Sugar Land MS Titan News
Week #16- December 7, 2020
Greetings SLMS Parents and Guardians,
There are only two weeks left for semester 1, if you can believe it! The counselors are working feverishly on adjusting schedules for students who requested a learning model change for Term 3. Aside from ensuring these students have all of their classes scheduled, our next priority is to minimize movement/disruption for other students who did not request a learning model change. It is possible that due to the complicated dynamics in shifting our master schedule to accommodate 120 new face to face students and 22 students shifting to online learning, some students who did not request a learning model change may experience an adjustment to their schedule. It is no small task to make these adjustments, and we recognize the importance of keeping any kind of disruption limited to what truly has to happen to accommodate all students' scheduling needs.
This week we will also engage students regarding expectations for when we conduct a Lockdown Drill. A lockdown is called whenever there is a threat or hazard INSIDE of the school building (ex: intruder, shooter, etc.). One of these drills must occur before semester's end, and we will prepare the students for it this week. Parents will receive an automated notification at the email address on file in Skyward Family Access. This notification will come moments after we complete the drill. In the past, SLMS students have handled this drill exceptionally well. NOTE: due to the nature of the protocol for a lockdown, the priority is on physical safety for everyone. Therefore, social distancing guidelines are temporarily paused during a lockdown.
Topics in this Week's Newsletter:
- Week At-A-Glance
- Upcoming Dates
- Revised FBISD 2020-21 Calendar
- A/B Day Rotation Schedule for Semester 2
- SLMS PTO Spirit Night at Raising Cane's - Tuesday, December 8
- Online Students' School Portraits
- 12 Days of Holiday Spirit for All SLMS Students and Staff
- Ending Semester 1 and Starting Semester 2
- Students Starting Face-to-Face (F2F) in January 2021
- Girls' & Boys' Basketball Tryout Information
- Safety Message and Dress Code Info for F2F Students
- And MUCH MORE...
Thank you for your time and support of our school. Our ongoing priority is to serve our community in the best way possible.
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, SLMS Principal
#GracePatienceOptimism
#BetterTogether
#InfinitePossibilities
#TitansOwnIt
The Week At-A-Glance
Upcoming Dates
- December 17 & 18 - Early Release Days (1:20 PM)
- January 5 - Professional Development Day for teachers
- January 6 - Additional Student Holiday (see revised FBISD calendar below)
- January 7 - Start of Second Semester
- February 19 – 8th Grade Career Day (Moved from December 3)
Please remember that ALL students, regardless of learning model, MUST complete the Wellness Screener EVERY SCHOOL DAY and answer the screening questions honestly. Friday, December 4, was a typical day where only 38% of students (446 of 1,155) completed the screener. Either the parent completes the screener via Skyward Family Access on behalf of the child, or the child completes the screener themselves in Skyward Student Access. Regardless of who completes it (parent or child) and regardless of learning model (online or face to face), the Wellness Screener must be completed in Skyward every single school day. Even when a child will be absent (ESPECIALLY when a child will be absent!). Thank you to those of you who have faithfully completed this task on a daily basis. More information may be found further down in this newsletter (see Student Daily Wellness Screenings and Clinic Information). Occasional automated phone calls will go out to families whose child(ren) do not complete the wellness screener. Thank you for ensuring everyone's safety by completing this task every single school day.
SLMS PTO Spirit Night at Raising Cane's -- Tuesday, Dec. 8
Online Students' School Portraits -- Change in Plan
We are in the midst of identifying a "Plan C" with regard to portraits being taken for students and staff who are in the online learning model or working from home. We had initially planned to have a come-and-go portrait day on January 5, but Lifetouch has adjusted its internal procedures and will not be able to take pictures on that day. It is important for us to identify a plan for students' portraits because we want to ensure everyone is accounted for in our yearbook, even in this unusual year. Additionally, we want to ensure we have the most up-to-date student picture for every student in Skyward, regardless of learning model. Please remain patient with us as we determine a path forward that will allow us to get these portraits taken.
Ending Semester 1 and Starting Semester 2
Ending Semester 1
Please download this schedule for the week of December 15-18. It details everything day by day, including the two early release days on December 17 and 18.
If your child is taking a high school credit course, he/she will have a semester exam during the final week which will count for 15% of their Semester 1 grade. This exam will be comprehensive over content learned during Term 2 (the current term), and it will be a 60-minute exam for both online and F2F students. For students taking a single-semester middle school course, like PE 7, Health 7, or Kickstart 7, there will be an assessment that counts as a fourth major grade in Term 2 (T2), which will serve as a final exam of sorts, except that it will not count 15% of their overall S1 grade, as it would for a high school credit course. For all other year-long middle school courses, there will be no final exam or extra major grade this semester. That will occur at the end of the second semester. Nonetheless, attendance is expected for both online and F2F students for the entirety of the last week of the semester. Learning will continue on these days.
