A Letter from the Incoming President to the 2018-2019 PTSA

Dear Members,
Some of you may have received emails from an individual raising questions about the PTSA regarding membership, graduation, and finances. I would like to take this opportunity to address the issues raised in those communications:

1. If you joined PTSA on April 26th, 2018, at the Incoming Freshman Orientation you are considered a member for the 2018-2019 school year.
2. Your membership is valid for 2018-2019 School year and must be renewed every year to continue to be an ongoing member.
3. The official PTSA Facebook Page is SEM Magnet High School PTSA Dallas Texas. (Linked) It is a closed page as approved by the Texas PTA, to protect the privacy of our children.
4. The Facebook page titled Townview School of Science and Engineering is no longer associated with the SEM PTSA or the Texas PTA, and is not sanctioned by either organization. Moreover, its administrator has made it a public page.
5. Graduation – Every year, with the approval of the Principal, the graduating Seniors have a choice of whether graduation will be held at a DISD venue or a private one. For this year’s Senior class, the parents were asked to vote on holding graduation at the Majestic Theatre (private) or Ellis–Davis Field House (DISD). 92 families voted, and 83% favored the Majestic Theatre. Parents voting for this choice were advised that an average voluntary contribution of $90 per student would be needed, but at no time was a payment required for a Senior to graduate. We are happy to report there was overwhelming support, with many families choosing to contribute extra, and the entire cost for all Seniors has been covered.
6. As reported at the General PTSA Meeting held on September 11, 2018, under the new PTSA Board for the 2018-19 academic year we are on target for our budget. As of today, the current Board has not approved any disbursements of PTSA monies. That means we have not purchased any items for teachers or staff, made any payments to students. Finally, any expenditure that the PTSA Board does approve this year will be made in accordance with the Texas PTA’s guidelines and the PTSA Bylaws, which demand that such expenditures be completely transparent to PTSA members.
7. If you have any questions on future PTA finances, the records and books will be available for members during General Meetings.

SEM has always been a community where individuals have been willing to step-up and donate their time and effort for almost every event to support our students. I am happy to have the opportunity to serve that community this year as PTSA President, alongside a dedicated group of many other parents serving on the PTSA Board and its committees. I know I speak for all of them when I say we are looking forward to a fantastic year as our community continues to grow and do everything we can to give our children the best opportunities possible.

Yours truly,
Amy Hickox
SEM PTSA President 2018-19

Congrats to our own SEM National Merit Semifinalists!

Fourteen Dallas ISD students have been named among the 16,000 National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists, with a chance to become one of the 7,500 finalists who will take home scholarships worth a combined $31 million.

More than 90 percent of the semifinalists are expected to reach the finals, with about half of the finalists earning a National Merit Scholarship.

School of Science and Engineering National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists are:

Shelly Goel
Charlo Leakey
Timothy Ogunfunmi

Click on this link to read more.

SEM Information Page

Seniors Section

Parking Permits

Updated Bus Schedules

High school juniors and seniors who want to attend college, but are unsure of exactly how to make that happen, are in luck.

The Districtwide College Fair and Historically Black Colleges & Universities Showcase is set for Sept. 19 from 5:30–8:30 p.m. at Ellis Davis Field House, 9191 Polk St. and nearby D.A. Hulcy STEAM Middle School. Hundreds of representatives from colleges near and far will be there to meet face-to-face and answer questions. Students should see their high school counselor to sign up for free admission and transportation.

Parents are welcome to attend the event and encouraged to bring their own questions about financial aid, campus safety and student access to campus medical care.

See this article at DISD for more information.

Sign up here for Voly

New Townview Library Website

Calendar