Letter from Sylvia Theissen, PTA President

I would like to thank everyone who came out and helped with the Campus Beautification. It was great to see so many students taking ownership of their campus by working hard to clean it up for History Faire. The grounds look awesome thanks to everyones hard work. Thank you to Tori Austin and John Brown for organizing this event. The NEISD Used Book Sale is April 5th-7th. This is a great place for readers to get books for their summer reading. All hardbacks are $1 and paperbacks are just .50. Bring your friends and family to shop. The Tejeda PTA will receive a portion of the proceeds, and those proceeds will benefit the English department. The next Regular PTA meeting is Tuesday, April 9th at 6:30 in the Cafeteria. We will elect the PTA officers for the next school year and hold our annual meeting. We will also recognize the UIL team and celebrating their success at the district UIL tournament. Dont forget, April 15th is the last day to submit your students PVSA log. We will recognize all students who receive the PVSA at the end of May. Lets finish the school year strong!!

General PTA Meetings and Proposed Programs for School Year

2nd Tuesday of the Month, 6:30pm (Months designated in Bylaws)

April 9 Election of PTA Officers and UIL Recognition

Dont Forget
April 15 PVSA Logs due
(log found on pg 23)

Logs can be turned in at front office PVSA ceremony coming up in May

Sylvia Theissen Tejeda Middle School PTA President

PRINCIPAL SHELTONS NOTES

Dear Parents: As we enter into April we are approaching our STAAR season. While testing can bring about anxiety, we believe in our students and know that they will do their very best. April 2nd - 7th grade Writing Day 1 and 8th grade Math April 3rd - 7th grade Writing Day 2 and 8th grade Reading April 22nd - 8th grade Social Studies April 23rd - 6th and 7th grade Math (includes STAAR L) April 24th - 6th and 7th grade Reading and 8th grade Science (includes STAAR L) April 25th - Makeup testing day May 6th - Algebra EOC You can help us by assuring that your child is on time, well rested and has eaten a good breakfast. It will be awhile before they get to eat again. Just as a reminder these are timed tests and they last four hours. On another note, I want to congratulate Mrs. Julie Shore! I know that many of you have grown to love her and appreciate her work at Tejeda. She will be moving on to Johnson as a High School Assistant Principal. We are so proud of her as she continues to grow in her profession and I know that you will look forward to working with her again at Johnson. She has done a fabulous job at Tejeda and she will be missed by both the students and staff. Her last day at Tejeda will be April 1st. We will be interviewing for her position and will seek the best candidate for our school. The good news is that we have been flooded with requests for people wanting to work at Tejeda. This is a fabulous school. It is also important that you know that our fabulous, Mr. John Brown, will be moving on to new horizons at the end of the school year. He will be working as an Assistant Principal through the end of the school year and has decided to go back into the classroom to work with students in that capacity. He is a Special Education teacher and has so very much to offer. He is a man of great integrity and I know he has a gift of working with children. In this time of transition, we will try not to miss a beat. The internal leadership on this campus is fabulous and Tejeda can endure change and continue to be the fabulous School to Watch that it is. Thank you, Brenda Shelton Principal

Testing Volunteers Needed !!

Volunteers needed to assist during testing from 8am - 1pm on the following days: April April April April April 2nd - 6 volunteers needed 3rd - 6 volunteers needed 23rd - 6 volunteers needed 24th - 8 volunteers needed 25th - 4 volunteers needed

Please contact Sylvia Theissen (sylvia.theissen@gmail.com). Thanks in advance!!!

The Spring Campus Beautification event held on Saturday March 23, 2013 was a huge success! THANK YOU to all of the students, parents and campus faculty and staff for all of the hard work. The campus looks great and is ready for the Tejeda History Faire.
- Tori Austin

Volunteers Needed for El Dorado Event

Tejeda PTA is lending a helping hand to our sister school El Dorado elementary for their upcoming Spring Carnival on Saturday, April 13th from 12:00 to 4:00 on their school grounds located at 12619 El Sendero. PTA has donated prizes, treats, and sodas for their games and bottled waters for their students to to use during the upcoming STAAR testing. If any Tejeda student or parent would like to volunteer they are looking for volunteers to sign up anytime between 9:00am to 4:00pm. Please email Melissa Ling at jling@satx.rr.com if you would like to volunteer and for more information.

