SLMS Titan News
Preparing for School - Late July 2021
Greetings SLMS Parents and Guardians,
In just two-and-a-half weeks, we will be starting our new school year. The summer has flown by for sure. We look forward to seeing our returning Titans, as well as those new to SLMS and who attended virtually last school year. Our campus leadership team made up of administrators and teacher leaders met during the last two weeks to craft our back-to-school plan staff and students. Our efforts this year are significantly geared towards moving students forward in their learning while simultaneously determining what gaps exist, which we will work to close over the course of the year. Grace, patience, and optimism will once again be important vocabulary for us to use this year. We are working toward ensuring that students who have not been inside a school building since March 2020 and/or who have never been inside SLMS receive the support they need as we return to in-person learning. The year will challenge everyone in many ways, but our first duty is to ensure the wellbeing and safety of everyone at the school. This safety will come in terms of physical, emotional, and psychological safety. We will meet everyone where they are, and move forward from there. This year is "The Return of the Titans"!
I recommend you check out district's "Back to School" web page. It has many helpful resources and links. One of the more important resources on this web page is the Return to In-Person Instruction and Continuity of Services Plan (Spanish version here). Starting on page 10, there is considerable information related to health and safety guidelines that we will be implementing at the start of the year. We recognize that ongoing concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, especially with the rise of the Delta variant, may cause parents, students, and staff to wonder what we are doing to mitigate spread of the virus and to keep everyone at SLMS safe. As always, we have no higher responsibility than to attend to the safety of everyone at SLMS. Therefore, SLMS will follow the protocols prescribed in this document, including training/re-training staff and students at the start of the year regarding these protocols.
In our next newsletter, which will be sent just prior to the start of school (sometime around August 4 or 5), we will dedicate significant space and time to procedures and protocols, what to expect on the first day, what to bring for the first day of school, and other finer points.
Start checking off your "to do list" today by reviewing the article in this newsletter titled, "Parent 'To-Do' List". This is a big-ticket item for parents.
Please take a moment to get caught up to all the goings-on at SLMS by reading the news items below. This edition of Titan News includes information about:
- Upcoming Events
- Titan Camp / August Student Orientation
- Campus Tours July 28, 29, and 30
- Parent "To Do" List
- Information Regarding Academic/Hallway Lockers
- Class / Bell Schedule for 2021-22
- FBISD Health & Wellness Event - August 3
- School Supplies for 2021-22
- Employment Opportunities at Sugar Land MS
- Football and Volleyball Information (7th and 8th Grade Students Only)
- Summer Learning Opportunities
- Summer Reading Information
- Immunization Requirements for Incoming Seventh Graders
Thank you for taking some time to consider the items in our 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
#NewBeginnings
#Resilience
#TitansOwnIt
#ReturnOfTheTitans
Upcoming Events
- 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)
Student Orientation / Titan Camp Dates for 2021-22
We invite all students to participate in our “Titan Camp”, which is a brief come-and-go opportunity for students and their parents to participate in the following opportunities:
- Get a list of your classes (not your actual schedule; it will be distributed on the first day of school, August 11)
- Purchase SLMS Spirit Gear from our PTO
- Get their Photo ID made (students wear ID’s during the day on color-coded lanyards)
- Purchase PE Uniform (will also be able to do this online, starting in late July)
- Add money to your cafeteria account for breakfast and lunch
- See your friends
- Familiarize yourself with the campus
- Opportunities at the bottom and top of each hour for parents to visit with and hear from the principal
- Pick up pre-ordered school supplies (if they were purchased online in April – May)
- Meet and interact campus administration, counselors, and other staff members
- Turn in any missing paperwork, such as updated immunization records for the clinic
Our Titan Camp is broken down by grade level, and the 6th grade event is further broken down by last name. Here is the schedule (note that safety protocols and social distancing measures will be in place):
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)
We are also 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 this week (separate from Titan Camp). See the next item related to campus tours to sign up for your time slot.
6th Grade Titan Camp Information
7th and 8th Grade Titan Camp Information
Campus Tours Hosted by WEB Leaders - July 28, 29, and 30
Going into the 2021-22 school year, half of our student body will have never set foot on the SLMS campus due to the pandemic, and we want to help any student and their family to become familiar with our campus layout and experience being in the building in small numbers to help ease minds and hearts before we start the school year. Tours will be conducted by our wonderful 8th grade WEB (Where Everyone Belongs) student leaders. A link to the Sign-Up Genius for this event is at the end of this section. Please note:
- Each slot can accept a maximum of four families to maintain health and safety protocols. Therefore, please only sign up for one slot for your family
- Please enter the parent's name in the "name" field
- When you arrive at SLMS, please park in the parking lot on the east side of campus (by the bus ramp) and walk to the main entrance (by the flagpole)
- It is your decision whether to wear a mask or not, but by entering the building you are certifying that you currently feel well, are not exhibiting signs of illness, are not running a fever higher than 99.9 degrees, and that you have not tested positive for COVID-19 within the last 10 days
- Unvaccinated individuals must also confirm they do not believe they have been in close contact with an individual who has tested positive with COVID-19 or traveled internationally
We are genuinely interested in helping our students, especially those who have never been on the SLMS campus before and regardless of grade level, acclimate themselves to being on campus and to find their way around. Here is the link to the Sign-Up Genius for SLMS Campus Tours, scheduled for July 28, 29, and 30.
