Travis TAG School Newsletter

Dear Travis TAG Families,

As we move through October, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued partnership and engagement. The fall season is always full of energy on our campus, from our Scholastic Book Fair and Parent–Teacher Conferences to the upcoming Red Ribbon Week, and each of these moments reflects the strength of our community.

Every event, conversation, and collaboration helps us grow closer to our shared mission of empowering and inspiring lifelong learners. I am so proud of the dedication I see daily, from our students challenging themselves in and out of the classroom, to our teachers going above and beyond to create meaningful learning experiences, to our families showing up to support and celebrate our work together.

As Timberwolves, we are truly on a quest to reach new heights, not just in academics but in kindness, dedication, integrity, and knowledge. Thank you for being an essential part of that journey.

With gratitude,

Principal Mercon
Travis TAG

The Travis TAG Scholastic Book Fair begins this week! Our library will be filled with great books and reading adventures for every age and interest.

🕗 Library Hours:

• Before School: 8:00–8:25 AM each day

• During the School Day: Students may visit according to their teacher’s scheduled time.

• Evening Hours: The Book Fair will also be open Tuesday and Thursday during Parent–Teacher Conferences (5:00–8:00 PM).

💳 eWallet Option:
Families can set up a cash-free eWallet for easy student purchasing—this is a popular option for many of our Timberwolves!

🔗 Visit the Book Fair page for details and eWallet setup:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/travisacademy

Thank you for supporting our library and helping us grow lifelong readers!

We still need volunteers, please sign up!

We’re excited to announce that our Parent–Student Lunch Program begins next week! Families can now reserve a date to join their student for lunch on campus using our online sign-up system.

To help us manage space and ensure a smooth experience for everyone:

✅ Sign up at least one week in advance through our online form.

✅ We allow up to two families per grade-level lunch each day.

✅ Parents may bring outside food for their own child only.

✅ Dates with testing or major events will not appear on the sign-up list.

✅ Families should arrive at least 10 minutes before the lunch period to check in with an ID at the main office.

Click the button below for the SignUpGenius form.

We can’t wait to welcome families for these special moments that make our Timberwolf community so strong!

We’re excited to welcome families for Parent–Teacher Conferences this week!

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with teachers, celebrate progress, and discuss goals for the next nine weeks.

• Middle School Conferences: Monday, October 21

• Elementary Conferences: Thursday, October 23
  🕔 Time: 5:00–8:00 PM

If you are unable to attend in person, please reach out to your child’s teachers to schedule an alternate time.

For more specific information, please reach out to your child's teacher.

These conversations strengthen the partnership between home and school and help every Timberwolf continue to reach new heights.

Our Scholastic Book Fair will also be open during both evenings (5:00–8:00 PM) so families can visit while on campus.

We are excited to welcome families for Parent–Student Lunch beginning the week of October 27th! Parents and guardians will be able to sign up to join their child for lunch on campus using our new online sign-up system.

Lunch visits will be available Monday through Friday, with limited spaces per grade level. Please review the full details, lunch times, and sign-up instructions in the document linked below.

The SignUp Genius link will be live and available starting Monday, October 13, 2025.

We’re thrilled to share that Travis TAG enrichment clubs are getting ready to launch again soon!
As communicated earlier this week, families received a letter and a link to the Student Activity Inquiry Form, which helps us finalize rosters for Destination Imagination, Model UN, and Chess.

This quick form is essential for ensuring every interested student has the opportunity to participate in enrichment activities.
📅 Deadline: Friday, October 24

We are also required to meet district registration deadlines for clubs and competitions, so please complete the form as soon as possible.

If you missed the letter, you can view it and complete the form using the link below.

Thank you for your support and partnership in helping every Timberwolf learn, explore, and grow through enrichment!

Did your student miss Picture Day, or would you like a do-over? Fall Picture Retakes are coming soon!

