Telra Telegram - February 12, 2025
- sharilynstrain
- Feb 7
- 7 min read
We hope you're staying dry and warm on a chilly February day. Tomorrow, the Family Council is organizing a Valentine's event after school. And there's lots more to read about in today's Telegram.
Sick Policy Update - Please Help Us Keep Our Community Healthy
Basketball - end of season update
Telra Annual Use fund (𝜏au) - check out our latest total and a yearbook update
A Note from the Principals
We had another great week at Telra this week! We hope you all enjoyed the Kate’s Skates event and are looking forward to our other upcoming social events. This week, we want to ask for your help with two different areas: smart devices at school and homework.
Recently, we have seen an uptick in smart devices being used at school by students. Cell phones, smartwatches, and similar communication devices can be a distraction at school and can also, often unintentionally, cause some unhappiness to others through inappropriate or regrettable photographs and messaging. While at school, we want students to focus on their learning without distractions, and we want them to learn how to make face-to-face connections and socialize in person with peers. For these reasons, use of student cell phones, tablets, communication-enabled watches, or similar devices is not allowed at school. We recommend these devices stay home. If they come to school, they must remain switched off and inside backpacks. If teachers see a student with a device outside of their bag, it will be handled according to the Code of Conduct, which may include consequences such as confiscation. Please remind your children not to use their smart devices at school so we can work to keep our school environment free of the distractions that come with smart device use.
When it comes to homework, Telra Institute believes that homework can be an essential part of a student’s educational program. Through homework, classroom instruction and mastery of content are reinforced, high expectations are supported, students are motivated toward self-direction, and the relationship of the school and home in the learning process are strengthened. Homework at Telra is not graded. Instead, homework serves as a tool for students to use to help them be successful in their classes. We ask that you check in with your child regarding homework and reinforce for them that while homework is not graded, it is strongly encouraged.
- Principals Ozer and Rearick
New Leadership for the Operations Team!
We are excited to announce some updates to the Operations Team Leadership to help take us into the next phase of Telra's growth!
On February 3rd, Mark Bosco joined us as our new Chief Operations Officer. Mark hails originally from Upstate NY where he was a teacher, though he spent most of his career in CMS where he's been a teacher, school AP & Principal, and district administrator. He's seen just about everything in school operations from multiple angles in the past, so he'll be a great asset as we expand to a 2-campus school system over the coming months.
In addition, Shari Strain, who's been on the front office team part time since this summer, is moving to full time and will step up to take charge of Site Operations for the McKee campus, reporting to Mark. We are glad to have Shari join the Operations leadership since the scope of responsibilities in that team is growing as well.
Mark and Shari are spending time in these first few weeks transitioning into their roles. If you see them around the school, please take time to welcome them to the Operations team at Telra!
Annual Spelling Bee Results!
We recently held our annual Spelling Bee and would like to congratulate and give a shoutout to Advik Chippada, our Spelling Bee Champion! Advik amazed us with his focus and incredible spelling skills - he's a superstar!
In 2nd place was Ritu Vinod and 3rd was Hansini Patchetti! Great job, all!
And a special recognition for some of our littlest spellers - Miles Rearick, Cole Cochran, and Ronik Saduneni, who did an amazing job!
So proud of everyone!
Sick Policy Reminders - Help Us Keep Our Community Healthy
We have had a large number of students and staff out sick the past few weeks. Please remember:
Your child should stay home for 24 hours after having a fever over 100.4F. They should no longer have a fever, without the aid of fever-reducing medication, for at least 24 hours.
If your child has vomited or has had diarrhea, they should stay home for at least 24 hours after the symptoms subside.
If you receive a call from Telra, please answer your phone. Our calls may show a Huntersville address, but our number should be shown as (704)727-2530.
Please make sure you list an emergency contact that can pick up your child in the event that you are not available.
Basketball season - Notes from Coach Moore
Telra Boys 14U
For the 14U team: I just want to say how much I appreciate each of you for your participation in Telra's first basketball season. Your hard work and dedication have truly stood out, and I’ve seen a lot of growth in you all, especially from those who hadn’t played organized basketball before. Even though the season didn't end how we would have wanted, me, Coach Brogdon and Coach Easter, want you to know how much we value the effort you put in every game and practice. It has been an absolute joy to coach you all, and we're proud of everything you accomplished this season.
