Originally delivered on 9/1/2026 8:00 pm

SUBJECT: September 2026 PTA Newsletter

Hexter Hawks September 2026 Newsletter
🦅 Hexter PTA: We’re Off to a Howling Good Start!

It has been so lovely seeing all the familiar and NEW faces during these first few weeks of school 💙💛 Meet the Teacher was such a special way to kick off the new school year, and my heart was so full seeing so many families stop by the PTA table to say hi and learn about getting involved. We had a fantastic turnout of parents ready to get involved, volunteer, and show their Hexter spirit!

Being involved with the PTA and our school can look different for every family. If you’re not sure where to begin, the first step is simply to join the PTA. It’s an easy way to show your support and be part of our Hexter community.

Our first meeting is Thursday 9-17 - trust me when I say, you won’t want to miss it! Hawk Hour starts @ 5:30 - a chance to grab a bite to eat and/or socialize with your fellow Hawk families.. then our PTA General Meeting kicks off @ 6:30pm in the Cafetorium - this is your chance to participate in PTA business, learn about all the magic we are planning for this year, and so much more!

If you want to volunteer but don’t know where to begin—or if you just want to talk to someone who has already been down the slide of being a new parent at the school—please reach out to me! I’m always happy to help you find your way. And if I don’t have the answer, I’ll connect you with someone who does!

📧 HexterHawkPTA@gmail.com

👕 Uniform Swap Success!

Our Uniform Swap was a HUGE success! A big thank you to everyone who donated uniforms to help stock the swap. With our fast-growing Hawks, it’s always wonderful to have the opportunity to pick up a gently loved uniform—or two, or three!—and give it another life.

A very special THANK YOU to our Outreach Chair, Stacy Potts, for organizing and helping make the Uniform Swap such a success! We love seeing our Hexter families help one another out, and this is such a great example of our community coming together.

🦅 Show Your Hexter Spirit!

A HUGE thank you to Valerie Moreno for running our Spirit Shop and keeping everyone looking HAWK-tastic! And a special shout-out to Lauren Smith, a brand-new Hexter parent, for lending her creative talents and helping design some of our fabulous new shirts. We are so excited to see them around campus!

We also want to give a big THANK YOU to our Hospitality Chair, Kelsey Vigilante, for treating our amazing Hexter staff to some yummy snacks and goodies to help fuel them through the back-to-school hustle. Our teachers and staff work so hard, and we love finding little ways to show them how much we appreciate them! ❤️

💙💛 My Door Is Always Open!

Questions? Comments? Concerns? Ideas? Random PTA thoughts that pop into your head while standing in the carpool line?

My door is always open! Come find me at drop-off or pick-up. Just a little tip: I’m usually a saved-by-the-bell kind of parent in the morning, so I’m typically on the back end of drop-off. 😂

And if you have a unique skill, talent, hobby, connection, or idea that you’d like to bring to our school—or you simply want to be involved—WE WANT YOU!

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered, donated, joined the PTA, helped at an event, shared an idea, or simply lent a hand. You are what makes our Hexter community so special.

Every person plays a part. Whether your involvement is small, occasional, behind the scenes, or deeply rooted in the day-to-day work of our school, it all matters.

We are successful because we work together. It takes all kinds of involvement, talents, ideas, and helping hands to make our school soar.

So here’s to a wonderful new school year, a community that shows up for one another, and a whole lot of Hawk pride! 🦅💙💛

Let’s make this our best year yet!


With gratitude, 

Susie Hughes

President, Hexter PTA

Membership Update

As we begin a new school year, we invite you to make a difference for every child by renewing (or joining) the Hexter Elementary PTA.

One of the biggest myths about PTA is that joining means you have to volunteer, attend every meeting, or spend hours at school. That's simply not true.

Whether you have:

  • Five hours a week,

  • Five hours a year,

  • Or no time to volunteer at all...

You belong in the PTA.

And did you know that anyone can join our PTA!? Parents, grandparents, caregivers, teachers, staff, alumni, family members, community members, alumni, neighbors, and local business supporters are all welcome. 

When you join, you are saying, "I support our students, our teachers, and our community at Hexter."

Your $11.50 in annual PTA dues directly enables us to:

  • Advocate for every child and strengthen the voice of our school in our community and beyond.

