Bear Bulletin
May 2, 2022
STAAR is ONLINE This Year! 8th Graders Need to Bring a Fully Charged Chromebook (SBISD Issued) & Charger Thursday and Friday of This Week
Topics Included in this Newsletter
- Note from Mrs. Spencer
- Mark Your Calendar, Bears!
- #SBISDProud: Visual Arts and National Merit Finalists
- Spring 2022 Finals Schedule
- Enrollment Verification: Get Ahead for Next Year!
- Course Verification for 2022-2023
- Need Transportation for Athletics Physicals?
- Athletic Paperwork for 2022-2023
- Low-Cost Physicals for SBISD Athletes
- SBISD Summer Programming Opportunities for Grades 5-11!
- Parenting With Phones Presentation from Mrs. Spencer
- MHS Mustang Sweetheart Information
- SBISD 2022-2023 Academic Calendar!
- Rising 6th Grader Toolkit (Current 5th Graders)
- SBMS Bear Camp: Mark Your Calendars!
- SBMS Yearbook: Orders Closed!
- Information from Nurse Mulvey for 6th Grade Parents
- SBMS PTA Information for 2021-2022
Message from Mrs. Spencer
Good Morning, SBMS Bears,
19 more school days, Bears! So much to do between now and the closure of a great school year! Many thanks to a great PTA for their efforts to host a really fun 8th grade dance! It was so nice to see kids enjoying themselves and having fun celebrating a milestone in preparation for high school.
Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week! Please send a note of thanks or praise to our SBMS Staff for staying the course, giving their best and loving our Bears! They are getting incredible things out of our kids! There is no better staff out there, for this I am certain! The last two years have been an incredible time for educators. Help us remind them how much they are appreciated!
Awards Night this year will only be for 6th and 7th Graders. Invitations were sent out Friday, but may be delayed if the BPT teacher had a substitute. The event is on May 19th at 6 p.m. We are hoping that hosting just two grades can accomplish less movement during the ceremony and shorten it to give middle schoolers time to study for finals. The awards for 8th Grade will be presented during our Farewell Ceremony on May 26th. The time for that will be 10:30 a.m. It is held in our Championship Gym. Look for invitations to follow.
Please consider taking advantage of the bus transportation service to the low cost physicals Memorial Herman is providing on May 7th at Northbrook High School. Our Campus Athletic Coordinator, Ms. Whitney, will be taking one of our buses around our feeder schools to help families make it to these physicals. Please take use of this service and have your child prepared to compete! Taking care of physicals, Rank One paperwork and the verification of enrollment paperwork now puts you in great shape for next school year. Scroll down for more information on things you can do to ensure a calm start to next school year.
Additionally, you may want to check out SBISD Guthrie Center's Camp Explore this summer. Tailored for students in Grades 5-11, students are able to select from a variety of CTE classes. The selection is amazing! Scroll down to that article and check them out. Low-cost, high interest classes that might spark a CTE interest or further develop your child are available! Don't miss them!
We are still seeing issues related to student phone use- at home and at school. I have placed my presentation to parents this week in this newsletter. It is imperfect and I am no expert, but within the presentation, I share what I have learned through serving as a campus principal supporting children and families. I highly encourage you to provide guardrails to your children in relationship to their phones, just as we do for other things. Phones give them tremendous access to content we may or may not wish for them to have or tools they may not be mature enough to manage without guidance from mom or dad. Uncomfortable topic, for certain, but we are called to the work by nature of our time.
As we prepare for another week, please note:
- STAAR is ONLINE this year. Students need to report any issues they are experiencing with their chromebook or if they have lost their device or charger in advance of testing May 5th and 6th (8th Graders) and May 10th and 11th for 6th-8th Grade. Students will be turning in their devices ahead of testing to ensure no one forgets them on the day of testing.
- SBMS students are not allowed to wear pajama bottoms to school. Not sure about our dress code? Click here.
- Please limit what your child brings to school. No stuffed animals, baseball cards, gaming consoles or stuffed animals should be brought to SBMS.
- 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:
Chromebook Submission In Advance of STAAR: All Students will turn in their FULLY charged chromebooks on May 9th so everyone is ready for STAAR!
STAAR Exams:
- 8th Grade Science (May 5th), 8th Grade Social Studies (May 6th)
- 6th-8th Grade Math (May 10th) and 6th-8th Grade Reading (May 11th)
- ALL Exams are ONLINE. Students need to bring their fully charged school-issued chromebooks.
SBMS Finals Information:
- See schedule here.
