Originally delivered on 11/2/2026 8:31 am

SUBJECT: PTSA News | November 2, 2026

November 2, 2026
MESSAGE FROM THE PTSA PRESIDENT
Celebrating Our Community and Looking Ahead

What a fantastic week at Booker T.! The Theatre Guild’s Fright Night & Boo Bash was a spooky success, filled with creativity, energy, and plenty of fun. Congratulations to the Theatre Guild on a job well-done and heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped bring this memorable event to life.

We also had the pleasure of celebrating our incredible faculty and staff with a well-deserved appreciation breakfast on Friday. Teachers enjoyed grab-and-go breakfast treats, festive goodie bags, and a lively costume contest. Congratulations to our costume contest winners, who received gift cards and custom Halloween centerpieces. Thank you to our amazing PTSA volunteers and generous donors whose support made it all possible.

As we move into the season of giving, we invite you to consider supporting our Pegasus Pantry by donating much-needed food and household items. This can be a challenging time for some of our BTW families, and every contribution makes a meaningful difference.

Also, don't forget to sign up for the Parent College Workshop happening this Wednesday, November 4. Whether you have a freshman, a senior, or a student somewhere in between, this workshop is packed with valuable information to help families navigate the college financial planning journey with confidence.

And finally, the countdown is on for our highly anticipated All-School Dance this Saturday, November 7! If you have not purchased your student's ticket yet, be sure to do so soon. Pre-purchased tickets are available now, and ticket prices will increase on Saturday.

Thank you for your continued engagement, generosity, and support. The strength of our Booker T. community comes from all of us working together, and I am truly grateful for the many ways you help make these special moments possible.

With shared purpose and gratitude,

Jennifer Wheeler Hall

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REFLECTIONS
EXTENDED DEADLINE | NOV. 3, 11:59 PM

The deadline for the PTA Reflections Program has been extended to 11:59 PM on Tuesday, November 3. This extension allows students to take advantage of Election Day away from school to finalize and submit their creative entries. The 2026–27 Reflections theme is “What My Culture Means to Me.”

Reflections is a wonderful opportunity for Booker T. scholar artists to showcase their creativity and be recognized for their work in dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts.

If your student has been considering entering, now is the time to act. Don't miss the chance to represent Booker T. and advance to the next level of this prestigious national arts program. Submit your entry today! 🎨🎭🎶📸✍️

Entries are now being accepted and are due by TOMORROW, November 3.

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

Questions? | Email Kira McCoy, the PTSA Reflections Program Chair.

REFLECTIONS ENTRY FORM

ALL-SCHOOL DANCE
ALL-SCHOOL DANCE | NOV. 7

AND THE VENUE IS... OUR VERY OWN MAGICAL CAMPUS!

For one incredible night, you won't be stepping into Booker T. Washington High School. You'll be stepping into the vibrant streets of Rio de Janeiro. Through immersive décor, dazzling lights, colorful Carnival-inspired details, and nonstop energy, our campus will be transformed into a Rio de Carnival celebration unlike anything you've experienced before. The Commons and Green Room will become virtually unrecognizable as they come alive with the sights, sounds, and spirit of Brazil's most famous festival.

Get ready to leave Dallas behind and be transported straight to Rio for the most spectacular all-school dance of the year!

The renderings and images shown are conceptual illustrations intended to convey the spirit and theme of the event. They are for inspirational purposes only and do not represent the final design, layout, décor, or appearance of the actual event. (Although pretty close!)

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:


🎟 Student Tickets

  • Pre-sale: $25 through November 6 (online purchase required).
  • At the Door: $35 on the night of the dance.


🎟 -BTW Guest Tickets

A limited number of guest tickets are available for students wishing to bring a guest who does not attend BTWHSPVA.


To purchase a guest ticket:

  1. Complete the Guest Approval Form.
  2. Obtain signatures from:
    • The guest's school administration
    • A BTW administrator (Principal Williams, Dean Countryman, or Dr. Barrett)
  3. Submit the completed form to BTW Administration and receive an approval receipt.
  4. Upload the approval receipt when purchasing the guest ticket online.

Guest tickets are $25 each. The deadline to purchase guest tickets and submit all guest forms is November 4, 2026.


