SLMS Titan News
FINAL EDITION FOR 2020-21 - June 1, 2021
Greetings SLMS Parents and Guardians,
We have arrived at the final week (well, three days, anyway) of the school year. We have all endured so much during the past 14-15 months, and I want to say how proud I am of our staff who gave your children every ounce of energy and attention possible this year. Both our in-person and online students are to be commended on their perseverance through the trials that the pandemic has brought to all of us, as well. But we are aware that there are some who continue to struggle and cope. There is no doubt that the experiences from these last many months will continue to affect us as we all dust ourselves off and move forward. Truly everyone has demonstrated our hashtags in some way this year:
- #Resilience
#GracePatienceOptimism
#TitansOwnIt
#InfinitePossibilities
#BetterTogether
We will all need time to rest and heal this summer in order to be ready to meet the challenges that will come our way next year. Our initial focus in 2021-22 will be on relationships, healing, and community-building, while we simultaneously engage with academics, athletics, and the arts. We must re-establish our community environment with all students and staff being in-person, roughly half of whom will be for the first time since Spring Break of the previous school year, some 14 months ago. We will be working to re-establish both a physically and psychologically safe learning and working space for all Titans, whether they are a student, parent, or staff member.
This week, please ensure your F2F children arrive to school fully in dress code, and with their school-issued student photo ID, their lanyard, and a water bottle. Online students need to arrive to their virtual classes each day on time and engage fully. We want the year to end smoothly and calmly for everyone, without distractions that sometimes arise because of being eager to start summer. This past Friday, May 28, we shared separate message with you about what students may bring to school from June 1-3 and what to leave at home. It is recapped and linked below in this newsletter. We also discussed in detail with F2F students during lunches on Friday.
If your child is taking a HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT COURSE this year, it is imperative that they sit for their semester exam on the day that it is scheduled (see the schedule further down in this newsletter). If they miss the exam, it is in their best interest to work with the instructor to schedule a time to complete it before the end of the school year. This is because any student taking a high school credit class who misses his/her exam and does not get it made up by June 3 MUST come to take a paper-based version in-person and on campus sometime between June 7 and June 24. This is also true for students in the online learning model. Until the missed exam is made up, students will have a zero ("0") entered for their semester exam grade which counts 15% of the Semester 2 grade. Thank you in advance for your understanding regarding high school credit course semester exams.
We still have 100 or so of our current sixth grade students whose immunization records have yet to be updated in our clinic. Please get this taken care of ASAP. See the article below about immunizations for sixth graders. It includes contact information and instructions. Note that if this is not taken care of by June 4, it is possible your child may not be able to start school on the first day of the 2021-22 school year!
Please take a moment to get caught up to all the goings-on at SLMS this week by reading the news items below. This edition of Titan News includes information about:
- Upcoming Events
- Final Week of School Expectations
- Laptop and Wi-Fi Hotspot Collection Plan
- Panoramic/Composite Picture of 8th Grade Class of 2021
- Summer Learning Opportunities
- Online School Supply Ordering for 2021-22 - Through June 4
- NEW!! - Dates for Student Orientation / Titan Camp for 2021-22
- Yearbook Distribution and Purchasing
- Summer Reading Information/Inspiration (UPDATED 6.1.21)
- Project SUCCEED (STEM-Based Summer Learning Opportunities)
- End of Year Schedule (May 28 through June 3)
- Immunizations for Current Sixth Grade Students -- How to be Ready for Seventh Grade
Thank you for taking some time to consider the items in this week's Titan News. I hope each of you has a great week this week and a restful, well-deserved break this summer.
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#Resilience
#GracePatienceOptimism
#BetterTogether
#InfinitePossibilities
#TitansOwnIt
Week At-A-Glance
Upcoming Events
- June 1 - Online Student Yearbook Distribution (4:30-6:00); Sales for anyone wanting to buy a book -- all on the bus ramp
- June 3 - Early Release Day (1:20 PM)
- July 26 - WEB Leader Training (Select rising 8th graders)
- July 28, 29, and 30 - Campus Tours Conducted by WEB Leaders
- August 11 - First Day of School
Student Orientation ("Titan Camp") for 2021-22 School Year
- Incoming Grade 6 - Thursday, August 5 (Last names A-L 9:15-12:00; Last names M-Z 1:30-4:00)
- Incoming Grade 7 - Wednesday, August 4 (9:15-12:00)
- Incoming Grade 8 - Wednesday, August 4 (1:30-4:00)
Panoramic/Composite Picture of 8th Grade Class of 2021 - AVAILABLE NOW!
