Students are settling into the rhythm of a brand new school year, and campus is already buzzing with creativity and momentum. Schedules are set, routines are taking shape, and classrooms are filled with fresh material, new ideas, and the energy that makes Booker T come alive. Keep an eye on upcoming events because the calendar is about to get very exciting.

The All-School Musical, Shrek the Musical, is almost here. Performances run September 16-20, and this heartfelt, hilarious production will be one you absolutely do not want to miss. Tickets go on sale Monday, August 31 at 10 AM. Help spread the word and invite your family, friends, coworkers, and neighbors to join us in the MAT for a bold, joy‑filled show that will be truly unforgettable.

A friendly reminder to mark your calendars for the first PTSA meeting of the year on Tuesday, September 1 at 6 PM in the Commons. School Psychologist Ms Jennifer Toombs, SSP, LSSP will be our special guest and will share helpful information for parents along with an overview of the mental health resources available at BTWHSPVA.

Meet the Teacher takes place tomorrow, Tuesday, August 25 from 6 to 7:30 PM. This event gives parents and faculty a chance to connect and discuss important information for a successful year ahead. While you are there, consider taking advantage of a new opportunity to sponsor a faculty member for PTSA membership. It is a meaningful way to support our teachers and strengthen our community.

With shared purpose and gratitude,

Jennifer

The BTW PTSA lifts up our students, teachers, and school community through productions, programs, resources, and events, and sustaining sponsors make that work possible. Sponsors also enjoy exciting perks such as 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 support our scholar artists and fuel an unforgettable show, becoming a sustaining sponsor now is the most impactful way to help. 

Please consider becoming a Sustaining Sponsor and/or let us know if you have any connections in helping us secure corporate sponsorships.

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. 

The trumpets of Duloc are sounding! Tickets for the All School Musical, Shrek the Musical, go live today at 10 AM, and you will not want to miss this show. Our scholar artists have created a hilarious, heart bursting, joy filled production that will light up the MAT and bring the magic of Shrek to life in the most unforgettable way.

• Wednesday, Sep 16 | 7 PM (Faculty/Student Preview - faculty and students only)
• Thursday, Sep 17 | 7 PM
• Friday, Sep 18 | 7 PM
• Saturday, Sep 19 | 7 PM
• Sunday, Sep 20 | 2 PM

These performances will sell out quickly, so grab your seats the moment tickets open. Invite your friends and family, spread the word, and get ready for a night full of laughter, music, and Booker T spirit. This is the kind of show people talk about all year.

Tickets available starting at 10 AM today. Do not wait!

PURCHASE TICKETS

Parents, students, and community members, this is your chance to be part of the magic. You can send a heartfelt shout‑out to a cast, crew, or band member, or spotlight your business with a message in our All-School Musical Playbill. Whether you want to cheer on a scholar artist, celebrate a friend, or promote your organization to thousands of engaged families, this is a fun and meaningful way to support Shrek the Musical and show your Arts Magnet pride.

You can provide a completed ad or provide the assets, and we'll create one for you. Ads and assets must be received by 11:59 PM on Sunday, August 30, 2026 to be included in the printed Playbill.

PURCHASE A PLAYBILL AD(Link to upload a completed ad or assets will be emailed to you on your purchase receipt.)

Sustaining Sponsors | Email Jennifer Wheeler Hall for instructions to submit your Playbill ad/assets.

SET CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEERS NEEDED | We still need more volunteers to help with set construction on Saturday, Aug 29 from 11 AM - 4 PM.

SET CONSTRUCTION VOLUNTEER SIGNUP

Also, we need LOTS of incredible volunteers to help bring the BTWHSPVA All-School Musical, Shrek the Musical, to life during show week, running September 14-20. This is when the magic truly happens, and our scholar artists rely on the energy and support of our community more than ever. 

Whether you can donate concessions, help with Feeding the Kids, Front of House, assist backstage, support Concessions, or pitch in with Merchandise, Cast/Crew Party we would love to have you join the team. Your involvement helps create an unforgettable experience for our students and our audience.

