| PTSA National Recognition & Membership Momentum I’m excited to share that our PTSA earned national recognition this past week: the Voice for Every Child Award – Platinum. This honor reflects our strong commitment to supporting our scholar‑artists and represents the highest distinction a PTA can receive. We’re already on track for another award‑winning year. With 588 members, we’ve reached 29.4% of our 2,000‑member goal for 2026–2027. As we prepare for the major 50th Anniversary Celebration in March 2027, we’re encouraging Alumni Memberships for just $10. Alumni play a vital role in our community, offering invaluable networking and collaboration opportunities for Booker T. Washington scholar‑artists. Please help spread the word to all alumni as exciting plans are already underway. To keep our momentum strong, please complete or renew your membership, submit class dues, and fill out your committee interest forms. With shared purpose and gratitude, Jennifer Wheeler Hall |
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Newsletter Archive | Visit the PTSA Membership Toolkit to access last week's 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 or to access forms. Note | Because so much happens at Booker T, the PTSA newsletter goes out every Monday at 8 AM throughout the school year beginning July 1. Some information may appear more than once, but we keep key details in the newsletter so families can find what they need quickly and easily. |
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REPRISE | The information provided below consists of previously shared updates. It is included again in this week’s newsletter solely for reference and ease of access. No new announcements are being introduced here, and all content reflects communications already distributed to the community. |
2026-27 PEGASUS PICK UP & FLIGHT SCHOOL |
| PEGASUS PICK UP What is Pegasus Pick-up? It's Booker T.'s on campus registration day! All students and their parent/guardian pick up schedules, pay for lockers and parking spaces, order yearbooks, take yearbook/ID photos and senior headshots, join the PTSA and guilds, and purchase merchandise. Schedule per grade level*: - Seniors | Tuesday, July 28, 8:30-11:30 AM (A-O) and 1:30-4:30 PM (P-Z)
- Juniors| Wednesday, July 29, 1:30-4:30 PM
- Sophomores | Wednesday, July 29, 8:30-11:30 AM
- Freshmen & New Students in All Grade Levels | Thursday, July 30, 8:30-11:30 AM (A-O) and 1:30-4:30 PM (P-Z) Students may attend flight school while parents register.
*Students must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. This is not a student drop-off event. There are forms parents must complete.
FLIGHT SCHOOL What is Flight School? It's Booker T.'s new student orientation! Who should attend Flight School? Incoming freshmen and new students in all grade levels. When is Flight School? Thursday | July 30 | 9 AM - 2 PM What happens at Flight School? Students will: - Learn about the history of BTW
- Get communication tips and tricks
- Learn about culture groups
- Learn the school song
- Hear about the school's mission and vision
- Hear more about Flex
- Tour the school
What should students wear to Flight School? Students should wear the t-shirt they received at I Am Booker T Day (held on April 11), but may change for ID photos. (Students who did not attend I Am Booker T Day can pick up their t-shirt at the PTSA booth during Flight School.) Is lunch served at Flight School? YES! The PTSA will provide lunch FOR STUDENTS ONLY immediately following Flight School. Do students need to RSVP for Flight School? Yes. Please RSVP by clicking the link below by 11:59 PM on July 24. |
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NOTE | If you will not be able to attend Pegasus Pick Up (registration & schedule pick up), you can take care of everything anytime between July 28 - August 6, 9 AM - 4 PM, Monday - Thursday at the school. |
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| PARENT UNIVERSITY What is Parent University? It's Booker T.'s new parent orientation! When is Parent University? BTWHSPVA Parent University will take place on Thursday, July 30, alongside Flight School and Pegasus Pick Up for all Freshman and New or Incoming parents, regardless of grade level, and should RSVP for one of the following times: in the morning at9, 10, 11 AM, or in the afternoon at 2, 3, or 4 PM. What happens at Parent University? During Parent University, families will learn best practices for navigating the school year, hear important school safety information and announcements, and receive a parent and student Flight Plan designed to support both academic and conservatory goals. You will also have access to PTSA and Guild resources, and school merchandise will be available for purchase. Is lunch served at Parent University? No. Parents should plan on picking up their student(s) immediately following Flight School Lunch at 2 PM (no later than 4:30 PM at the end of Pegasus Pick Up). Do parents need to RSVP for Parent University? Yes. Please RSVP below to choose your time slot by 11:59 PM on July 24. |
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Please RSVP for Flight School & Parent University by 11:59 PM on Friday, July 24. |