  • Deliver valuable programs and opportunities for our students and families, like the Hexter Garden or Spring Musical.

  • Enhance the environment where our children learn and play, like playground equipment or STEM carts.

  • Fill need gaps for our administration and teachers, like funding additional staffing positions or purchasing supplies.

  • Support our most vulnerable families, like supplementary meals from our Peace Pantry or sharing some holiday magic with our Angel Tree.

Please take a moment today to sign up or renew your membership at joinpta.org or through Membership Toolkit

Thank you for being part of our PTA family. Together, we can continue creating opportunities for every child to thrive.

Become a Member of Hexter PTA Today!

Hexter Mom's Club will kick of the year with a Happy Hour on Thursday, September 3rd.  If you can't make it, we plan to have many more opportunities throughout the year to give everyone a chance to come meet fellow Hexter moms.  Check out the FB Event for more details and don’t forget to join our new GroupMe

Hexter Dad's Club is looking for a more modern way to communicate in real time vs Facebook, so we now have a GroupMe.  (in addition to the Facebook group). 

Back to School Pool Party

Date: Sunday September 13, 2026

Where: Kaycee Pool

When: noon - 4pm

Who: all Hexter students and their immediate family

RSVPhttps://evite.me/5t9wTgpPqn


Grab some sunscreen and a towel to join your fellow Hawks for our Annual Back to School Pool Party!


Entry is FREE for all Hexter students and their immediate family.


This event is sponsored by the Hexter PTA to welcome all students and their families and to promote membership. During the event, it is a Hexter tradition that if we reach at least 100 members, Principal Smith and DISD Trustee Dan Micciche will go down the WATER SLIDE.


In addition, this year, we will have a DUNK TANK to raise money for Hexter programs including after school clubs, school supplies, peace pantry, additional playground equipment, and campus hospitality. You can purchase 3 throws for $5 (credit/debit card or digital wallet only, no cash). Plus, if you join the PTA (or renew your membership), you'll get 1 throw for free!


Membership Toolkit will be used to verify Hexter students at the gate. Be sure you are registered (and your details are updated for the new school year) to speed through the line! https://vhepta.membershiptoolkit.com/login-form


Please Note:

-Lifeguards will be on duty but please swim responsibly.

-No outside food or drinks are allowed at the Kaycee Pool. Kaycee staff will conduct bag checks at the gate and you may be asked to leave any food or drinks in your car.

-You may bring an *empty* water bottle to refill at their free water station.

-Concessions will be available for purchase as well as alcoholic beverages for 21+ (if you choose to do so, please drink responsibly).

PTA General Meeting

Join us for our FIRST meeting of the new school year! 

Date: Thursday September 17, 2026

Where: Hexter Elementary Cafetorium

When: Community Hour from 5:30 - 6:30 pm; Meeting starts at 6:30 pm


Food and drinks will be available for purchase beginning at 5:30pm so come spend some time with your fellow Hawk families and get a sneak peak at what we have planned for this year as well as opportunities to get involved with committees, clubs, and more! 


Here are just a few of the agenda items that we’ll be covering:

  • Live updates for North Texas Giving Day (happening that same day!)

  • Welcome new members! Learn more about the perks of being a PTA member

  • Introduce the 2026-27 PTA Board and share some of the incredible things planned for this year

  • Members will have an opportunity to review the approved 2026-27 Budget and Bylaws

  • Campus Updates from Principal Smith

TEXAS PTA ADVOCACY SURVEY

One of the many benefits of being a PTA member is having a voice in shaping Texas PTA's work during the 90th Texas Legislature. 

Not everyone can travel to Austin to testify during the legislative session, but every member can help shape the issues Texas PTA brings forward. By taking 15 minutes to complete the Texas PTA Advocacy Survey, members can share what they are seeing and experiencing in their homes, schools, and local communities. 

You do not need to be an expert on laws or government to participate. Hearing from members with different backgrounds and experiences helps Texas PTA truly understand the needs of local communities.

The more survey responses received, the better Texas PTA can develop legislative priorities that reflect our members' voices and experiences. 

If you have not paid your 2026-27 dues yet, you can do so at joinpta.org or through Membership Toolkit. All members are welcome to participate. Please complete the survey by Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

💙 North Texas Giving Day — September 17!

