Campus will be buzzing this week as students return for All-School Musical intensives, Pegasus Pick Up, Flight School, and Parent U. The energy on campus is already building, and it is the perfect kickoff to an incredible year ahead!

A huge thank you to everyone who has already signed up to volunteer. Your enthusiasm fuels our community, and I encourage others to jump in and claim a volunteer slot. This is a wonderful chance to pay it forward and support our scholar artists as they launch into the new year.

We are also celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Arts Magnet, and the excitement online has been extraordinary. Alumni engagement and membership continue to grow as we prepare for this milestone year at BTWHSPVA. The pride in our community is unmistakable!

Please remember that the deadline for All-School Musical Sustaining Sponsorships is only 27 days away. Our sponsors make it possible for our scholar artists to shine by providing essential financial support for Shrek the Musical. The operating budget for this year’s production is $70,000, and the PTSA is actively working to raise these funds. This level of support is essential to provide our scholar artists with the resources they need to bring Shrek the Musical to life. It reflects the artistry, dedication, and passion that define our campus, and we are relying on our community’s generosity to meet this goal. We are profoundly grateful for any support you can give.

With shared purpose and gratitude,

Jennifer Wheeler Hall

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 choose 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. But there is still plenty of room in each session! If you did not RSVP by the July 24 deadline, parents can still participate in any one of the sessions. Just choose the time slot that works best for you and we will see you then!

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

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. 

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

INTENSIVES-RUN OF SHOW | We also need incredible volunteers to help make the BTWHSPVA All‑School Musical, Shrek the Musical, run smoothly during intensives/rehearsals through show week, beginning July 27 - September 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 donate snacks, 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. 

INTENSIVES-RUN OF SHOW VOLUNTEER

We need volunteers to donate snacks for the summer intensives (July 29 - Aug 7). Click the link above to choose a date!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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!