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| PEGASUS PICK UP | JULY 28-30 We need friendly, energetic volunteers to help during Pegasus Pick Up, July 28–30. This is one of our biggest opportunities to welcome families, grow our membership, and raise essential funds for our students. If you’re available to help on any of these days, we would love to have you join us. VOLUNTEER |
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| BACK TO SCHOOL CHECKLIST As you prepare for the new school year, there are a few important tasks that will help ensure a smooth transition back to campus. The 2026-27 Back to School Checklist is your go‑to guide, offering key reminders, required steps, and helpful information for students and families. Take a moment to review it so you feel confident, organized, and ready for a successful start to the year. |
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| SPONSOR A CHARACTER This musical is SPECIAL... We are seeking excited and invested parents to sponsor a character this year. What does that mean exactly? Well, can Peter Pan fly? Not without fairy dust, a.k.a. your support! Please consider donating to really make this musical SOAR! SPONSOR A CHARACTER |
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| ASM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! SET CONSTRUCTION | We need enthusiastic parent & student volunteers to help with set construction from July 29 through August 7, and the urgency is real. Our All School Musical depends on this work, and every extra set of hands makes a huge impact. If you’re able to jump in, even for a few hours during a single shift, your help will keep our momentum strong and bring this production to life. Please consider signing up and joining the team that makes the magic happen. SET CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER
RUN OF SHOW | We also need incredible volunteers to help make the BTWHSPVA All‑School Musical, Shrek the Musical, run smoothly during show week, September 14-20. This is when the magic happens, and our students rely on the support of our community more than ever. If you’re available to lend a hand backstage, front of house, or anywhere help is needed, we would love to have you join the team and be part of this unforgettable production. RUN OF SHOW VOLUNTEER |
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| ASM PLAYBILL ADS | CELEBRATE YOUR ARTIST Parents, this is the perfect moment to put your student’s Legacy in Motion and celebrate their artistry in a way that feels personal, meaningful, and unforgettable. Purchasing an ad in the Shrek the Musical Playbill is one of the most exciting ways to honor your scholar artist’s hard work and dedication. These ads become part of the show’s permanent legacy, a keepsake your student will treasure long after the curtain closes. Your support also helps fuel the production itself, making Playbill ads both a celebration and a vital contribution to the magic happening on stage. Join us in spotlighting your student and keeping our Legacy in Motion by securing your Playbill ad today. PURCHASE A PLAYBILL AD(deadline to purchase an ad for the ASM is August 23 with assets due August 24) NOTE | If you need help creating your ad, the PTSA is happy to assist. We can help with layout, wording, and design so your message looks polished and heartfelt. Feel free to reach out to our VP of Fundraising, Cynthia Wilson or our President, Jennifer Wheeler Hall, with any questions regarding Playbill ads. |
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| 2026-27 SUSTAINING SPONSORSHIPS The BTW PTSA supports our students, teachers, and school community through productions, programs, resources, and events. Sustaining sponsors make this possible, and enjoy great perks like Playbill ads, reserved parking and seating, and VIP opening‑night access. This year’s All School Musical: Shrek the Musical is our biggest production yet, and we urgently need sponsors to help bring its larger‑than‑life magic to the stage. If you want to boost our scholar‑artists and fuel this unforgettable show, becoming a sustaining sponsor now is the most impactful way to help. Sponsorship Note: Levels run July 1–June 30. To be included in the ASM Playbill, sponsorships must be secured by August 23, with logos/names or Playbill assets submitted by August 24. |
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2026-27 SUSTAINING SPONSORS! |
Becoming a sustaining sponsor is one of the most impactful ways families can support our scholar artists, and we urgently need sponsors as soon as possible. Sustaining sponsorships provide essential funding that strengthens our programs, supports our All School Musical, and helps us deliver the experiences that make Booker T extraordinary. We invite every family to thoughtfully consider stepping into this role, because your generosity directly fuels our Legacy in Motion and ensures our students begin the year with the resources they need to thrive. |
