Bear Bulletin
March 28, 2022
Topics Included in this Newsletter
- Note from Mrs. Spencer
- Save the Date for the SBISD Virtual State of the Schools Event: March 31st at 9 a.m.!
- SBISD 2022-2023 Academic Calendar!
- Volunteers Needed for the 8th Grade Dance
- Mark Your Calendars, Bears!
- Rising 6th Grader Toolkit (Current 5th Graders)
- SBMS Bear Camp: Mark Your Calendars!
- Save the Date for Spring Branch Super Saturday: Unity in Our Community
- SBMS Yearbook: Be Sure to Order ASAP!
- Information from Nurse Mulvey for 6th Grade Parents
- SBMS PTA Information for 2021-2022
Message from Mrs. Spencer
Good Morning, SBMS Bears,
Many thanks to all who supported our Spring Branch Education Foundation through attending or supporting the gala last Friday night. It was a lovely evening hosted by our very own Don and Joy McCormack, event chairs for the evening. SBEF does a great deal for every school in our district and I cannot be more appreciative for the support they lend our kids, families and staff.
Thank you to all for helping us host our practice STAAR exams, they truly do help us know what next steps to make with kids. The exams are not only for the purpose of intervention, but also for team and student celebrations. While this has been an awesome year, it has had its challenges, too. The opportunity for teachers to see how their children are progressing and celebrate their hard work a bit is important at this stage in the game, too. Department Chairs and I will discuss messaging for families on how each of their children did this week so we can get that information to you.
8th Grade Parents: Don't forget to look for your child's Panoramic Picture order envelope- please complete and return it tomorrow, Monday, March 28th. The envelope was sent home earlier this week.
As we prepare for another week, please note:
- Vaccines: Be sure your child is up to date on vaccines for next school year. If you have not been able to see your pediatrician in a while, it may be smart to schedule an appointment if your child is a 6th grader, to be sure they are in good shape for vaccination requirements for 7th grade. You will note that I have run a vaccination article each edition of this newsletter this school year in an attempt to help families stay on top of this and prevent issues with enrollment. If you have questions related to vaccines, please email our school nurse, Mercedes Mulvey.
- Chromebooks: Students are required to bring their fully charged chromebook to and from school each day. We will be doing a check on all devices in the next few weeks to ensure devices are in their proper working order and any tickets for repairs or lost devices are placed at that time. This is super important because ALL of STAAR testing is conducted online and student devices need to be in good working order in advance of that testing. Please check in with your child and review their device and accompanying chromebook charging cord. This link will take you to resources for managing your digital device or reporting a lost, stolen chromebook and lost or broken case or charger. If your child's device needs repair, he or she may inform his or her BPT teacher tomorrow and they will instruct them on completing a repair ticket.
- Cell Phones: It remains important that students place their cell phones in the phone caddies in classrooms so they can focus on schoolwork during the instructional period and that parents monitor student use of apps and messaging functions on these devices. If you are uncertain how to do this or need advice on how to approach this, we are happy to talk you through it so that you can support your middle schooler in using these devices.
- SBISD Police Request: Please stop picking up children along the feeder to I-10. It is truly an unsafe behavior for you as a driver, our students and the officer helping with traffic.
- SBMS Lost and Found Items: All items will be disposed of the first week of June. Please ask your child to come visit the Lost and Found in the office- or you are welcome to visit, too!
Let's have a great week, Bears!
Stefanie
Mark Your Calendars, Bears!
Mark your calendars for a few events, Bears:
SBMS 3rd 9 Week Honors Assemblies (SBMS Auditorium):
- 6th Grade: April 5th at 8:45 a.m.
- 7th Grade: April 6th at 8:45 a.m.
- 8th Grade: April 7th at 8:45 a.m.
SBMS Events for 8th Graders:
- April 30th: 8th Grade Dance from 7-10 p.m.
- May 26th: 8th Grade Farewell Ceremony at 11 a.m
Additional calendar tools:
- SBMS Google Calendars: SBMS uses a few calendars to help parents stay informed on events at school. The SBMS Public Calendar covers all academic and band/fine arts activities. The SBMS Athletics Activities Calendar covers the different athletic games we offer throughout the year. Please note neither calendar is up to date as of yet. Once game schedules are set by the district and other dates finalized by SBMS in relationship to Fine Arts, we will post these to the calendar.
- SBISD Calendar: English/Spanish
All SBISD families are invited! SBISD: A Virtual State of the Schools Event on March 31 at 9 a.m. via Zoom. SBISD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Blaine and CEO of The Cannon Jon Lambert will share updates about key district initiatives, recognize the Class of 2021 Good Neighbors, and discuss how, together, we can ensure T-2-4 success for Every Child. Zoom link provided upon RSVP here https://www.springbranchisd.com/stateoftheschools/state-of-the-schools-2022
SBISD 2022-2023 Academic Calendar
Volunteers Needed for the 8th Grade Dance!
Rising 6th Grade Toolkit- Share with Your Friends!
