SLMS Titan News
Week #33 - April 18, 2022
Greetings SLMS Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
Welcome to another four-day week this week! Please remember that Monday, April 18, is a professional development day for teachers and staff, and it is a student holiday. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 19. It was a tremendous honor this past Thursday evening to celebrate our awesome Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Sarah Kelley, and our fantastic FBISD Secondary Rookie Teacher of the Year, Mrs. Lauren Catoe! They were honored at the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration at Safari Texas. We are so proud of our two honorees! #TitansOwnIt
In our next edition of Titan News, we will have our End of Semester Schedule published for you, along with end of year expectations for students. This schedule will be for the final week of the school year, which is May 23 through May 26.
Every year, as we approach the end of the school year, some students begin to get restless in anticipation of summer approaching and make decisions or act in ways that are not in line with our expectations for maintaining a safe environment with high expectations, as our campus mission statement speaks of. This year it seems to be occurring sooner than it typically has in the past. This is where we need the ongoing support of all SLMS parents--reinforcement of expectations in five (5) key areas:
- Arrival to school/classes on time - We have had a lot of tardies and/or late arrivals to first period from the car rider line, even on good weather days. If your child is a car rider and they are getting out of the car much past 8:50, they will likely be late when the bell rings at 8:55. We also have students not going directly from one class to another and/or being in areas they do not need to be. There is no place in the building that a student must go that they cannot get to in 3 minutes, and our passing period is 5 minutes. Please help us reinforce the expectation of going directly to class
- Proper use of personal devices (i.e. smartphones) on campus - Students' devices are okay to be brought to school, but they must be powered off and in their backpacks during the day (i.e. not in their pockets). Please know that we have had some inappropriate photography occur with some students' devices, which has sometimes been posted to social media or otherwise shared. This can be a form of cyberbullying and potentially even criminal behavior. Having such powerful devices requires a level of responsibility and maturity that some students are simply not developmentally ready for. Therefore, we ask that parents monitor their children's devices for inappropriate communications and images, and even take time to educate themselves on how young people can hide their activity on their devices. This will look different for each family, but it is crucial that parents truly know what is happening with their children and their devices. Remember, also, that if a parent needs to contact their child during the school day, they may call (281) 634-3080, and we will relay the message to the child. If a child needs to contact a parent, they may get a pass from a staff member to go to an office to make a call to the parent. Thank you for your ongoing support of this "old school" form of communication between parents and students during the school day
- Bringing only school-appropriate/needed items to school - Toys, like stuffed animals, toy cars, video gaming devices, and even bringing items like chips and candy (and even shoes!) to school with the intent to give/sell to other students is not in line with our expectations. It creates a distraction, and makes students carry more than they need to/from school, since we no longer issue lockers to students. Please take particular notice of the recent Orbeez Challenge via Tik-Tok, as recounted in this NPR story. Please do not permit your children to bring anything like this to school
- Appropriate ways to engage with peers and school staff when there is disagreement or misunderstanding - Tempers can sometimes flare when frustration sets in or a disagreement or misunderstanding occurs. The temptation to use profane language or even physical aggression toward a peer or staff member sometimes gets the best of some students before they have had a chance to think through consequences of such actions or come up with alternatives. Our counselors, administrators, and teachers constantly work with students regarding how to appropriately deal with unwanted feelings or behaviors from others. Please help reinforce calmer, gentler ways to deal with conflict. We are here to support students "soft skill" development (interpersonal interaction/communication) every bit as much as we exist to provide a strong academic foundation
- After School Supervision - Some students are waiting for hours in nearby parks and playgrounds, both city and district-owned, for parents to pick them up or to walk/bike home after school. We are working with the district to start a program called Club Excel in 2022-23 based on the feedback received from our community the last two weeks, which could help in this regard (details coming soon). But for the remainder of this year, please encourage your children to simply go home after school is out if they are a walker or a bike-rider. Though we cannot forbid students to be on city-owned property, please understand that certain kinds of behavior, even after hours on non-district property, are covered under the district's Student Code of Conduct and are subject to consequences outlined in that document, in addition to any kinds of consequences from law enforcement agencies. Know, also, that SLMS staff do not take responsibility for, nor do they monitor, the city-owned parks that surround the school
Please take a moment to review the items in this week's Titan News regarding the following items:
- PTO Elections, Spirit Night, and Energy Conservation Award
- Teacher Appreciation Week - May 2 thru 6 PLEASE HELP OUR PTO!
- Ordering School Supplies Online for 2022-23 School Year (Current 5th-7th graders)
- Eighth Grade Exit Celebration at Main Event - Thursday, May 19, 2022
- SLMS School Report Card
- Immunizations for Current Sixth Graders and Readiness for Seventh Grade
- Safety Reminders for Vehicle Traffic at Arrival and Dismissal
- Birthday Messages on the SLMS Electronic Marquee
- Important Contact Information
Enjoy your week, and remember there are only 28 more school days for your child to shine and do his/her best. They will go by very quickly!