Tejeda PTA Slated Officers

The slated officers for the 2013/2014 PTA Board are as follows: President - Monica Pipes 1st Vice President - Nancy Thomas 2nd Vice President - Tanya Gill Secretary - Cindy Zagrzecki Treasurer - Stephanie Nemec The officers will be voted in at the PTA General Meeting on Tuesday, April 9th, at 6:30 pm.
- Amy Morgan Nominating Committee Chair

AUTHOR VISIT!!
Texas singer/song writer Darden Smith will be visiting Tejeda on April 9th and has scheduled two performances. The artist from Austin, Texas, uses the power of story telling and collaborative songwriting to inspire creativity. Mr. Smith has 13 critically acclaimed albums over his 28 year career and is breaking new ground in education. For more information on Mr. Smith, please visit his website at www.dardensmith.com.

- Ginger Seibert

THE BOOK FAIR IS COMING!

Story Laboratory is the theme for the book fair this year. Reading Gives You Super Power! Grab your cape and mask and get to the Tejeda Book Fair April 15th-19th. Dont show up in the nick of time - be there early to see what all Scholastic has to offer. You can be a hero by volunteering. Contact Ginger Siebert at sgnsiebert3@att.net. So fly, jump, swim or run just get to the Tejeda Book Fair. See you there!!

Pre-Order Your 2013 Legacy Yearbook!

The school year is quickly coming to an end and the last day to guarantee a yearbook for your child is Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Please order online at www.yearbookforever.com to ensure your child has the book that will allow them to unlock their memories for this school year. The current cost of the yearbook is $50. Distribution of pre-ordered yearbooks will take place in late May. Any extra yearbooks will be sold for $60 CASH before school. Sale of any extra yearbooks will be on a first come, first serve basis. Have your child listen to the announcements for more information as the distribution draws closer.

ORDER YOUR YEARBOOK TODAY!!! If you have questions, please contact Ms. Stroud at mstrou@neisd.net.

Visit the Tejeda PTA page on Facebook!

Great place for the most up to date news on the Timberwolves. Keep up with the pack and their activities !

Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/TejedaPTA .

WATCH D.O.G.S. (Dads Of Great Students) is an innovative program of the National Center for Fathering focusing on the prevention of violence in our nations schools by using the positive influence of fathers and father-figures for a two-fold purpose: 1) to provide an unobtrusive presence in the schools, and 2) to be a positive and active role-model for students at their school. WATCH D.O.G.S. was founded by Jim Moore, a concerned father who chose to take action in response to a 1998 middle-school shooting in Jonesboro, AR. WATCH D.O.G.S. serves to inspire and equip men to be the involved fathers, grandfathers and father-figures their students need. For more information, visit the WATCH D.O.G.S. website at www.fathers.com/watchdogs.

WOLF CREDO
RESPECT THE ELDERS TEACH THE YOUNG COOPERATE WITH THE PACK PLAY WHEN YOU CAN HUNT WHEN YOU MUST REST IN BETWEEN SHARE YOUR AFFECTIONS VOICE YOUR FEELINGS LEAVE YOUR MARK

Texas PTA Needs Your Feedback

Please take their School Safety Survey. The survey is nonscientific and will be used to help determine parent reaction to issues surrounding school safety legislation and guiding principles on future testimony on bills. Results may not be shared and do not constitute a position(s) or resolution of Texas PTA. It takes less than two minutes! Please click on the link below for the survey.
http://www.formsite.com/txpta/form315/index.html

For more information visit www.txpta.org

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A Reminder From Attendance

Please send a note with your student when he/she is absent. A student has 2 days to turn in a Parent or Dr.s. note to receive credit for that absence. Thank you!

