Travis TAG School Newsletter

Dear Travis TAG Families,

As we close out August, I want to take a moment to thank you for the incredible partnership you have already shown during these first weeks of school. Our Timberwolves have begun their quest with energy, curiosity, and heart, and I am so proud of the way they are embracing this year’s theme: Timberwolves on a Quest: Reaching New Heights.

This week’s newsletter is a little shorter, as we focus on two important items: next week’s Inside the Quest Mini School Night and the distribution of progress reports. Mini School is a brand new event for us, and we are thrilled to welcome families into classrooms to walk in their child’s shoes and learn directly from teachers. Progress reports, which go home Friday, will give you and your student the opportunity to reflect on growth, celebrate successes, and set goals for the weeks ahead.

I am also excited to introduce a new section in our newsletter: Ask Principal Mercon. This is a space for families to submit questions, share concerns, or offer feedback, with responses published in upcoming newsletters. Our goal is to strengthen the partnership between home and school by ensuring open communication and clarity. When families and schools work together, our Timberwolves thrive.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and our campus. Together, we are building a strong foundation for a year of excellence, growth, and discovery.

With gratitude,

Alessandra Mercon
Principal, Travis TAG

We are excited to welcome you to our very first Mini School Night — Inside the Quest: A Night of TAG Discovery — on Thursday, September 4 from 5:30 to 7:45 PM. This evening is designed to give families a true sense of the Timberwolf experience.

Unlike Meet the Teacher Night, which was informal and self-paced, Inside the Quest is a structured event. Families will follow their student’s class schedule, hear short teacher presentations, and learn about expectations, curriculum, grading, and ways to support success at home. Bells will ring to signal transitions, and student volunteers will be available to help with directions.

📅 Important Details

• Parent Attendance: Due to space limitations, each student may be represented by one parent or guardian only. We love our Timberwolves, but students will not attend this event.

• Student Schedules: Hard copies will be sent home with students on Wednesday, September 3. Please bring this schedule with you so you can follow your child’s day.

• Event Schedule: Families will begin in the Auditorium at 5:30 PM for a short welcome, then rotate through classes until 7:16 PM. The evening will conclude with a Q&A session with administrators at 7:18 PM.

✅ Thank you to all who submitted the Parent Pre-Survey — your feedback is helping us maximize this event to make it meaningful and valuable for families.

We cannot wait to welcome you Inside the Quest for an evening of discovery, connection, and community!

The first progress reports of the year will be sent home with students on Friday, September 5. These reports provide an early snapshot of student learning and growth so far this semester.

Progress reports are not final grades. Instead, they are an opportunity to:

• Review your child’s current progress together

• Celebrate areas of strength

• Identify areas where more focus may be needed

Hard copies will be distributed in class, so please check your student’s backpack at the end of the week. This is an excellent time to have a family conversation about goals and strategies for success as we continue through the first nine weeks.

Thank you for your continued partnership in supporting both academic achievement and confidence for our Timberwolves.

We want every family to feel informed, valued, and supported at Travis TAG. This new section gives you the chance to submit your questions, concerns, or feedback directly to Principal Mercon.

All questions submitted through the form will be included in upcoming newsletters, along with responses. Please note that questions and answers may be edited for clarity and to protect student and family privacy.

👉 Submit your question by clicking on the button below.

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.

Monday 9/01

• NO SCHOOL

• Spirit Day: College and Dallas ISD High School
• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall

• Advisory: Kindness/Integrity - Organization (see slide deck)

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall
• Mini School 5:30-7:45 PM

• Spirit Day: Travis TAG
• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall

📌 Advisory Update
Beginning this week, middle school students will be able to move to other classes during Study Hall Advisory days as long as they have a pass from the teacher they are visiting. This provides students more flexibility to seek support and take ownership of their learning.

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. We’re sharing them now so you can plan ahead with your family. Any updates will be communicated in our newsletters and through Remind.

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

September 1 - Labor Day (No School)

September 4 - Mini School 5:30-7:45 PM

September 11 - SBDM 5:30 PM (in person - Rm 113)

September 11 - PTA 6:30 PM (in person - Auditorium)

September 24 - 8th grade school pictures

October 3 - First Friday Coffee 8:45 AM in the Library

🔗 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

👕 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!