Travis TAG School Newsletter

Dear Travis TAG Families,

As we wrap up the fourth week of school, I am filled with gratitude for the strong momentum we have built together. Our Timberwolves are already showing incredible focus, curiosity, and dedication to their learning. A special thank you to everyone who joined us for our very first Inside the Quest: A Night of TAG Discovery. The energy and engagement from our families made it a night to remember, and your feedback (see Google Form link below) will help us continue to grow this tradition for years to come.

This week’s newsletter brings several important updates, including the updated Parent Student Handbook, the district Fall Parent and Family Survey, the new Parent Consent Forms for Clubs and Activities, and the first set of responses in our new Ask Principal Mercon section. Thank you to those who submitted questions. Your input strengthens the partnership between home and school and helps us ensure clarity and connection for every family.

As we continue our theme “Timberwolves on a Quest: Reaching New Heights” I am inspired daily by the dedication of our students, the talent of our staff, and the support of our families. Together we will keep climbing higher, ensuring every Timberwolf feels seen, supported, and challenged.

With gratitude,
Alessandra Mercon
Travis TAG

What an incredible evening! Thank you so much to every family who joined us for our very first Inside the Quest: A Night of TAG Discovery. Walking in your child’s shoes, meeting teachers, and seeing the energy in our classrooms made the night truly special.

We are always striving to improve and grow. Please take a few minutes to share your feedback so we can make next year’s event even more meaningful.

Your partnership helps us strengthen the connections between home and school, and we are grateful for your time and input.

👉 Click on the button below to fill out a short feedback survey

Families, earlier today we sent out the wrong version of the Parent-Student Handbook. I apologize for the oversight. Please find the updated version attached here as a PDF and linked as a Google Doc for your convenience.

The Parent-Student Handbook is an important guide that reflects our shared expectations and values at Travis TAG. It outlines policies and procedures that keep our school safe, welcoming, and focused on excellence. By reviewing it together, families and students can begin the year aligned and prepared to make the most of every opportunity.

📗 The Google Doc version of the handbook also contains embedded links throughout the document, making it easy to navigate directly to helpful resources and important information.

👉 Action Required: Please review the handbook with your student and return the signed acknowledgment page to your child’s teacher by Monday, September 15.

Your partnership in this process ensures that every Timberwolf is set up for success. Thank you for your attention and commitment to making Travis TAG a thriving community of learners.

n accordance with new state law, all students must have a signed Parent Consent Form to participate in any district- or campus-authorized clubs or 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 their form or complete a new one at any time during the school year.

At this time, all clubs are on pause while we collect these forms. Once forms are returned, students will be able to participate, and we will share updated details about each club. Thank you for your patience and support as we finalize this important process.

As shared during our Mini School event, Inside the Quest, we will also be sending hard copies home with students on Monday, September 8. Several parents already filled this form out during the event. If you completed the form at that time, you do not need to submit another one.

Below is a preview of the front (Parental Consent Form) and back (Club/Activity List) of the document that will be sent home with every student on Monday.

Your voice matters! Dallas ISD is inviting all parents and guardians to share their voices through the Fall Family & Community Survey. Your feedback is critical in helping us understand what we are doing well and where we can grow.

The survey is short, takes only a few minutes to complete, and directly shapes how we serve our students and families.

Thank you for taking the time to share your input and for helping us make Travis TAG an even stronger community for every Timberwolf.

👉 Click the button below to take the survey.

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.

❓ Why can’t we eat lunch with the children?
ANSWER: As shared during our Mini School event, Inside the Quest, we are refining procedures so that parents may eat lunch with their children starting in the second nine weeks. This opportunity will be open to all grade levels. More details will be shared soon to ensure the process is safe, smooth, and enjoyable for everyone.

❓ We appreciate the weekly calendars, but it can be frustrating to reread the whole thing each time just to figure out what’s new. I also miss the old PTA subscription calendar — are there plans to make the updates easier to track?

ANSWER: I hear you. It can be frustrating to scan through the whole calendar each week just to figure out what is new. The reason we share both a Week at a Glance and a Month at a Glance is to help in two ways. One gives families a quick look at the week ahead, and the other helps planners who like to map things out further in advance.

That said, I understand the challenge of spotting changes, and we will continue to refine how we present calendar updates so families can more easily see what has shifted from week to week. Thank you for naming this. It is helpful feedback as we work to make communication clearer for everyone.

❓ Extracurricular Information
Families have asked for more detailed information about extracurriculars, such as dates, times, sponsors, and requirements. We are gathering this information and will publish a guide so everything is in one place.

For now, all clubs are on pause while we collect the required Parent Consent Forms under state law. Students cannot participate without a signed form. Once forms are in, we will share updated details and ensure families are notified of any changes.

❓ PTA Fundraising Oversight and Spending
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our families through Part of the Pack. The PTA’s goal of $100,000 directly supports teacher wish lists, clubs, field trips, professional learning, campus improvements like our new turf, and student celebrations and community events.

Our PTA and campus leadership share the same vision: improving the student experience at Travis TAG. I work closely with PTA leadership and have full confidence in the thoughtful, responsible decisions they make to ensure that funds are used in ways that enrich our students’ learning and growth.

Every contribution makes a difference, and we will continue to share updates so families can clearly see the impact of their support.

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 9/08 (A Day)

• Spirit Day: College and Dallas ISD High School
• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall
• Reminder: Clubs and Activities Parent Consent Forms will be sent home with all students on Monday, September 8. Please check your child’s backpack!

• Advisory: Kindness/Integrity - Organization

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall

• Advisory: Knowledge - Study Hall
• SBDM 5:30 PM in the Art Room
• PTA 6:30 PM in the Auditorium
  

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

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!

September 15 - Parent and Student Handbook agreement page with signatures due today

September 24 - 8th grade school pictures

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

October 9 - Fall Break

October 10 - Fall Break

October 13 - Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development

October 14 - High School Night

🔗 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!