- Finals Reviews will be printed, sent home and posted to itsLearning on Friday, May 13th.
- Early Release occurs Tuesday, May 24th-Thursday, May 26th at 12:30 p.m. during finals week.
SBMS Awards Night (6th and 7th Graders ONLY): May 19th at 6 p.m.
SBMS Events for 8th Graders:
- May 26th: 8th Grade Awards and Farewell Ceremony at 10:30 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
#SBISDPROUD: National Merit Finalists
National Merit Finalists
#SBISDProud
Visual Arts
ELECTION DAY IS SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2022.
Early Voting Dates are April 25-May 3, 2022.
The SBISD Board of Trustees has called for a bond election to appear on the May 7, 2022, ballot.
Important information about the proposed bond, and the Board of Trustees election can be found at the links here.
Three trustee positions, two bond propositions, one ballot, one chance to vote!
In order to keep our athletes healthy and safe, the University Interscholastic League (U.I.L.) mandates certain requirements. All incoming 7th and 8th graders who will participate in athletics (football, volleyball, basketball, track, cross country and soccer) during the 2022-23 school year MUST complete the required paperwork. In order to be apart of the SBMS Athletics program, the required paperwork consists of two items: (1) physical evaluation conducted by a physician and (2) electronic forms through Rank One. You may access the forms by clicking here or visiting the front office for hard copies. Paper copies are going home next week with students.
PHYSICAL EVALUATION: All athletes must have a current physical on file with the coaches. In an effort to align with the practices of the high school athletic program, all physicals MUST be dated no earlier than April 1, 2022. Spring Branch ISD in partnership with Memorial Hermann will be offering low cost physicals on Saturday, May 7th from 8:00am to 1:00pm at Northbrook High School. Athletes can also see their own personal physician to have the physical completed. Click here to access the physical evaluation form.
RANK ONE: The electronic forms can be accessed through the Rank One website. Click here for Rank One. There are three forms to complete in Rank One: (1)Consent to Treat and Insurance, (2) Special Medical Information and (3) UIL Forms Signature Page.
· In addition to the three forms, there may be a need for further documentation based on the Special Medical Information. This documentation pertains to any athlete who require an epi-pen, inhaler or diabetic need . These forms will have to be downloaded from Rank One and require a doctor’s signature.
For the insurance section, athletes that choose to purchase the district insurance, will have to pay $25. Payments can be made by bringing a check (made out to Spring Branch ISD), cash for $25 to his/her coach or paying through the My School Bucks app. Athletes refusing the district insurance will simply upload both the front and back of their health insurance card to the Rank One website. If both types of insurance are chosen, the athlete will need to upload their health insurance card (front and back) to the Rank One website and pay the $25.
Refer to the Rank One FAQ’s below for more information:
The SBMS Athletic Department is asking that ALL required paperwork be submitted by Monday, May 23, 2022. If the paperwork is not submitted by this time, the athlete’s schedule may not reflect their selection of being in the athletics class for the 2022-23 school year. No athlete will be allowed to participate in athletics until all paperwork (physical evaluation and all Rank One electronic forms) is completed. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to email or call. We look forward to a great 2022-23 school year!
Rank One Sport On-line Pre-Participation Physical Packet FAQs
1. What does it mean to be “under a doctor’s care”? Who needs a clearance note and who doesn’t?
If you have recently seen a physician for a medical condition, or you require ongoing medical care, please provide a medical release note from your treating physician that releases you to athletic participation. This note may be emailed to your coach or athletic trainer. You may contact your athletic trainer with any questions.
2. What is the “valid” date for all physicals?
Physicals for the 2022-23 school year must be dated AFTER 4/1/2022.
3. Do I still need to get my inhaler form/epi-pen form/student self-management of diabetes completed by my doctor?
Yes, you will need to have a new form completed and signed by your prescribing physician.
4. I want to get an EKG for my child. Can they participate if they have not gotten the results/had the exam yet? Do you require me to give you the results of the EKG exam?
EKGs are optional and your child will not be held out of sports participation while they are waiting on the results of their EKG exam. Please send your results to your athletic trainer when you receive them.
5. Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Girls Athletics
Chenique Whitney
Chenique.whitney@springbranchisd.com
(713)251-4455
Boys Athletics
Scott Singletary
Robert.singletary@springbranchisd.com
(713)251-4456
Check the physical requirement for SBMS Athletics off the list! In collaboration with SBISD Athletics, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center is offering comprehensive, low-cost physicals to all SBISD athletes. Physicals include:
- Height and weight
- Vision Screening
- Blood Pressure
- Medical History Assessment
Physicals will be administered by primary care physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants affiliated with Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center and will be $10 for middle and high school athletes. Payment can be made by cash or check; no insurance will be accepted! Free physicals are available for athletes who qualify for reduced lunch programs.
