Bear Bulletin
January 9, 2022
Topics Included in this Newsletter
- Note from Mrs. Spencer
- Mark Your Calendars, Bears!
- SBMS Amended Schedule for Jan 11th and 12th for MAP Testing
- Message from Ms. Collier to 8th Graders Attending SWHS Next Year!
- SBISD Choice and Transfer Program Information
- SBMS Needs Your Ties!
- SBMS Yearbook: Be Sure to Order ASAP!
- Mark Your Calendars for SBISD Parent: Healthy Relationships Online and In-Person!
- Information from Nurse Mulvey for 6th Grade Parents
- SBMS PTA Information for 2021-2022
Message from Mrs. Spencer
Good Morning, SBMS Bears,
I hope you and your family had a nice return to school. The start of 2022 has been a good one for SBMS. Plans are in the works for transition events for rising sixth and ninth graders, student assemblies, a musical for SBMS, athletic events and all of the fun and busy schedules the spring semester brings each of us!
There will be a few days in the next six weeks or so where we amend our bell schedule to honor testing. We have posted the schedule for MAP assessments to be conducted for grades 6th-8th on January 11th and 12th and will send them to students on Monday through Skyward. Later in February, we will amend the schedule for 8th graders so they can take part in the field testing for Language Arts we have been assigned by TEA. Just as we did with MAP testing, we will post it in our newsletter to families and post on Skyward for students. Naturally, schedules will be amended later in May for STAAR, but until that time, we will notify you of any adjustments we need to make in the interim.
Please keep communicating with Ms. Mulvey if you have questions about symptoms or your child has tested positive for COVID via a home test or lab test. We want to keep everyone healthy and in school! The advent of the home test is a wonderful thing as it provides access to information quickly- please just keep communicating with us if you have any questions or concerns.
Let's have a great week, Bears!
Stefanie
Mark Your Calendars, Bears!
Mark your calendars for a few events, Bears:
- January 11th and 12th: MAP Administration. We will host a Block Schedule on these two days to allow tests to occur in two days, but offer longer testing timeframes for students. Click here for the schedule.
- January 17th: Student and Staff Holiday
- January 18th (6th), 19th (7th) and 20th (8th): Grade Level Honors Assemblies at 8:45 a.m.
- Parent U: Promoting Healthy and Safe Relationships Online and In Person: February 17th from 6-7 p.m. via Zoom.
- February 17th: SBMS 8th Grade Reading/Language Arts State Field Testing for STAAR.
- February 23rd: 8th Graders Visit Zoned High Schools
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
Information for 8th Graders Attending SWHS Next Year!
Hello, Future Tigers!
We are so excited to begin working on your transition to Spring Woods High School for the 2022-2023 school year. I know it is hard to believe that we are at a point where we are beginning to talk about High School! This year we will be holding a Course Selection Event at Spring Woods High School on Wednesday, January 19th from 5:30pm-7:00pm. This event will allow you to meet the faculty that will be educating your child, learn more about the course offerings, as well as clubs and organizations available on campus. Our hope is this event will prepare you and your student for this important next step on their educational journey.
Click here to find a letter with more specifics regarding our event on January 19th. We look forward to seeing you there! We look forward to beginning to build a relationship with you and your child!
Sincerely,
Jennifer Collier
Principal/Lead Learner
Spring Woods High School
713-251-3100
jennifer.collier@springbranchisd.com
Our mission is to guarantee exceptional standards for academic scholarship, integrity and responsible citizenship to every student, every day.
On January 11th and 12th, SBMS students will be taking the winter assessment of the MAP test. MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress, is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child's academic growth. Students will be administered the math, reading and science MAP. Reports are sent home to families once they are received.
In order to provide enough time for students to take these exams, but ensure we do not take up too many school days doing so, we are hosting a block schedule on the 11th and 12th. These exams guide teachers on skills students are demonstrating readiness for and those we need to strengthen. Please ensure your child gets a good night's rest and remind them to do their best.
SBMS Needs Your Ties!
Each year, one of our PTA subcommittees works to bring in programming for students related to Character Education. In years past, we have brought in speakers on topics like vaping, online safety and the like. This year, our focus will be on etiquette (table manners, managing place settings at a table, thank you notes, greetings) and presenting your best self. Our presenter is well known in the Houston area: Helen Perry of Eti-Cool. Presentations will be in person for our 8th graders and broadcasted at later dates to sixth and seventh grade so all students can benefit from the content. We are so excited about these presentations and are grateful for our PTA subcomittee members for heading up this work.
During one of our presentations, students will learn and/or practice how to tie a tie. To do this, we need tie donations! Please raid your closets to help our 8th graders with learning how to tie a proper tie. We will place them in the Bear closet for kids who need them afterwards for the 8th grade dance, sibling's graduation, Easter or other events. To ensure we have all we need, please donate them no later than January 24th. Ties need to be gently worn and interview-ready! IF you would like to donate brand new ties, we would be happy to take them and will raffle them off to interested students!
Choice in SBISD begins when you decide to raise your children in our community. We offer students and their families a wide range of school choices. We are committed to preparing all students to achieve our T-2-4 goal and successfully complete a technical certification, military service or a 2-year or 4-year degree.
What is the difference between the Choice Program and Transfers?
- The Choice Program is for current residents of SBISD and requires a lottery for admission.
- The Choice Program includes Elementary Dual Language, Secondary Dual Language and Charter.
- Out-of-District applications are not eligible and will not be processed (with the exception of current, full-time employees who live outside the district).
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Transfers to non-Choice schools are available to all families, including current residents of SBISD and, also, families not currently residing in SBISD.
- Current residents of SBISD who would like the opportunity to attend a non-Choice SBISD school, other than their zoned school, are eligible. In addition, families not currently residing in SBISD (not zoned to an SBISD school) and would like the opportunity to attend an SBISD school are eligible.
- Acceptance is based on the number of available openings, by grade level.
Please visit the SBISD Choice and Transfer Program website by clicking here.
SBMS 2021-22 Yearbook!
Yearbooks are now on sale for $65! Buy one here or go to tinyurl.com/sbmsyearbook to buy your book before they SELL OUT! We CANNOT order more copies once they come in and we are already close to selling out before they even arrive!
Tributes/ads for students are also on sale! When buying your yearbook, make sure you scroll to the bottom of the site and you can order a half page, ¼ page, or shoutout ad for your child. Make sure you order and finish designing this ad by JANUARY 31!
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)
-Basketball
-Holidays: Photos from winter vacation
-Any pics of your child with their friends/doing an activity related to SBMS
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. Please keep in mind we are trying to include as many students as possible so we are trying to include individual students a max of 3 times in the book!
Contact Sara Boyle, sara.boyle@springbranchisd.com with any other questions about the yearbook!
Upcoming dates:
January 31, 2022: Last day to buy and complete an AD/TRIBUTE for your student
March 4, 2022: Last day to PERSONALIZE yearbook (purchase a name stamp or activity icon for your yearbook)
March 15, 2022: Last day to send in yearbook photos for inclusion in the book.
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
PTA hosts events that support all students, teachers & staff. The tireless volunteers are constantly working for us all. Our amazing fundraising volunteers are raising money to provide staff appreciation lunches, student social activities and teacher supplies. If you don’t have time to volunteer, no worries, you can join the PTA and support our school without any time commitment. Click here https://sbmspta.membershiptoolkit.com/packet/15401 to join today.
Missed Last Week's Bear Bulletin?
Please click below by date and you may access previous editions:
- November 7th Bear Bulletin
- October 31st Bear Bulletin
- October 24th Bear Bulletin
- October 17th Bear Bulletin