SLMS Titan News
Week #8 - September 27, 2021
Greetings SLMS Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
I hope that you and your children had a good holiday this past Friday, as well as a good weekend thus far. Your child's teachers we hard at work on Friday in professional learning designed to further advance their skills in helping our students to develop ownership of their learning.
You read in last week's Titan News about the TikTok challenge that has inspired some of our students to vandalize our restrooms. As a result of that issue, we heavily regulated and monitored restroom use last week in order to ensure no further damage or issues occurred. We will continue to monitor restroom behavior this week and into the future. Please know any vandalism will result in the fullest measure of consequences from the Student Code of Conduct, including monetary restitution for equipment and labor costs. If severe enough, this vandalism could also be a considered a criminal act, subject to legal consequences in addition to school consequences.
The first nine-week grading period, Term 1, is closing on Thursday, October 6; it is important for each student to put forth their best effort in the time remaining. Seventh graders interested in eligibility for National Junior Honor Society need to know that the grades they earn now and the next grading period play a big role in the eligibility criteria. Students who lost their eligibility to participate in extracurricular activities as a result of Progress Report 2 may regain their eligibility at this report card, provided they are passing everything. Of course, doing your best at all times is the minimum expectation for success.
This week's news contains information about:
- Upcoming Events
- Science Club News
- Virtual Mid-Day Break with the Counselors - September 29
- Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic at SLMS - October 9
- Fall Portrait Day - October 18
- Lending Library Devices and Technology
- Toiletries Drive through Advisory Classes for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
- Fort Bend Education Foundation News
- SLMS Trunk or Treat Family Event - Thursday, October 21
- Birthday Messages on the SLMS Electronic Marquee
- Remote Conferencing
- GT Referral Window Open thru September 30
- FBISD is Hiring and Training Bus Drivers
- Important Contact Information
Please take some time to consider the items in our Titan News. Communication and understanding are the two most important pre-requisites from which we may build trust for the best possible school/family relationship.
We hope you have a great week.
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#NewBeginnings
#TitansOwnIt
#ReturnOfTheTitans
September 27 - October 1: The Week At A Glance
Upcoming and Important Dates
- End of Term 1 – Thursday, October 6 (grades due in Skyward Sunday, October 10)
- Student Holidays / Professional Development Days – October 7 and 8
- Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics at Sugar Land MS – October 9
- Student/Staff Holiday - October 11
- Fall Portraits – October 18 thru PE/Health/Kickstart classes
- Trunk or Treat – October 21 from 5:30-6:30 PM
Science Club News
Science Club will have its first meeting on Tuesday, October 12 from 4:20 to 6 p.m. Pick up a permission slip from your science teacher. Students will need to have transportation home. Talk to your science teacher or see 6th grade science teacher Mrs. Pierce in her classroom, room 607.
Virtual Mid-Day Break with the SLMS Counselors - September 29
Please join our grade level counselors on Wednesday, September 29, for their quarterly Mid-Day Break with the Counselors. It will be from 12:00-1:00 PM, and it will occur virtually. Please use the link below to join the meeting using Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link - Click here to join the meeting
Wednesday, September 29
12:00 - 1:00 PM
Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccinations at SLMS - Saturday, October 9
Lending Library Devices and Technology
To provide technology for students that are quarantined and need to attend classes online, families can check out laptops from the SLMS library for a 2-week period. Currently we do not have hotspots available. This is an optional service for those who need it. Parents must first complete a form in Skyward called, Lending Library Agreement: 2021-22. It is a good idea for all students to have this form on file in case they suddenly need a device in the middle of the year. To request a device, contact Mr. Sinclair at david.sinclair@fortbendisd.com. Checkout is handled via no-contact curbside pickup. Parents may arrange a pickup time with Mr. Sinclair outside of normal arrival and dismissal hours in the front circle drive.
Toiletries Drive through Advisory Classes - thru September 29
The SLMS PALs are sponsoring a toiletries collection drive for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Collections will be made through students' advisory classes. See the informational flyer/graphic below for more details.
American Furniture Warehouse Rally September 10 – September 26
You can purchase anytime of the year at American Furniture Warehouse to support our schools… BUT, you are invited to shop at their store rally Fri., Sept. 10 – Sun., Sept. 26 for our community. Shop this rally to help us maximize our annual donation we receive soon after. Anyone who purchases during the Store Rally will earn a chance to win a $500 Gift Card.
Sugar Land Skeeters - FBISD Staff and Family Night - October 1, 2021
Join us for FBISD Staff and Family Night as the Sugar Land Skeeters take on the Round Rock Express. Stay for the Fireworks after the game.
