Bear Bulletin
September 25, 2020
Topics Included in this Newsletter
- Note from Mrs. Spencer
- Reminder About Campus Visitors
- Attendance Reminders
- SBMS PTA Parent Coffee Recording Links
- SBMS Tutorials
- A Word From Our Librarian
- SBISD Learning Model Selection for the 2nd Nine Weeks Information
- SBMS 2020-2021 Yearbook Pre-Order Form
- SBISD Health Screener for In-Person Learners
Desplácese hacia abajo para la traducción al español de este boletín
Last Week of September! WOW!
Dear Parents,
I cannot believe October is around the corner. I will be grateful for cooler weather, but the days and weeks move both fast and slow in the fall semester amidst a pandemic. Thank you for all of your support of your students, our staff and our community. We have had a great start.
This week two big events will be taking place and both can be done on your own time: SBMS Virtual Back to School Night and Change in Learning Models. For the Back to School night, video links will be posted in each teacher's About Me page in their Itslearning course by mid-day Monday so that families can watch the videos as their schedule permits. Family interested in changing learning models (in-person or virtual) need to make that change on Family Access in Skyward by October 2nd at midnight. Please note that a family only needs to do so if they are requesting a change in models and that model selection will be final at that time.
As we continue through the semester, please remind your students to bring their own labeled water bottle as they may access water from our water fountains throughout the building. Signage is in front of each water fountain directing them to use the fountains to fill bottles exclusively; no drinking from the fountains is permitted. Several students are going to the nurse's office to request cups and water from her sink and Ms. Mulvey needs to direct her attention to student illnesses and dispensing medicine. Limiting traffic in the nurse's office needs to occur for obvious reasons. Lastly, please send plastic forks and spoons with your child's lunch as our cafeteria manager is trying to limit those in line to those who are receiving a school lunch at this time.
Thank you for your grace and patience. Our leadership team has been discussing the feedback, both positive and constructive, we are hearing from families and will continue to do so. I deeply appreciate the kind compliments and support you have extended to each of our educators and ask that you continue to do so. Your kind words and encouragement truly helps buoy them as they work so hard to provide our children what they need to be successful.
Many thanks,
Stefanie Spencer
Friendly Reminders Related to Campus Visitors
Just a friendly reminder that as a part of our LearnSBISD plan, SBMS is asking that all nonessential visitors, parents, volunteers and others refrain from visiting the campus. There will be moments when a parent needs to come pick up a child for an off campus appointment or when a child feels unwell, but otherwise, we should not have many visitors on campus. If you can receive the assistance you need by emailing or calling the school, please help us limit the number of visitors to our campus. Below is contact information for some key departments that you may find helpful:
Attendance Office:
sbmsattendance@springbranchisd.com6th Grade Office:
- 6th Grade Principal: Megan Watson (megan.watson@springbranchisd.com)
- 6th Grade Administrative Assistant: Jo-Ann Green (joann.green@springbranchisd.com)
7th Grade Office:
- 7th Grade Principal: Maya Franchi (mayerling.franchi@springbranchisd.com)
- 7th Grade Administrative Assistant: Kayla Box (kayla.box@springbranchisd.com)
8th Grade Office:
- 8th Grade Principal: Steve Barry (steven.barry@springbranchisd.com)
- 8th Grade Support Specialist: Courtney Whyte (mary.whyte@springbranchisd.com)
SBMS Counseling Team:
- 6th Grade Counselor: Stephanie Mikulecky (stephanie.mikulecky@springbranchisd.com)
- 7th Grade Counselor: Marco Garcia (marco.garcia@springbranchisd.com)
- 8th Grade Counselor: Marissa Richie (marissa.richie@springbranchisd.com)
SBMS School Nurse:
- Mercedes Mulvey: (mercedes.mulvey@springbranchisd.com)
Attendance Reminders
Please note that students who have selected in-person learning will be counted absent if they do not attend school in person. Students who have selected in-person learning may not select to stay home and operate virtually as teachers of in-person students will only present content to in-person students. Students who choose to stay home but are in-person will need an absence note excusing the absence per the SBISD attendance policies found in the SBISD Student/Parent Handbook.
Please also note that our start time for school is 8:40 a.m. To be counted present and not tardy, students need to be in their classrooms ready to learn. Please plan your arrival time accordingly to allow your child to be on time to school each day.
