HEXTER ELEMENTARY

Vision (What We Strive to Be)

Hexter Elementary seeks to be the premier elementary school in the East Dallas community.

Mission (Our Daily Work)

Nurturing skills and habits in our community of learners to help them achieve their full potential.

Hawk Family!

Growing Pains (The Good Kind!)

With the addition of Pre-K3 and sixth grade, Hexter is growing! We are excited to share that we now have 540 students enrolled this year. More students means more families, energy, and opportunities for our community.

To help support this growth, we’ve made a few adjustments on campus. One important change is the designation of separate K–3 and 4–6 girls’ and boys’ bathrooms. This ensures that our youngest students feel comfortable and confident. The K–3 bathrooms are conveniently located closest to the cafeteria and playground for easy access.

The increase in enrollment has also impacted our clubs. Typically, our matriculating fifth graders open up opportunities for younger students to participate. However, since most of last year’s fifth graders returned, the number of available spots is limited. To ensure fairness, all open spots will continue to be filled through a lottery system. Be on the lookout for a flyer with details about all club offerings coming home soon.

Finally, with more families on campus, arrival and dismissal are more congested than ever. We pride ourselves on being good neighbors, so please be mindful of posted signs and traffic regulations. Several residents have shared concerns, and we’ve been informed of the possibility of a heightened police presence to assist with the additional traffic.

Thank you for your patience and partnership as we continue to grow together—these “good growing pains” are a sign of a strong and thriving Hexter community!

New Year, New Adventure! Elevating the Hexter Experience.

Melinda (Mindy) Smith

Principal

Victor H. Hexter Elementary School

972-502-5800

melismith@dallasisd.org

Our school is growing and we want to nurture all of our budding actors and actresses.

This year’s Mainstage musical for 4th-6th grade is MATILDA! All 2nd graders will perform ‘Go Fish’ and all 3rd graders will perform ‘Broadway Beats’, both grades will work on in music class.

Please note that Kinder nominations will open on November 10, 2025 and the Kinder testing window will be in December

Tuesday August 26, 2025 6:00 Virtual Teams LINKED HERE

Monday, August 25

Tuesday, August 26

• Tuesday Folders are distributed
• Development of Home Compact, Parent Involvement, and GT Information Meeting 6:00 TEAMS Link

Wednesday, August 27

• Spirit Night Vector Brewing 5-7 | Meet AP Nayfa

Thursday, August 28

• College shirt Day with uniform bottom

Friday, August 29

• Spirit shirt with uniform bottoms

September

1 - Labor Day - No School

3- Annual Title I Meeting 8:15 Cafeteria

4- Wear green to honor the Camp Mystic Hill Country flood victims

4- Annual Title I Meeting Virtual TEAMS 6:00 pm

7 - Kaycee Pool Party 1-4

Arrival

The campus opens at 7:30 a.m.

Please note: For security purposes, there is only ONE entrance. All students will use the front doors, except those arriving by bus.

You are invited to walk your students to the main entrance. If you choose to walk your student to the front door, please park across the street and walk them. Please, no parking along Waterview or Brookhurst during arrival and dismissal. Please use the crosswalk.

We have a “Hug and Go” zone at the base of the stairs to reduce crowding at our doors. Please ensure that kiddos have their backpacks as they leave this zone.

Pre-K3, Pre-K4, Kinder, First, and Second grade students are seated by class section in the Auditorium upon arrival. At 7:50, Pre-K through second grade teachers pick their students from the auditorium. #-6th grade students report to the Gym.

All students who arrive at or after 7:50 report directly to their classrooms.

Additionally, for our youngest students and those new to our campus who arrive after 7:50 a.m., we have a “Walking School Bus.” The “Walking School Bus” will escort students to their classroom door as many days as needed until they are comfortable walking themselves to class.

Breakfast

Students who choose to eat breakfast on campus will do so in the classroom beginning at 7:50 a.m. The only exception is our 6th grade students who will eat in the cafeteria.

Dismissal

Students will be dismissed outside to their designated areas:

(Teachers will have signs with their class section.)

• PreK: Lower parking lot entrance (students will remain inside with teachers.) Please park at the church to check your child out at the door.)
• K-1: Brookhurst side of school by auditorium
• 2nd Grade- recently moved to the cement squares (at the front of the school)
• Grades 3 & 6 : Waterview side of school by main front door
• Grade 4-5: Waterview side between the staff parking lot and the street.

Parents must park in the church parking lot NOT teacher parking lot to retrieve students. Please notify the teacher of student(s) departure. Please use crosswalk.

The 89th Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill 12 (SB 12), which requires school districts to obtain written permission from a parent/guardian before providing health-related services to an individual's child. A school district can only provide life-saving care without written consent. To provide all other health-related services the child's parent/guardian must check "YES" and sign the Parental Consent for School Health-Related Service form.

SB 12

The bill’s intent centers on reinforcing parental rights, among other things, by requiring written parental consent before a child participates in certain school activities, receives health care services, or has medical or biometric information stored. The legislation includes several provisions addressing parental consent, including requirements that school districts provide parents—at enrollment and annually—with written notice of their right to withhold consent or exempt their child from certain health-related services and instruction.

The statute expressly requires affirmative, written parental consent prior to the provision of health care services, administration of medication, or performance of medical procedures by any district employee. This is effective immediately.

I’m truly honored to join the Hexter family as your new assistant principal. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in various roles from classroom teacher to instructional coach to math demonstration teacher; all with a focus on supporting teachers, strengthening instruction, and helping students reach their full potential. I’m passionate about creating collaborative, inclusive school cultures where both adults and children feel seen, supported, and empowered.

While I bring experience in data-driven planning, campus turnaround, and instructional leadership, I know the most important part of this work is building strong relationships. I’m here to listen, to learn from you, and to work alongside you as we continue to create a joyful, high-achieving environment for every student at Hexter.

I’m excited for the journey ahead and am grateful to be part of this incredible community.

-Madeline Nayfa

Become familiar with the Hexter terms. Access the Hexter Hawk-isms HERE.

Join PTA Here!

When submitting excuse notes, please make sure to include your student's first and last name, day of absence and reason for absence. We are receiving excuse notes with missing information and we will not be able to process, your students absence would stay unexcused.

Noticias de la Oficina de Asistencia:

Al enviar notas de ausencia, asegúrese de incluir el primer nombre y apellido de su estudiante, el día de la ausencia y el motivo de la ausencia. Estamos recibiendo notas de excusa con información faltante y no podremos procesarlas, la ausencia de sus estudiantes permanecería injustificada.

Email: melismith@dallasisd.org
Website: https://www.dallasisd.org/hexter
Location: 9720 Waterview Road, Dallas, TX 75218, USA
Phone: (972) 502-5800

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