Purchase discounted tickets today and use coupon code FBEF!
Adopt-A-Student
There are many Fort Bend ISD students who cannot access the internet from home. For some, it's a lack of coverage. For others, it's a lack of affordability. Even if connected, they do not have access to devices required to even access homework assignments.
Donate today and your donation will help equip economically disadvantaged FBISD students with Wi-Fi, hotspots and hardware needed to excel this school year.
SLMS "Trunk or Treat" Family Event - Thursday, October 21
The SLMS Counseling Office is hosting TRUNK or TREAT on OCTOBER 21! The Event will be outside on the bus ramp side of the school from 5:30-6:30 PM. All students and families welcome to dress up and come walk the path of trunks to collect treats and say “Hi” to all of our neighboring schools and student organizations. It should be a fun family night! If you would like to donate candy to be passed out during this event, please drop it by the front office.
Birthday Messages on SLMS Marquee
Does your SLMS child have an upcoming birthday? Would you like to wish them a happy birthday on our new digital campus marquee? The PTO is coordinating birthday messages to go on our marquee as a means of raising funds to help meet needs of students and teachers. Publicizing your child's birthday is only $15.00. Please follow these simple steps to get your child's birthday announced on the marquee:
- Visit https://my.cheddarup.com/c/slmspto
- Scroll down to the "Happy Birthday Marquee" item
- Click "Add to Cart"; you are redirected to another screen where you will
- Enter information about your child and select the style of announcement you wish to see on the marquee
- Click "Add to Cart ($15.00)"
- Review your order
- Click "Continue to Forms"
- Enter your child's name and grade level
- Click "Continue to Payment" and finish your purchase
Note that submissions must be received at least two weeks ahead of the desired date to be posted on our campus marquee. Please contact Heather Martin of the SLMS PTO at heathermartincpa@gmail.com with questions. And feel free to order SLMS swag like hoodies, t-shirts, and more while you are ordering your child's birthday message!
Remote Conferencing
Please take a moment to visit a brand new FBISD website that explains a new procedure called Remote Conferencing. This TEA (Texas Education Agency) defined measure is used to ensure students who are quarantined due to testing positive for COVID-19 or who are identified as "close contacts" (individuals within 3 feet of a confirmed COVID-positive individual for 15 minutes or more during a 24 hour period) will receive to receive synchronous, live instruction during their stay-at-home period. It also outlines who is eligible for this opportunity, how remote conferencing works, and also the limitations associated with remote conferencing.
FBISD Remote Conferencing information website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/remoteconferencing
Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral Window Open Until September 30
The 2021-22 Gifted and Talented (GT) referral process is open for parents and teachers to submit names of students who you believe may need Gifted and Talented services in Fort Bend ISD. Please visit https://gt.fortbendisd.com/ if you believe your child may be gifted and a candidate for services. The window closes on September 30. Note that students are tested during the 2021-22 school year, and if they are identified as gifted in either/both of Math/Science or Reading/Social Studies, their services would not begin until the 2022-23 school year. Please reach out to our GT campus coordinator, Mrs. Kimberly Seright, at (281) 634-3085 or via email at kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.com with questions.
FBISD is Hiring and Training Bus Drivers!
If you are interested in serving FBISD as a bus driver, please see the flyer below, and visit the job posting and application on the FBISD Careers Website! The district is experiencing a shortage of drivers, and you could help stand in the gap!
Important Contact Information
- Associate Principal - Monika Martin (monika.martin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Nafecia Brinson (nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.com)
- Assistant Principal - Dr. Dawn Rogers (dawn.rogers@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Eleni Smith (eleni.smith@fortbendisd.com)
Eighth Grade
- Assistant Principal - Luster Goodwin (luster.goodwin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Kim Seright (kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.com)
Counselor Clerk - Carmen Brantley (carmen.brantley@fortbendisd.com)
Assistant Principal Secretaries
- 7th and 8th Grade - Tina Garcia (diamantina.ibarragar@fortbendisd.com)
- 6th Grade - Sherri Woodcock (sherri.woodcock@fortbendisd.com)
Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.com)
Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com)
Nurse - Shetal Patel (shetal.patel@fortbendisd.com)
Clinic Aide - Cassandra Rodarte (cassandra.rodarte@fortbendisd.com)
Executive Assistant to Principal Fickel - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@fortbendisd.com)
Sugar Land Middle School
46 Years
1975-2021
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
#NewBeginnings
#Resilience
Office Hours
8:20-4:20 PM
Email: keith.fickel@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
Twitter: @SLMSTitans