SLMS Titan News
Week #26 - February 21, 2022
Greetings SLMS Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
We hope that everyone has had a good 4-day weekend. I am getting this letter out to you a little later than normal. Please do not forget that today, Monday, is the SLMS PTO Spirit Day at Gringo's Tex-Mex (see article below). I would like to say a big "thank you" to everyone in our community for the kind messages sent to me congratulating me on being named as the FBISD Secondary Principal of the Year this past Tuesday. It is truly an honor, and I am humbled to have been selected among the 28 secondary principals. Additionally, this award is one for our entire school community, because it reflects the work we do together as teachers, staff, parents, and students. Thank you, again, for your kindness toward me; it is a privilege to serve in the role of campus principal at SLMS.
As we enter the three-week period before Spring Break, we need your assistance with reinforcing several of our campus expectations with your children. This assistance is directly related to our campus mission statement, which says:
Working collaboratively, the SLMS professional learning community will commit to creating a safe environment with high expectations, leading to physical, social, emotional, and academic success for all Titans.
First, and in speaking to creating a safe environment, we have had an increase in disruptive behavior, especially during the passing periods between classes. Our expectations are that students stay to the right so that traffic may flow in two directions. Please reinforce with your children to keep to the right, but also to take a different route if a hallway appears crowded. Teachers are on duty at their door during passing periods, and administrators are out and about, as well. Second, we are experiencing an increase in tardiness to class, especially to first period, and particularly from students arriving off of the car rider line. Please ensure your children arrive on time to school, perhaps by leaving the house about 5 minutes earlier. During the day, there should be no tardies, since 5 minutes is more than enough time to get from class to class, especially because we are not using lockers. Students should also go directly to class and not "wander"; staff should not see a student more than once during a passing period. And last, our expectation is that students' personal devices (cell phones) are turned off and in their backpack. We have had a significant increase in phones being collected for students to pick up at the end of the day in the front office because they were out and being used during the day. Remember, if your child needs to contact you, all they need to do is to ask for a pass to an office, where they may use an office phone to call you. Similarly, if you need to contact your child, please contact the school, and we will relay your message to your child.
Parents of 8th grade students - please note that it is not too late to order a copy of the 8th grade panoramic picture that was taken on Career Day in December. Please visit www.herndonpanoramics.com to order.
Be sure to check out the important information below.
- Taco "Almost Two's-Day" on 2.21.22 (SLMS Spirit Night at Gringo's)
- Kempner Cheerleader Information
- Opportunity to Learn German in Middle School
- 5:00 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday Tutorial Bus Information
- UPDATED 7th Grade Field Trip to James Reese CTE Center - March 2
- UPDATED Course Selection Information for 2022-23
- Immunizations for Current Sixth Graders and Readiness for Seventh Grade
- Information Regarding Pork Products Served in FBISD Cafeterias
- Safety Reminders for Vehicle Traffic at Arrival and Dismissal
- Birthday Messages on the SLMS Electronic Marquee
- Important Contact Information
Enjoy your week!
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#NewBeginnings
#TitansOwnIt
#ReturnOfTheTitans
The Week At A Glance
Upcoming and Important Dates
- Presidents Day Holiday - February 21
- Mid-Day Break with the Counselors - February 23
- Fifth Grade Parent Night - February 24
- Fifth Grade Visits to SLMS - February 28 and March 3
- Seventh Grade Field Trip to James Reese CTE Center - March 2
- Spring Open House / iFest (International Festival) - March 8
Change in Date!!! Taco "Almost Two's-Day" on 2.21.22 (SLMS Spirit Night at Gringo's)
Kempner Cheerleader Information
8th Grade students interested in Cheer at Kempner should click the image below to open a Microsoft Form to submit showing your interest. Note, also, the mandatory parent/candidate meeting on February 28.
Opportunity to Learn German (Deutsch)
A group of advanced-level students learning German at Clements High School is putting together an opportunity for district middle school students to begin their journey to learn German. If your child is interested in learning German, please visit this Google Form to share their interest with this SPARK learning program from Clements High School. It's not too late to join, even though the program began on Thursday, February 17. The program occurs every Thursday from 5-6PM/
Get a head-start on language! The German SPARK program is specially developed for middle-schoolers to learn German before high school. Learn one of the most influential languages completely for free, and learn from CHS' best German students!
