Telra Telegram October 10, 2025
- sharilynstrain
- Oct 10
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 24
Thank you to all who participated in the GoPlaySave fundraiser! We still have a few families who have not returned their books. If you wish to purchase the book (or more books!), please do so here: https://goplaysavecharlotte.com/store/telra2026
If you do not wish to purchase the book, please place in your child’s backpack to be returned to the front office after break. Stay tuned for a list of our top sellers!
Have a wonderful fall break! No school next week.
What's New this Week
Martial Arts - begins Monday, 10/20
Trunk or Treat - 10/25, 4–6 pm, Sign Up Now! We need 30 trunks to offer the event!
Winter Cross Country Club (6-8), 11/1-12/20
Upcoming dates
October 10 - Kindergarten Movie Night
October 13-17 - Fall Break, No School
October 22 - Papa Johns Spirit Night
October 25 - Trunk or Treat
November 12 - Spirit Night - Shake Shack, Blakeney
November 14 - 2nd and 4th Grade Movie Nights
November 16 - Telra Day at the Renaissance Festival
Reminders and references
What's New This Week
News from the Principals
Good afternoon, Telra families!
We have had another wonderful week at Telra! This week, our new hexmester began, which means we are halfway through the first trimester. Time is truly flying by!
This week, we want to thank our fantastic teachers for everything they do behind the scenes for students. We have an amazing teacher team who are truly invested in every single student’s success, and our teachers work tirelessly to lesson plan, cover duties, infuse engagement strategies, communicate with families, monitor performance, provide academic feedback, and share the joy of learning with students. Our teachers are constantly thinking about ways to improve their craft and analyzing lessons they taught, working to ensure that all students get what they need. If you are as appreciative of our amazing teachers as we are, we encourage you to send them a note letting them know the impact they have on your child. Those positive messages mean so much!
We hope that you all have a wonderful and relaxing fall break!
Sincerely,
Principals Rearick and Ozer
Martial Arts
🥋 Unlock Confidence, Discipline & Strength — Martial Arts at Telra!
We’re thrilled to welcome Queen City ATA to Telra, offering dynamic martial arts classes every Monday from 3:45 – 4:45 PM!
This isn’t just about kicks and punches — it’s about empowering students to thrive both in and out of the classroom. Through structured training and positive mentorship, students will:
Build confidence and self-esteem
Learn to set goals and stay focused
Develop resilience through challenges
Practice respect and self-discipline
Discover that true strength comes from self-control and compassion
Queen City ATA’s philosophy centers on nurturing the whole child — mind, body, and spirit — helping them grow into confident, respectful, and capable individuals. Whether your child is new to martial arts or continuing their journey, this class is a powerful way to support their personal growth in a fun, structured, and encouraging environment.
Please register via the following link: Queen City ATA and find additional details on our Extracurriculars page, under Martial Arts.
Trunk or Treat, 10/25
Telra and St. Francis are joining forces for an amazing Family Fun Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October 25th, from 4:00–6:00 pm. First, we need a parking lot full of trunks with treats for children. We need 30 trunks to offer the event. Currently, we have six trunks confirmed. The Church will sponsor a live band on the basketball court, food trucks, and inflatables.
Please sign up to decorate and sponsor a trunk! You are welcome to donate candy or small toys to help our "Trunkers" offset their expenses. Please drop off any donated bags of individually wrapped candy or small toys at the front desk by October 24.
🏃♀️✨ Winter 5K Cross Country Club for Middle Schoolers
Calling all aspiring young runners! This seven-week cross-country club is designed to help middle school students train for the Run Run Rudolph 5K in Charlotte on December 20th — all while building endurance, confidence, and a sense of community.
Program Highlights:
💲 Cost: $100 per participant
🗓 Practice Schedule: Saturdays, Nov 1 – Dec 13, 8:30–9:30 AM
📍 Location: Brace Y Track
🏁 Race Day: December 20th – Run Run Rudolph 5K in Charlotte (included in club registration)
✅ Group race registration will be organized to streamline logistics and ensure a smooth experience for families
Cross Country Club Registration Link: https://www.aspenviewleadership.com/cross-country-club
This program offers more than just running — it's a chance for students to grow as athletes and individuals in a supportive, high-quality environment.
