SLMS Titan News
Week #5 - September 6, 2021
Greetings SLMS Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
Thank you to everyone, including our awesome Titan Teachers, who "came out" to our Fall Virtual Open House this past Thursday, and thank you for taking the time to view your child's teachers' videos that they posted in Schoology. We hope you found the time meaningful and helpful, as our teachers desire to develop community with our students and their parents through a close relationship / partnership designed to help students meet their full potential.
This week during Advisory, your children have a module to complete in Schoology related to Digital Citizenship. The module this week is titled Staying Safe Online. Next week, a second module regarding Working in the Cloud: Files and Folders will begin and will be due for students to complete by October 1.
If you have interest in serving on an important campus-level decision-making body called the Campus Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC), we need parents, community reps, and business reps to partner with us to help craft, implement, and monitor our Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) throughout the year. The CPAC meets roughly once per month, and the first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 29, at 4:30. This first meeting will occur virtually through Microsoft Teams. Depending upon conditions, we may move to in-person meetings. If you are interested in serving on the CPAC and could commit to regular attendance throughout the year, please submit your name and interest using this short Microsoft Form by Friday, September 10.
Our PTO is sponsoring Birthday Messages on the Marquee this year! Please take a moment to read the article below about that new and exciting opportunity!
Two important items to read below are related to Remote Conferencing and the upcoming Mid-Day Break with the SLMS Counselors.
Progress Report 1 (PR1) was posted to your child's portfolio in Skyward Family Access on Wednesday, September 1. Please note that Progress Report 2 (PR2) is September 17 (a week from this coming Friday); students who are involved in extracurricular activities such as athletics and fine arts must be passing ALL of their classes at that time (Sept. 17) in order to be eligible to compete/perform. This is known in Texas as the six-week grade check, and it is required by law.
The Gifted and Talented (GT) Referral Window is now open for parents and teachers to refer students for GT testing. The window is open through September 30. Please see the article below about GT Referrals.
Please consider joining and donating to our SLMS PTO this year to support the students, the school, and the teachers. There is a flyer for the PTO in this newsletter, or you may click this link to join PTO. Thank you to our terrific parent volunteers who work hard to keep SLMS moving forward. If you have any questions about PTO membership, please contact Lisa Vogel at vogelville2@yahoo.com.
We will begin morning and afternoon tutorials soon; please stay tuned for developments and an announcement about that by early September.
The district is still hiring and training bus drivers! If you are interested, please be sure to read the article below!
Thank you for taking 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.
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#NewBeginnings
#TitansOwnIt
#ReturnOfTheTitans
September 6 - 10: The Week At A Glance
Upcoming Events
- WEB Day #2 (6th grade) - September 15
- SLMS PTO Spirit Night #2 at Panera Bread (Hwy 6 & Kensington) - September 16
- Progress Report #2 (PR2) / Six Week Grade Check for Extracurriculars - September 17
- "Say Hello Week" (Safe Promise Club) - September 21 & 22 (thru Advisory)
- Virtual Mid-Day Break with the Counselors - September 29 (See article below)
- Campus Planning and Advisory Committee (CPAC) Meeting - September 29
- Fall Portrait Day - Monday, October 18
- Trunk or Treat (Campus-wide event) - October 21 (5:30-6:30)
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
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
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!
CPAC (Campus Planning and Advisory Committee)
If you have interest in serving on an important campus-level decision-making body called the Campus Planning and Advisory Council (CPAC), we need parents, community reps, and business reps to partner with us to help craft, implement, and monitor our Campus Improvement Plan (CIP) throughout the year. The CPAC meets roughly once per month, and the first meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 29, at 4:30. This first meeting will occur virtually through Microsoft Teams. Depending upon conditions, we may move to in-person meetings. If you are interested in serving on the CPAC and could commit to regular attendance throughout the year, please submit your name and interest using this short Microsoft Form by Friday, September 10.
SLMS PTO Spirit Night #2 - September 16 at Panera Bread (Highway 6 and Kensington)
Student and Staff Health & Wellness - Updated 8.27.2021
The well-being of anyone who sets foot on the SLMS campus is paramount. Effective Saturday, August 28, Fort Bend ISD strongly encourages students and staff to wear masks. Disposable masks should be replaced daily, and washable masks should be washed daily. Consider wearing a disposable mask behind a washable mask, as well.
On Friday, August 27, FBISD HVAC maintenance crews replaced all of the campus air filter media with MERV-13 air filters.
In addition to strongly encouraging students, staff, and visitors to wear masks, SLMS encourages everyone to:
- maintain a minimum 3-foot physical distance wherever possible
- wash their hands often and for at least 20 seconds
- avoid touching their face
- use hand sanitizer when washing hands is not possible; every classroom and office, as well as the cafeteria has hand sanitizer
- wipe down their desk with specialized wipes
- use PPE we provide (paper towels and alcohol spray) to wipe down computers, keyboards, etc.
- never share food or drink at the breakfast/lunch table
- bring a refillable water bottle (with a secure, water-tight cap) and fill it using the three bottle fillers we have across campus, rather than drink straight from the fountain
Our custodial staff works diligently throughout the day to keep high-touch surfaces, such as door knobs, light switches, etc. clean. Because our lunch schedule will afford 15-20 minutes between lunches, the custodians and staff have the opportunity to do a thorough cleaning of the cafeteria (tables, seats) using prescribed methods, materials, and equipment after each lunch period.
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!
Technology and Student-Owned Devices
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.
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)
Class Schedule for 2021-22
Our class schedule/bell schedule for the 2021-22 school year is below
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.
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