SBMS Virtual Back to School Night
Please join us for our SBMS Virtual Back to School Night- starting mid-morning on September 28th, you may access videos for each of student's courses on each teacher's About Me page in itslearning. You may access the About Me pages in the ItsLearning courses for each teacher or on our school webpage under the About section within the Staff A-Z listing. Click on the link under each teacher's name as you find them in the directory.
You are welcome to view the videos at your leisure or following their schedule for each day. If you have questions, please contact each individual teacher with your specific questions. This link will direct you to a document that your child may have replicated in their journal or used directly to record their schedule in case you are not using Skyward Family Access. If your child does not bring it home, you can print and record his or her teacher's names in the document to help guide you which videos to locate and view.
SBMS PTA Parent Coffees with the Principal
Many thanks to our PTA Board for hosting our annual PTA Parent Coffees this week. If you were unable to attend, not to worry! You may simply click on the grade level presentation you would like to listen to and the recording has been provided!
SBMS Tutorials
Beginning next week, before and after school tutorials will be held at Spring Branch Middle School. To allow for social distancing measures to be in the place, students will follow specific protocols. These protocols will be shared during Monday morning’s Bear Pride Time advisory period to allow students to plan their week, if selecting and attending a tutorial is one of their agenda items.
Please note that the provision of tutoring changes the arrival locations for some students once a week based on their BPT as core content teachers will be conducting tutoring one day a week. Students who have a math teacher as their BPT teacher, for example, may not report to the classroom at 8:10, but rather will report to the Auditorium, if they are not taking part in a math tutorial. Students reporting to the auditorium will be socially distanced. Students should not report to tutorials unless they need the academic support as space is limited to honor social distancing.
Morning Tutorials:
- Tutorials will be offered both in person and virtually, based on the learning model selected by families.
- Will be held from 8:10-8:40 Tuesday through Friday the week of September 28th-October 2nd according to the following schedule:
- Tuesday: Math Classrooms
- Wednesday: Language Arts Classrooms
- Thursday: Science Classrooms
- Friday: Social Studies Classrooms
- Students will be asked during Monday’s BPT to sign up for the morning tutorial they need to attend so that we can ensure that we provide social distancing in the classrooms. One teacher per team will be designated as the virtual tutor. A link will be provided within the sign up application.
- Students attending a tutorial may arrive at 8:07 a.m. and enter the building.
Please report to the Auditorium on the following days if your BPT teacher is listed and you are not taking part in tutoring:
- Tuesday (Math Department): Gless, Gulec, Waldorf, Manguno, Perkins, Evans, Cullum, Webb Harkey, Priest
- Wednesday (Language Arts Department):Looney, Simmons, Nguyen, Tallady, Reinhart, Beadle, Burrows, Johnson, Woods
- Thursday (Science Department): Garrett, Brittain, Briegel, Rasing, Truong, Stachowiak, Boane, Langlois, Pace
- Friday (Social Studies Department): Eskew, Flores, Taylor, Perez, Johnson, Freberg, Sullivan, Schaper, Colquitt
Afternoon Tutorials:
Teachers will post their afternoon tutorial schedule outside their doors for students who cannot attend morning tutorials. Tutoring will be held from 4:00-4:40 p.m. A late bus is provided by SBMS and leaves from our bus ramp at 4:45 p.m. if students need to use the bus to get home. Otherwise, students may be picked up from the front entrance on Piney Point at 4:45 p.m.
A Word from our SBMS Librarian
News from the SBMS Library!
The library is currently closed for browsing, but you can still access books! Here’s how:
- Log on to Sora to access the district’s ebooks and audiobooks. Students have been taught how to access Sora.
- Place holds for physical library books using our online catalog (Destiny); log on with your SBISD credentials.
- Request book bundles using this Google form (this form can only be accessed by students with their SBISD email).
This year, we are offering concierge service to in-person students; we bring the books to students during BPT or LA. For our virtual learners, we are offering curbside service. Students place holds on books, and when they are ready, they can be picked up on Tuesday or Thursday at the front desk during school hours. Distance learners will be notified via email when their holds are ready to pick up; they will be available for one week after the notification is sent. Please give us 48 hours to fill your requests for available books.
Ready to return library books? In-person students should drop their books on the cart located outside the library door. Virtual learners can return their books to the front desk any time school is open.