About Your Coach: I'm Carolyn McGrath — a lifelong runner, certified leadership and wellness coach, and proud Telra parent. I’ve served as an assistant coach for cross-country clubs at Randolph Middle School and Telra, and I’ve completed five marathons and over 20 half-marathons. Professionally, I lead strategy at Eaton and run Aspen View Leadership, focused on coaching and holistic wellness.
“Running has always been my reset — a way to build strength, clarity, and connection. I love helping students discover that for themselves.”
Let’s lace up, learn, and lead — one stride at a time!
School Housekeeping
Attendance
Please double-check your child's attendance records in Alma and email frontdesk@telra.org if you notice any mistakes.
Lost and Found
Please have your students check the lost and found for missing items. Parents are welcome to come in outside of arrival and dismissal times. We will donate any unclaimed items on October 10th.
How to Access Your Student's IReady Report
Find instructions here.
Dismissal, Absence and Early Dismissal
Easy link => QUICK LINKS | Telra Institute
Program Updates
Academic Lab
The school year is off to a strong start, and students have already completed their first assignments. When a student misses an assessment, they will need to complete it in Academic Lab. Academic Lab meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 4:45 pm. Academic Lab is for students in Grades 4-8. All K-3 students will make up assignments during Flex Time.
If a student misses an assessment, parents must sign their child up for a session and update dismissal plans for that day. To sign up for Academic Lab, your child’s teacher will send a link for Academic Lab when they miss an assignment. Please remember:
Once a session is full, students will need to choose another available date.
Even if students finish early, the remaining time will be used as a quiet study hall until 4:45 pm.
Students must be picked up promptly at 4:45 pm. Those remaining after 5:00 pm will be sent to after-school care, and fees will apply.
Assignments must be completed within one week of the original date of the assignment to avoid a zero in the gradebook.
Academic Lab is designed specifically for students to make up assessments only, ensuring they don’t fall behind on graded coursework.
Telra Athletics
We are excited to share that Telra is in discussions with the Greater Charlotte School Athletic Conference (GCSAC) about joining their league for middle school sports. The GCSAC is made up of 12 schools and currently offers boys’ soccer (fall), girls’ soccer (spring), volleyball (fall), basketball (winter), competitive cheer (winter), co-ed flag football (spring), and track & field (spring). Our long-term goal is to participate in all of these sports as our program grows.
For now, we are actively working to field basketball teams through the Matthews Athletic & Recreation Association (MARA) this winter season. We already have one coach in place for a 12U boys’ team, and enough players to create a second 12U boys’ team if we can secure another coach. In addition, there is sufficient student interest to form two 14U boys’ teams, one 13U girls’ team, and one 10U boys' team—again, pending the availability of coaches. If you are interested in coaching, please reach out to TelraAD@telra.org
If we cannot field a basketball team for your child's age group and your child wants to play with MARA, registration for basketball closes on October 31st. Families interested should sign up directly with MARA. We'll also be sharing more information about Telra’s soccer opportunities in the coming months.
Extracurriculars
Our Extracurricular Activities are off to a successful start, with a large variety of offerings for our students. This week, we have begun our First Lego League and First Tech Challenge Robotics programs. We have two teams with coaches and many more students interested in this amazing program.
If you are interested in coaching a team, you can arrange the time and place for your meetings. Please fill out this form, to let us know.
For our full Extracurriculars list, please go to this page=> 25-26 Extracurriculars
BASE - Before and After School Enrichment Program
Looking for engaging activities for your child before or after school?
Telra's BASE Play Club provides enrichment opportunities that support student growth and creativity in a safe, supervised environment.
