GTA Update: Open House + Much More

BASIC AGENDA

I. PTO/Clubs Information

II. Student Schedule (copies of student schedules will NOT be available---print or screenshot before arriving)

• Parents will go to each classroom following their child's schedule on a shortened bell schedule
• Teachers will share highlights and information about their classes during each period
• There will NOT be time for individual conferences; schedule those with the teacher for another time if needed.

III. GTA Parent Meeting

NOTE: Students do NOT have to come to open house. In fact, it is recommended to limit the number of people who attend to minimize overcrowding.

Mr. Bernhart reviewed highlights of the GTA Handbook and Student Requirements and Expectations in a Teams meeting with ALL GTA Advisory classes on Monday, August 24th.

Please review the GTA Student Expectations and Requirements with your child and SIGN and RETURN the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT page. It is due back to the following teachers on or BEFORE Friday 8/28.

GTA6 > Mr. Connolly

GTA7 > Ms. Lee or Mr. Torres

GTA8 > Ms. Rincon

Additionally, if you'd like to review the entire GTA Handbook for 2026-27, it is also attached below.

Already, 24 GTA STUDENT LEADERS have indicated they're available for this initiative, but there are almost 50 elementary schools, so MORE STUDENT LEADERS ARE NEEDED!

In an effort to make sure that EVERY GT-identified 5th grader in FBISD knows about the GTA, this initiative aspires to have a GTA STUDENT LEADER and parent at EVERY elementary school open house to tell people about the GTA. Students (and parents) who volunteer will be provided instructions and materials to set up an informational booth about the GTA at each elementary school open house. Elementary open houses are scheduled for Thursday, September 3; Wednesday, September 9; and Thursday, September 10. It is allowed to sign up for more than one date.

NOTE 1: You will NOT be presenting as part of their official open house program, so don't worry! 😜

NOTE 2: GTA Representatives are needed at EVERY elementary school open house. Since we only need 1 student/parent volunteer at each campus, you might NOT be at the elementary school you attended. It is CRUCIAL, however, that we recruit volunteers who are prepared to go to any school where representation is needed. We thank you in advance for your willingness to travel if needed.

The GTA Elementary School Open House Initiative Volunteer Sign Up is Below

NOTE 3: This sign up is just to indicate your willingness to volunteer. It does NOT include the sign up for elementary campuses. That sign up is still being completed and will be shared later.

Debate Club introduces middle schoolers to the fundamentals of competitive debate. How to build arguments with evidence, and learning how to think on your feet. No experience is needed. You will learn the basics of and will be grouped into different debate forms of your choosing. These session will be student-led by high schoolers from Austin High School Debate Team.

Sponsor(s): Mr. Duvernay

Location: Library

Day: Wednesday

How Often: Bi-weekly

Time: 4:20-5:15 pm

First Meeting: Interest Meeting, August 26, 2026 > Students can join the club if they are unable to attend the interest meeting by contacting Mr. Duvernay (room 312).

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Attention demigods! We'll be working and playing through the last two books in the original Percy Jackson quintet this year. If you like gods, monsters, and blue food, feel free to join!

Sponsor(s): Mrs. Woods and Ms. Khandwalla

Location: Library

Day: Monday

How Often: Bi-weekly

Time: 4:20-5:15 pm

First Meeting: September 21, 2026

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Come enjoy the neutral chaos -- or is it evil? Come enjoy battling the forces of greed, evil, or power with the rest of the fantastical world.

Sponsor(s): Mrs. Woods and Mr. Woods

Location: Library

Day: Friday

How Often: Bi-weekly

Time: 4:20-5:15 pm

First Meeting: September 18, 2026

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Discover the vibrant world of K-Pop! Dive into Korean culture, express yourself through energizing dance routines, cultural immersion, and connect with fellow fans in fun group activities.

Sponsor(s): Mrs. Diaz-Wu

Location: Room 303

Day: TBD

How Often: Bi-weekly

Time: 4:20-5:00 pm

First Meeting: TBD

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Unleash your imagination! Step into a creative sanctuary where student writers experiment with different genres and showcase their unique voices through friendly club activities.

Sponsor(s): Mrs. Diaz-Wu

Location: Room 303

Day: TBD

How Often: Bi-weekly

Time: 4:20-5:00 pm

First Meeting: TBD

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

We will help future entrepreneurs to build and create their own business.

Sponsor(s): Ms. Tyler

Location: Room 103

Day: Friday

How Often: Bi-weekly

Time: 4:30- ???pm

First Meeting: TBD

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Promoting middle school students to inquiry and explorations in science and medicine. Providing opportunities to develop and strengthen academic and technical skills. Providing opportunities to develop and strengthen academic and technical skills. Pursuing a greater understanding of current healthcare, environmental, and survival concerns through activities and community services.

Sponsor(s): Ms. Momin and Ms. White

Location: Room 318

Day: Tuesday

How Often: Bi-weekly or Monthly?

Time: 4:20pm-???

First Meeting: TBD

There is a prerequisite test for this club and limited spaces.

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

The goal of the club is to improve the air quality in your classroom so everyone can learn in a healthier environment. We also want to raise awareness about air quality by creating a website that shares your research and solutions. Overall, the project focuses on protecting health and encouraging others to care about clean air. You can join. And help us!

Sponsor(s): Ms. Morales

Location: Room 712

Day: TBD

How Often: TBD

Time: TBD

First Meeting: TBD

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Bible reading, Prayer, Fellowship!

Sponsor(s): Ms. Maly

Location: Room 329

Day: Thursday

How Often: Weekly

Time: 8:00 am

First Meeting: First Thursday in September

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

QVYI exists to make a meaningful impact through various volunteer opportunities in the community and see different perspectives of our society. This club brings together passionate individuals who want to make a difference and work together to inspire a change.

Sponsor(s): Mr. Connolly

Location: Room 312

Day: Wednesday

How Often: Bi--weekly

Time: 4:20-5:15 pm

First Meeting: TBD

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Students learning to play guitar together, sharpening their skills, practicing, starting bands, writing music.

Sponsor(s): Ms. Maly

Location: Room 329

Day: Friday

How Often: Weekly

Time: 4:20-5:30 pm

First Meeting: September 4, 2026

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

Student-led club where members will research and learn the purposes and uses of artificial intelligence, robots powered by A.I., and coding.

Sponsor(s): Ms. Maly

Location: Room 329

Day: Monday

How Often: Weekly

Time: 4:20-5:30 pm

First Meeting: The first Monday of September.

Contact the sponsor(s) for additional information.

GREETINGS! I am a student at Elkins High School and a former student of Quail Valley's GTA. I founded this non-profit organization, Atria, and we are hosting our first math workshop for middle school students on September 5th. This would be a fantastic opportunity for kids to indulge in fun math games and learn more about STEM. I would greatly appreciate it if you could spread the word through the school's and the GTA newsletters. Please email me back if this is possible. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

​Saithanvi Routhu

Elkins High School, 9th Grade

Joseph Bernhart

Academy Coordinator

Gifted and Talented Academy

Quail Valley Middle School

joseph.bernhart@fortbendisd.gov

(281) 634-6687