Planning for Semester 2
We are in the midst of adjusting our master schedule and students' schedules for Semester 2 in light of the requested changes submitted during the window when that could happen. Changes at a glance:
- 142 students requested changes (roughly 12.3% of our students)
- 22 requested to change to online
- 120 requested to change to face to face (F2F)
- This is a net addition of 98 students F2F, for a total of 541 (up from 443) or roughly 46.8% of our students
These changes will be challenging to implement, as our goal is to not be be unduly disruptive to students' and staff members' schedules (stability is a precious commodity these days). But there will be some disruption; we simply seek to minimize it. This will require extra measures of grace, patience, and optimism from all parties. We will keep you updated.
Students Starting Face-to-Face (F2F) in January
Important Info for Returning F2F Students: If your child is one of the 120 returning F2F, we will provide you with some specific transition information later in December, and again before we return on January 7. In the meanwhile, the things you can do to start planning ahead would be:
- Ensure that you or your child completes the wellness screener in Skyward every morning, starting immediately (should be happening already, anyway; see item further down in the newsletter about wellness screenings)
- If your child will be a car rider, they will need a car rider number. Please complete this brief form, and we will get in touch with you with your car rider number, which is needed at dismissal
- Be sure to review the Safety Message and Dress Code Info for F2F Students section further down in this newsletter
We will be going to four lunch periods, and within reason concerning appropriate social distancing, we may need to add some desks to some classrooms, as well as consider other creative avenues to meet students' needs and requests. You may also visit the FBISD Re-Launch Website for more details from the district level.
Girls' Basketball Tryout Information
Tryouts will begin December 8th-10th. Below is a checklist for you to make sure that your daughter has what she needs to tryout. Basketball Tryout Information:
- TRYOUT DATES: Tuesday, December 8th-10th
- TIME: Doors will open at 6:30 am and tryouts will begin at 6:45-8:15am. Please enter through the double doors on the bus ramp.
- Online students will be picked up after tryout/practice at 8:15am in the front circle drive. For pickup please place a card in the windshield that says “Basketball.”
- Rank One Sports Forms must be completed- Athletic Participation, Emergency Contact, Medical History, UIL form, and COVID-19 form
- 8th graders can use previous physical from last year/7th graders will need a new physical on file.
- If your child is COMPLIANT this means they are clear to participate/tryout.
- If your child is OUT OF COMPLIANCE this means they are missing required documents either physical is not on file at school or electronic forms have not been complete.
RANK ONE SCREENING TOOL
Participant must complete rank one prescreening before entering tryouts. Coaches will check temperature and their rank one before the participant enters. This must be completed every day of tryouts as well as practices. Please find additional information attached to this email.
Website for Prescreening: https://fortbendisd.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx
Video for instructions of how to use the online prescreen: https://vimeo.com/445129826
- Appropriate athletic apparel and tennis shoes
COVID-19 Guidelines:
- Must complete prescreening on rank one- under online form, click COVID-19 Participant Screening Form at the bottom of the page.
- https://fortbendisd.rankonesport.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx
- Temperature check before admitted into tryouts- must be less than 100 degrees
- Must have mask to enter
- Must have your OWN water bottle to enter with name on it
- Must come already dressed for tryouts; F2F students only can bring school attire and supplies.
Contact Coach Woods at toni.woods@fortbendisd.com if you have any questions.
Boys' Basketball Tryout Information
Boys Basketball Tryouts will be on December 14th, 15th and 16th. Times are yet to be determined and will be sent in a separate email as we get closer to the tryout dates.
You must have a valid physical on file and all Rank One electronic forms must be completed in order to tryout - forms may be found at www.Rankonesport.com
Physicals need to be emailed to Pete.Esposito@fortbendisd.com by December 2nd.
All F2F students may sign-up for tryouts in their PE, Kickstart, or Health class - there will be a sign-up sheet available.
Students who are failing the T2 grading period you will not be allowed to tryout; the basketball season is too short, and we will not have enough time to get you eligible and ready to play. Talk to Coach Esposito if you need to about this.
All virtual students who plan on trying out should email Coach Esposito, again at, Pete.Esposito@fortbendisd.com, and he will add you to the tryout list.
All questions concerning tryout can be directed to Coach Esposito, and he will answer them as they come in.
