Travis TAG School Newsletter

Dear Travis TAG Families,

As we close out September and step into October, I am filled with gratitude for the strong partnership you continue to show our school community. Together, we are helping our Timberwolves thrive academically, socially, and personally, while living out our values of kindness, dedication, integrity, and knowledge.

Below, you will read more about the ways we are supporting students in and out of the classroom. From resetting expectations in the cafeteria, to finalizing consent forms for clubs and activities, to preparing for important milestones like the PSAT, every step we take is part of our shared quest to reach new heights. You will also see an exciting new opportunity to show gratitude to our teachers and staff through a thank-you card station, something I know will bring encouragement at just the right time of year.

This year’s theme, “Timberwolves on a Quest: Reaching New Heights,” is about more than academic success, it’s about building a culture where students, staff, and families work together to climb higher as a community. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being Part of the Pack. Together, we are preparing our students not only for the next grade level but for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

I look forward to seeing many of you Friday, October 3rd for our First Friday Coffee here at Travis TAG in our library! A Google form to submit questions/topics will be shared in the PTA Wolftracks newsletter.

With gratitude and excitement,

Principal Mercon
Travis TAG

The cafeteria is more than a place to eat! It’s a chance for students to relax, recharge, and connect with friends in the middle of the day. At Travis TAG, we are resetting expectations to ensure lunchtime is safe, orderly, and enjoyable for everyone.

Key Expectations:

• Students attending tutoring must have a hall pass to show the cafeteria monitor

• Keep your place in line (no skipping or cutting)

• Once seated, remain at your table unless throwing away trash

• Enjoy lunch and socialize with friends using an indoor voice

• Clean up your area, throw away trash, and return to your seat until dismissed

🌤️ Outdoor Time: If weather permits, all grade levels may go outside for the last few minutes of lunch. This privilege depends on cleared tables and no major disruptions during the lunch period.

👩‍🏫 Ongoing Support: Ms. Williams and Ms. Mercon have been visiting lunches and revisiting expectations with students. We are already seeing great improvements in behavior.

At Travis TAG, we believe in our students. When expectations are clear, fair, and aligned with our values, our Timberwolves rise to meet them. Cafeteria time is another place where students can demonstrate Kindness, Dedication, Integrity, and Knowledge.

Thank you for reinforcing these expectations at home and helping us keep lunchtime a positive, community-centered experience.

Click the green button below for a more in-depth review of our Travis TAG Parent Student Handbook.

October is often called “Rocktober” in schools because it's a time when the honeymoon period ends, and the real challenges of the year start to show. We want to uplift our teachers and staff with gratitude and kindness during this season.

This year, we are setting up a Teacher/Staff Appreciation Thank You Card Station. Students and staff will be invited to write heartfelt thank you notes to their teachers and colleagues. To make this possible, we need your help!

If you have blank thank you cards lying around your house (like I always seem to), would you consider donating a pack or two to our school? Every card donated becomes another chance for someone to feel valued and appreciated.

✨ Parents, you are welcome to join in, too! Write a card to a teacher or staff member and spread the love!

This idea was inspired by a great article from PTO Today, which you can read here: PTO Today – Teacher Appreciation Thank You Card Station.

Together, let’s make Rocktober a month of gratitude for the amazing staff at Travis TAG.

As shared during our Mini School event, Inside the Quest: A Night of TAG Discovery, a new state law requires a signed Parent Consent Form for all students participating in district- or campus-authorized clubs and activities.

✅ District Clubs & Activities include UIL, TMSCA, Chess, Debate, and others
✅ Campus Clubs & Activities include middle school advisory clubs and elementary clubs

👉 Students may not participate without a signed form. A list of current district and campus clubs is included on the back of the form. Parents may update or submit a new form at any time during the school year.

Up to this time, clubs have been on pause while we collect these forms. Beginning next week, elementary district clubs will start meeting. Please note: if a student does not have a signed consent form on file with the district box checked, they will not be allowed to participate in practices, meetings, or competitions that occur outside the school day or outside their regular schedule. Middle school district clubs are part of students’ schedules, but students must still have a consent form to compete.

📄 On Friday, September 26, students will bring home individualized letters regarding both club consent forms and the healthcare-related services form. The healthcare form gives students access to care from the school nurse and counselor. Without this signed form, students may be limited in the support they can receive.

This letter is very important as it tells you whether your student’s form is already complete or still missing. For the Clubs Form, it will also list what you selected and what clubs/activities your student will or will not be able to participate in. Please review it carefully and return any needed forms right away so that your child does not miss out on participating in clubs.

Several parents already filled these out at Mini School, so if you already submitted the forms, you do not need to complete them again.

Your partnership helps us launch clubs smoothly and ensures every Timberwolf can access the support and enrichment opportunities that make Travis TAG so special. Thank you for helping us reach our 90% completion goal so we can get clubs underway!

NOTE: Once we have all this completed, we'll update the clubs/extracurriculars information on our school website.

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.

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.

Mark your calendars for High School Night on October 14th—an exciting evening where Travis TAG families connect with Dallas ISD high schools, explore programs, and begin charting the path ahead.

This night is open to ALL our middle school students and families! And we won't turn away any elementary families 😉.

Monday 9/29 (B Day)

• Spirit Day: College and Dallas ISD High School
• Advisory: Kindness/Integrity - Hispanic Heritage Month

Tuesday 9/30 (A Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge · Study Hall

Wednesday 10/01 (B Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall
• Band 7/8 Fall Concert - Auditorium 6:00 PM

Thursday 10/02 (A Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge · Study Hall

Friday 10/03 (B Day)

• Spirit Day: Travis TAG
• Advisory: Kindness and Integrity · Organization
• First Friday Coffee in the Library 8:45 AM - 10:00 AM

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!

October 9 - Fall Break

October 10 - Fall Break

October 13 - Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development

October 14 - High School Night

October 21 - Student SEL Survey

October 21 - Middle School Parent Conference Night (more info coming in an upcoming newsletter)

October 23 - Elementary School Parent Conference Night (more info coming in an upcoming newsletter)

October 24 - Fall Orchestra Concert

November 12 - Theater Performance

November 20 - Theater Performance

December 08 - Beginning Band Concert

December 11 - Dance Performance

December 15 - Orchestra Concert

🔗 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!