For more information, please visit the SBMS Library News ItsLearning page or contact Mrs. Silva at aaryn.silva@springbranchisd.com
SBMS Student Pick Up Reminders
At the start of any school year, we all know that car rider lines are busier and more congested. Over time, students engage in different after school events or carpool which reduces the traffic for all. As we all adjust to in person attendance and start of school car rider lines, we ask the following:
- Please do not use the Memorial Church of Christ parking lot as a staging area in which to wait for your SBMS student or students. This area is reserved for use by the MHS Mustang band. With social distancing, the MHS Mustang band is spread out on the practice field, and it is just not safe for MHS band students to have cars driving in and out of the parking lot.
- ALL students, if crossing Piney Point, MUST cross using the crosswalk and use the services of our crossing guard. Please do not advise or direct your child to cross elsewhere.
- We do not recommend, nor can we govern, allowing children to meet their parents at businesses along the I-10 feeder. Not only are those parking lots quite small, students are walking across several parking lot entrances to reach their parents at these locations. Out of safety for all, we ask that no child is picked up at these locations.
- Please do not pick up students in the back of our school. This area is reserved ONLY for bus riders.
Learning Model Selection Change Information
If you wish to change your child’s learning model for the second nine weeks, please do so by Friday, Oct. 2, at midnight.
The second nine weeks begins on Monday, Oct. 19.
The process requires you to complete the Learning Model Selection Change Form. You may access this form via Skyward Family Access.
Note: If your student will remain in their current Learning Model for the second nine weeks, no action is required.
When changing learning models, please know your child’s teacher(s) may change. Class assignments have been made based on family choice for the first 9 weeks. As we move forward, class assignments will depend on your child’s grade level and how many students are online or in-person. For specific questions, please contact your child’s campus.
SBMS Yearbook Order Form: Grab a Discount Before 9/30!
The 2020-2021 yearbook is now on sale! This year is definitely going to be one to remember, so hurry up and reserve your copy BEFORE 9/30 for a discount. Purchase your book, personalization, and ad ASAP for the best price! Go to tinyurl.com/sbmsyearbook to get yours today! Please contact the yearbook adviser, Ms. Boyle, if you have any questions: sara.boyle@springbranchisd.com.
SBISD Health Screener for In-Person Learners
Prior to the start of the school year, all families completed the SBISD Health & Safety Protocol Parent Acknowledgement Form. Included in these protocols is ensuring that every child coming to campus has a completed SBISD Health Screener every morning.
As a reminder, the health screener can be accessed via the district website (there is a blue box on the homepage titled ‘HEALTH SCREENER’ or by clicking here.) High school students may complete their own screener, but not those of their siblings.
Parents, it is critical that you report to your child's school if your child has tested positive for COVID-19, has had prolonged (15 or more minutes) direct exposure to someone who is COVID-19 positive, or is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. Please do not send your child to school. Please do complete the health screener and report to your school attendance office or nurse immediately. Please be sure to provide your contact information including a daytime telephone number where you can be reached.
View this video to see how to turn the screener into an icon (like an app) on your phone or tablet home screen for easier access:
See you soon! Stay tuned for messaging every Friday from SBISD!
Spanish Content/Contenido en español
¡Última semana de septiembre! ¡Guauu!
No puedo creer que octubre esté a la vuelta de la esquina. Estaré agradecido por el clima más fresco, pero los días y las semanas se mueven rápido y lento en el semestre de otoño en medio de una pandemia. Gracias por todo su apoyo a sus estudiantes, nuestro personal y nuestra comunidad. Hemos tenido un gran comienzo.
Esta semana se llevarán a cabo dos grandes eventos y ambos se pueden realizar en su propio tiempo: Noche virtual de regreso a clases de SBMS y Cambio en los modelos de aprendizaje. Para la noche de Regreso a Clases, se publicarán enlaces de video en la página Acerca de mí de cada maestro en su curso de Itslearning antes del mediodía del lunes para que las familias puedan ver los videos según lo permita su horario. Las familias interesadas en cambiar los modelos de aprendizaje (en persona o virtual) deben realizar ese cambio en Family Access en Skyward antes del 2 de octubre a la medianoche. Tenga en cuenta que una familia solo necesita hacerlo si está solicitando un cambio en los modelos y esa selección de modelo será definitiva en ese momento.