Safety Message and Dress Code Info for F2F Students
Please review the FBISD Dress Code. This one-page document has been extracted from the 2020-21 FBISD Student/Parent Handbook. Students attending F2F must adhere to the dress code, and students online must be in dress code while on camera. Common issues and their resolutions are:
- Students wearing leggings, tights, or tight-fitting clothing - Students must wear a top whose hem goes to at least mid-thigh or lower (but not above mid-thigh). This has been our #1 item to address the last three weeks
- Shorts, skirts, etc. that are too short -- hem must be no higher than 3" above knee
- Footwear - shoes must have a back for safety reasons in our stairwells. No flip-flops or sandals unless they have a back/heel covering
- Tears/Rips in pants - cannot reveal undergarments. If rips/tears are higher than 3" above the knee (like shorts and skirts), they must have an under-layer that extends to 3" above the knee
- Pajamas - no sleep wear except on designated spirit days (this includes slippers)
The document below is extracted (p. 70) from the larger Student/Parent Handbook.
FBISD Announces Free Meals for Remainder of 2020-21 School Year
UPDATE 11/11/2020: FBISD Child Nutrition is still strongly encouraging all families to complete a Free & Reduced Meals application at www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd. However, the district just announced that student breakfast and lunch will be free to all students through the remainder of the school year (June 2021). This is for both F2F and online students. Meals at school, as well as the "Grab and Go" meals at various district sites will remain free for students.
PE Uniforms Now on Sale!
Student Daily Wellness Screenings and Clinic Information
Many parents may have concerns about their students being sent home from the clinic due to the guidelines FBISD is following (based on CDC recommendations). Here are a few important points…
List of symptoms that can be present in a person who may be potentially sick with COVID19
- Runny nose/congestion
- Sore throat
- Persistent cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Headaches
- Chills
- Loss of taste/smell
- Significant muscle pain/aches
- Diarrhea/vomiting
These symptoms are also synonymous with many other illnesses or may be caused by a variety of reasons. For this reason, I would like to share a few tips!
- Make sure your child has breakfast and drinks some water every morning. This will help ward off headaches and stomachaches
- If your child has seasonal allergies, consider giving them a daily over-the-counter allergy medication to help distinguish between allergy-related or illness-related symptoms including headache, runny/stuffy nose, and sore throats from all that drainage
Please know that the nurse cannot determine whether your child’s symptoms are, or are not, COVID related. Rather, to keep all students and staff safe, it is important to strictly follow the CDC guidelines and the FBISD policy. Thank you for understanding. Please call the clinic with any questions 281-634-8745.
Parents, if your child is absent, please remember to fill out the Wellness Screening, even if you are keeping them home. Also, be sure to fill it out every day they are absent. In addition, please call or email Nurse Lincoln. Students with illness must meet specific criteria before they can return to school and Nurse Lincoln will help you through that process.
Reporting a Positive Case of COVID-19 or Exposure to a Positive Case
To ensure the safety of all staff and students, it is critical that families report all positive cases of COVID-19, or exposures to a positive case of COVID-19, immediately. If your student tests positive for COVID-19 or is exposed to a positive COVID-19 case, please notify the District by reporting within the Daily Wellness Screener in Skyward Family Access.
Attendance Information for Parents
Parent notes are required for all absences within five days from the absence date. Notes must include full student name as well as the reason for the absence (including technical difficulties). If a student misses a synchronous engagement, they are counted absent.Please email all absence notes to AttendanceSLMS@fortbendisd.com. Contact our attendance clerk, Mrs. LaVergne, at (281) 634-3089 if you have questions.
Important Contact Information
- Assistant Principal - Dr. Dawn Rogers (dawn.rogers@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Eleni Smith (eleni.smith@fortbendisd.com)
Seventh Grade
- Assistant Principal - Luster Goodwin (luster.goodwin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Kim Seright (kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.com)
Eighth Grade
- Associate Principal - Monika Martin (monika.martin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Nafecia Brinson (nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.com)
Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.com)
Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com)
Nurse - Angi Lincoln (angela.lincoln@fortbendisd.com)
Campus Secretary - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@fortbendisd.com)
Counselor Clerk - Carmen Brantley (carmen.brantley@fortbendisd.com)
Assistant Principal Secretaries
- 6th and 7th Grade - Tina Garcia (diamantina.ibarragar@fortbendisd.com)
- 8th Grade - Sherri Woodcock (sherri.woodcock@fortbendisd.com)
Sugar Land Middle School
45 Years
1975-2020
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
#BetterTogether
#InfinitePossibilities
#GracePatienceOptimism
- 8:20-4:20 Monday-Friday
Email: keith.fickel@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
Twitter: @SLMSTitans