speaker-0: Well speaker-1: Well, hello, Trinity family. Welcome to our second episode of the Trinity Charger Chats podcast. So we thought it would be helpful. There are always so many new families coming to Trinity. And when you come to a new school, it can kind of be overwhelming of what do I do? Where do I go? What do I do to wear? Yes. I mean we speaker-0: We dress up weeks are a big deal. speaker-1: They're a big deal. I mean, we struggle with what to wear sometimes. Yes. Okay, so we've kind of done some investigative reporting. And we've asked around of what would be helpful if you are a new Trinity family. speaker-0: And this is for all grade levels. speaker-1: All grade levels. Who did you asked speaker-0: Who did you pull? speaker-1: a well, Miss Watson, she taught second grade last year, but she had some preschoolers. So I thought she would be a good one to ask for preschool. I asked a lower school parent that they had a new kiddo last year. And then I asked a middle school mom and ca and she also had a an upper school student. Perfect. So she kinda told me the deeds on both. Okay. Okay. Okay. All right. So Cody doesn't even know what I'm gonna say right now. Yeah. So it's gonna be j speaker-0: Just for the record, we haven't been new parents in a while. You just finished your what year at Trinity last year. speaker-1: Last year was six tine. speaker-0: Yes, and I just finished 15 and my boys have graduated. Hers are well on her way, but we won't talk about it. So we haven't been new families in quite a while. So I'm I'm excited speaker-1: Yeah, so it's yes. Okay. Okay. All right, number ten. Okay. Read the charger. speaker-0: As a teacher and a coach and a friend, I'm begging you, it's in the charger. That that that's good. That's yeah. Is this tin being I didn't in speaker-1: They're not I should've I should've speaker-0: December one? You what? If we have time, maybe we can go back and kinda speaker-1: Okay, scaffold. I like it. So it on Fridays, it is automated to come to your email, the chargers, and it has some, what are the words? Buttons, links at the top. Yes. If your child is in preschool, click on that tab, it'll give information and dates just for preschool. It gives dates of any holidays coming up, any games coming up, but I bet most questions could be answered on the charger. Okay. Okay. Number nine. This is probably big for middle school and upper school. Become familiar. with the website slash blackbot. Yes. Tell us. speaker-0: Blackbod is your inside window to what is going on in the classroom. Assignments are posted there, practice schedules are there, game schedules are there. There is a calendar of nothing but academic assignments, due dates, when they were assigned. Everything is on Blackbod. Everything. The resource page is an excellent spot to familiarize yourself with. speaker-1: So I thought it was helpful because my kids just left middle school. If I knew we were gonna be scheduling something, whether it's orthodontist, whatever, you can pull up their schedule and see, okay, on Wednesday, I don't want them to miss math class. That is not a good time for me to schedule that appointment. So you can say, okay, this is their lunch break. That would be a good time. Yes. You can check their grades. It is so helpful. And honestly, your kids can probably help you navigate BlackBot as much as anybody else. speaker-0: I think it's also important to differentiate. There's two different calendars that I try to point parents to. There is the big master calendar. It's got all sorts of buttons on the sides. You can turn off preschool, you can turn off upper school, and you can just look at middle school. But then as a parent, there's the academic work calendar and the homework assignments or schedule, all that will be on that calendar. So I'm just I'm a big calendar. speaker-1: Love the calendar. Updates. I know in lower school each teacher has their own blackbod page. Assignments like for kinder and first, those aren't we posted. But I know some teachers do post pictures to their class page. So those would be fun to look at as well for the younger kids. Yes. All speaker-0: Okay, that's a good one. I like it. speaker-1: right, number, wait, we're at 1098. Okay. All right. So I had parents tell me about we need to discuss uniforms chaps slash charger store. So if you are new to Trinity, the Charger Store has an amazing used uniform closet. Yes. And now that it's been how many years has it been that we've been uniforms? speaker-0: It's been speaker-1: Nolan and Sophie were th four. Yeah. speaker-0: I was texting to say Tucker was I can picture images in my mind of him being in eighth grade in the uniform. speaker-1: Okay, so they've built up, so if you're new before if I was new, before I ordered brand new uniforms, I would g try to go to the used uniform closet and see if they have your child sizes. It's so cheap. speaker-0: And they're like five dollars. Very affordable, yes. And then if not, go to the website that supplies our unique. speaker-1: Yeah. So if you have questions about where you can order uniforms, you can always ask your division head or Adrian Clifton. That's what I speaker-0: And it I think in the I think it's on Blackboard. I think there is a link for parents on the Trinity website