking
- Glass of Rose at check-in
- Hour earlier arrival for VIP cocktail and grazing board
- More "Booker Bucks" to start
- Swag bag
- Lounge access
TICKETS Huge thanks to Zounds Sounds for generously donating the venue for The Pink Heart Soirée, our inaugural fundraising celebration. |
BTWHSPVA Celebrates Students and Alumni Featured in HADESTOWN Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (BTWHSPVA) proudly congratulates the outstanding students, alumni, and faculty who contributed their talents to the recent Junior Players Dallas production of Hadestown. This celebrated musical by Anaïs Mitchell and director Rachel Chavkin, winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, continues to inspire audiences with its powerful storytelling and unforgettable score. BTWHSPVA is thrilled to recognize the exceptional performances of Maxwell Berner, Ashleigh Currie, Alex Mora, Gabriella Norris, Sophie Rose Kirkham and Mitchell Walker, whose artistry and dedication shone brightly onstage. Their work reflects the depth of talent and training that defines the Booker T. community. The school also applauds Phil Vilar, BTWHSPVA faculty member and lighting designer for the production. His creative vision played a key role in shaping the atmospheric world of Hadestown, guiding audiences through its evocative journey from the mortal realm to the underworld and back. Behind the scenes, several current BTWHSPVA students contributed essential technical and production support. Nick Gameros served as assistant lighting designer, while Caroline Cooper, Lily Fudge, and Alexander Martinez provided vital backstage assistance. Their professionalism and skill highlight the strength of Booker T.’s conservatory programs. BTWHSPVA also celebrates alum SJ Richmond, whose prop design added depth, character, and visual storytelling to the production. The continued success of alumni in creative fields remains a point of pride for the school. Hadestown intertwines the mythic tales of Orpheus and Eurydice with those of King Hades and Queen Persephone, inviting audiences into a world where love, hope, and music challenge the darkness. Junior Players Dallas brought this story to life with a vibrant ensemble of actors, singers, dancers, and designers, many of whom proudly represent the Booker T. community. Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts extends heartfelt congratulations to all involved. Their achievements continue to inspire the next generation of performers, designers, and storytellers, and their work exemplifies the creativity and excellence that define our school. |
| Do you have an amazing accomplishment to share? Let us know! As we continue celebrating the incredible talent that makes Booker T. Washington HSPVA so extraordinary, we invite all scholar artists to share their creative accomplishments with us. Whether you’ve performed, published, exhibited, composed, designed, or achieved something uniquely your own, we want to highlight your work in future editions of the Creative Collective. Your artistry inspires our entire community, and this space exists to showcase the brilliance happening across every conservatory. Send us your stories, your milestones, and your moments of pride—because Booker T. shines brightest when we lift each other up. Submit your information by completing the PTSA Creative Collective Submission Form. |
|
|
|
RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP | BECOME A MEMBER TODAY! Together, we can make every child’s potential a reality—but we need more believers like YOU. Click here to see the benefits of becoming a member. |
*As we prepare for the monumental 50th year anniversary of the ARTS MAGNET celebration next year, we are seeking to grow our Alumni & Community Membership! Spread the word and show your class spirit! |
| IT'S NOT TOO LATE TO PAY INTO YOUR CLASS DUES! | Every year, the PTSA teams up with student class councils to create memorable senior experiences, from prom and parties to special surprises and traditions that last a lifetime. Your support through class dues helps ensure every student can take part in the celebration. It’s not too late to join in! Select your grade below to contribute and be part of the magic that makes senior year truly special. |
|
|---|
|
|
*Includes student membership! Do NOT purchase a student membership in addition to class dues. |
| Want to Catch Up on Class Dues or Make a Donation? Missed contributing to class dues in the past, or have family members who’d like to help? No worries — it’s never too late to support your class! Click on your class year below to make a contribution and help fund the senior year activities and celebrations that make this milestone unforgettable. |
|
|---|
|
|
| College Planning Workshop | Don’t Miss Out | Walk-ins Welcome! If you’re the parent of a Booker T. student planning to attend a four-year college or university, this is a workshop you simply can’t afford to miss. Join us this Wednesday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Commons for an exclusive session with college planning expert Doug Bryan of Insight College & Financial Solutions. Mr. Bryan will share proven strategies to make college more affordable and accessible—including schools you may have thought were out of reach. As he says: “When it comes to college—the more you plan, the less you pay.” The earlier you start, the better positioned you’ll be. Parents of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will benefit most, but seniors’ families will also gain valuable insights. Workshop Highlights (80 minutes)- How the BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL will affect your college plans
- Strategies to send your child to their dream school without a financial nightmare
- A live, interactive look at how the admissions “game” really works
- Where to find significant sources of free money (and avoid competing for scraps)
- Why the “sticker price” of private schools shouldn’t scare you
- How advice from CPAs, financial advisors, or other parents could cost you big time
- …and much more!
Think of this workshop as a flashlight guiding you through the college planning maze—while others stumble in the dark. Mark your calendar | Wednesday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. in the Commons Register today! (Registration ensures faster check-in and helpful reminders). Make plans to attend—you’ll walk away with tools and insights that could save you thousands. SEE YOU THERE! |
|
|
|
SHARE THE WORD | SMU PSYCHOLOGY CLINIC | UPCOMING GROUP OFFERINGS |
The SMU Psychology Clinic is offering two upcoming group programs that may be of interest to the Booker T. community. Beginning in late January and early February, the clinic will host Mastering Your Adult ADHD as well as Mastering Your ADHD for Adolescents. These groups provide practical tools and evidence‑based strategies designed to support individuals in managing ADHD more effectively and families are encouraged to explore these valuable resources. |
The continued generosity of our PTSA Sustaining Sponsors plays a vital role in elevating the performing and visual arts at Booker T. Washington HSPVA. Thanks to their support, the PTSA is able to produce dynamic school-wide events, enrich student experiences, provide essential resources, and create unforgettable moments throughout the year. We are profoundly grateful to our 2025–2026 sponsors for championing our scholar artists and investing in the creative spirit that defines our campus. Your commitment helps turn passion into performance and imagination into impact. Thank you for helping our students dream boldly, create fearlessly, and shine brightly. |
Even though the year is already half over, it’s never too late to make a difference. Become a Sustaining Sponsor today and help shape the future of our scholar artists! Your support fuels creativity, opportunity, and growth, giving students the tools to thrive and shine. Don’t wait — click the link below and join us now to be part of the transformation. Every contribution matters. Together, let’s build something extraordinary! |
2025-2026 Approved D.I.S.D. Calendar - January 12 (M) Voices & Sounds Auditions
- January 13 (AS) Magnet Open House
- January 19 (AS) MLK Day | NO SCHOOL
- February 16 (AS) Presidents Day | NO SCHOOL
- February 27 (AS) Voices & Sounds Festival
The calendar is subject to change. Please check the school calendar to confirm. Codes: (AS) All School, (A) Academic Conservatory, (D) Dance Conservatory, (J) Juniors, (M) Music Conservatory, (PS) Prospective Students, (RS) Rising Students, (T) Theatre Conservatory, (UP) Upperclassman, (UN) Underclassman, (VA) Visual Arts Conservatory, (S) Seniors, (SO) Sophomores, (F) Faculty, (FR) Freshmen |
|
|