Parent "To Do" List
Parents, please be sure to check these items off your list as you complete them:
- Complete the online verification of student information and enrollment in Skyward Family Access for each child in your family. Please be mindful of your permissions regarding your child's name, image, and social media, as your response might prevent your child's name and/or picture from appearing in the yearbook. Link to Skyward Family Access | Link to Enrollment Verification Flyer in English | Link to Enrollment Verification Flyer in Spanish
- Ensure you are set to receive information from the school through Blackboard Connect. Follow the instructions at www.fortbendisd.com/blackboardconnect
- Looked for your child(ren)'s bus route information, if applicable by visiting the Bus Route Info page
- Complete or renew your application for Free or Reduced Meal Program by visiting the Free and Reduced Meal program web page on the district website
- Ensure your child(ren)'s vaccination/immunization records are up-to-date. This particularly important if your child will be in 7th grade this year, as there were some updates your child needs to have before attending school. Our deadline to receive your information is August 6 in order for your child to attend school on the first day. Note that these immunizations DO NOT include the COVID-19 vaccination. For more details, see the article further down in this newsletter, or visit the district's School Health Services web page
School Supplies for 2021-22
All of the supplies your child will need are listed in 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.
If you ordered the ready-made school supply kits that were on sale from late April through early June, orders will be delivered to the school and distributed to students at Titan Camp / Orientation (see previous item). If you have questions about pre-ordered school supply kits, please contact Lisa Vogel at vogelville2@yahoo.com.
PE Uniforms – available for purchase online. Link to PE Uniform Purchase Website
(note: if your child is taking Kickstart instead of PE or athletics, their uniform, called a '"Gi", will be made available to you through the instructor)
Information Regarding Academic/Hallway Lockers
SLMS, along with nearly all district middle schools, has made a decision this year to discontinue the use of the hallway academic lockers for students. We recognize that this may come as a surprise (and maybe even a disappointment) to some students and their parents. The reason for this decision has many aspects:
- We did not use lockers last school year when students came F2F, as we allowed them to carry their backpacks from class to class, and it worked very well. Students who had lockers the previous year did not miss having them
- We have pared down our school supply list significantly, even reducing the size of the AVID binder from 3" to 2", limiting what students would need to carry, which greatly reduces the weight of the backpack students will need to carry around. And not everything on the school supply list is meant to be carried around daily, anyway
- We do not issue hardback, physical textbooks to students, but rather we use class sets; textbooks are also online
- In math, ELA, and science, students have a consumable book that stays in the classroom, but for which they only tear out the pages needed, and they are placed in the AVID binder, minimizing anything that needs to be carried around
- With the continued concern regarding COVID-19/Delta variant, eliminating the locker means significantly less time being near others in a confined space between before, between, and after classes
- Students will go directly from class to class with no need to go to their locker, which means students will arrive on time and not have a stop that could make them late for class
What, exactly, will students be carrying from class to class, then? That is a great question! Generally speaking, they will have the following with them daily (some items come and go at the beginning and end of the day or the beginning and end of the week):
- Backpack itself (which should be worn properly, with both straps, not just one); please note that rolling backpacks will not be permitted this year due to the trip hazard they present to others
- AVID Binder (2") - which has tabs, pockets, etc. for all classwork to help remain organized, along with the student planner that we will issue to students on the first day of school.
- Pen/Pencil Bag (kept in AVID binder; contains pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, small calculator, wired earbuds, glue stick)
- Clear Water Bottle with Screw-on Cap/Lid (to be filled at our bottle fillers throughout the building)
- Lunch from home (if not getting a lunch from the serving line)
- Personal Laptop from Home and charging cable (optional; school-owned devices are available in all classrooms if you do not want to BYOD)
- Book from the Library (as needed)
- Students may also bring their cell phone to school (guidelines to be shared with students the first day)
Note that PE uniforms and band/orchestra instruments will be brought to school and taken home, but they will not be carried around throughout the day. Band/orchestra instruments will be be brought to their respective rehearsal spaces at the beginning of the day, and then picked up and taken home at the end of the day). See next paragraph regarding PE uniforms and lockers.
Students will continue to be issued a PE locker for their PE uniform (or an Athletic locker, if involved in they are a 7th or 8th grade student involved in a school-sponsored sport). Students will bring their washed, clean PE uniform to class on Monday and place it in their PE locker; they will take it home on Friday for it to be washed (or sooner if needed), and bring it back on Monday (or the next day).