to order school uniforms. speaker-1: And then at the end of the year, if your child has outgrown that uniform, if there's not already someone that you're passing it down to, the school loves to collect it and put it back for the used uniform club. speaker-0: And we do drives during the year too. Donuts and donations. speaker-1: Yep, kids come. If they bring used uniforms, they get a donut. Yes. Good trade. All right, next one. So parents are welcome to join their kids at lunch. Yes. This year, that invitation extends after Labor Days. Yes. After. speaker-0: by the time they're in seventh and eighth grade, they just drop it off in the front office, go grab their Chick-fil-A and go to the commons. So, but it is it's the big rule here is just for your child. So unless speaker-1: And then also speaker-0: there's it anything can be cleared through. The division heads. So if you want to have something for a birthday party or something, definitely reach out. speaker-1: Ask before you do it. Yes. And then last year parents were able to take their children up the Spanish steps to eat lunch upstairs, but that won't be available this year. The library is up there. So we I think the school is just asking that parents wait until after Labor Day to join your child for lunch. All right. Another thing that probably is very different in the divisions are birthday blessings. speaker-0: okay. Okay. Listen, I had I hear you, but here's my thing. I did not miss a birthday blessing all the way up through senior year. speaker-1: You were there. speaker-0: I was there. I had to be there. It's such a special prayer. It's such a sweet moment. I don't know if in the lower school, but in middle school, teachers will come up, their advisor comes up, a parent comes up, but in the upper school. their friends get to come up. And there's just like this big I get chill just thinking about it. So yeah. It's just a sweet moment. I don't want to miss that. speaker-1: No, and I love how it changes throughout their life. So in preschool and lower school, parents are will be made aware of when your child is receiving the birthday blessing. And it'll be in the commons for preschool and lower school. I think middle school and upper school is having chapel in the atrium, right? Yes. Okay. So if your child's teacher reaches out to you and says your child will receive their birthday blessing on August 17th, if that doesn't work for you, just tell your child's teacher, my God. speaker-0: Very easy to repeat. speaker-1: Very easy to reschedule. So you would come with your child that day to worship and you they can sit with you and then when it's time you come to the front and our chaplain she comes and lays hands on you and like Cody said it is so sweet because everyone kind of lifts their hands to to offer a blessing for your child. So it is a very sweet moment and some parents bring the grandparents and yeah it's just a whole family affair. Yeah. Okay. My favorite Halloween, Spirit Week, costumes, Trinity School Does It Upright. speaker-0: E every d every opportunity we get to dress up, we're taking speaker-1: We're gonna do it. speaker-0: the teachers dress up, all the students dress up, administrators dress up speaker-1: It's the best when you're driving kitchen. yeah. yeah, love it. Everybody. speaker-0: Everybody. speaker-1: But when we're driving to school, you know blow up pick in a in an inflatable and you're at a red light, you're like, I'm a first. speaker-0: And you're going through Starbucks to get your coffee and you get out in polka dotted pants and a striped shirt. speaker-1: Yeah. speaker-0: It's the overall saving. You're good to go. And don't be afraid to pair up with your best friend and do like we've had had groups dress up as minions, dress up as MMs. There there's just a the possibilities are endless for Halloween. speaker-1: For sure. It just makes the day so festive, so fun. And I'm pretty sure we're doing corral pals that day, which is when an upper school student, middle school, and lower school are paired with each other. Yeah. And the little kids, when they see a senior dressed as a hippo or whatever, I mean it's the best. Life is complete. speaker-0: Just just another star in the Trinity Sky. speaker-1: That's exactly what it is. Okay, I forgot what number we're on. Okay it's fine. All right, next one is grandparents. speaker-0: Day. yes. It so by the time they get to middle school it's not really a thing anymore. However, in the lower school it is the most speaker-1: Just go. I mean, when Mimi and Pat Pap come, I mean, those kids are like there is so prideful of showing them in, showing them their classroom. They are so excited. I would say, like some of the moms I asked, they said they didn't know that grandparents' day was such a big deal. So even if it's not, you know, if your grandparents live for in a place that's not convenient, you can invite a neighbor or just a special friend. It doesn't even have to be a relative. But someone they can show their classroom to, and usually there is a program that day for lower school. speaker-0: And this year for America 250, I think it's gonna have a little patriotic theme to it. Love it. This history teacher is very excited about that. So speaker-1: So I would speaker-0: for planning