🚗 Parking | Students who drive may park in the teacher parking lot located off Jack Evans Street.


🚪 Dance Entry & Exit

  • Students may enter through the student entrance via the teacher parking lot off Jack Evans or the circle drive off Routh Street.
  • Following the dance, all students will exit through the MAT Lobby for pickup.
  • Students who drove may walk through the MAT Lobby and down Jack Evans to access the teacher parking lot.


🪪 Student ID & Check-In

  • Students and guests must bring a valid student ID for check-in (IDs do not need to be worn during the event).
  • All attendees must check in by 9:15 PM.
  • Entry after 9:15 PM will not be permitted.


🔒 No Re-Entry | Once checked in, students who leave the designated dance areas will not be permitted to re-enter.


👔 Dress Code | Semi-Formal / Dress to Impress attire is recommended. School dress code policies will be enforced.


🧥 Coat & Bag Check | All coats, purses, bags, and similar items must be left in the designated coat check area. Students are encouraged to leave valuables at home.


👥 Guests | Guests will only be admitted if a completed and approved guest authorization receipt has been uploaded with the guest ticket purchase.


We look forward to seeing you at the Rio Carnival All-School Dance for a night of music, dancing, and school spirit! 🎭🎶💃🕺

All-School Dance Volunteers Needed!

It takes a village to create an unforgettable night for our students, and we need your help! We are looking for parent and community volunteers to help make the All-School Dance on Saturday, November 7 a fun, safe, and successful event for everyone.

Volunteer opportunities include:

🎭 Set-Up & Decorating – Help transform the campus into a festive celebration space.

✅ Student Check-In / Coat & Shoe Check – Welcome students and assist with event entry, confirm pre-pay or take payments in-person (ID badges are a MUST), take coats/shoes during the dance, and return coats/shoes as students leave.

👀 Chaperones – Help supervise and ensure everyone has a great time.

🎨 DIY Carnival Mask Station – Assist students as they create their own colorful carnival masks.

🍿 Popcorn Machine Station – Serve fresh popcorn and keep the snacks flowing.

🍬 Candy Bar Station – Help students enjoy sweet treats throughout the evening.

🧹 Clean-Up & Tear-Down – Stay after the event to help return our campus to its original condition.

Whether you can volunteer for one shift or several, your support makes a huge difference. Please consider donating a few hours to help create a memorable experience for our students. Sign up today and join the fun!

Thank you for helping make the All-School Dance a night to remember! 🎉💃🕺

VOLUNTEER

BTW SPIRIT
ANNUAL FACULTY APPRECIATION HALLOWEEN BREAKFAST

Thank you to all the parents, volunteers, and donors who helped make our annual Faculty Appreciation Halloween Breakfast a festive success! Faculty and staff enjoyed a grab-and-go breakfast, Halloween-themed goodie bags, a spirited costume contest, gift card prizes, and festive centerpieces.

Congratulations to our costume contest winners, who wowed everyone with their creativity and Halloween spirit! Thank you to all who participated and helped make the morning so much fun.

Costume Contest Winners

  • Best Overall: Kate Walker (Spider-Man)
  • Most Creative: Patrick McGhee (Space Monkey)
  • Scariest (in a cute way!): Keisha Calicut (Ursula)
  • Honorable Mention: Vonda Klimaszewski (Winifred Sanderson)
  • Best Group: The Dance Conservatory (Spider-Verse)

Raffle Winners

  • Amber Edwards-Baker
  • Maxim Overton
  • Shannon Cagle
  • Guinea Bennett Price
  • Jessica Bell
  • Melody Townsel
  • Emmanuel Gillespie

  • Jessica Raff

  • Geno Young
  • Juan Cruz

We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time, creativity, and generosity to help us celebrate the incredible educators and staff at Booker T., especially our PTSA 5th VP of Community+Programs, Dr. Sheryl Collins, our 4th VP of Membership, Lindsay Goldapp, Charity Adetiba, Monette Stransom, and Rene Noris. We'd also like to thank each family who donated the gift card prizes! Thank you for helping us show our appreciation and spread a little Halloween scream!

AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR PARENTS - YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS! | NOV. 4

As the parent of a Booker T. student who plans on attending a four year college or university, you simply can’t afford to miss this parent workshop on Wednesday, November 4th at 6:30 PM in the Commons. The PTSA is excited bring you college planning expert Doug Bryan with Insight College & Financial Solutions. He will be sharing secrets on how to send your child to schools you never thought you could afford.

