Originally delivered on 8/28/2024 1:30 pm

SUBJECT: September 2024 PTA Newsletter

Hexter Hawks September 2024 Newsletter
PTA Happenings

The PTA has been busy with back-to-school activities.   The Boo Hoo Breakfast, a Hexter tradition, was well attended.   Adrianne Graham, our hospitality lead, has been busy stocking the lounge and provided a dinner for teachers on Meet the Teacher night.  Friendly reminder to join our PTA via link below so we can continue to provide these activities and enrich the lives of our children. 

Become a Member of Hexter PTA Today!
A Note from the President

  Welcome back, Hawks, and WELCOME to the FIRST edition of our new monthly newsletter!

  I wanted to take a moment to thank all of our volunteers who have already put hundreds of cumulative hours towards launching the school year. It truly takes a village!

  Next, I wanted to talk about the importance of fundraising and how your PTA uses the money we raise. 

  What does the PTA pay for?:

   - Teacher supplies reimbursements

   - Campus improvements

   - Fine Arts (Instruments, School Musicals)

   - Custodial and Nursing supplies

   - Supplementing Field Trips

   - Catrina Cooper Food Pantry

   - Mindfulness Program

   - Showering our teachers with appreciation throughout the school year

   - Hexter Garden Teacher

And the newest addition to our budget:

   - Full salary and benefits for a Teaching Assistant on our campus to help further close the learning gap.

  This is not an exhaustive list, there are many other ways that we support our teachers and administration. Above all, we are here to advocate for your needs, your family's needs, and help provide a voice for every child.

  If you were on the fence about joining the PTA, or thought joining meant you needed to volunteer, know that that's not the case. Purchasing a PTA Membership is one BIG way that you can support the initiatives above.

  Head on over to JoinPTA.org, and purchase a membership for yourself, your partner, and even your Hexter Hawk.

Let's have a HEXELLENT year!


Elizabeth DuFlo

hexterhawkpta@gmail.com

Hexter Elementary PTA President 2024-2025

Meet our new VP, Ms. Rodriguez!

We are so excited to welcome Ms. Rodriguez to the Hexter Family.  Here is a quick Q&A so you can get to know her more.


  • Describe your leadership style.  My leadership style is grounded in authenticity and servant leadership. I believe in building a strong relationship with the community I serve. My goal is to support teachers, students and their families. When the home-school connection is strong, our children thrive.  
  • Where did you grow up and go to school? I was born in Havana, Cuba. I grew up in Dallas. I went to Bayles, Gaston and Skyline. East Dallas is still my home. I hold a Bachelor's of Science in Civil Engineering and a Bachelor's of Arts in Spanish from THE University of Texas at Austin. Hook ‘em, Horns! I did my graduate work at Southern Methodist University (SMU), where I earned a Masters of Bilingual Education in 2008 and returned 10 years later for a second Masters, this time in Education Policy and Leadership (in 2018). Pony up!   
  • What excites you most about Hexter?  I am excited about joining the Hexter community and contributing to its long history of excellence. There is a strong community of dedicated teachers that have served this school for years. I have received such a warm welcome from everyone and look forward to working together to respect the strong traditions and local wisdom, while remaining open to a new way of doing things.  
  • Can you tell us about your background in education?  I taught bilingual education for 15 years: 10 at Lipscomb Elementary in Old East Dallas and 5 at Shands Elementary in Mesquite ISD. I then moved into leadership roles ranging from campus intervention specialist, testing coordinator, and assistant principal. I have served Cannaday Elementary in Mesquite ISD, Botello Elementary in Dallas ISD, and most recently Sanger Preparatory just down the street.
  • How do you plan to foster a positive and inclusive school culture?   The key to fostering a positive and inclusive school culture is to share our stories with each other. When we do that, we realize what we have more in common than we see on the surface. A positive environment that values diversity through collaboration, teamwork and communication will help us be 1% better each day.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Our most immediate need is for the 9/8 Swim Party at KayCee Club. Signup :  Kaycee Club Sign Up


Mark your Calander.  Volunteers will be needed for our beloved & spooky HEXTER HOWL event on 10/26.  Volunteer opportunities for Hexter Howl will be posted soon. 


Make sure to complete a "VOLY" registration so you can participate in on campus events throughout the year (dallasisd.voly.org).  To help Hexter apply for grants and educational gifts,  volunteer hours should be recorded in Membership Tool Kit.  Please reach out to Keith Dodson at: volunteerhexter@gmail.com with any Hexter volunteer questions. 

Volunteer of the Month- Karen Salerno

Karen has been recognized for her contribution and generosity towards the teacher's lounge.  Here is a quick word from her on what Hexter and Volunteering mean to her.


I have been a proud Hexter parent since 2023 and have witnessed my children excel and thrive in our special Hexter community. I believe there is nothing more important than the educational communities we provide for our children, and it brings me so much joy to support the incredible educators at Hexter who work so hard to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive educational experience for every single Hexter Hawk!

Spotlight on Programs:

Back to School Pool Party @ KayCee Pool:

Sunday, September 8th Noon-4PM

10110 Shoreview Road, Dallas, TX 75238

Only actively enrolled students and their immediate family members are invited. We will be checking students in at the gate house. 

ABSOLUTELY NO OUTSIDE FOOD AND BEVERAGE PERMITTED, BAGS WILL BE SEARCHED UPON ENTRY!