The process for signing up for BASE Play Club is twofold:
Order the dates childcare is needed by clicking here https://www.telra.org/base-signup
Log in to your student's Teams account and update their Dismissal Portal: https://www.telra.org/quick-links
Signing up at least 24 hours in advance ensures we have adequate staffing.
Students not pre-registered will incur a late fee of $15 per 15 minutes.
Operations Updates
Arrival and Dismissal
Carpool Safety & Efficiency Tips
To ensure a smooth and safe carpool experience for all families:
Mornings
📢Student instruction begins at 8:15 am. Parents must drop off students promptly so they can transition from their car seats to their classroom seats by 8:15 am. Arriving in the carpool line after 8:05 am does not guarantee that your students will reach their seats in class by 8:15 am.
🚗 Arrive early in the mornings!
🎒 Prepare your child for a quick exit—bags packed, seatbelt unbuckled, ready to exit from the left-hand side.
Afternoons
🅿️ Pull forward to the designated drop-off/pick-up zone before stopping, and mind the gaps.
🔄 Do not switch lanes once your car tag has been scanned in lanes 1, 2, or 3. Lane changes disrupt dismissal logistics for all car riders.
🪪 Display your carpool tag clearly on your dashboard or rearview mirror during afternoon pick-up.
Always
🚗 Stay in your vehicle during drop-off and pick-up. Staff will assist students.
📵 Avoid phone use while in the carpool lane. Stay alert and drive slowly.
Transportation
Important Guidelines for Bus Riders and Parents
To help ensure safe and respectful bus transportation:
🚌 Review bus rules with your child regularly.
⏰ Arrive at the bus stop 10 minutes early to avoid delays.
🤝 Model respectful behavior toward bus drivers and staff.
🚫 Do not board the bus unless authorized by school personnel.
📣 Report concerns to the school administration, not directly to the driver.
⚠️ Help your child understand the consequences of misconduct on the bus.
📞 Keep your contact information updated for timely alerts.
✅ Support disciplinary actions taken by the school when necessary.
⛔ Avoid obstructing or delaying the bus during pick-up or drop-off.
📜 Respect legal boundaries outlined in NC General Statute 115C-399, which prohibits trespassing or interfering with school transportation.
Family Council
What is the Family Council?
We are Telra’s parent volunteer organization, comprising parents, caregivers, and school staff who collaborate to foster an inclusive and connected school community. By having an enrolled student/s at Telra, you are automatically a member.
How can you support the Family Council?
Research has shown a connection between parental engagement and higher grades, better classroom test scores, and stronger school attendance. Participating in the Family Council is a natural extension of this commitment to our school. Here’s how to get involved:
Sign up for our email newsletter to receive important updates about events and volunteer opportunities. While you are automatically a member of Family Council when you enroll at Telra, you are not automatically signed up for our newsletter. Please ensure we have your contact information on file.
Join our Facebook group: Telra Institute Family Council.
Volunteer on a committee or at school events, whether it’s one hour a month or once a year. We are still seeking volunteers for our Family Engagement and Volunteer Coordination committees.
Help treat the teachers to some breakroom snacks: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QDC8J9O7258H%3Fref_=wl_dp_view_your_list
Attend family events. Your presence alone helps build community.
Supporting Telra
Please check out our Supporting Telra page for updates:
Ways families can support our school:
Spirit Nights
Mark these dates in your calendar and take a load off! Let our partners provide dinner and a portion of the proceeds come back to Telra!
October 22 - Papa Johns
November 12 - Shake Shack, Blakeney
December 11 - Chick-fil-A, Waverly
December 18 - Papa Johns
January 15 - Mellow Mushroom, Ballantyne
February 4 - Chick-fil-A, Waverly
February 19 - Papa Johns
April 16 - Papa Johns
May 28 - Chick-fil-A, Waverly
Telra Events Calendar
Check out our Events Calendar to see what is going on at Telra! New feature: You can now add the Telra events feed to your personal calendar by copying and pasting the iCal path (available at the link above) into the "add shared calendar" function in your favorite calendar program.