A medida que avanzamos durante el semestre, recuerde a sus estudiantes que traigan su propia botella de agua etiquetada ya que pueden acceder al agua de nuestras fuentes de agua en todo el edificio. Hay letreros frente a cada fuente de agua que les indica que usen las fuentes para llenar botellas exclusivamente; no se permite beber de las fuentes. Varios estudiantes van a la oficina de la enfermera para pedir tazas y agua de su fregadero y la Sra. Mulvey necesita dirigir su atención a las enfermedades de los estudiantes y a dispensar medicamentos. La limitación del tráfico en la oficina de la enfermera debe ocurrir por razones obvias. Por último, envíe tenedores y cucharas de plástico con el almuerzo de su hijo, ya que el gerente de la cafetería está tratando de limitar los que están en la fila a los que están recibiendo un almuerzo escolar en este momento.
Gracias por tu gracia y paciencia. Nuestro equipo de liderazgo ha estado discutiendo los comentarios, tanto positivos como constructivos, que escuchamos de las familias y continuaremos haciéndolo. Agradezco profundamente los amables cumplidos y el apoyo que ha brindado a cada uno de nuestros educadores y les pido que continúen haciéndolo. Sus amables palabras y su aliento realmente los ayudan a animarlos mientras trabajan tan duro para brindarles a nuestros niños lo que necesitan para tener éxito.
Muchas gracias,
Stefanie Spencer
Recordatorios amigables relacionados con los visitantes del campus
Oficina de asistencia:
sbmsattendance@springbranchisd.com
Oficina de 6to grado:
- Directora de 6to grado: Megan Watson (megan.watson@springbranchisd.com)
- Asistente administrativa de sexto grado: Jo-Ann Green (joann.green@springbranchisd.com)
Oficina de 7mo grado:
- Directora de 7mo grado: Maya Franchi (mayerling.franchi@springbranchisd.com)
- Asistente administrativa de séptimo grado: Kayla Box (kayla.box@springbranchisd.com)
Oficina de octavo grado:
- Director de octavo grado: Steve Barry (steven.barry@springbranchisd.com)
- Especialista de apoyo de octavo grado: Courtney Whyte (mary.whyte@springbranchisd.com)
Equipo de consejería de SBMS:
- Consejera de sexto grado: Stephanie Mikulecky (stephanie.mikulecky@springbranchisd.com)
- Consejero de 7mo grado: Marco Garcia (marco.garcia@springbranchisd.com)
- Consejera de octavo grado: Marissa Richie (marissa.richie@springbranchisd.com)
Enfermera de la escuela SBMS:
- Mercedes Mulvey: (mercedes.mulvey@springbranchisd.com)
Recordatorios de asistencia
Tenga en cuenta también que nuestra hora de inicio de clases es a las 8:40 a.m. Para ser contados como presentes y no retrasados, los estudiantes deben estar en sus salones de clases listos para aprender. Por favor planifique su hora de llegada en consecuencia para permitir que su hijo llegue a tiempo a la escuela todos los días.
Noche virtual de regreso a clases de SBMS
Please join us for our SBMS Virtual Back to School Night- starting mid-morning on September 28th, you may access videos for each of student's courses on each teacher's About Me page in itslearning. You may access the About Me pages in the ItsLearning courses for each teacher or on our school webpage under the About section within the Staff A-Z listing. Click on the link under each teacher's name as you find them in the directory.
Grabaciones de café para padres de SBMS
Café para padres de octavo grado
Café para padres de séptimo grado
Café para padres de sexto grado
Tutoriales SBMS
Tenga en cuenta que la provisión de tutoría cambia los lugares de llegada para algunos estudiantes una vez a la semana en función de su BPT, ya que los maestros de contenido básico realizarán tutorías un día a la semana. Los estudiantes que tienen un maestro de matemáticas como su maestro de BPT, por ejemplo, no pueden presentarse en el salón de clases a las 8:10, sino que deben presentarse en el Auditorio si no participan en un tutorial de matemáticas. Los estudiantes que se presenten en el auditorio estarán socialmente distanciados. Los estudiantes no deben presentarse a las tutorías a menos que necesiten apoyo académico, ya que el espacio está limitado para respetar el distanciamiento social.