5:00 Tutorial Buses (Tues/Wed/Thur)
We are pleased to announce the start of our 5:00 Tutorial Bus on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. These buses begin on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, and they will continue throughout the year. Students who participate in an after-school intervention, tutorial, make-up session, help session, club/organization meeting, rehearsal, etc., may ride the 5:00 bus. Students staying after school for athletic practices or athletic events will not be able to ride the 5:00 tutorial bus.
Students who remain after school for tutorials, etc., must report to their teacher, sponsor, etc., when we call for the release of second run buses (usually around 4:17-4:18 PM), where they will sign in upon arrival. Students who need to ride the tutorial bus will be given a Tutorial Bus Pass by their teacher/sponsor that is signed by the teacher and dated for that date. This pass is the only means by which students will be permitted to board the 5:00 tutorial bus.
Tutorial buses will only stop to drop students off at the locations listed on this page of our campus website (and also below) and which will be emailed separately to SLMS families. Drop-off times are approximate and may take some time to get the ‘kinks’ worked out. Buses will load at 5:00 and should depart at 5:10 or shortly thereafter. It would be most helpful if you could assist your child to determine which intersection listed is closest to your home, so they know where to get off and have the shortest walk home or to be picked up by you at the intersection/drop-off location. Check with your child’s teachers, club sponsors, etc., to know their specific intervention/tutorial/meeting schedule.
5:00 Tutorial Bus Stop Times and Locations
These buses run on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
These times are approximate and could be earlier than posted if we run more than one bus. Depending upon rider levels, additional buses may be added, and the times below may change (earlier). Click the image to view the bus stop location map. The red numbers on the map correspond to the stops in the list below. Make sure your child knows which stop is best for him/her. You may also download the parent letter posted on our campus website that contains this same information, including the map and the list of stops. This service begins Tuesday, February 1. Times listed below are approximate (and will likely be earlier than advertised)
Bus #1
Stop 1 - 5:18 – E. Park St & Harman St & W. Park St
Stop 2 - 5:20 – Bramblebury Dr & Woodchester Dr
Stop 3 - 5:21 – Cottonwood Ct & Greenway Dr
Stop 4 - 5:25 – Rita Drabek Elementary School
Bus #2
Stop 5 - 5:27 – Blue Vista Dr & Imperial Canyon Ln
Stop 6 - 5:29 – Bay Gardens Dr & Spanish Grant Dr
Stop 7 - 5:30 – Old Village Ln & Spanish Grant Dr
Stop 8 - 5:32 – Townewest Elementary School
Stop 9 - 5:37 – Eldridge Park Way & Eldridge Villa
Stop 10 - 5:42 - Sugarbridge Trail & West Bellfort
7th Grade Field Trip to James Reese Career and Technical Education Center (CTE) - March 2 - UPDATED
On March 2, 2022, your 7th grade child will travel to James Reese Career and Technical Center as part of a district-sponsored filed trip. They will explore 16 different stations that showcase all the programs and experiences that are available to them at the center as they prepare to start making educational choices for their future. Students may apply for and attend the James Reese Center as they are completing their high school career pathway for graduation. This field trip will give them an early glance at all that CTE in FBISD has to offer.
Field trip permission forms were sent home the week of January 31 and will be due to 1st period teachers by February 11, 2022. You may download a copy of the permission form using the link below. Any questions can be directed to Eleni Smith at eleni.smith@fortbendisd.com or (281) 634-3086.
Course Selection Information for 2022-23
The course selection process for next year is underway. Visit the SLMS Counselors' webpage for updates. When you visit the counselors' website, look for the menu on the left that has links to separate grade level information. The counselors will keep their respective grade level pages updated with necessary course selection information, and our weekly Titan News will also contain these updates. In the meanwhile, you may wish download the 2022-23 FBISD Middle School Course Selection Guide. See the next two articles related to grade level specific information concerning course selection.
Counselors
6th Grade - Ms. Brinson
7th Grade - Mrs. Smith
8th Grade - Mrs. Seright
6th and 7th Grade Course Selection Information - UPDATED
The Skyward window for 6th and 7th graders to complete their course selection online is January 24-February 11. During this window requests and alternates can be entered and adjustments made. All course selection documents can be found on the SLMS counseling website: https://www.fortbendisd.com/domain/2207. Current 6th grade parents should take note of the item below about immunizations required to enter 7th grade (not related to COVID-19).
AVID Application (current 6th and 7th graders): https://forms.office.com/r/K1KSWCkujf
PALS Application (current 7th graders only): https://forms.office.com/r/AANEVJJQca
Middle School Course Selection Guide for Current 5th through 7th Graders
High School Course Selection Guide for Current 8th Graders
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