Need Transportation for Physicals?
On Saturday, May 7, 2022, SBMS Athletics will provide transportation to the Memorial Hermann/SBISD Physicals at Northbrook High School. Anyone wanting to get a physical on this day can ride the bus. There will be five pick-up locations. Pick-up locations and times are listed below. If you do not want to ride the bus and would like to get a physical, you are free to report to Northbrook High School at any time between 8:00am and 1:00pm.
After the physicals have concluded, students will be dropped off at the same location that they were picked up. There are no designated drop-off times after physicals. Students will call their parents upon departing Northbrook High School to give an estimated time of arrival to their drop-off location.
Before getting on the bus, students will need to be sure that they have their physical form completely filled out and signed by the student and a parent. They will also need $10 for the physical. However, if the student is on free and reduced lunch, the physical will be free.
Parenting with Phones Presentation from Mrs. Spencer
Enrollment Verification: Help Us Prepare for Next School Year!
Each year, parents of students returning to SBISD are asked to update their enrollment paperwork through Skyward Family Access. The system asks for updated contact information, an electronic signature for annually required forms and verification of what has been entered at registration. Next school year's verification is now open! Please go to this website and log in to Skyward Family Access. Once there, there will be a button on the left related to Returning Student Verification. Click on that and make sure each form is up to date! You will be glad to get that squared away before the start to the new school year!
Please note that the CNS (Child Nutrition Services) form may not be available just yet. You may click on the link it gives you, review the content and then proceed to the next step.
Course Verification for 2022-2023
The following message was sent out a few weeks prior:
As a final step in the course selection process for next year’s classes, you have the opportunity to verify the courses that were selected and are in Skyward. Here are the steps to verify next year’s selections:
1) Log into Skyward Student OR Family Access
2) Click on PORTFOLIO from the left side list
3) Click on 2022-2023 COURSE VERIFICATION- This will prompt you to open a document.
4) View courses.
5) Everything okay?- Nothing more is needed from you!
6) Something missing or wrong? You have two options:
- Print the document, write the changes and submit it to your Grade Level Counselor via email or drop off.
OR
- Email your Grade Level Counselor to submit changes.
- ** Course Selection Sheets and Course Catalog is attached if needed**
·
- Grade 7: Jerry Roberts: jerry.roberts@springbranchisd.com (Sub while Mrs. Richie is on Maternity Leave)
- Grade 8: Stephanie Blackmon: stephanie.blackmon@springbranchisd.com
SBMS 2021-22 Yearbook!
The first day of yearbook distribution will occur Monday, May 2 in BPT! If you have bought a yearbook, you should receive it tomorrow. A few things to remember:
- If you believe you ordered a personalized book and you don’t receive it, please email me and I will check.
- If you ordered 2 by mistake and at least one isn’t personalized, you can return one to me AS LONG AS IT HASN’T BEEN WRITTEN IN OR DAMAGED.
- Otherwise, unless there is a PHYSICAL PROBLEM with the book (pages printed upside down, pages ripped out upon arrival etc.) there will be NO REFUNDS.
- If your child does not appear in the book they are listed in the Not Pictured section. Every effort was made to find a portrait. Many students refused to take a makeup portrait after multiple attempts to reach them. If they aren’t in the book AND Not Pictured, they are most likely on the “Do Not Publish” list. I cannot place them in the book if they appear on that list; multiple attempts were made to contact home to double check their inclusion on the list.
- We are very close to selling out. If you would like to try to buy a book, please bring $65 cash or check (make out the check to Spring Branch MS yearbook) to Ms. Boyle in room 201. If we still have books available I will give one to your child then.
- Please keep in mind this book was created by 7th and 8th grade students. There are a few mistakes and I’m sure students will find more we haven’t caught. We regret any mistakes made in the book and thank you for your understanding.
Sara Boyle
Journalism Teacher, Yearbook and Newspaper Adviser
Spring Branch Middle School
Our introductory event is the MHS Senior Car Parade, Saturday, May 14 and we would love to have as many girls join us as we can. It's an exciting pre-high school event that gives them a sample of the excitement to come!
The registration link is clickable on the gray tab of the pdf, but spelled out as well in the case that there are any problems clicking directly.
SBISD 2022-2023 Academic Calendar
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!
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