Each year since the early 1980s, the 8th grade class has had a panoramic picture taken and made available to students to purchase. We also have them on display in our main hallway (see image). This year, with the help of our yearbook company representative, Ryan Almon, we have created a composite version of this picture, using students' school portraits from this year. We only included those students whose parents did not withhold permission for the school to use their child's image for publication back at the beginning of the school year. Though our yearbook representative helped us to get this made, this is not in any way connected to the yearbook itself (which, by the way, is still for sale...see yearbook article in this newsletter).
Ordering Information for the Composite/Panoramic Picture
Picture is $30.00 plus tax ($2.10), but has free shipping, and may only be ordered online.
Visit https://vando.imagequix.com/g1000857438 to get started
Then, follow these steps:
- enter your email address, then click "Submit"
- select "Buy Now" in the lower right corner of the screen
- Select "Large Prints" from the menu on the left
- Select the first choice, "10x30 print"
- Select "Final" in the top right corner
- Select "Add to Cart" in lower right corner
- Select "Check Out" in the lower right corner, and follow instructions to complete your transaction
Summer Learning Opportunities
Please download the flyer below to learn more about summer learning opportunities for all students. Note: this is not about summer school, but rather learning opportunities and extensions that may be conducted at home during the summer.
Online School Supply Ordering for 2021-22 -- Available through June 4
The SLMS PTO wants to make it easy for you to get your child's school supplies for the 2021-22 school year, and they have partnered with Teacher Tailored / SchoolKidz to provide a convenient, cost-effective way to purchase supplies for next year. All of the supplies for your child's grade level are included, based off of the SLMS school supply list, which was created by the teachers. The only items not included are things like PE uniforms and specialty items needed for certain elective classes. PE uniform sales will begin in late July in a separate process. A list of items needed for specialty electives classes will be shared by your child's teacher once school starts.
Here are some of the reasons to consider ordering your supplies through this program:
- No hassle, no lines to get in
- Check one more thing off of your back-to-school to-do list
- You get everything on the school supply list in the correct quantities
- Supplies are delivered directly to school in a box labeled with your child's name (one less thing to have to bring to school)
- Most items are guaranteed by the company to last the entire school year and will be replaced if that doesn't happen
- Cost-effective (kits range from $55-60), and you won't even be charged sales tax!)
- You help the PTO, which in turn helps the students and teachers!
Here is how to order:
Online
- Visit http://www.shopttkits.com, and enter our school's program code, which is 93458
- Orders are taken online through June 4, 2021
Paper Order Form
- If you need to order via a paper order form, please contact Lisa Vogel, PTO president, at the email address below.
Orders will be delivered to the school and distributed to students at a date to be determined.
If you have questions, please contact Lisa Vogel at vogelville2@yahoo.com.
Student Orientation / Titan Camp Dates for 2021-22
Additional details will be shared with the community about the items below in mid-to-late June. Please add these dates to your family calendar. We are particularly interested in helping our students, regardless of grade level, acclimate themselves to being inside the building and finding their way around, so our WEB leaders (select rising 8th graders) will be hosting tours of the campus in late July. A sign-up process will be communicated soon for this opportunity. Additional details about Titan Camp (Student Orientation) will be forthcoming as well. Please save the date(s) on your calendar.
Titan Camp (Student Orientation)
2021-22 School Year
Incoming Grade 6 - Thursday, August 5
Last names A-L 9:15-12:00
Last names M-Z 1:30-4:00
Incoming Grade 7 - Wednesday, August 4 (9:15-12:00)
Incoming Grade 8 - Wednesday, August 4 (1:30-4:00)
Yearbook Distribution and Purchase Opportunities
Yearbooks Still Available - Only $40
Yearbooks are ready to be distributed! Face-to-face students received their books during advisory last Thursday, and online students will receive theirs Tuesday, June 1, at our curbside distribution on the bus ramp between 4:30 and 6:00 PM. Our bad weather date is Wednesday, June 2, if we cannot distribute on June 1.
Yearbooks are still on sale, and we do have a supply of them to sell. Books are available for $40.00, exact cash (no change made) or check starting Friday, May 28. They will be available at the front office during normal school hours.
Additionally, we have a limited number of last year's books (2019-20) that we will be selling in the front office for a discounted price of $30.00 (cash or check; not available online). This is a special sale that will not be offered again. If you missed the opportunity to purchase one, we encourage you to stop by and pick one up. You can always ask about previous years as well, as we have a small number of other books still available. Yearbooks from the 2018-19 school year and prior will only be $20.00, if they are available.
Project SUCCEED (STEM-Based Summer Learning Opportunities)
Project SUCCEED is a student-run organization that is dedicated to spreading STEM in the community. We host STEM-based classes for anyone in the community, and we utilize a low-price system for our classes. Course fees are only $30.00, and all course fees and money donated to our cause go towards spreading STEM to disadvantaged children’s hospitals.