Topics in this 80 minute workshop include:

  • How the BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL will impact your college plans.
  • How to send your child to the school of their dreams without getting trapped in a financial nightmare.
  • An interactive example of how the admissions “game” REALLY works.
  • Where to find big piles of free money and not fight over the scraps everyone else is going after.
  • Why you shouldn’t be afraid of the “sticker price” of an expensive private school.
  • Why listening to your CPA, financial advisor or other parents could cost you BIG TIME.
  • And much, MUCH more.

Having this valuable information is like having a flashlight to explore a cave, while every other parent stumbles through blind.

Click here for more info and/or to register. Bring a friend! This workshop is a community event open to any parent with a high school student in any grade level, from any high school.

This workshop is completely free for all attendees. Following the workshop, families who sign up for a one-on-one consultation with Insight College & Financial Solutions can feel good knowing that 100% of the initial consultation fee will be donated to support Class of 2028 senior activities and events. 

CUE DAY - SHOWCASE PREVIEW | NOV. 6
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!

Parents: Please sign up to volunteer for CUE Day Friday, November 6.

We need 15-20 volunteers for each shift to help monitor key areas throughout the day, including the parking lot, building exits, dressing rooms, and other event spaces.

Morning Shift: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Afternoon Shift: 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Senior parents are especially encouraged to volunteer since senior parents are not allowed on campus during Showcase Week. If you sign up for one shift, you'll be free to watch your senior perform during the other. If your student's performance falls during your volunteer shift, we will do our best to arrange coverage so you can enjoy their performance as well.

Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and successful event for all students!

CUE DAY VOLUNTEER FORM

PEGASUS PANTRY | SUPPLIES DRIVE

At Booker T., we pride ourselves on being a community that supports one another both inside and outside the classroom. We invite you to join us in supporting the Pegasus Pantry, a vital resource that provides food and essential household items to students and families in need.

This effort is a collaboration between Pegasus Pantry and the PTSA, with students helping to monitor donations and spread the word throughout the Booker T. community, but we can’t do it without you.

Every donation helps ensure that no student or family goes without basic necessities during a time of year that can be stressful and difficult.

Drop-off Hours | Monday–Friday, 9 AM–4 PM

Location | Drop boxes will be located near the front desk at the main entrance, as well as with Nurse Wiley outside of the Clinic for students to bring and drop-off.

***SPECIAL DROP-OFF*** Bring any of the above listed items to the PTSA meeting on November 10th at 6 PM. Donation boxes will be inside the Commons.

Thank you for showing up with compassion and generosity. Together, we can keep our community nourished and supported, especially when it matters most.

Donations can also be made through the Pegasus Pantry Amazon Wishlist!

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT

Kimberly Harris is a proud Dallas native and a lifelong product of Dallas ISD schools. She is a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she was part of the Music Cluster and performed on both flute and bassoon. Although she ultimately chose a career outside the arts, the influence of her arts education continues to shape her life every day, grounding her in creativity, discipline, and a deep appreciation for the power of artistic expression.

Kimberly chose to serve with the PTSA because she values the opportunity to show up for young artists and support them in ways they may not fully recognize today but will carry with them for years to come. Some of her most meaningful and memorable experiences were formed during her own time as a Booker T. student, and she is honored to help create those same transformative moments for the next generation.

In her role as Parliamentarian, Kimberly ensures that PTSA business is conducted fairly, efficiently, and in accordance with established bylaws, rules, and parliamentary procedures. Her thoughtful guidance helps maintain clarity, structure, and integrity in the work of the PTSA.

Kimberly is also an active member of the South Oak Cliff High School PTSA and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., reflecting her ongoing commitment to service and community engagement.

In her spare time, Kimberly enjoys serving as her daughter’s chauffeur, social coordinator, and personal chef, roles she embraces with humor and love. She hopes one day to finish at least one of the many books she has started reading. Kimberly and her husband, Kristopher Harris, are the proud parents of three children: Trinity, a student at Howard University; Kristopher, a student at Missouri Valley University; and Charity, a sophomore in the Dance Conservatory at BTWHSPVA.