Message from the Main Office

by Marsha Stiles

The Tejeda main office would like to share a few procedural tips for making your visits to our campus a pleasant experience. When the need arises, and your presence is required at Tejeda, you will need to do the following: 1. No matter the reason for the visit, you are required to stop at the main office first to sign in. 2. If you are only there to drop something off for your child, or to pick up a sick child from the clinic, you must sign in at the main office counter and take the yellow laminated pass found in the pocket of the sign in binder. 3. If you need to go anywhere else in the building, you will need to be signed in through the Raptor system. Your driver's license is required for this procedure. Once the license has been scanned during your first visit, you will only need to tell us your name for any subsequent visits. However, you will always need to show your DL to sign your student out at the clinic and/or the attendance window. 4. It is extremely important that during the morning hours of 7:30-8:30 a.m. you understand that the front parking lot is closed for buses only. The same applies to the afternoon pick up from 2:50-3:45 p.m. If you arrive to pick up a student at 2:45 p.m. and park in the front parking lot, please do not park anywhere in the circle drive. The middle section of the parking lot is the recommended place to park. Parking in any other space may result in your vehicle being blocked in by the school buses. Please also be aware that if this happens, we are not allowed to ask the buses to move. 5. We will soon have a new Raptor system set up near the student drop off/pick up area in the event you enter the building from the back parking lot during the early morning times. Those badges will be printed from the ISS room/ C142.

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Counselors Corner
by Shawnda Christopher

Test Taking Tips for Multiple Choice Tests

Skip any question that you do not know the answer to. When you complete the test, go back and read the skipped questions again. Often, the answer will be clear the second time. When unsure of the correct answer, eliminate the answers that you know are not correct. Then, choose the answer that best answers the question. Choose your answers carefully. Check to make sure that the answer you choose is neither too specific nor too general for the question. Try to make a mental picture of the stories being told in the reading passages. This tip is especially if the passages are fiction. Do not overlook details in the passages. Read slowly and carefully. Do not just skim the passage. Notice how the passage is organized. Does the passage make several points, one in each paragraph? Is the passage organized in two or more general sections? Pay attention to graphics. If the passage contains a graphic, you can be fairly certain that some of the questions will be asked about it. Refer back to the passage as often as needed to answer the questions. You do not have to memorize the information in the passage, but you should be able to refer back quickly for information. Knowing how the passage is organized will help you know where to look for an answer. Relax when you go in to take the test. You will do your best work when you are relaxed and comfortable. Wearing comfortable clothing with several layers is also a good idea. If it is too warm or too cool during the test, you will be prepared. Get plenty of sleep the night before the test. Eat a big breakfast in the morning of the test. Some tests can last many hours.

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Library Lost & Found

Moms, does your kids wardrobe seem limited these days? Are they sitting on the front porch when you get home from work? Are they taking their lunch in a paper bag instead of the lunch box you purchased for them? If so, they need to stop by the library lost and found to look for their sweat shirts, sweaters, house keys and lunch boxes. While they are there they can look for any winter coats, prescription eye glasses, P.E. clothing, shoes and many other assorted items they may have misplaced. There is a huge selection so please encourage your child to take a look if they are missing anything. Thank you to Heather Gaudette, library volunteer, for organizing all the items. All unclaimed items are donated.

MONEY MATTERS As of November 1, 2004, North East ISD has established the following policy for accepting checks and collecting bad checks: For a check to be an acceptable form of payment, it must include your current and accurate name, address, telephone number, drivers license number and state. In the event your check is returned for non-payment, the face value may be recovered electronically along with a state allowed recovery fee. In the event your check is returned for non-payment, checks will no longer be an acceptable form of payment for the remainder of the school year.