This summer, we are hosting various programming courses virtually via Google Classroom in multiple coding languages and for any experience level. The courses include Beginner Java (6th – 8th grade), Intermediate Java (7th – 9th grade), Game Development (6th – 8th grade), and Anatomy (5th-8th grade) and each will be a series of five 2-hour sessions. Beginner Java is recommended for students with no prior background coding knowledge who wish to build a solid programming foundation for future STEM activities. Intermediate Java is for students who already know the basics of the Java programming language. Game Development will be for students that would like to be introduced to the STEM world by designing and creating their own playable games. Anatomy and Physiology will be for students that would like to learn about the different body systems and for students that have a passion in the medical field. Each course will be over one week from the summer, with the course-specific dates and times listed on our website. The sign-up link can be found on our website as well, on the Summer Camps page under the Events tab.
For more information, you can visit our website at www.projectsucceed.org or contact us at info@projectsucceed.org. You can also visit our social media pages: Facebook and Twitter, or download the flyer linked below.
End of Year Schedule - May 28 through June 3
Please download the document linked below, which is the End of Year Schedule, covering the dates of Friday, May 28 through Thursday, June 3. This document explains what will be happening on these four days.
You may recall that the district adjusted Wednesday, June 2, by making it a full day (8:50-4:05), rather than an early release day, because of minutes needed to comply with state law. Therefore, our only early release day is the last day of school, Thursday, June 3. School will be over at 1:20 that day.
Download the document below, Middle School Semester 2 End Schedule 2021. It is the same at all district middle schools.
Face to Face Student Schedule
Online Student Schedule
Summer Reading Information
The purpose of summer reading in FBISD is to engage students in an enjoyable reading experience that maintains and fosters literacy. Unlike in years past, there is not "summer reading list" of specific titles for specific grade levels.
During the summer, we encourage parents and families to commit to 30 minutes a day of reading texts of their choice while school is not in session. Research suggests that this simple commitment provides growth in vocabulary, fluency, background knowledge, and overall comprehension. If you need a little inspiration or ideas to get you started, download the "25 Book Summer Challenge" one-pager below! Consider visiting the FBISD webpage devoted to summer reading, as well.
Readers are Leaders!
UPDATE 6.1.21 - Mr. Sinclair, our librarian has created a shared Google Drive folder with resources and ideas for students and parents for summer reading. Please check it out!
Immunization Reminders for Current Sixth Graders (Online or F2F)
Your sixth-grade child did or will receive the Tdap and the Meningitis vaccines at their 11-year-old check-up. If they have had these vaccines, please provide proof of this to the clinic when your child gets them. These are the required shots for 7th grade and providing them as soon as you get them will keep your child compliant! You may email it to julie.cutaia@fortbendisd.com or fax it to (281) 327-3091.
Our experience has been that some parents wait until the last possible minute to be in compliance with these immunization requirements. Please help us help your child be ready for next year, as it will approach faster than you think!
Note that if this is not taken care of by June 4, it is possible your child may not be able to start school on the first day of the 2021-22 school year!
Attendance Information for Parents
Parent notes are required for all absences within five days from the absence date. Notes must include full student name as well as the reason for the absence (including technical difficulties). If a student misses a synchronous engagement, they are counted absent.Please email all absence notes to AttendanceSLMS@fortbendisd.com. Contact our attendance clerk, Mrs. LaVergne, at (281) 634-3089 if you have questions.
Important Contact Information
- Assistant Principal - Dr. Dawn Rogers (dawn.rogers@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Eleni Smith (eleni.smith@fortbendisd.com)
Seventh Grade
- Assistant Principal - Luster Goodwin (luster.goodwin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Kim Seright (kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.com)
Eighth Grade
- Associate Principal - Monika Martin (monika.martin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Nafecia Brinson (nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.com)
Counselor Clerk - Carmen Brantley (carmen.brantley@fortbendisd.com)
Assistant Principal Secretaries
- 6th and 7th Grade - Tina Garcia (diamantina.ibarragar@fortbendisd.com)
- 8th Grade - Sherri Woodcock (sherri.woodcock@fortbendisd.com)
Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.com)
Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com)
Nurse - Angi Lincoln (angela.lincoln@fortbendisd.com)
Executive Assistant to Principal Fickel - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@fortbendisd.com)
Sugar Land Middle School
45 Years
1975-2020
Inspiring and equipping the young men and women of our community for futures beyond what they can imagine since 1975.
SLMS Campus Mission Statement
Working collaboratively, the Sugar Land Middle School Professional Learning Community will commit to creating a safe environment with high expectations leading to physical, social, emotional, and academic success for all Titans.
#TitansOwnIt
#BetterTogether
#InfinitePossibilities
#GracePatienceOptimism
#Resilience
Office Hours: 8:20-4:20 Monday-Friday
Email: keith.fickel@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
Twitter: @SLMSTitans