Telra Boys 12U
For the 12U team: Our first 12U playoff game is this Saturday, February 15th, at 1:30 PM at St. Andrews United Methodist Church (1901 Archdale Dr, Charlotte, NC 28210). This is a “win or go home” game, and if we win, we will play again on Sunday, February 16th. Coach Byers and I want to express our deep gratitude to all the parents and players for making this inaugural season so special. Regardless of Saturday’s outcome, it's been a true pleasure coaching this team. Lastly, a reminder that we have practice tomorrow, Thursday, February 13th, from 3:45 PM to 4:45 PM.
Photo Uploads - We Need Your Pictures!!
Telra Community, we need your help to capture photos & videos of all the exciting activities happening inside and outside of school that our students are engaged in. Here's what you can do to help:
Take lots of photos at clubs, games, social events, field trips, etc.
Navigate over to https://bit.ly/TelraShare24
Select files to upload
After you upload, you'll be prompted to fill out two fields
Where it prompts "First Name", please describe the event/activity, e.g., "4th grade picnic at Beatty Park"
Where it prompts "Last Name", please list your full name, e.g., "John Doe"
That labelling technique will help us sort these photos for inclusion in the Telegram, on social media, and our next yearbook. We appreciate your help!
Telra Annual Use fund (𝜏au)
Thank you to the generous families who have helped us raise more than $50k since the launch of the Telra Annual Use fund (𝜏au). The annual fund supports lots of initiatives at Telra...including our yearbook! Our 23-24 yearbook is on the way and should arrive before the end of the month. We are able to provide one book free of charge to every student from last year, only through the support of families like you who choose to give to 𝜏au.
The launch video explains why 𝜏au is the top fundraising priority for the school, and how it can help us elevate your child's educational experience to world-class.
You can do your part to help us keep field trips, school buses, clubs, technology, and other benefits of the Telra experience free of service fees (not to mention helping us attract and keep great teachers). Visit the 𝜏au home page where it's quick and easy for you to support the cause.
Your children spend more than 7 hours each day with us. Won't you help us make Telra into all it can be? Every family can give what you're comfortable with.
Outdoor Club - Volunteers Needed
We are looking for a volunteers who might want to lead or assist with a Trailblazers Outdoors Club for our 6-9 graders.
What can you do? Hiking, fishing, mountain biking, archery, fire-building, navigation, kayaking, camping, climbing - more ideas here: https://gooutside.nc.gov/trailblazers/portal/
Why do it? Because you love these activities and want to share them with students. Because you want to take advantage of our $10,000 in grant funding. Because you want to pick up some volunteer hours. Because you want to go to the club advisors retreat at the Harrah's Cherokee resort from June 16-18. All/any of the above!
Drop us an email if you're interested - FrontDesk@Telra.org.
All Pro Dads
The February date for the All Pro Dad meeting is the last Friday of the month, February 28, 2025. We are a group of dads dedicated to strengthening our relationships with our kids and we would love for you to join us. Our team captain is Will Bishop. Come join us and RSVP here:
Telra Night at the Charlotte Checkers 3/8/25
Come join us and support Telra at the Charlotte Checkers Spirit Night on 3/8/25! Details below.
Family Council Trivia Night, 2/21, 6-8pm
Friday night fun at Telra! Join us for a Trivia night in the gym! Please RSVP Here: We're In!
Upcoming social events
Remember to find all this on our Telra Events Calendar.
Thursday, February 13 @ 4:30pm - K-5 Valentine's Party
Friday, February 21 @6:00pm - Family Council Trivia Night
Friday, February 28 @ 4:00pm - 1st grade movie night
Friday, February 28 @ 6:00pm - 2nd grade movie night
Friday, February 28 @ 7:00 am - All Pro Dads meeting
Friday, March 7 @ 4:00pm - Kindergarten movie night
Friday, March 7 @ 6:00pm - 3rd grade movie night
Friday, March 7 @ 6:00pm - 6th grade movie night
Saturday, March 8 @ 4:00pm - Telra Night at the Charlotte Checkers
Friday, March 21 - Spring Equinox Party for grades 6+
Friday, March 28 - Game Night for 4th & 5th grade
We'd love volunteers to help organize these events! Let us know by clicking below.