- Irene Cantu, Bookkeeper

COOPERATE WITH THE PACK

Have you noticed the icon on the bottom left side of the Tejeda web page? Cooperate with the Pack is another way to report bullying issues at Tejeda. In addition to the Bully Box, located outside the library, students can now click on the link, type in their issue or concern and press send. The emails will be checked 3 times throughout the school day. Urgent issues or concerns should be reported to proper authorities immediately or to campus administrators.

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GREEN Club in Action by Kristen Guerra

Tejeda Clubs

GREEN club and Tejedas art classes are partnering on a project. Our students are collecting caps from various containers to create a recycled piece of artwork. Please help us complete this project by sending any caps to the school. Types of caps include, but are not limited to: 1. Twist caps on threaded neck bottles (shampoo, soda, milk, water, other beverages bottles, etc.) 2. Flip caps on tubes and food product bottles (condiments, etc.) 3. Jar lids (peanut butter, pickles, etc.) 4. Laundry detergent lids A bin is located outside of the front office for caps. Thank you in advance for your support!

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Timberwolvess Orchestra Rocks UIL Three Times!

For the past 8 weeks if you have been at school early you could hear music. Orchestra students have been coming in early and band students have been staying late practicing for all the UIL competitions scheduled for the two groups. All the hard work and practice paid off because they rocked the judges at all the UIL competitions. The first time was March 7 when the FULL orchestra, this means strings and band, competed together for the first time at UIL and received all 1s! This is the highest score possible. What is that saying? Practice! Practice! Practice! It is true. The second time was March 21st when Symphony String Orchestra went to UIL in La Vernia, TX. They played some difficult music and scored all 1s! They came home with a nice trophy, SWEET! The final time was March 22nd when Honors String Orchestra went to UIL in La Vernia, TX played higher level of music than any other school there, scored all 1s and was suggested by the judges to enter the state wide Texas Honor Competition. All the trophies were well deserved. These kids along with Mrs. Fishman, the Orchestra Director and Mr. Rosenberg, the Band Director ROCKED IT!!!

Congratulations!!!
By Ginger Seibert

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Tejeda Band wows during UIL Season

The Tejeda Band had a very successful UIL Season. Concert Band under the direction of Mr. Taylor received a first division in the Concert and a second division on a very difficult sight reading piece. The Symphonic Band under the guest direction of Mr. Rosenberg and Mr. Lipman came away with the prestigious Sweepstakes Award by making a first division in Concert and Sight Reading. The following week the Tejeda Wind Ensemble wowed the audience and Judges with their performance and also received the prestigious Sweepstakes Award. The Concert portion of the contest is based on the performance of three pieces that the band has worked on for the past few months. The sight reading portion of the contest consists of the students performing a piece of music they have never seen before and after an explanation period by the director, they perform the music. Up next for the Band is the Dallas Music Festival in May for 7th & 8th graders and the TLU Music Festival for the Beginner Honor Band and Wind Ensemble. Thanks to all the students and families for working so hard and representing Tejeda so well!
By Bernard Rosenberg

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Debate and Student Congress Meet Results

On March 5th, 2013, fourteen Tejeda students participated in the Student Congress meet at Bush Middle School. Ms. Stroud is so very proud of the students that participated. Students placing 1st through 3rd won a large gavel, and the students placing 4th through 10th won a small gavel. 6th Graders:
Dylan Fernandez del Lara-10th place Grade Holland Quinn Murphy Sai NIkkam-5th place Zack Parker-3rd place Matt Peterson-9th place Zack Purcell-5th place Max Sierra-6th place Tanvi Telukunta-10th place Nico Warrior-8th place

7th Graders

Aman Ali Jacklynn Jackson

8th Graders:

Colin McKay-2nd place Cassie Williams-8th place

Congratulations on your hard work!