Mark your calendars for North Texas Giving Day on September 17! 🎉

This is a wonderful opportunity to support Hexter and help us continue providing programs, activities, and resources for our students, teachers, and school community.

And because a little friendly competition never hurts… we’re turning it into a grade-level challenge! 🏆

🎉 The grade that raises the MOST funds will win a PIZZA PARTY AND A FREE DRESS DAY! 🍕👕🎉

So get your family, friends, grandparents, neighbors, and anyone else who loves our Hawks involved! Every donation makes a difference, and every grade has a chance to win.

Let’s see which grade can bring home the pizza! 🍕🦅

Save the Date for the Hexter Howl:

It’s that time of year again! Get ready for this year’s Hexter Howl!

Some of you may know that we’re doing things a little differently this year in hopes of creating an even more fun, exciting, and spooky Hexter Howl experience for everyone!

NEW TIME THIS YEAR:

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Want to be part of all the fun? Keep an eye out for our volunteer sign-up page coming soon!

Local Business Owners:

Interested in becoming a Hexter Howl sponsor and supporting our school community? Please reach out for more information on sponsorship opportunities.

We can’t wait to howl with you! 

Now that we have a few weeks under our belt, we could use your help stocking the Hexter lounge!  Here is the the wishlist which is a great way to send a little love to the teachers and staff. Have something else in mind? Feel free to pick up whatever you think the staff would enjoy. Just make sure to label it "Hospitality" and drop it off in the front office. If you'd like to assist with hospitality effort, reach out to hexterhawkptahospitality@gmail.com.

Room Rep / Class Group Me

Room Rep Sign-Ups Are Open! 💙💛

We’re looking for multiple Room Reps per class to help share the load and make it easy for everyone! There are quite a few slots left to help make this a Hexcelent year. 

Click Here


CLASSROOM GROUPME 💙💛

A place for our class families to stay connected and share classroom info, upcoming events, reminders, questions, and helpful updates throughout the school year.

Click Here

Girls Circle and Guys Group

Hey Hexter! A few Hexter Moms are excited to bring a new program to the school this year called Girls Circle and Guys Group! 

Designed specifically for 4th–6th graders, these circles offer a high-energy space where kids learn life skills through fun lessons, games, and real conversations.  

LIFE SKILLS:

- Building confidence

- Understanding emotions

- Managing stress & anxiety

- Navigating healthy friendships

- Understanding puberty & sexual anatomy

- Improving communication skills

THE DETAILS:

👉 Register today: https://www.myhealthtorch.com/hexter-circles/

🔹 Who: 4th, 5th & 6th grade girls and boys (separate groups) 


🔹 When: Meets ten times (on a Friday after school at Hexter)


🔹 EARLY BIRD PRICING: $250 per semester before Sept. 11th.  Financial aid available.

Circles start end of September.  Each circle will meet on 5 Fridays in the fall and 5 Fridays in the spring at Hexter.  Space is limited.


*Girls circle and Guys groups are not sponsored by Hexter Elementary or the PTA*

Important Links
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 2
Attendance Matters Dress Up Day
Friday, September 4
8:10a Annual Title I Meeting & Coffee with the Principal
Saturday, September 5
9:00a Garden Maintenance Day
Tuesday, September 8
6:00p Virtual Annual Title I Meeting
Wednesday, September 9
Attendance Matters Dress Up Day
Thursday, September 10
6:00p Virtual Annual Title I Meeting
Sunday, September 13
12:00p Kaycee Pool Party Hosted by PTA
Tuesday, September 15
Spirit Night: Burger Smurger
Wednesday, September 16
Attendance Matters Dress Up Day
Thursday, September 17
North Texas Giving Day
6:30p General PTA Meeting
Wednesday, September 23
Attendance Matters Dress Up Day
Friday, September 25
10:00a Fashion Friday $2.00
Wednesday, September 30
Attendance Matters Dress Up Day
Friday, October 2
School Custodian Appreciation Day
8:10a Coffee with the Principal
Saturday, October 3
9:00a Garden Maintenance Days
Thursday, October 8
Fall Break- No School
Friday, October 9
Fall Break- No School
Saturday, October 10
Fall Break- No School
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