Dear Parents of Rising 6th Graders (Current 5th Graders),
Click on the image above or use this link to access the following resources for our school:
- Rising 6th Grade Parent Meeting Presentation
- Electives Descriptions
- Performing Arts Flyer
- AAC (Advanced Academic Course) Information (previously Pre-AP)
- Course Selection Sheets
- Recording of our Rising 6th Grade Parent Meeting Presentation
For those of you who are interested in learning more about SBMS courses, the SBISD Course Catalog document is an excellent resource. Please refer to the English or Spanish version.
Mark Your Calendars for Bear Camp 2022!
Save the Date for Spring Branch Super Saturday (4/23): Unity in Our Community AND Event T-shirt Design Competition Opens!
Save (and share!) the date to celebrate SBISD’s 75th Anniversary at Spring Branch Super Saturday: Unity in Our Community, April 23 from 9am-noon at Tully Stadium!
Spring Branch Super Saturday will bring together the entire community to showcase the best of Spring Branch students! Designed by a team of more than 80 high school students from throughout the district, Spring Branch Super Saturday is an event for the whole community. Enjoy student showcases, food trucks, live music, arts & crafts, and SO MUCH MORE!
NOW OPEN! Event T-Shirt Design Contest!
Share with your student artists, designers, and creatives for a chance for their design to be worn by hundreds, maybe thousands of people! Deadline for submissions is Feb. 2. More details below!
Key Information:
- Submission Eligibility requirements:
- Must be Spring Branch ISD students (elementary, middle or high)
- Must complete the Google Submission Form (https://forms.gle/y5Dn89zaittZZ2dA8)
- Can be submitted by an individual or a group of students - Design requirements:
- Incorporate the event name and tagline, “Spring Branch Super Saturday: Unity in Our Community”
- Represent all of SBISD (no single school logos)
- Single-color design
- Designed for the front of a t-shirt
- No inappropriate images or phrases
SBMS 2021-22 Yearbook!
Yearbooks are still on sale for $65! Buy one here or go to tinyurl.com/sbmsyearbook to buy your book before they SELL OUT! There are only 50 yearbooks left for sale and we cannot order more!
The yearbook staff would love your help gathering photos related to the following topics/events for inclusion:
- Fine arts concerts/shows or your child practicing/rehearsing for them (band, orchestra, choir, theatre)
- 7A and 7B Girls Basketball, 8A Boys Basketball
- Track/Cross Country
- -NJHS/Student Council
You can upload photos for the yearbook staff using the Balfour Imageshare app on your phone. You will create an account and can upload photos from your camera roll. Note: the project number is 209143 and there is NO upload code. You may also send any photos for the yearbook staff to yearbook adviser Sara Boyle, sara.boyle@springbranchisd.com.
Contact Sara Boyle, sara.boyle@springbranchisd.com with any other questions about the yearbook!
Please note that March 15th was the last day to submit photos for inclusion in the yearbook.
Thank you!
Sara Boyle
Journalism Teacher, Yearbook and Newspaper Adviser
Spring Branch Middle School
A Word from the SBMS Library
Overdue Library Books
Please remind your students to turn in overdue library books. They receive an email notice each week with a list of overdue books. There is a cart located outside the library entrance for book returns.
Aaryn Silva
Librarian
Spring Branch Middle School
6th Grade Parents: A Word From Nurse Mulvey
6th grade Parents:
If your child gets any new vaccines this school year please turn in a copy to the nurse. This will help prevent any delay in enrollment for 7th grade.
A Word from the SBMS PTA
Did you know that PTA does much more than fundraising? PTA's mission is to make every child's potential a reality by engaging and empowering families and communities to advocate for all children. We are an advocacy organization and our list of "PTA Purposes" are:
- To promote the welfare of children and youth in home, school, community and
- place of worship
- To raise the standards of home life
- To secure adequate laws for the care and protection of children and youth
- To bring into closer relation the home and the school, that parents and teachers
- may cooperate intelligently in the education of children and youth
- To develop between educators and the general public such united efforts as will secure for all children and youth the highest advantages in physical, mental social and spiritual education
Parents aren't required to volunteer and can still join without providing any time commitment.
Dues as low as $10 allow parents to become voting members, which means they have a VOICE. Parents can save money as a PTA member and receive special discounts and perks, learn how. PTA Membership provides instant support for our students. It's a great way to stay informed about what's happening at our school and connect in meaningful ways with other parents. Our motto is "Every Child. One Voice." Join us Bears!
Find us on social media. For a complete list of links, visit the SBMS PTA website
Missed Last Week's Bear Bulletin?
Please click below by date and you may access previous editions:
- February 13th Bear Bulletin
- February 6th Bear Bulletin
- January 30th Bear Bulletin
- January 23th Bear Bulletin
- January 16th Bear Bulletin
- January 9th Bear Bulletin
- November 7th Bear Bulletin
- October 31st Bear Bulletin
- October 24th Bear Bulletin
- October 17th Bear Bulletin