HAWK News: From Bee City to the Big Stage!

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.”

— W. B. Yeats

Whether your child is in Pre-K, Lower School, Middle School, or already thinking about life after TEA, this is an important opportunity to learn about our high school program and what that means for your family.

At TEA, the high school experience isn't something that begins in ninth grade. It's the culmination of years of building curiosity, confidence, character, independence, and the ability to tackle hard things. Understanding that journey helps us all see the bigger picture of what makes a TEA education different, and what our students are working toward from their very first days on campus.

The strength of TEA is in the full journey, from those first early learning experiences to the challenges, opportunities, and milestones of high school and beyond.

We hope to see you there!

We're proud to share that Truckee has officially earned its Bee City USA designation, and the effort began with TEA students!

Under the guidance of 2nd/3rd Crew Lead Colleen Carr, students brought the idea of becoming a Bee City to the Truckee Town Council in 2024 and 2025. What started as a student-led effort to protect bees and other pollinators grew into a community-wide initiative involving the Town of Truckee, the Tahoe Institute for Natural Science (TINS), and other local partners.

In August, the Town Council formally committed to pursuing Bee City USA status, and Truckee has now received its official designation from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

This is real-world learning in action! Our students didn't just study pollinators and their importance to healthy ecosystems. They took their learning beyond the classroom, engaged with local government, and helped inspire a community effort with the potential for lasting environmental impact.

And the work continues! TINS will lead Truckee's Bee City USA program, supporting pollinator gardens, native plant resources, educational programs, and community events that help protect these important species.

We're incredibly proud of Colleen and her students for demonstrating what it means to be independent thinkers and doers. Their work is a wonderful reminder that young people don't have to wait until they're adults to make a meaningful difference in their communities.

As many of you may know, TEA Players is putting on The Lion King this year! Through this production, we are building skills in memorization, coordination, and collaboration, while learning the importance of perseverance and hard work within groups. These are skills that will serve us well throughout our lives. 

Theatre is also a great activity to build confidence, both on stage and in everyday social settings. One of our favorite parts of TEA Player is having fun together, especially during traditions like our show circles before opening night. 

One reason we chose The Lion King is that it has so many exciting and important roles, especially for the ensemble. Everyone has a part to play, and it takes all of us working together to make a great show. 

As a communiTEA, we appreciate the arts, and we are excited to lead your children through an award-winning program!

We are excited to welcome the Forrest family and their son, Myles, who is joining the 7th-grade crew this year!

Myles is curious, adventurous, and happiest when he is in the air or going fast, creating, or figuring out how something works. He is a competitive freeride skier and also likes biking, scrambling and multi-pitch climbing, sailing, reading, cooking, and playing music. Three years ago, he independently became obsessed with whitewater kayaking at camp in Canada, we are not paddlers. He is always on the hunt for a paddling crew or mentor.

Originally from Canada, Dana Lis and Alex have been in the Tahoe area on and off since 2009. Their family’s adventures have taken them all over the globe to many off-the-beaten-path places. Fun fact! Myles was born in Tasmania and has triple citizenship. 

Alex is a UC Davis professor, with a dual appointment at Tahoe Environmental Research Center and the Davis campus. He can often be found on Lake Tahoe using underwater robots to study limnology (or driving I-80). Dana has worked in elite sport nutrition and research for nearly 20 years, supporting Olympic and professional athletes. Two Alaskan Klee Kais complete the family: Shasta, (a.k.a. “El Jefe” of the Truckee Klee Kai cartel), and little Lucy.

The Forrest family loves travel and being outside: backcountry skiing, biking, climbing, sailing and finding the road less travelled (or never traveled). They also love music playing, listening, and going to shows. And they never break the Duolingo streak! 

The family was drawn to TEA’s experiential approach to learning, emphasis on curiosity and independence, and the IAP support for freeride. They are especially excited to be part of the TEA community and look forward to meeting more families who choose to carve their own path.

Welcome to TEA, Forrest family! We’re so glad you’re here!

Want to know what's happening at TEA and have a say in school events and activities? TAP meetings are a great way to stay informed, share ideas, and connect with other families. 

You'll also have opportunities to hear directly from school leadership, ask questions, and offer feedback.

Join us Monday, November 9, at 8:45 a.m. at the Truckee Airport or via Zoom! Can't make it in person? Just log in from wherever you are. 

We'd love to hear from you!

Have Hawk News feedback? Please let us know here.