ARS Events & Traditions
At ARS, a variety of events and activities await young women and their families, providing ample opportunities for involvement. From engaging workshops to vibrant community gatherings, something for everyone to enjoy. Let's take a look at the exciting opportunities available!
Welcome Coffees
The PTSA hosts welcome coffees for new Star parents during Transition Camp and on the first day of school. These are great opportunities for parents to learn about the school community, ask questions of experienced Star parents, and meet each other. For more information: welcome@arsptsa.org
Back-to-School-Night
Back-to-School-Night is an excellent opportunity for parents to gather important information about the upcoming school year and meet with your child’s teacher. Students are welcome at the event and enjoy guiding their parents to all their classes. It typically takes place at the end of August or early September. In addition to meeting with teachers, there are representatives from school clubs, organizations, athletics, and the uniform company. The PTSA hosts tables for Membership, Used Uniforms, and Spirit Sales.
Campus Appreciation Days
Campus Beautification Days are sponsored by the Popstars several Saturday mornings each year. Volunteers of all ages are welcome so bring the whole family! (ARS students receive service hours for participating). Projects are available for all skill levels - from trash collection/weeding to organizing closets to bigger building projects. This is a great way to meet other Star families and give back to your community at the same time. For more info: popstars@arsptsa.org
Homecoming (HoCo)
Homecoming is a beloved tradition that brings together students, alumni, and the community to celebrate school spirit. It typically includes a series of events such as a football game (at ARS, a Volleyball game), a formal dance, and activities designed to foster school pride and reconnect former students with their alma mater. At Ann Richards, Homecoming traditions include:
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Dress up days: The student council officers plan dress up days for the week of Homecoming. Examples include: dynamic duo, pajama day, spirit day, and class days where each grade has a different theme.
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Pep Rally: A spirit-filled celebration for students, the Pep Rally features fall sport teams, performances, student council games, and alumni guests.
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Mums: A Texas tradition for high school students, mums are wearable floral arrangements with lots of ribbons! Mums are worn on Spirit Day during Homecoming week to show school pride. Occasionally, student or parent groups will organize mum clinics where students can gather to make their mums.
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Dance: The Homecoming Dance is a High School only event, hosted by 10th Grade as a fundraiser. The event takes place at ARS, and tickets are available for purchase during lunch and at the door. High school Stars can bring an outside guest, as long as the guest completes a form and receives approval from the Administration. This dance offers a great opportunity for students to come together, have fun, and celebrate the end of Homecoming Week. (Though this dance is High School only, there are other Middle School Dance opportunities).
Homecoming Tailgate
A long-standing PTSA tradition, Homecoming Tailgate festivities begin during the school day with the Popstars grilling free hot dogs for every ARS student. The fun continues after school with booths sponsored by booster clubs and student organizations, a DJ, food, and more! (Ticket proceeds benefit the student groups.) Families are encouraged to join their students after school for the fun. Then be sure to stay for the big Volleyball games! For more information: engagement@arsptsa.org
Multicultural Festivals & Events
The Multicultural Festival is designed to showcase the diverse cultures within the ARS community. Students and families host tables featuring their own cultures. Attendees can walk around, taste a variety of treats, and engage in activities that celebrate each culture represented. This is a free and fun event for all to enjoy! Also throughout the year our, Student Alliances often host celebrations for holidays and cultural events like Lunar New Year or Holi. These are great ways to celebrate a variety of cultural traditions as well as serving as fundraisers for the student alliances.
Fall Festival
Hosted by the Student Equity Council, formerly known as the No Place for Hate, the Fall Festival is a fun-filled event similar to a carnival. The festival features food and game booths hosted by student clubs, fine arts programs, athletic teams, and various organizations. It provides an exciting evening of entertainment while also serving as a fundraiser for these groups. During the event, attendees can purchase tickets, with each booth offering a variety of ticketed activities. The PTSA typically hosts a free booth for all to enjoy.