📅 Date: Thursday, October 30
🏫 Location: Travis TAG Auditorium

Students who were absent on the original Picture Day or who would like a retake will have their photo taken during the school day. These photos will appear in the yearbook, so please ensure your student arrives in uniform and ready for pictures.

Families will also receive information from Lifetouch with ordering details and purchase options.

Reminder: On Wednesday, October 23, all 8th grade Timberwolves will take the PSAT 8/9. This assessment sets a baseline for college and career readiness, highlights strengths, and identifies areas for growth before high school.

The PSAT 8/9 is the first step in the SAT Suite of Assessments. It gives students valuable practice, builds confidence, and connects them to personalized practice tools and career exploration resources. It also lays the foundation for future opportunities, including the PSAT/NMSQT, which qualifies students for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

We encourage families to view this as more than a test. It is the beginning of preparing for high school and beyond. Together, let’s support our 8th graders as they take this exciting next step toward reaching new heights!

Click on the links below for College Board resources for the PSAT 8/9.

Next week, we will celebrate Red Ribbon Week, a national campaign that promotes making healthy, positive choices and living drug-free.

Each day will include a special spirit theme that encourages students to show their Timberwolf pride while supporting a healthy lifestyle.

📅 Dates: Monday, October 27 – Friday, October 31
👕 Theme Days: Full list below.

• Monday 10/27 - Wear red - Stand out and stand up against drugs
• Tuesday 10/28 - Sports team gear - Team up against drugs
• Wednesday 10/29 - Bright neon colors - We are too bright for drugs
• Thursday 10/30 - Twin/Triplet day - Pairs against drugs
• Friday 10/31 - Mismatched clothes/crazy socks - From head to toe I am drug free

Thank you for helping us encourage our Timberwolves to make smart choices, take care of themselves, and support one another in living safe, healthy, and successful lives!

Thank you to everyone who continues to take part in our shared leadership at Travis TAG!

Our next School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) and PTA meetings will take place on Tuesday, November 11, beginning at 5:30 PM (SBDM) and followed by PTA at 6:30 PM. Both meetings will be held virtually.

These meetings are a wonderful opportunity for families to stay informed, offer feedback, and collaborate with school leadership on programs, initiatives, and upcoming events. Your voice matters and helps guide our work in supporting every Timberwolf.

More details and the virtual meeting link will be shared closer to the date.

Save the date for one of the most exciting events of the fall — Discover Dallas ISD!

📅 Saturday, November 1
📍 Dallas Fair Park: Automobile Building

This event is your family’s opportunity to explore all that Dallas ISD has to offer, from magnet and choice schools to P-TECH, early college, and specialty programs. Representatives from every campus, including Travis TAG, will be there to answer questions, share program highlights, and guide families through the application process.

Whether you’re a current family looking ahead to high school or a new family exploring options, Discover Dallas ISD is the perfect place to learn, connect, and plan your student’s next steps.

More details can be found on the district's website.

Each week, this section highlights questions submitted by families and provides responses directly from Principal Mercon. Our goal is to keep communication open and transparent so that every parent feels informed and connected to what is happening at Travis TAG.

All questions submitted through the form are included in upcoming newsletters along with responses. To protect student and family privacy, questions and answers may be lightly edited for clarity.

👉 You can submit your questions anytime using the button below.

This past week there were no questions submitted.

Monday 10/20 (B Day)

• Spirit Day: College and Dallas ISD High School
• Advisory: Kindness/Integrity

Tuesday 10/21 (A Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall
• Parent Teacher Conference: Middle School

Wednesday 10/22 (B Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall

Thursday 10/23 (A Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge · Study Hall
• PSAT 8/9 - 8th Grade Only
• Parent Teacher Conference: Elementary School

Friday 10/24 (B Day)

• Spirit Day: Travis TAG
• Advisory: Knowledge · Study Hall
• Fall Fest

Middle School reminder: On Study Hall Advisory days, students may visit other teachers with a signed pass. This procedure has been in place since the first week of September.