VOLUNTEER FOR SHOW WEEK

During Meet the Teacher tomorrow, take a moment to check whether your student’s teachers have a PTSA membership. The PTSA is working toward a goal of 100% faculty membership, and you can help us reach it. If your student’s teachers are not yet members, you can sponsor their membership for only $10! Your support can make a meaningful difference!

SPONSOR A FACULTY MEMBER 

Missed contributing to class dues in previous years, or have family members who want to join in? It’s never too late to support your class! Every contribution helps fund the senior year activities and celebrations that make this milestone unforgettable. 

Click your class year below to give in any amount and help keep the tradition strong.

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 2027 PTSA Summer Scholarship.

Current Senior Recipients of a 2026 Summer Scholarship | This is also required, even though you cannot apply for a 2027 Summer Scholarship.

Please ensure your student completes the PTSA Summer Scholarship Testimonial Form by 11:59 PM on August 31.

Join us on Tuesday, September 1 for our first PTSA Meeting of the year with special guest, School Psychologist Ms. Jennifer Toombs, SSP, LSSP. 

NEW for 2026-27 | Virtual attendance to PTSA meetings will now be available via Microsoft Teams.

BTWHSPVA PTSA September Membership Meeting

Tuesday, September 1, 2026

6:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST)

SEPTEMBER 1 | JOIN

Join instructions & tips can be found on the PTSA Meetings page on our website.

Shrek the Musical merch is now available online!

The BTWHSPVA PTSA Spirit Store is now online with an exciting lineup of all new merch for the 2026–27 school year, including the new Legacy line and a special alumni design released just in time for the 50th Anniversary Celebration. 

From fresh styles to classic favorites, every item is available through our vendor’s storefront and ships straight to your door, making it easier than ever to show your pride. Explore the new collection, grab the alumni gear, and keep your Legacy in Motion alive all year long.

SHOP NOW!

NEW! Parents, upload your photos to the new PTSA Google Drive Photo Folder and help us capture the magic happening all year at Booker T. Parents always take the best pictures, and we would love to showcase moments from every event. Bookmark the Photo folder and start sharing your favorite snapshots!

Instructions to upload photos | Once in the folder, click the "+ New" tab on the left, then click "File upload". Or hold down the Alt and c keys, then click U.

NOTE | Please name each photo before uploading noting what/who is depicted in the photo. Ex: "Senior WW David Hall". Thank you!

The PTSA is proud to support the students and official student organizations of BTWHSPVA with Student Program Activity Grants. Faculty and student leaders are encouraged to apply for funding of up to $500 to help meet specific needs that enhance the student experience and support their creative endeavors.

Applications open on August 31. Submissions received by the 30th of each month will be considered for the following month’s award cycle.

Be on the lookout for the application link in the PTSA Newsletter and on our website on August 31.

Students are invited to submit any creative pieces they have made, written, produced, or performed. Whether it is artwork, choreography, music, film, photography, or creative writing, we would love to highlight the incredible talent of our scholar artists within the weekly PTSA Newsletter, the PTSA website, and on social media. 

Parents & Faculty, please encourage students to share their work and help us celebrate the creativity that makes Booker T so special!

CREATIVE COLLECTIVE SUBMISSION FORM

We encourage the families of the cast, band and crew to support our All School Musical Characters by bringing them to life! 

We deeply appreciate the support and involvement of the families of our cast, band, and crew students in our All-School Productions. This year’s all‑school musical, Shrek the Musical, features larger‑than‑life characters, and your generosity helps bring them to the stage. Please consider making a custom donation to help cover production costs.

SPONSOR A CHARACTER TODAY!

Students are invited to explore their identity and share their unique perspectives by creating an original work inspired by the 2026–27 Reflections theme “What My Culture Means to Me.” Entries may be submitted in Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, or Visual Arts. This program is a meaningful opportunity for students to express their stories and celebrate the richness of their cultural experiences. Entries will be accepted in the fall, making summer the perfect time to begin brainstorming and creating.

Be sure to review the FAQs and guidelines to help your creative vision shine. 

Questions? | Email Rhasheda Boyd, the PTSA Reflections Program Chair.

REFLECTIONS ENTRY FORM

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!