The Prospective Student Showcase
The Prospective Student Showcase is typically held a Saturday in early December. It provides potential students and their families an opportunity to learn about what the school has to offer and determine if Ann Richards School (ARS) is the right fit for them. The event includes student-led or self-guided tours, application assistance, essay writing help from ARS teachers, tables showcasing clubs and organizations, and PTSA members available to answer questions.
High School Highlight Night
High School Highlight Night is designed to inform students and families about the high school experience at ARS. There are opportunities to explore the STEM pathways and learn about the college preparation program at ARS. This event typically takes place one evening after the Prospective Student Showcase. While it is open to non-ARS students, it is primarily geared toward current ARS students and their families.
Dancing with the Starlettes
The Annual Winter Showcase is a fun take on the TV show Dancing with the Stars. This highlight event features the high school dance team, the Starlettes, who choreograph a dance routine, teach it to an ARS staff member, and perform it together. It’s always a lively and entertaining evening, full of incredible performances. Additionally, the event gives the Star Littles, the middle school dance team, a chance to showcase their talents as well. It’s an event you won’t want to miss! This is a Dance Team fundraiser, with tickets available for purchase during lunches and at the door. The event usually takes place at the beginning of December.
Athletics Games
Tickets to many ARS sports events can be purchased digitally. They are available ahead of time at GoFan.co or at the games with posted QR codes. Game schedules can also be found at this site. Concessions are sold during the games as well as athletic spirit wear. For the high school teams, there are themed home games such as Neon Night, Camouflage Night, and Pink Out for Breast Cancer Awareness. During their big rivalry games, Coach Brown rallies the school community to come out and cheer on the Stars!
Parent Learning Nights
The Ann Richards counselors host Parent Learning Nights several times each year. These are usually held virtually and topics are related to parenting and teen mental health and wellness.
Principal Coffee/Teas
Principal Griffith hosts an evening tea/morning coffee for parents approximately once a month. Many of these events are held via Zoom. During these gatherings, Principal Griffith discusses the latest happenings at the school, followed by a Q&A session where parents can share feedback, voice concerns, and learn about the fun activities and initiatives the school is offering for the students. It’s a great way to learn about what is happening at ARS!
Middle School Dances
Specifically for middle school students, the Middle School dances are usually organized by the ARS Cheer Team as a fundraiser. Typically, the Cheer Team hosts two dances each year, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Tickets are sold during middle school lunch. The events feature concessions, activities, and contests for the students to enjoy.
Bookfairs
The Library hosts a bookfair each school year, often in association with Book People. Every other year they also collect donations and organize a Used BookFair. All are fundraisers for the Library, and parent volunteers help make them a success by working shifts during the fair.
Fine Arts Concerts & Shows
Each Fine Art class typically holds performances on campus. The ARS community is invited and information is shared in the Weekly Star Newsletter.
Pathways to the Stars
Pathway to the Stars celebrates 8th-grade students as they mark their transition from middle to high school. This long-standing tradition takes place at the end of the year and is also where the stars discover their High School STEM pathways. These pathways—Engineering, Bio Med, or Media Tech—will shape their focus from grades 9 through 12. Parents are invited to the first part of the event, where students are presented. This is then followed by a student-only dance and dinner- which they love! Planned by 8th-grade parents, teachers and administration, it’s a highlight of the school year.
Senior Parent Breakfast
The Senior Parent Breakfast is a tradition that started the first year of the school. It is a way to honor the senior families and the support they have given their Stars throughout the years. A centerpiece of the morning is a time when Seniors can publicly thank their families. It then ends with the Seniors descending the spiral stairway and announcing their colleges to the campus community.
This event is supported by the PTSA, who organizes a beautiful breakfast spread and decorates both floors of the library and the spiral staircase in the commons.
Transition Camp/Parent Camp
Transition Camp is an excellent way for newly accepted Stars to learn about the school, meet teachers, and make friends. It takes place in the summer and is a multi-day event full of fun activities and the chance to explore the campus. And it ends with a Popsicle party sponsored by the PTSA Popstars! Parent Camp is a one evening event that provides opportunities for incoming Star parents to engage with each other and learn about the school.