By Mikel Stroud, Debate and Yearbook Advisor

Sport Schedule
Track Schedule can be found at:
http://www.neisd.net/tejeda/athletics/athletic_schedules/boys_track_2013.pdf

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Dietitians Diary April 2013

Katie Mahoney, M.S., R.D., L.D. Nutrition Education / Wellness Coordinator School Nutrition Services

All About Quinoa! Quinoa (keen-wah) is an ancient food that was common among the Incas. Although it looks, tastes, and cooks like a grain, quinoa is technically a seed more closely related to beets and spinach than rice or wheat. It has gained popularity in recent years among vegetarians and those with celiac disease as a high-protein, gluten-free alternative to animal and grain products. Unlike most other plant-derived foods quinoa is a complete protein, meaning that it contains all nine essential amino acids. Animal-derived foods like milk, meats, fish, yogurt, and eggs are the most common complete protein food staples in our diets. If youd like to incorporate quinoa into your familys meals, try using it as an alternative to rice, barley, or couscous. If youre looking to make a healthy breakfast, try quinoa in place of oatmeal! Cook the quinoa as you normally would, but use milk in place of water. Once the milk has been absorbed, add dried fruits, nuts, and cinnamon for a delicious and nutritious breakfast. Quinoa is quick and easy to prepare, so look for it in the rice or pasta aisle of most grocery stores and start enjoying it today!!

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Get Healthy Timberwolves!

Healthy Texas Week April 8-14, 2013
Healthy Texas Week is an annual initiative in which ITS TIME TEXAS (ITT), together with its Founding Allies, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas and H-E-B, celebrates the health of all Texans. During this week, Texans are encouraged to eat better, move more, and live well. Healthy Texas Week will become the healthiest week of the year uniting motivated individuals, institutions, and organizations in communities across Texas to advance the cause to make healthy the norm in the Lone Star State. For more information, visit the Texas PTAs website at: http://www.txpta.org/programs/healthy-lifestyles/

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PTA Links
NEISD Council of PTAs
http://www.necouncilpta.com/

State PTA
http://www.txpta.org/

National PTA
http://www.pta.org/

Texas PTA Newsletter

The Spring 2013 edition of The Voice is available online. Get your copy from the Texas PTA website: http://www.txpta.org/about-texas-pta/voice/ Great articles inside such as: Texas PTA Legislative Priorities 2013, Vouchers - What You Can Do, Shots Theyre Not Just For Tots, Elections (Nominating Committees and PTA Officers) and much more!

Tejeda Teacher Honored with Excellence Award !

Tejedas own Kristen Guerra made the front page of the March 2013 issue of the North East News newsletter. HEB surprised her in the classroom with the announcement of her award. She was presented with a check for herself and for Tejeda! Awesome! Please click on this link for the article: http://www.neisd.net/ComRel/documents/NENewsMar2013.pdf
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Presidents Volunteer Service Award

The Presidents Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) is issued by the Presidents Council on Service and Civic Participation on behalf of the President of the United States. It is given to recognize the best in American spirit, and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation. The Award is given to individuals that have demonstrated outstanding volunteer service and civic participation over the course of a 12-month period. For Tejeda students, the PVSA time period is April 15, 2012 to April 14, 2013. All hours must to be turned in by April 15th to allow enough time to review and certify service hours and to order awards.

HOW TO LOG YOUR HOURS

Please log your service hours on the Tejeda Middle School PVSA Log (which can be found on our facebook page http://www.facebook.com/tejedapta or on Scribd. IMPORTANT For any project that accrues more than 20 hours of service, please have the supervisor of the project issue a signed letter/certificate and attach to your log. The PVSA collection time for your service hours is April 15, 2012 April 14, 2013. Any service done during this time period can be logged. The PVSA log must be turned into the front office by April 15, 2013. The student and parent must sign the log to certify that the hours are accurate.

There are three levels of awards BRONZE you have at least 50 service hours SILVER you have 75-99 service hours GOLD you have 100 or more service hours. The award includes a certificate and a letter from the President. Students who receive a Presidents Volunteer Service Award will be recognized at the end of May. If you have any questions, please contact Sylvia Theissen, Tejeda Middle School PTA President at Sylvia.theissen@gmail.com

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STAAR Questions?
Having a lot of questions about the new STAAR tests, you will find many resources, as well as a comprehensive question and answer document, at the Texas Education Agency website.
Link: http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/staar/

Please visit the NEISD's STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) website for a basic overview of STAAR which specifies who will be taking this new statewide test in the coming school years. http://www.neisd.net/staar/index.html The website will be updated as more information from TEA becomes available.

