HAWK NEWS: Advocacy in Action Across Our CommuniTEA

Posted Date: 01/12/26 (05:05 PM)

January 12, 2026

Hawks Quote of the Week

“The New Year stands before us like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We ourselves hold the pen, and the choices we make will write the story.”

– Melody Beattie

1/12 - Gala Poll Closes Tonight

1/13 - Tomorrow is US Picture Day Makeup

1/15 - LS Virtual Open House

1/19 - MLK Holiday, No School

1/27 - Northstar CommuniTEA ParTEA

1/29 - Upper School Pizza Day

Insider Info: Board Update
ACA: This Month’s Character Trait: Advocacy
Events: LS Virtual Open House and AGC ParTEA
Fundraising: Crew Winners and Gala Poll
TAP: Upper School Pizza Day & Volunteering
CommuniTEA Spotlight: Lola Slatt, ‘27

Board of Trustees Update

Happy New Year! It has been energizing to welcome students back to campus. The Board of Trustees is deeply grateful to the entire TEA community for the extraordinary 100% participation in this year’s Annual Giving Campaign. Reaching this ambitious and much-needed goal is a powerful reflection of the shared belief in TEA’s mission. The Board and Leadership Team are committed to carefully stewarding these resources in service of every student’s experience.

This past fall was a season of transition and thoughtful evaluation, bringing valuable perspective as we clarified priorities and advanced the long-term strength of the school. We are excited to be partnering with Interim Head of School Christopher Barnes, who has already brought a thoughtful and much-appreciated fresh outlook to the work ahead. In the coming months, the Board will be focused on strategic planning for next year’s budget, refining our path forward regarding the school property, and a new focus on updating the Board’s governance.

With the New Year, we have some changes in the leadership roles on the Board that we would like to share with you. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank Aaron Peterson for his years of continued service on the Board, with strong contributions on a variety of fronts. Aaron will be transitioning from Board Chair and returning to serve as the Board’s Treasurer. With deep gratitude for her many years of service to the school, Tori Long has once again answered the call to serve. Tori will return as Board Chair following a hiatus from voting membership, and she is joined by Hayes Parzybok as Vice-Chair.

The Board always values engagement from our extended community and can be reached collectively at bot@tahoeexpeditionacademy.org.

With sincere appreciation and excitement for the trail ahead,

TEA Board of Trustees

Advocacy in Action

This month, we’re focusing on the character trait of advocacy – the ability to speak up with purpose, care, and courage. At TEA, advocacy is not about having all the answers; It’s about helping students learn how to listen deeply, ask thoughtful questions, and take informed action when something matters to them.

From conversations about climate impacts on our local environment, to global humanitarian crises, to issues of equity, access, and belonging closer to home, students are regularly encountering complex realities that invite reflection and response. TEA’s approach to advocacy is rooted in our belief that students learn best when they are empowered to engage with the world thoughtfully and responsibly.

How families can support these conversations at home:

PreK–5: Focus on empathy and fairness. Ask questions like: “What feels important to you right now?” or “When have you noticed someone needing help?” Encourage children to notice their surroundings, care for shared spaces, and practice kindness through small, concrete actions.

Middle School: Help students connect personal values to larger issues. Ask: “What’s something you’ve learned recently that made you curious or concerned?” or “How do you think people can make change together?” Support them in exploring multiple perspectives and thinking about how their voice fits into a group.

High School: Invite deeper dialogue and reflection. Ask: “What responsibility do you feel when you learn about injustice or environmental impact?” or “How do your experiences at TEA shape what you want to stand for?” Encourage students to consider advocacy through research, storytelling, service, and leadership.

By naming what matters, practicing respectful dialogue, and modeling thoughtful action, we can help students build the confidence and discernment needed to advocate with integrity. Together, school and home play an essential role in preparing students to engage the world with clarity, compassion, and purpose.

Ice Skating + Pizza ParTEA at Northstar Celebrating AGC 100% Success

We can’t wait to celebrate our unbelievably generous communiTEA with a parTEA at The Village at Northstar. In past years, this has been a wonderful community gathering and we sincerely hope you’ll join us.

Enjoy pizza, sip on hot cocoa, indulge in a sweet treat, and connect with our amazing community. Please take a moment to RSVP on this ParentSquare post so we can plan food accordingly.

100% Awesome!

We are so impressed by our entire communiTEA. Achieving 100% participation in an Annual Giving Campaign is truly an achievement worthy of celebration.

Please join us on Tuesday, January 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Northstar for an ice skating and pizza party – fun for the whole family! Please RSVP by Monday, January 26.

We are also thrilled to announce that the first 5 crews that reached 100% will be enjoying either a class pizza parTEA, pajama/movie parTEA, or some extra play time outside. Please join us in congratulating the parents in the following classes for donating early in the campaign!

Kindergarten - First to 100%
12th - Second to 100%
1st - Third to 100%
5th - Fourth to 100%
4th - Fifth to 100%

2026 Gala Planning: Today is also your last chance to vote on the 2026 Gala Theme via this parent square poll. We sincerely appreciate those of you who have already done so. The marketing and decorations subcommittees cannot wait to start creating!

TAP January Meeting Recap

Happy New Year from TEA's Association of Parents! Our first meeting this year kicked off with an inspiring message from Christopher Barnes who reported that the year is off to a great start with momentum, excitement and positive feedback from teachers, parents and students.

Check your Parent Square posts for invitations to ice skating, bingo and trivia nights and volunteer opportunities. The lower school library is a great way to get involved and serving pizza puts a smile on everyone's face.

Speaking of pizza, Upper School Pizza Day is Thursday, January 29. The options are 2 slices of cheese or pepperoni or one of each, a bubbly water and a piece of fruit, all for $10! Sign up HERE.

Please join us at the next TAP meeting, February 9 at 8:30 a.m. at the Truckee Tahoe Airport or virtually via Zoom.

Lola Slatt, Class of '27

My name is Lola Slatt, and I am an 11th grade student at Tahoe Expedition Academy. Growing up in San Francisco, surrounded by so many different cultures and identities has shaped me into the person I am today, teaching me to respect and acknowledge the lived experiences of others from a very early age. Through exposure and understanding, I have become an advocate who is not afraid of using my voice to stand up for what is right.

During COVID in 2020, my family moved from San Francisco to Truckee. During the six years I have lived here, I have received several ignorant and offensive comments regarding my race, ethnicity, and religion, in and out of school, from classmates and even sometimes strangers. Through leadership programs, conferences, organizations, and volunteering, I've learned that prejudice isn’t innate; it’s formed, and rural communities are affected the most by it due to the absence of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives.

To combat this and to help people who are experiencing something similar in our small community, last year, with the help of Chloe Levenson, I spearheaded TEA’s first annual International Food Festival. The International Food Festival utilizes delicious food from all around the world as a way to help people better understand the lived experiences of others based on their background, identity, and culture. Creating an event where ALL are invited to participate strengthens the community and, most importantly, helps reduce prejudice through exposure, education, and connection. I want to help people like me feel more included in our small town, which is why I plan on making the International Food Festival a town-wide event this year.

Thank you TEA for giving me opportunities, resources, and endless support on my projects.

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