Employment Opportunities at Sugar Land MS
At Sugar Land MS, we have an opening in our Special Education Department in our ABC classroom. We are looking for an additional aide to help the teacher and the students in this classroom. To find out more about this position, as well as to apply, please visit the ABC Aide Middle School information page on the district’s employment website.
Additionally, we have an opening in our clinic for a full-time Nurse's Aide. This is a crucial role to support our students and staff, as well as to help with our school health and wellness plan, and to support our new campus nurse, Mrs. Shetal Patel. To find out more about this position, as well as to apply, please visit the Nurse Aide Middle School information page on the district's employment website.
Please email your resume to Principal Fickel at keith.fickel@fortbendisd.com if you have interest in either of these opportunities.
Football and Volleyball Information -- 7th and 8th Grade Students Only
All students need a valid and up to date athletic physical on file before they can participate in extracurricular activities. Students can download an athletic physical form off the FBISD athletics page and bring it with them to submit to their coaches on the first day of school (or before school starts, which is better). All students need to visit www.rankonesport.com and fill out all of electronic forms (include leading zero "0" in your child's student ID number when logging into RankOne). All forms need to be submitted electronically, AND the physical form must be turned in before a student athlete is eligible to tryout/participate.
Athletic Physical Opportunity
Saturday, July 31
Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
16811 Southwest Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77479
9:00 AM - Noon
(281) 275-0447
Fee is $20, cash only
Bring your downloaded/printed athletic physical form (linked above) to the event
Football
The football equipment pickup schedule will be as follows after school (4:30-6:00 PM):
- Thursday, August 12 (8th Grade only)
- Friday, August 13 (7th Grade only)
- Equipment pickup will be in the boys’ locker room and will begin immediately after students are called for over the PA. If you do not have a physical please do not come to pick up equipment, as you will not be eligible
- The first day of football practice will be after school Monday, August 16
- Students will only need to purchase football cleats. All other equipment will be provided by FBISD
- If you have questions, please contact Coach Esposito at Pete.Esposito@fortbendisd.com
Volleyball
- Tryouts will occur before school (6:45-8:15 AM) on August 16, 17, and 18. Students must attend ALL tryout dates and times. Doors open at 6:30 AM
- Practices are Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 6:45-8:15 AM
- Game days are Thursdays
- Physicals and online electronic forms must be completed and submitted prior to trying out. See information above
- Contact Coach Woods at toni.woods@fortbendisd.com if you have any questions.
PE Uniforms – available for purchase online. Link to PE Uniform Purchase Website
Class Schedule for 2021-22
Our class schedule/bell schedule for the 2021-22 school year features the following:
- 7 class periods daily, with an additional Advisory period on Tuesday and Wednesday
- Monday, Thursday, and Friday will have a 7-period day (50-minute class periods. except for periods 1 and 7, which are 55 minutes). MWF also has a 10-minute "Titan Time" where we do announcements and other housekeeping business; this is an additional 10-minute period added to the end of period 2, and there is no transition
- Tuesday and Wednesday will have a 7-period day (45 to 50-minute class periods), with an additional Advisory period between period 6 and 7. Advisory will be used as a flexible time to conduct interventions, enrichments, as well as to show our broadcast/announcements, and even an opportunity for clubs and organizational meetings
- Students will have every class every day
- Students will have the same lunch period every day
- Transitions between class periods will be 5 minutes in length
Note the change in school start/end times. For 2021-22, the school day will begin at 8:55 (5 minutes later than last year), and the day will end at 4:10 (5 minutes later than last year).
You may download a PDF of the bell schedule by visiting this information page on our campus website. An image of the bell schedule is below.
FBISD Health & Wellness Event - August 3
Fort Bend ISD and its School Health Advisory Council (SHAC), in partnership with the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition, will host a back-to-school event to share health and wellness tips and resources for students, parents and staff as we transition to a new school year.
The event will take place at the James Reese Career and Technical Center (12300 University Blvd., Sugar Land, 77479), on Tuesday, August 3, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event is open to students, parents, staff and community members, though seating is limited. There is no charge for the event, but registration is required. Register now.
The event is part of the District’s Whole Child Health Initiative, which supports the mental, behavioral, social, emotional and physical health of all students in Fort Bend ISD.
Attendees will hear from local experts on the following topics:
- The mixed emotions students, parents and staff may experience as they return to school this fall – Dr. Sophia Banu (Baylor College of Medicine)
- FBISD’s Mental Health Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) and the District’s mental health partnerships – Priti Avantsa (FBISD’s Coordinator of Mental Health and Social Work Services)
- The social and emotional well-being of students and community resources available to families – Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition
Community partners and vendors will also be available to provide additional resources and services for attendees.
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.
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 Rising Seventh Graders
All students entering seventh grade should have received (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 shetal.patel@fortbendisd.com or fax it to (281) 327-3081.
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 August 6, your child will not be able to start school on the first day of the 2021-22 school year!
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 - TBD
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 from Monday, July 26 through Tuesday, August 10
8:20-4:20 (closed 12:00-12:45 for Lunch)
Office Hours starting Wednesday, August 11
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