We know that planning ahead is important for families, and we want to make it easier to stay informed and prepared for the year ahead. We are excited to share two key calendar resources with you:

📘 Middle School A/B Day Calendar (Grades 6–8 Only)

Our 6th–8th grade students follow an A/B day rotation to support our block schedule. This calendar outlines which days are designated as "A Days" and "B Days" throughout the school year.

📎 Click here to view the A/B Day Calendar

📙 Comprehensive School Events Calendar

This calendar includes major events, testing windows, holidays, family nights, PTA events, and more.

📎 Click here to view the Full 2025–2026 Travis TAG Events Calendar

🔄 Please note: These are working documents and subject to change throughout the year.These calendars are living documents and may be updated as needed. We’ll continue to keep you informed of any changes.

Thank you for staying connected—we’re looking forward to an amazing year together!

November 4 - No School (Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development)

November 7 - First Friday Coffee

November 7 - Orchestra Concert

November 11 - SBDM 5:30 PM/PTA 6:30 PM

November 12 - Theater Performance

November 20 - Theater Performance

November 24 - 28 - No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

December 2 - iReady MOY - Reading

December 3 - iReady MOY - Math

December 8 - Beginning Band Concert

December 11 - Dance Performance

December 15 - Orchestra Concert

December 16 - ACP testing Day 1 (Regular release time for all students)

December 17 - ACP testing Day 2 (Regular release time for all students)

December 18 - ACP testing Day 3 (Regular release time for all students)

December 19 - Early Release day

🔗 Click the button below to view our full calendar of events. Please note this is a working calendar and is subject to change as the year progresses.

Travis TAG uses the Remind app to send out important school updates, reminders, and announcements.

If you're not already receiving our messages, please sign up by joining the appropriate class code(s) below based on your student’s 2025–2026 grade level:

🏫 Schoolwide Announcements

• Class code: @travis-tag

🚌 Travis TAG Bus Announcements

• Class code: @travisbus

📚 Grade-Level Codes:

• Grade 4 – @wbt2030
• Grade 5 – @wbt2029
• Grade 6 – @wbt2028
• Grade 7 – @wbt2027
• Grade 8 – @wbt2026

How to Join:
✅ Download the Remind app
OR
✅ Text the class code (e.g., @wbt2028) to 81010
OR
✅ Sign up at remind.com/join

Already joined last year?
No need to sign up again! We move students up automatically with their grade level, so your messages will continue without interruption.

Thank you for staying connected—we look forward to an amazing year ahead!

📣 Staying in the Loop

In addition to Remind, you’ll receive regular newsletters and email updates. Make sure your contact information is up-to-date in PowerSchool, and follow our website and PTA Facebook group for the latest!

🧩 Join the PTA

Support our school community by becoming a member of the Travis TAG PTA!

🌐 Join online: www.joinpta.org
➡️ Select: Dallas ISD – William B. Travis Vanguard and Academy

⚠️ Please Note: PTA membership renews annually. If you joined prior to August 1, 2025, your membership has now expired. To stay active for the 2025–2026 school year, you’ll need to re-enroll beginning today, August 1.

📘 PTA Facebook Group
Stay in the loop with updates, events, and community conversations.
🔍 Click and join: Travis TAG PTA

📰 PTA WolfTracks Newsletter
All WolfTracks newsletters are available at this link:
👉 PTA WolfTracks Newsletters

If you would like the newsletters delivered directly to your inbox, you can sign up here:
👉 Subscribe to PTA Newsletters

We are grateful to our PTA for keeping families updated and connected through WolfTracks.

👕 School Spirit Stores
Show your Timberwolf pride all year long!

PTA Spirit Wear Store: open now! Find the online spirit store on the PTA website.

Your partnership with PTA helps bring enrichment events, student celebrations, and more to our campus. Thank you for your continued support!