Showcase has become one of Kimberly’s favorite Booker T. traditions. She is always moved by the excitement that fills the school and by the powerful moment when seniors demonstrate how much they have grown during their time at Booker T. and begin charting their paths forward. To her, Showcase is a celebration of artistry, hard work, and bright futures, and a reminder of the life‑changing impact of arts education.

A fun fact about Kimberly: she was a member of Booker T.’s very first mariachi band, performing as both a flutist and vocalist, a unique chapter of her musical journey that she still treasures.

The BTWHSPVA PTSA is fortunate to have Kimberly Harris serving as our Parliamentarian. Behind the scenes, Kimberly plays a vital role in helping our board navigate procedures, uphold our bylaws, and conduct business in a way that is both effective and accountable. Her knowledge, wisdom, and calm presence provide a strong foundation for the work we do on behalf of our students, teachers, and families. Thank you, Kimberly, for your dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence. Your service strengthens our organization and helps ensure its continued success.

To become a donor or for general questions, donate by clicking the link below or contact us at btwhspvaptsa@gmail.com.

SUPPORT BTWHSPVA PTSA | DONATE TODAY!
CLASS CHRONICLES
OCTOBER SENIOR SURPRISE | CEREAL KILLERS!

What a killer day celebrating our Class of 2027 at this month's Senior Surprise! Seniors enjoyed a frightfully fun photo booth, delicious mini pancakes, and custom cereal mixes, all served with a side of Halloween spirit.

A huge thank you to all the parents and volunteers whose time, generosity, and support helped make this event so memorable. These special moments would not be possible without you!

Parents, be sure to check out the photo album linked here and start uploading your favorites! A special thank you to our talented parent photographer, Danielle, for capturing all the fun and excitement of the day.

Our seniors are truly killing it one bite and one photo at a time!

Mark your calendars: The next Senior Surprise is coming up on December 9. We can't wait to celebrate together again!

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their time, talents, and generosity to make this event possible, especially Senior Class Chair, Magally Lopez. Thank you for helping create lasting memories and making senior year so special!

GUILD & CONSERVATORY NEWS
BRASS AND JAZZ IN THE PARK | NOV. 7

Spend a beautiful afternoon enjoying live music in the park with Jazz Combo One and the Booker T. brass musicians! Join us on Saturday, November 7 at Mattie Nash-Myrtle Davis Park for an exciting performance featuring outstanding student musicians and a lively selection of jazz favorites.

Bring a lawn chair, gather your family and friends, and come support these talented scholar artists as they share their passion and artistry with the community.

Mattie Nash-Myrtle Davis Park
Saturday, November 7
Performance Begins at 1:00 PM

We hope to see you there for an afternoon of great music and community spirit!

PIANO RECITAL | NOV. 12

Join us for the upcoming Piano Recital on Thursday, November 12 at 6:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, located at 1835 Young St., Dallas, TX 75201.

This special evening will showcase the remarkable talent, artistry, and dedication of our piano students as they perform a diverse repertoire of solo works. From beloved classical masterpieces to captivating contemporary selections, audiences will enjoy an inspiring celebration of musical achievement and expression.

Family, friends, alumni, and community members are invited to attend and support these outstanding young musicians as they share the results of countless hours of practice and preparation. We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable night of music and artistry.

UPCOMING FALL SAVE THE DATES!
EVENING OF DANCE | NOV. 11-13, 19

The Dance Guild is thrilled to invite our BTW community to Evening of Dance, the Dance Conservatory's premier fall performance showcasing the artistry, passion, and dedication of our talented student dancers. Mark your calendars for the Student Preview on November 11, with public performances on November 12 and 13. Audiences will also have another opportunity to experience selected works during the College Showcase on November 19. Please see the attached flyer for performance details and ticket information.

Adding to the excitement, the November 12 performance has been selected as one of the signature events of the school's 50th Anniversary Celebration, Legacy in Motion, making this year's Evening of Dance an especially meaningful occasion as we honor five decades of artistic excellence while celebrating the next generation of dancers.