wise, it's only half a day, correct? Early speaker-1: Correct. speaker-0: dismissal. So you're not committing to spend all day inside the halls. speaker-1: It is the usually the week before Thanksgiving, yes. That Friday before. Yes. And it's a half a day and the kids just get so excited to welcome their guests and their friends and to see them. Yes. All right, we've got three left. Okay. This is where your moment's gonna shine. Okay. Okay. Football games. speaker-0: my gosh. Listen, there is nothing more Texas than Friday Night Lights. I blue crew. Blue crew. I get my little peeps, we run through the blow-up, and there is just a feeling of nostalgia when you are in the bleachers eating a hamburger and watching. Our hometown kids play football. I just it makes me think of that song Kenny Chesney, The Boys of Fall, and I love it. speaker-1: So and it's also, you know, if you've been to other schools that have high school football games on Friday nights, you kinda have to keep your kids with you because there's so many people you have to kind of keep your eye on them. At Trinity it is so fantastic because behind the bleachers, it's a little smaller than it used to be because of the chalets. Yeah. But kids go out there and they play football. Yes. You see fourth and fifth grade boys out there throwing that pig skin, having so much fun. Girls are out there, you know, putting their lip gloss on. speaker-0: Cheering cheering them on. Cheering Cheering the Boys on. speaker-1: Pom-pom. So if you are a new family and you haven't been to a Trinity Charger game, get out there. Get out there. Get out there. It is so much fun. Yep. Okay, we have two left. Okay. This might be my favorite. Okay. Blessing of the pets. Okay. speaker-0: I agree. Okay. My dogs are too crazy and when I say they're crazy they're not so. But all we speaker-1: Your dogs. speaker-0: to I have two weenie dogs and then two full blooded mutts. speaker-1: okay. A full blooded mut, yes. Registered. speaker-0: Registered mutts. I love them. But so when we say blessing, did you say animals or pets? Because some don't be a distinction. speaker-1: You're right. I have written down Blessing of the Pets. Okay. speaker-0: Okay. It it can I guess all animals that belong to you can be your pets. Sure. Okay, because we have horses pull up in their trailers. Yep. lizards, frogs, fish, rabbits. speaker-1: Frogs, rabbits. Yeah. And we have also had kids bring, like, say, everyone is allergic to animals. Kids would bring stuffed animals. Yeah. And our chaplain is out there in her robe and she has a bowl and Ramona, my dog, has been blessed like twelve times. And she puts her little water tink tink and blesses Ramona. And I mean, you'd think kids, you know, with grandparents' day lose their minds. Yeah. Blessing of the pets. speaker-0: it. I get here extra early for bla extra early for blessing of the pets because I know there's gonna be weenie dogs down there. And you gotta see I I know who they I know who my people are. speaker-1: So for sure that day you'd want to get to school early. Yes. And there will be announcements of where that takes place because in years past it was right by the chapel and it won't be. So we don't know. So we'll speaker-0: We'll let you know. speaker-1: let you know. Yeah. Okay. Number one thing new families need to know. Okay. Be patient with carpool. Yes. speaker-0: Yes. Our our number one priority is getting these kids in and out of their cars safely. Yes. And that requires patience. It requires being engaged in the moment. Yes. yeah, just be so aware. We can control what we can control, getting these kids in and out. But when there's just cars coming and going and Yeah. speaker-1: So at the beginning of the year, I mean it doesn't matter what year it is, first few days of carpool are a little congested as everybody's getting to know each other. So I promise you that all the teachers and staff are doing all they can to get your child safely from school back to you. Yep. So just be on the lookout. If there are any changes that take place, we will let you know. Or if you, you know, forget where am I supposed to pick up my child, email your child's teacher and we will let you know. Yes. All right. Those are, as of now, top speaker-0: The speaker-1: ten things we think you should know as a new Trinity family. And even if you're not new, maybe a little refresher. Yeah. speaker-0: Read the charger and be patient and corporate. speaker-1: Please. That never hurts. Yeah. So Cody and I wanted to end every episode with a prayer and an offering to God of how thankful for we are to be a part of this community, to get to serve you and your children, and we're just so fortunate to be here. speaker-0: Yeah. Okay. You wanna price out? Pray. speaker-1: Okay. Dear Lord, we thank you for this day. We thank you for Trinity School. We thank you for the families and students and everybody that makes this school so special. We especially pray for these new families that they will feel the warmth and love as they enter a new adventure. And we just thank you so much for all that you have blessed us with. Amen. All right. Charger Chats. speaker-0: Amen. Chats out. Charger chats out. speaker-1: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May his face be. A new piece.