| Celebrating Community, Health & Gratitude The All-School Dance transformed Booker T. into a dazzling celebration inspired by the energy, color, and excitement of Rio de Carnival. A heartfelt thank you to the many parent volunteers who helped bring the event to life and to our incredible Student Council for their vision, leadership, and hard work in creating such a memorable experience for our students. Be sure to check next week's newsletter for a peek at all of the photos captured during the dance. November is National PTA Healthy Lifestyles Month, and we are excited to welcome Nurse Wiley as the guest speaker at tomorrow evening's PTSA General Membership Meeting. We hope you'll join us for this informative and timely discussion. Additionally, the BTW PTSA is in the process of working to maintain its National PTA School of Excellence designation, and your feedback is an important part of that process. Please see the details below and complete the survey by December 2, 2026. Finally, next week marks our annual Custodial and Cafeteria Staff Thanksgiving Pie Drive. A sign-up link is listed below. We hope you'll consider baking or purchasing a pie so that each member of these dedicated teams can take home a Thanksgiving treat to share with their families. This is one small way we can express our gratitude for all they do for our students and school community throughout the year. Thank you for your continued generosity, involvement, and support. The strength of the Booker T. community is built on the kindness and commitment of its families, and I am deeply grateful for the many ways you help create meaningful experiences and traditions for our students and staff. 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. Tips | Click on newsletter section titles, graphics, and words in blue font for more helpful information. |
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For more than four decades, research has consistently shown that meaningful family engagement is one of the strongest contributors to both student achievement and overall school success. The National PTA School of Excellence program recognizes PTAs that go beyond involvement to build strong partnerships between families and schools. Through this program, PTAs assess school community needs, strengthen communication, gather meaningful feedback, and use data-driven decision-making to create lasting, positive change. PTAs that successfully complete the program earn the prestigious National PTA School of Excellence designation for two years, recognizing their commitment to fostering welcoming, inclusive, and supportive school communities where every student can thrive. The Booker T. Washington HSPVA PTSA is proud of its long-standing tradition as a PTA School of Excellence, and we are committed to continuing that legacy. To maintain this important distinction, we need input from students, families, staff, and community members. Please take a few moments to complete the required surveyby 11:59 PM on December 2, 2026. Your feedback will help guide our efforts, identify opportunities for growth, and ensure we continue meeting the needs of our school community. Thank you for sharing your voice and helping us build an even stronger BTW community! |
PTSA MEETING | TOMORROW, NOV. 10 |
VIRTUAL MEETING LINK (Join instructions & tips can be found on the PTSA Meetings page on our website.) Don't forget! Every parent with an active PTSA and Guild membership who attends virtually or in person is automatically entered into our raffle drawings at each General PTSA Meeting. To be eligible, members must complete the meeting check-in at the beginning of the meeting using the posted QR code. Not a member yet?Join the PTSA and your Guild to become eligible to win fun prizes, exclusive swag, and more, all while supporting our students, teachers, and school community. The next PTSA meeting could be your lucky one!🍀 |
| 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. 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 items listed on the Pegasus Pantry Amazon Wish List 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 ordered and delivered directly to the school through the Pegasus Pantry Amazon Wishlist! |
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THANKSGIVING PIES FOR OUR CUSTODIAL & CAFETERIA STAFF |
| REFLECTIONS UPDATE Thank you to all of the students who submitted artwork for this year’s PTA Reflections Program! We are excited to celebrate your creativity and share the next steps in the review and judging process. Reflections Timeline: - November 4-8: Review submissions, verify eligibility/files, organize entries and prepare anonymized materials for judges
- November 9–13: Judging window
- November 13: Judge scores due
- November 14–19: Finalize results and prepare qualifying entries for advancement
- November 20: Dallas ISD Council of PTAs advancement deadline
- December: Booker T. student recognition
Thank you again to everyone who participated. We are incredibly excited to showcase the talent, creativity, and personal expression in this year’s submissions and look forward to sharing the results soon! Questions? | Contact the PTSA Reflections Chair, Kira McCoy. |
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Leea Thompson Fudge serves as the BTWHSPVA PTSA Active Lifestyles Chair, championing the National PTA pillars of Healthy Bodies, Healthy Minds, and Healthy Earth. A proud Oak Cliff resident, Leea grew up in Richardson, graduated from Berkner High School, and earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees from SMU. Though she has lived in Denver and San Diego, Dallas has been home again since 2000. A lifelong advocate for wellness, Leea brings more than 26 years of experience as a registered nurse to her PTSA role. She is the Clinical Education Specialist and Subject Matter Expert for the Hospice and Palliative Care Quality division at Optum, where she designs clinical programs that improve end‑of‑life experiences for patients and families. Leea is also a trained medical anthropologist, bridging clinical practice with human experience to better understand health, culture, and well‑being. |
Volunteerism is at the heart of who she is. When her daughter Lili (now a junior in the Theatre Conservatory) entered public school, Leea jumped into PTSA service with enthusiasm and quickly fell in love with the energy and impact of the Booker T. community. Beyond BTWHSPVA, she is involved with the North Texas Master Naturalists, where she has been a member since 2017. She manages educational materials, serves on the Board of Directors as the Director of Community Outreach and Education, mentors new trainees, and coordinates volunteer outreach across the region, including her favorite annual project, staffing booths at the State Fair of Texas. Leea is an only child and has been the long-time caregiver for both of her parents who have dementia. She is an advocate and activist for sandwich generation caregivers like herself and was recently interviewed by Ron Corning for the North Texas Now show on KERA about her experiences in this role. Check it out here: Caregivers need care, too: Getting to Know the Caregiver Generation | KERA. Leea’s passions extend far beyond her professional and volunteer work. She loves reading, cooking, hiking, traveling, live music, and theatre. She occasionally helps at the Historic Lancaster Theater and even attends local “death cafés,” open community forums where people gather to discuss end‑of‑life topics over cake. A lifelong musician, she has played piano since childhood (once even accompanying Booker T. vocal auditions as a high school student) and also played the oboe and bassoon. Her personal quirks and joys include collecting vintage Betsey Johnson apparel, adoring the color pink, and having a special fondness for snails. Above all, Leea is inspired by the creativity of Booker T. students. She especially loves programs that are entirely student‑created and produced, and she delights in watching young artists explore new disciplines with curiosity and courage. Her work, both at school and in the community, reflects her belief in nurturing the whole person — mind, body, and spirit — and her commitment to helping students thrive in every dimension of their lives. |
We are immensely grateful to Leea Thompson Fudge for her outstanding leadership as the PTSA Active Lifestyles Chair at Booker T. Washington HSPVA. With compassion, vision, and unwavering commitment, Leea has elevated the way our community supports the well-being of our scholar artists. Her thoughtful initiatives ensure that health and wellness are not just programs, but a culture woven into the fabric of Booker T. Leea champions balance, resilience, and care, reminding us that nurturing healthy lifestyles is essential to nurturing creativity. Through her efforts, families feel more supported, students feel more empowered, and our community grows stronger. Leea’s ability to turn concern into action and dedication into meaningful impact is a gift we all benefit from. Thank you, Leea, for the heart, energy, and wisdom you bring to your role. Booker T. is healthier, more vibrant, and more united because of you. |
To become a donor or for general questions, donate by clicking the link below or contact us at btwhspvaptsa@gmail.com. |
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR 2026-27 SUSTAINING SPONSORS |
- November 10 (AS) PTSA Meeting
- 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 |
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. |
| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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! |
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| 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. |
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| 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 |
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| 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! |
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| 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 |
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| 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! |
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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. |
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| 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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