TICKETS

The Dance Guild also has wonderful news to share. Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of a supportive BTW family and the incredible commitment of our community, the "50 Years of Dance, Double the Impact" Challenge Grant Campaign exceeded its ambitious $15,000 goal during its October 1-30 fundraising period. Because the challenge grant will be matched, the impact of these contributions will be doubled, providing even greater support for dance training opportunities and experiences for current and future students. We are deeply grateful for every donor who helped make this campaign such a tremendous success and are excited about the opportunities these funds will create for our dancers.

Thank you for supporting the Dance Conservatory and helping us celebrate the legacy, excellence, and future of dance at BTW! 

FRIGHT NIGHT & BOO BASH | THANK YOU THEATRE GUILD!

The success of Fright Night & Boo Bash would not have been possible without the incredible support of our Booker T. community. Thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, sponsored, decorated, organized, and helped bring this spooktacular evening to life.

From the laughter and excitement of the Boo Bash to the thrills of Fright Night, the event was filled with unforgettable memories, creative costumes, festive fun, and a wonderful sense of community. Seeing students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends come together to celebrate made the evening truly special.

A heartfelt thank you goes to our Theatre Guild volunteers and leadership team, whose countless hours of planning, preparation, and hard work transformed an idea into an extraordinary event. Your dedication, creativity, and commitment to supporting our theatre students continue to make a meaningful difference.

Most importantly, thank you for supporting the Theatre Guild and helping provide opportunities, resources, and experiences that enrich the education of our talented student artists. Your enthusiasm and generosity strengthen our program and ensure that the arts continue to thrive at Booker T.

We are grateful for each and every one of you and look forward to creating even more memorable moments together in the year ahead. Thank you for making Fright Night & Boo Bash a hauntingly wonderful success!

PTSA 2026-27 SUSTAINING SPONSORS
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2026-27 SUSTAINING SPONSORS
BECOME A SUSTAINING SPONSOR
UP NEXT
  • November 4 (AS) How to Pay for College Workshop
  • November 6 (AS) CUE Day | College Showcase Preview
  • November 7 (M) Brass and Jazz in the Park
  • November 7 (AS) All-School Dance
  • November 16-19 (AS) Custodial & Cafeteria Appreciation Pie Drive
  • November 18-21 (S) Senior College Showcase Week
  • November 21-29 (AS) Thanksgiving Break
  • December 2-3 (M) Fall Classics
  • December 8 (AS) Magnet Open House
  • December 9-10 (M) Winter Grand Concert
  • December 9-11 (VA) Arts Market
  • December 19-January 5 (AS) Winter Break

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

QUICK CLICKS
REPRISE

Information in this section has been shared before, but we are keeping it here so you have easy access to important details and helpful links.

BTWHSPVA CAREER DAY 2026 | NOV. 19-20

BTWHSPVA is seeking professionals from a wide range of industries to share their career journeys, experiences, and advice with our talented students. This is a unique opportunity to help our scholar artists explore future possibilities, gain real-world insight, and learn from accomplished professionals who have turned their passions into successful careers.

We know our PTSA community is filled with incredible parents and family members whose experiences could make a lasting impact. Whether you work in business, healthcare, technology, law, the arts, engineering, communications, entrepreneurship, or another field, your story could be exactly what inspires a student to pursue their dreams.

Step up, share your expertise, and help shape the future of our students.

Sign up today!

ARTS MAGNET 50TH ANNIVERSARY EVENT SITE

The Arts Magnet 50th Anniversary Event Site is officially live, and we invite our entire community to join us throughout the year as we celebrate five decades of creativity, excellence, and innovation.

The site will highlight special events, showcase milestone moments, and introduce you to stories spanning all 50 years of the school’s history. It is the central hub for staying connected, discovering upcoming celebrations, and engaging with the remarkable legacy that continues to shape Arts Magnet today. We hope you will visit often and be part of this historic year. 

STUDENT PROGRAM ACTIVITY GRANTS

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

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

APPLICATION LINK

PTSA GOOGLE DRIVE PHOTO FOLDER

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!

PTSA CREATIVE COLLECTIVE

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

PTSA MEMBERSHIPS & CLASS DUES

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!

REMEMBER, when you pay into Class Dues it also includes a PTSA membership for your student!

CLASS DONATIONS

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. 

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!

Download the membership toolkit app for easy access to the PTSA and Guilds.

Click: PTSA | DANCE | MUSIC | THEATRE | VISUAL ARTS

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