Tutoriales matutinos:
Las tutorías se ofrecerán tanto de forma presencial como virtual, según el modelo de aprendizaje seleccionado por las familias. Se llevará a cabo de 8: 10-8: 40 de martes a viernes la semana del 28 de septiembre al 2 de octubre de acuerdo con el siguiente horario:
- Martes: aulas de matemáticas
- Miércoles: Aulas de Artes del Lenguaje
- Jueves: Aulas de Ciencias
- Viernes: Aulas de Estudios Sociales
Preséntese en el Auditorio los días siguientes si su maestro de BPT está en la lista y no participa en la tutoría:
- Martes (Departamento de Matemáticas): Gless, Gulec, Waldorf, Manguno, Perkins, Evans, Cullum, Webb Harkey, Priest
- Miércoles (Departamento de Artes del Lenguaje): Looney, Simmons, Nguyen, Tallady, Reinhart, Beadle, Burrows, Johnson, Woods
- Jueves (Departamento de Ciencias): Garrett, Brittain, Briegel, Rasing, Truong, Stachowiak, Boane, Langlois, Pace
- Viernes (Departamento de Estudios Sociales): Eskew, Flores, Taylor, Perez, Johnson, Freberg, Sullivan, Schaper, Colquitt
Tutoriales de la tarde:
Los maestros publicarán su horario de tutorías por la tarde afuera de sus puertas para los estudiantes que no pueden asistir a las tutorías por la mañana. La tutoría se llevará a cabo de 4: 00-4: 40 p.m. SBMS proporciona un autobús que llega tarde y sale de nuestra rampa de autobuses a las 4:45 p.m. si los estudiantes necesitan usar el autobús para llegar a casa. De lo contrario, los estudiantes pueden ser recogidos de la entrada principal en Piney Point a las 4:45 p.m.
Recordatorios para recoger a los estudiantes de SBMS
- Por favor, no use el estacionamiento de la Iglesia Memorial de Cristo como área de espera en la que esperar a su estudiante o estudiantes de SBMS. Esta área está reservada para el uso de la banda MHS Mustang. Con el distanciamiento social, la banda Mustang de MHS se extiende por el campo de práctica y simplemente no es seguro para los estudiantes de la banda de MHS tener autos entrando y saliendo del estacionamiento.
- TODOS los estudiantes, si cruzan Piney Point, DEBEN cruzar usando el paso de peatones y usar los servicios de nuestro guardia de cruce. No aconseje ni le indique a su hijo que cruce a otro lugar.
- No recomendamos, ni podemos gobernar, permitir que los niños se reúnan con sus padres en negocios a lo largo del alimentador de la I-10. Estos estacionamientos no solo son bastante pequeños, sino que los estudiantes atraviesan varias entradas de estacionamiento para llegar a sus padres en estos lugares. Por seguridad para todos, pedimos que ningún niño sea recogido en estos lugares.
- Por favor no recoja a los estudiantes en la parte trasera de nuestra escuela. Esta área está reservada SOLAMENTE para los pasajeros de autobús.
Cambios en la selección del modelo de aprendizaje
Las segundas nueve semanas comienzan el lunes 19 de octubre.
El proceso requiere que complete el formulario de cambio de selección del modelo de aprendizaje. Puede acceder a este formulario a través de Skyward Family Access.
Nota: Si su estudiante permanecerá en su modelo de aprendizaje actual durante las segundas nueve semanas, no se requiere ninguna acción.
Al cambiar los modelos de aprendizaje, tenga en cuenta que los maestros de su hijo pueden cambiar. Las asignaciones de clases se han realizado según la elección de la familia durante las primeras 9 semanas. A medida que avancemos, las asignaciones de clases dependerán del nivel de grado de su hijo y de cuántos estudiantes están en línea o en persona. Si tiene preguntas específicas, comuníquese con el campus de su hijo.
Formulario de pedido del anuario de SBMS: obtenga un descuento antes del 30 de septiembre
Aplicación Health Screener de SBISD
Como recordatorio, se puede acceder al evaluador de salud a través del sitio web del distrito (hay un recuadro azul en la página de inicio titulado "CONTROLADOR DE SALUD" o haciendo clic aquí). Los estudiantes de secundaria pueden completar su propio evaluador, pero no los de sus hermanos.
Padres, es fundamental que informen a la escuela de su hijo si su hijo ha dado positivo en la prueba de COVID-19, ha tenido una exposición directa prolongada (15 minutos o más) a alguien que es COVID-19 positivo o muestra síntomas de COVID- 19. No envíe a su hijo a la escuela. Por favor complete el cheque de salud e informe a la oficina de asistencia de su escuela o enfermera inmediatamente. Asegúrese de proporcionar su información de contacto, incluido un número de teléfono durante el día donde se le pueda localizar.
Vea este video para ver cómo convertir el evaluador en un ícono (como una aplicación) en la pantalla de inicio de su teléfono o tableta para un acceso más fácil:
https://player.vimeo.com/video/454063947