PRIN & PTO MEETING

At this evening’s PRIN & PTO Meeting, Principal Kelley presented Harvesting Success — a Targeted Improvement Plan designed to strengthen outcomes for our Middle School Special Populations. This initiative, supported by a state grant, reflects the school’s commitment to meeting the diverse learning needs of all students and ensuring academic success across every grade level.

Following Principal Kelley’s presentation, the PTO shared updates on the Healthy Harvest Festival recap, open Board positions, the Yearbook Cover Contest, and upcoming Middle School events. We also invited families to “Bring a Pie to Show Your Thanks” — a sweet way to express gratitude to our incredible ILTexas CS K-8 staff this Thanksgiving season.

We look forward to our next virtual PTO meeting — be on the lookout for a poll to help us find the best time and ensure PTO meeting accessibility for all!

Healthy Harvest Festival through Chiara Silvestri’s Eyes

Chiara Silvestri chose to join the PTO because she wants to be present in her children’s lives as much as possible. Volunteering before, during, and after the Healthy Harvest Festival is one way she shows up. It supports the school community and gives her children a chance to see and practice responsibility and service. She smiles when she repeats the ILTexas motto, Others Before Self. Helping on the Friday before the Healthy Harvest Festival was not a duty for her. It was an opportunity.

She arrived early on Friday and immediately noticed how well organized the PTO board is. Plans were clear, materials were ready, and volunteers were supported at every step. The leadership impressed her and set a calm tone for the busy weekend. She also lifts up the student volunteers who embraced the spirit of service with energy and kindness. They checked in often, followed safety instructions carefully, and even added creative touches to decorations. Their teamwork deserves applause.

On Saturday Chiara spent time in the Kids Zone and helped support the basket auction team. The Kids Zone felt joyful from the start. Children were excited, especially with the new games offered this year, and the area ran smoothly. Her two hour shift flew by because families were engaged and helpers were attentive. The basket auction buzzed with friendly competition and generous spirits. Everywhere she looked she saw neighbors chatting, children laughing, and volunteers guiding with patience. It felt like a true community gathering.

For Chiara the festival is much more than a fundraiser. It strengthens relationships among families who already call ILTexas home and also welcomes those who may join in the future. People chose to spend their family time at school because they felt happy, comfortable, and connected. That feeling matters. She was also grateful for the many vendors, both familiar faces and new partners, who enthusiastically joined in and supported the event. Their presence did not go unnoticed.

When asked to sum up the weekend she offers three words. Community. Engagement. Unity. If she had to pick a song that matched the day she would choose Let’s Get It Started because she was just as excited as the kids. And if someone asked why they should volunteer next year she would say this. Joining the PTO is one of the most meaningful ways to be part of your child’s life. This is where they spend most of their time. Know it, support it, and help make it even better. Volunteering is not just giving time. It is investing in your child’s opportunities, building friendships, strengthening the school, and making it a safer and happier place.

Chiara is proud to be part of this community and grateful for everyone who helped make the Healthy Harvest Festival such a success.

General PTO Meeting: September 30th

After a very informative Title I meeting with Principal Kelley, where we also learned about October Dyslexia Awareness Month and how our school supports students with dyslexia, we transitioned into a high-level PTO meeting to review the presentation below.

Thank you to everyone who came out and joined the conversation! We look forward to seeing you at our next PTO meeting in November.

Watch D.O.G.S. Kick-Off

Watch D.O.G.S. Kick-Off Recap 🐾

What a night! Our ILTexas Watch D.O.G.S. Kick-Off was full of energy, laughter, and community spirit. Dads, father figures, and their Eagles came together to enjoy classic yard games, share pizza, and prepare for another year of patrolling the halls.

Throughout the evening, dads completed their training, picked up their official Watch D.O.G.S. t-shirts, and most importantly—built connections with one another and with our school community. The excitement was contagious, and it’s clear our Eagles can’t wait to see the Watch D.O.G.S. in action this year.

Get ready, ILTexas—our halls are about to be safer, stronger, and full of D.O.G.S. pride! 🦅🐾

👉 Want to join Watch D.O.G.S.?
Visit our Watch D.O.G.S. — iltexascsk8pto.org to learn more! Steps include:

• Join PTO

• Clear your ILTexas Raptor background check

• Complete required Watch D.O.G.S. & Volunteer Training

• Sign agreements

• Sign up to patrol the halls

A Morning of Smiles: Grandparents Day Through Grandma Linda’s Eyes

Grandma Linda came to Grandparents Day with a simple goal, to see her grandbabies smile. She met her crew, Moriah in Pre K, Micah in 1st, and Felix and Edgar in 3rd, for an unhurried lunch. They traded stories, compared cafeteria favorites, and she made time to focus on each child. Those small in between moments, the giggles, side hugs, and the sweet calls of “Grandma, watch this,” became the heart of her day.

After lunch they made a beeline to the Book Fair. Eyes lit up, hands sifted through shelves, and tiny stacks quickly formed. Linda loved watching each child choose with care. The books they picked hinted at who they are and who they are becoming, superheroes, science, and wonderfully silly stories. She left grateful for a school community that makes space for families to simply be together.

What Linda hopes her grandchildren remember is steady and simple. That she showed up, that kindness matters, and that school is a place where we cheer one another on. She shared appreciation for the staff and volunteers who created a welcoming and family friendly experience, the kind you cannot order online, the gift of time together.

Thinking about coming next year? Linda would encourage every grandparent to say yes. Bring a little spending money, bring your appetite, and bring your whole heart. You do not have to do everything. Sit, listen, laugh, and let the kids lead. The smiles are worth it, and the memories will follow you home.

Building Community, One Slice at a Time: PTO Meeting Recap

We kicked off the school year with our Summer General PTO Meeting, and it was such a great way to connect with new and returning ILTexas College Station K-8 families.

Over pizza and conversation, families had the chance to meet our Executive Board, hear about the PTO’s mission, and learn how we partner with the school to support students, staff, and campus needs throughout the year.

Here’s what we covered:

• ✨ What the PTO does—from funding free spirit shirts and field trip grants to hosting school events and staff appreciation

• 💡 Ways to get involved—whether it’s helping once a semester or joining a committee

• 📅 A preview of upcoming events that bring our community together

We know not every parent can volunteer regularly, and that’s okay. Just being connected and informed makes a big impact. Whether you want to dive in or simply stay in the loop, there’s a place for you in the ILTexas PTO.

Thank you to everyone who came out—we’re excited for what’s ahead and grateful to start the year strong, together.

📸 Couldn’t make it? We’ve included photos and the full slide deck below so you can catch up on everything we covered.

Visit iltexascsk8pto.org or our Linktree to get plugged in.

24-25 End of Year Bash

🎉 End of the Year Bash: A Celebration to Remember! 🎉

To close out an amazing school year, the ILTexas College Station K-8 PTO threw the ultimate End of the Year Bash—and it did not disappoint! Students, staff, and families came together to celebrate all the hard work, friendships, and memories made throughout the year.

From giant inflatables and water games to flavored snow and yard games, the campus was filled with laughter and pure joy. It was a day to be a kid, to soak up the sunshine, and to celebrate everything our Eagle community accomplished this year.

A huge thank you goes out to our volunteers, staff partners, and PTO supporters who helped bring this event to life. Whether you donated supplies, gave your time, or simply showed up to cheer the students on, your support made this day extra special.

Here’s to a year full of impact—and to even more fun ahead. We can’t wait to see what we’ll accomplish together next year!