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Tejeda PTA Membership

Hello again! We want ALL families to Get Connected to Tejeda PTA this year. Did you know that joining PTA does NOT require you to volunteer for countless hours? Being a member of PTA simply means you are supporting your school and your child - connecting families and schools is what we're all about. Plus, you are eligible for lots of great discounts from places like Six Flags, La Quinta, Dell (and more) after you activate your card! You can join PTA on the form on page 26 of this newsletter or contact Cindy Zagrzecki. Join PTA today and GET CONNECTED! Thanks, Cindy Zagrzecki 2012-2013 Membership Chair CindyZ@marykay.com

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Its that time of year again! Everyone is back in school, and our PTA membership drive is in full swing! Lets show our support and JOIN PTA!

TEJEDA PTA MEMBERSHIP FORM

If you would like to become a member and no longer have your welcome packet information, please fill out this form and return it with your membership fee in an envelope marked PTA MEMBERSHIP to your childs teacher. Thank you! Name:_________________________________________ Address:_______________________________________ Phone No:_______________________ Email:_____________________________ Childs Name:____________________ Advisory Teacher/Grade_______________ Joining as: _____Parent _____Teacher/staff ____Relative ____Community member Membership: $6.50 per member $4.25 per life member Please make checks to : Tejeda Middle School PTA

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STAAR/STAAR M Testing and Tutoring Dates

Testing: April 2nd - 7th grade Writing Day 1 and 8th grade Math April 3rd - 7th grade Writing Day 2 and 8th grade Reading April 22nd - 8th grade Social Studies April 23rd - 6th and 7th grade Math (includes STAAR L) April 24th - 6th and 7th grade Reading and 8th grade Science (includes STAAR L) April 25th - Makeup testing day May 6th - Algebra EOC

Tutoring: April April April April April April April April 8 - 8th grade History 330p-5p 9 - 8th grade Science 330p-5p 10 - 8th grade History 330p-5p 11 - 8th grade Science 330p-5p 15 - 8th grade History 330p-5p 16 - 8th grade Science 330p-5p 17 - 8th grade History 330p-5p 18 - 8th grade Science 330p-5p

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April 2013
Sun 1
For STAAR Testing and Tutoring dates please see flyer on page 27

Mon 2

Tue 3

Wed 4

Thu 5

Fri 6

Sat

Yearbook applications due for next year

PTA Used Book Sale setup and Employee Sale Track Meet Boys and Girls @ Heroes MS Track Meet @ Heroes 430p

PTA Used Book Sale @ Littleton Gym Mix It Up Lunch

PTA Used Book Sale @ Littleton Gym History Faire 10a-4p

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PTA Used Book Sale @ Littleton Gym

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Evening with Strings Tejeda BAC

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Author Visit @ Library 6th and7th Grade Project Target Teks 330p-445p Track Meet 430p

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Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast

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Spring Speech Tournament @ Eisenhower 8th Grade Science and Social Studies Project Teks 9a12p

General PTA Mtg 630p

NJHS Induction @ Johnson HS

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Book Fair
PVSA Logs due

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Book Fair

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Book Fair
Track Meet of Champs @ Heroes 430p

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Book Fair
Spring Musical 630p

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Book Fair
Spring Musical 630p

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TRYATHLON @ Golds Gym Algebra Project Target Teks 9a-12p

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Administrative Professionals Day

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PTA Newsletter submission deadline

26 Student & Staff Holiday Battle of Flowers

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Fine Arts Dallas Trip Parent Mtg 630p

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Middle School Public Forum @ Bush MS

Coming Soon! PVSA Ceremony in May

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