We encourage all new and returning BTW families to purchase PTSA memberships and pay class dues for the 2026–27 school year. Class dues support each grade’s Senior Fund, helping create the celebrations and traditions students enjoy when they reach 12th grade. Contributing now sets the foundation for a strong senior year later. Starting the year with your PTSA membership and class dues ensures smooth planning and gives our PTSA the resources to support all Rising Pegasi from day one. Click the graphics below to purchase! |
IMPORTANT | PARENTS, PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU PURCHASE: If you purchase class dues, it includes a student membership! If you purchase class dues and also purchase a separate student membership, the PTSA is required by Texas PTA Policy to reimburse the duplicate student membership. To help our VP of Membership save time, please avoid purchasing a student membership in addition to class dues. |
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| CLASS DONATIONS Family and friends can now contribute to your student’s class. Every donation, big or small, helps fund the senior events, recognitions, and traditions that make their final year unforgettable. These contributions directly support the moments seniors look forward to most, and inviting relatives or friends to join in keeps the momentum strong. Share this newsletter or click your class year below to contribute. |
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| ATTENTION 2026 SUMMER SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS Students who received a PTSA Summer Scholarship this year are required to submit a testimonial reflecting on their experience. This testimonial is an important part of our scholarship process and is required as a prerequisite to apply for a PTSA Summer Scholarship next summer. Please ensure your student completes the PTSA Summer Scholarship Testimonial Form by 11:59 PM on August 31. |
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Every PTSA Committee Chair thrives because volunteers bring bold ideas, contagious energy, and genuine heart to our work. Volunteers spark the events that make Booker T unforgettable, fuel the communication that keeps our families connected, and help create the experiences our students look forward to all year long. When you join a committee, you step into the action. You become part of the team that drives the Booker T community forward and makes a powerful difference in the lives of our scholar artists.
If you are able and willing to serve on any PTSA Committee, please complete the Committee Interest Formtoday. Your involvement strengthens our school, supports our students, and keeps our programs thriving. |
| 50 YEARS OF EXCELLENCE! Join us as we celebrate fifty years of extraordinary artistry and innovation at Booker T. Washington High School. Arts Magnet 50 is a yearlong celebration featuring a five part Signature Series led by our conservatories and guided by our theme of Legacy in Motion. The festivities culminate on March 5, 2027, when alumni from across the decades return to honor the legacy they helped build. |
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| Students are encouraged to explore their identity and express their unique perspectives by creating an original work of art inspired by the 2026–27 Reflections theme, “What My Culture Means to Me.” Submissions may be entered in a variety of categories, including Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, and Visual Arts. This is a wonderful opportunity for students to share their stories and celebrate the richness of their cultural experiences. Entries will be accepted in the fall, so summer is the perfect time to begin developing ideas. Be sure to review the FAQs and guidelines to help your creative vision shine.
Reflections is a National PTA program that enables students to find a creative outlet in dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts. The program began in 1969 and now more than 200,000 students participate annually. |
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- July 20 (AS) ASM Cast & Parent Meeting (cast & parents only)
- July 27-Aug 7 (AS) ASM Summer Intensive (cast members only)
- July 28 (S) Pegasus Pick Up
- July 29 (J/SO) Pegasus Pick Up
- July 30 (FR) Pegasus Pick Up / Flight School / Parent University
- Aug 11 (AS) First Day of School
- Aug 12 (S) Mandatory Senior Conservatory Meeting
- Aug 17-18 (S) Jostens on Campus for Senior Ring & Letter Jacket Ordering
- Aug 23 (AS) Deadline to Sponsor the All-School Musical
- Aug 25 (AS) Meet the Teacher
- Sep 3 (AS) 50th Anniversary Alumni Show Reception
- Sep 7 (AS) Labor Day-No School
- September 16-20 (AS) ASM | Shrek the Musical
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 2026-27 Approved D.I.S.D. Calendar |
| The PTSA Weekly Newsletter is produced and published by 2026-27 BTWHSPVA PTSA 3rd VP of Communications, David Hall. For questions or issues, please complete the PTSA Inquiry Form. Thank you for your engagement & support! |
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We'd like your feedback on the information we provide. What would you like to know more about? Please take a moment to complete the PTSA Communications Survey to let us know. |
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