Veterans Day Celebration:

Hexter will be celebrating our Veterans on Monday November 11th. Please send us photos of your beloved veterans by 11/1 with information about the branch they served in and their relationship to you. This is a time to recognize family members, friends and neighbors who have served our great country. Additionally, if you are a service member interested in participating in our panel presentation for our 3rd-5th graders or supporting our PT Workshop for our PreK-2nd graders where they will learn about physical fitness and exercises performed by America's finest, please let us know by 10/18. You can send photos, information, and interest in participating in our program to Lisa Causey, our VP of Program at lisaScausey@gmail.com

Room Parents Info:

If you have signed up to help as a room rep this year, thank you so much for your support!  Reminder to complete Voly application online every year (dallasisd.voly.org) as you must be approved to participate as a room rep or any type of volunteer.

Room Rep Orientation will be 9/5 at 6:00 PM at Goodfriend Beer Garden & Burger House.

There is still time to sign up! If you are willing and able to lend a hand in your student’s class please email Susie at Hexterroomparentcoordinator@gmail.com or text at 940-395-3823. 

Upcoming Fundraising Opportunities:
September Spirit Night

Our first Spirit Night to kick of the school year will be 9/10 at One90 Smoked Meats from 4-8 PM.   Hexter will receive 15% of dine-in, carry out, online and catering orders.   Please mention Hexter when you place your order.  


North Texas Giving Day

Save the date for North Texas Giving Day on 9/19.  There will be grade level competitions to see who can raise the most money and a pizza party is up for grabs for the winning class.  Grade level linked pages will be announced soon! 

White Rock Home Tour- April 26 & 27

We are thrilled to announce the return of the White Rock Home Tour, April 26th and 27th, 2025, an eagerly anticipated event that not only celebrates our community's rich architectural heritage, but also provides crucial funding for Hexter Elementary PTA. This year's tour promises to be exceptional, with proceeds directly supporting our newly staffed Hexter Teaching Assistant position. This initiative aims to close the learning gap within our socially and economically diverse student population, ensuring all children receive the support they need to thrive.

 To make this event a success, planning has begun now and we have scheduled our WRHT Kickoff Meeting August 28th, at 6 p.m. at Rodeo Goat Casa Linda. 

We have 7 key roles open on our committee and invite you to lend your talents to this meaningful cause. 

Project Director: Keep the committee on track with deadlines. Your organizational skills will ensure the event runs smoothly.

Marketing Director: Oversee and support all things marketing related. Your expertise will help us reach a wider audience.

Media Relations: Contact and negotiate the in-kind promotion of the WRHT. Your networking skills will amplify our message.

Reception Director: Event planning and love to throw parties. Your creativity will make our gatherings unforgettable.

Volunteer Director: Gatherer and lover of people. Your enthusiasm will mobilize our volunteer force.

Ticket Sales: Technology specialist and loves all things analytics. Your insight will optimize our sales strategies.

Tactical Team Lead: Organize and lead a tactical team the day prior and of the events to deliver key items to homes and be “on call” for items the homes may need.

 If you are interested in joining our committee, but have additional questions regarding how your unique talents could benefit the tour, please email whiterockhometour@gmail.com.  We look forward to connecting with you!

Save the Date for the Hexter Howl:

Come BOOgie with us and save the date for this year's Hexter Howl Halloween carnival - Saturday, October 26th, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Howl will take place on campus and next door at the Lake Highlands Baptist Church. You don't want to miss out on this long standing Hexter tradition! This year will be filled with spooky beats and ghostly treats including games, contests, costumes, BBQ, inflatables, and more! More details to come. If you're interested in participating in any of the planning or volunteering day of, or if your company/business would be interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out to Rachel Yockey at hexterhowl@gmail.com for more information. 

Secret Apple Pal:

Be on the lookout for our Secret Apple Pals sign up! A sign-up genius will be sent out and you may choose a staff member to gift quarterly as your Secret Apple Pal throughout the year.  Gifts do not have to be expensive. Gestures from the heart mean so much to our teachers and staff at Hexter (ex: nice card, homemade picture from student, homemade gift).

Once you select your Secret Apple Pal, you will receive their favorites sheet to help give you ideas for gifting.


At the end of the year you can choose to reveal your identity or stay anonymous. Please join this long standing and heartwarming tradition we have at Hexter.

Info on Spirit Wear Pickup:

If you ordered spirit wear through the presale, you will receive details about pick-up in mid-September from Meggie Orgain.  

Important Links
Upcoming Events
Monday, September 2
Labor Day No School
Labor Day / Día del trabajo
Sunday, September 8
12:00p Back to School Swim Party
Tuesday, September 10
4:00p September Spirit Night at One90 Smoked Meats
Thursday, September 19
North Texas Giving Day
5:30p PTA Meeting Hot Dog Dinner
6:30p PTA General Membership Meeting
Wednesday, October 2
National School Custodian's Day
Friday, October 4
End First Nine Weeks Grading Period
Monday, October 7
Begin Second Nine Weeks Grading Period
Thursday, October 10
Fall Break/Fair Days / Días para la feria
Friday, October 11
Fall Break/Fair Days / Días para la feria
Monday, October 14
Professional Development / Capacitación professional
Tuesday, October 15
8:00a Student Fall Pictures Logans
Thursday, October 17
Monarch Migration Celebration
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