Travis TAG School Newsletter

Dear Travis TAG Families,

Travis TAG families, thank you for the energy and partnership you bring to our campus each day. As we continue our quest to reach new heights, I am proud of the focus and heart our Timberwolves are showing in classrooms, hallways, and beyond. Your support makes all the difference.

Below you will find details about several important items. High School Night is coming soon and it is a powerful chance to explore pathways across Dallas ISD. We are also sharing our TEA report card so families can celebrate our progress and see where we are growing next. Parent and student lunch will reopen later this month in a way that keeps our campus safe and welcoming. Parent and teacher conferences are scheduled for the week of October 20th and we will share exact times early next week.

Thank you to everyone who joined First Friday Coffee. I appreciate your thoughtful questions and your commitment to partnering with us. Together we will continue to build a community where kindness, dedication, integrity, and knowledge guide every step.

With gratitude and excitement,

Principal Mercon
Travis TAG

We are proud to share that Travis TAG continues to set the standard for excellence in Dallas ISD and across the state. Our 2022–2023 Texas Education Agency (TEA) School Report Card highlights our ongoing commitment to academic achievement, growth, and student success.

Travis TAG earned an A rating and received all 7 Distinctions awarded by the TEA for outstanding performance in areas such as Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Postsecondary Readiness, Comparative Academic Growth, and Closing the Gaps.

Families can explore the full report, which includes details on student achievement, accountability indicators, and campus demographics, by visiting the TEA’s Texas Schools website:
👉 View the Travis TAG School Report Card

We are incredibly proud of our students, teachers, and families for their continued partnership in helping our Timberwolves reach new heights of excellence.

We are excited to invite you to Travis TAG’s annual High School Night, a special evening designed to help families learn more about the incredible high school options available across Dallas ISD.

📅 Date: Tuesday, October 14
🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM
🕕 Event Time: 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Location: Travis TAG Auditorium and Classrooms

The evening will begin in the auditorium with a welcome and introduction from Principal Mercon and Counselor Mr. Smith. During this time, representatives from participating high schools will each share a one-minute “elevator pitch” highlighting their unique programs.

From 6:30 to 7:30 PM, families will participate in four rotating breakout sessions led by high school representatives in individual classrooms.
Each school will host four short presentations at 6:30, 6:45, 7:00, and 7:15 PM, giving families the opportunity to hear from up to four schools of their choice.

This event is open to all middle school families, and upper elementary families are also welcome to attend. It’s a wonderful opportunity to explore high school pathways — including magnet, choice, P-TECH, Early College, and traditional programs — and begin planning for the exciting years ahead.

We look forward to seeing you there as we help our Timberwolves continue their quest toward new heights!

We look forward to welcoming families for our Fall Parent–Teacher Conferences, an important opportunity to connect with teachers, discuss progress, and partner together in support of every student’s growth.

📚 Middle School Conferences
Tuesday, October 21 | Evening within the 4:00–8:00 PM window

🧮 Elementary Conferences
Thursday, October 23 | Evening within the 4:00–8:00 PM window

We are finalizing the specific times and will share those early next week. Conferences will take place on campus, and families will have the chance to meet individually with teachers to review grades, goals, and next steps for the second nine weeks.

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.

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.

Thank you to all the families who joined us for our First Friday Coffee last week! It was wonderful to see so many of you and to connect around shared questions, ideas, and feedback.

If you weren’t able to attend, you can view the full slide deck here:
👉 First Friday Coffee Slide Deck – September 2025

Below are responses to some of the questions discussed:

After-School Activities Schedule
We are finalizing the after-school clubs and activities schedule (including Debate, Lone Star, and others) with SBDM. We expect to share the finalized schedule schoolwide by the middle of next week.

Security Line and Tardy Policy
We understand that the security line can take time, but safety remains our top priority in maintaining a secure and welcoming environment for every student. We encourage families to plan ahead to allow for security checks each morning. We know emergencies happen — if you have a specific concern, please contact a campus administrator or call the main office at 972-794-7500.

Elementary Gate Closing Time
The elementary gate closes at 8:25 AM, which aligns with when 4th-grade students are released from the cafeteria. This timing ensures that teachers are in their classrooms to welcome students as they arrive.

Communication About Clubs
We recognize there have been questions about communication regarding DI, Chess, and Robotics. Thank you to our SBDM members — and to the parents who have partnered with us (we see you!) — for helping us improve this process. Updated club information will be shared by the middle of next week.

Morning Line and Backpack Checks
Security procedures, including backpack checks, are guided by state and district requirements. We will continue monitoring to make sure students are moving safely and respectfully through the line. If you have specific concerns about morning entry, please reach out to a campus administrator directly.

We are grateful for the ongoing dialogue with our families and look forward to continuing these open conversations throughout the year.

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.

Monday 10/13 NO SCHOOL

Tuesday 10/14 (B Day)

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

Wednesday 10/15 (A Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall

Thursday 10/16 (B Day)

• Advisory: Knowledge · Study Hall

Friday 10/17 (A Day)

• Spirit Day: Travis TAG
• Advisory: Knowledge · Study Hall
• 5th Grade Field Trip to the Arboretum

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 21 - Student SEL Survey

October 21 - Middle School Parent Conference Night

October 23 - 8th Grade PSAT

October 23 - Elementary School Parent Conference Night

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!