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#TitansOwnIt
The Week At A Glance
Upcoming and Important Dates
- April 23 – Lakeview ES Grand Re-Opening Celebration for the Community
- April 27 - SLMS PTO Spirit Night at Live Oak Grill
- April 29 – Beginning Band & Orchestra Festival/Trip
- May 19 - 8th Grade Exit Event at "Main Event" – in the afternoon (details below)
STAAR Testing Schedule
- May 5 - Grade 8 Science
- May 6 - Grade 8 Social Studies
- May 10 - Grade 8 Mathematics/Algebra EOC
- May 11 - Grade 8 Reading
- May 12 - Grade 7 Mathematics
- May 13 - Grade 7 Reading
- May 16 - Grade 6 Mathematics
- May 17 - Grade 6 Reading
PTO Elections, Spirit Night, and Energy Conservation Award
SLMS PTO Board Elections for 2022-23
The SLMS PTO Board Elections will be on May 18, at 6:30 in the SLMS commons, just prior to the beginning band concert that is scheduled for that evening. All interested parents are welcome to attend and step up for a role (i.e. not just beginning band parents). Contact Lisa Vogel at vogelville2@yahoo.com
SLMS PTO Spirit Night at Live Oak Grill
The next SLMS PTO Spirit Night is Wednesday, April 27, at Live Oak Grill. Please mention the SLMS PTO when placing your order, and 13% of receipts will go to SLMS PTO.
SLMS Named "Best Overall School" in FBISD Energy Setback
We are proud to announce that SLMS was named "Best Middle School" and "Best Overall School" in the district competition for energy setbacks over long breaks, like Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break. Kudos to our teachers, staff, and students, for unplugging and ensuring that energy was not wasted at the school during long breaks!
Teacher Appreciation Week: May 2 thru 6 PLEASE HELP!
The first week of May is always Teacher Appreciation Week. On Wednesday, May 4, the SLMS PTO will be hosting a dessert, snacks, and treats potluck in the teachers lounge. Let's show our awesome teachers some love with some delicious goodies from a galaxy far, far away..... Please help the PTO by donating an item(s) below. Thanks for your contribution! Drop off donations on May 4 in student drop off line or front office by 10:00 AM on May 4. Non-perishable items may be delivered on May 3.
Please click this link to sign up for an item to bring on May 4.
Ordering School Supplies Online for 2022-23 School Year (Current 5th-7th graders)
The SLMS PTO wants to make it easy for you to get your child's school supplies for the 2022-23 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 May 20, 2022
Paper Order Form
- If you need to order via a paper order form, please download and print one here, and turn it in to Sugar Land MS, along with payment to the SLMS PTO, by May 13, 2022
Orders will be delivered to the school and distributed to students at a date to be determined. If you have questions, please contact Jennifer Khorchani at jkhorchani@gmail.com.
Eighth Grade Exit Celebration at Main Event - Thursday, May 19, 2022
On Monday, April 4, eighth grade students received a paper version of the document linked below regarding their Exit Celebration at Main Event in Stafford on the afternoon of May 19, 2022. They received the paper version in their 7th period class. This event is sponsored by our SLMS PTO. It costs $25.00, all inclusive. We will board buses at 1:30, and have time from 2:00-6:00 at the venue. We will return on buses to SLMS at 6:15, where parents will need to be waiting to pick up their child in the bus ramp parking lot (but not against the bus ramp itself).
We will collect forms and money during B and C Lunches starting Monday, April 11, and running through Friday, April 29. Contact Mr. Goodwin or Mrs. Seright with questions.
SLMS School Report Card
Please visit this link to view the 2020-21 state and federal report cards for SLMS. This information was also emailed to SLMS parents on February 26.
Immunizations for Current Sixth Graders and Readiness for Seventh Grade
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 seventh grade and providing them as soon as you get them will keep your child compliant. and be one less thing for you to do in preparation for seventh grade. You may email it to Nurse Patel at Shetal.Patel@fortbendisd.com or fax it to (281) 327-8745.
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!
Safety Reminders for Vehicle Traffic During Arrival and Dismissal
Safety is important during arrival and dismissal each day. Some things we continue to notice that we want to bring to your attention include:
- Drivers on cell phones/devices while in the car rider line
- Students entering/exiting vehicles along Seventh Street instead of in the circle drive
- Students entering/exiting vehicles in parking lots on either side of the building instead of in the circle drive
- Students entering/exiting vehicles on the drivers' side rather than the passenger side
- Drivers turning left out of the circle drive (it's a posted no left turn during school zone hours)
- Speeding in the school zone and driving too fast in the car rider line
- Parents and students crossing Seventh Street in places other than the crosswalk monitored by our crossing guard
Please help us help you and your children (and our staff) to remain safe by being mindful of these concerns during arrival and dismissal.
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!
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)
Campus Assessment Coordinator - Becky White (becky.white@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