HAWK News: Literacy in Action, Halloween Traditions + More!

“You can't stay in your corner of the Forest waiting for others to come to you. 

You have to go to them sometimes.”

— A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Get those pumpkins and costumes ready! TEA's Halloween celebration is coming up on Friday, October 30, with a morning of friendly competition, creative costumes, and a delicious all-school potluck. Our Student Council and TAP are teaming up to make it a fun day for the entire CommuniTEA!

Here's what's planned:

This is one of our favorite TEA traditions! Lower School students will race their pumpkin creations, with Upper School students joining the fun as spectators.

Lower School students will show off their creative costumes in a parade, while Upper School students will compete for prizes in a costume contest. 

Thanks to TAP, we'll enjoy a delicious community meal near the field, in the same area used for the Back to School Bash. The menu will feature everything from lasagna and pulled pork to vegetarian and gluten-free options. Please consider signing up to bring a dish. 

We can't wait to celebrate together!

Learning to read is one of the most important foundations of a child's education. At TEA, we're helping our youngest learners build those skills through small-group instruction and research-informed teaching practices.

Our K/1 and 2/3 Crews are now in their second week of literacy groups, designed to meet students where they are in their reading development. Academic Student Support Coordinator Katie Bloom and Academic Support Specialist Brenda Gants are working alongside Crew Leads to provide differentiated instruction in smaller groups, sometimes with as few as 2-6 students. These groups allow teachers to focus on specific skills, provide individualized support, and adjust instruction as students progress.

TEA's literacy approach is grounded in the Science of Reading, a body of research about how children learn to read. Students learn to recognize individual sounds, connect them to letters, blend sounds to read words, and break words apart to support spelling. As their skills develop, they tackle more complex patterns, syllables, and word meanings, building the foundation for fluent reading and comprehension.

We're also excited to bring more opportunities for independent reading through our Lower School library! Students will soon begin browsing and checking out books, complete with special book bags to carry their selections between home and school.

Library volunteers are needed! We are looking for parents and caregivers who can help in the afternoons as students browse, select, and check out books. It's a wonderful opportunity to support young readers and help make the library a welcoming place for discovery. Interested in helping? Please reach out to our library coordinator! 

At TEA, we encourage students to give new sports a shot, even if they've never played before! We've seen it happen time and again: students try a sport at TEA, discover a new passion, and continue playing beyond our school. Athletics also brings students across grade levels together, building friendships, teamwork, and confidence along the way.

Our Middle School Boys Basketball season begins Monday, October 26, and we're inviting boys in grades 5–8 of all experience levels to join the TEAm! 

Led by experienced Head Coach Steven Madeck, the team will compete in the Tah-Neva League against local schools, including North Tahoe, Incline, and Lake Tahoe School.

Go Hawks!

What does the journey through TEA High School really look like? 

Join us on Tuesday, October 27, from 5:30–7:00 p.m. in Mod 3 at the Upper School for an evening exploring how academic challenge, adventure, and fieldwork prepare students for college, career, and life.

Hear directly from faculty, our College and Career Counselor Katy Watts, as well as current high school students and their parents, about the experiences and personalized guidance that make TEA's high school program unique.

Following the presentation, younger students will enjoy pizza and conversations with TEA seniors, while parents and caregivers connect with senior families to hear firsthand perspectives and advice.

Please be sure to RSVP through the ParentSquare event post so we can plan for space and refreshments. Families can also join via Zoom.

We're excited to welcome the Rosenthal family to TEA! Augustus, who goes by Gus, has joined our 7th Grade Crew, along with parents Blaise and Jessica, and older brother Alex.

Gus is an enthusiastic learner who loves reading, games, and just about every sport. He's also social and independent, qualities his family hopes will serve him well at TEA. The Rosenthals were drawn to the school's emphasis on real-world learning, a flexible curriculum, and challenges that encourage students to grow beyond their comfort zones.

The Rosenthals are an adventurous family with a wide range of interests. From snowboarding, surfing, and hiking, to travel, art, and exploring great food, they love sharing new experiences with friends and extended family. Blaise, Jessica, and Gus live in Truckee with their dog and cat, while Alex is pursuing his surfing career.

Welcome to TEA, Gus! 

TAP is still looking for parent and caregiver volunteers to help with Lower School lunch duty!

Spending time with our youngest learners during lunch is a fun and easy way to get involved, connect with students, and support our teachers. Whether you can help once or make it a regular part of your schedule, we'd love to have you!

Thank you to everyone who has already volunteered. Your time and support make a difference for our entire CommuniTEA! 

Please take a minute to complete our Parent and Guardian Survey - button is below -  if you haven't already and also join us at our next TAP meeting on November 9 at 8:45am at the Truckee Airport or via Zoom. 

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