Jag E-News
Sartartia MS -- Exemplary Education Every Day -- 12.12.19
Jags are on the Move!
Hello Jag Families,
Happy Holiday Season!
Yearbooks are in the final days of being sold. Make sure to purchase your 2019-2020 yearbook.
MUST READ: Middle School Final Exams Information is below. Please read as changes have been made for the district.
In the spirit of the holidays, we will have holiday dress up days next week. Please allow your student to join in the fun.
Monday-PJ Day-students can wear dress code appropriate Pajamas
Tuesday-Scarf Day-Students can wear their favorite scarf
Wednesday-Ugly Sweater Day
Thursday-Mad for Plaid Day-Students can wear their favorite plaid attire
As you know, we started the school year with an 8 period instructional day to encompass a blending learning focus. I would like to inform you of some changes that will be coming for the Spring Semester. We will be moving back to a 7 period day with 1 advisory period per week. We feel that our students and teachers have improved incorporating blended learning into their lessons. We also know that extending each instructional period by 5 minutes will provide teachers with additional time to meet the varied needs of all students. Please see the Spring 2020 Schedule below.
Sincerely,
Cholly Oglesby
Principal
Sartartia Middle School
End of Semester Schedule
Middle School Final Exam Information:
Semester Exams Middle School Courses Semester Exams will not be given at the end of the semester in middle school courses. Instead, an additional major grade for a total of (4) major grades will be added in the last grading period of the course.
- In semester courses, the second grading period will include the additional major grade = Term 2 (in December).
- In full year courses, the fourth grading period will include the additional major grade = Term 4 (in May). The additional major grade shall align to TEKS and include a rubric or checklist where a project or performance assessment is selected. Example of types of assessment that may be used are:
• Authentic, project-based, collaborative learning experience,
• Performance based assessment, and/or
• Comprehensive examination of the course
Semester Exams High School Credit Courses taken in Middle School will have exams.
All high school credit courses taken in middle school will assess students using a cumulative semester exam at the end of the first and second semester. Semester exams shall align to the curriculum, and may include the use of multiple modalities to measure student proficiency. Semester exams shall be kept on file by the Department Head in each content area for a period of (1) year.
Student Spotlight
Zachary Dean is a current 7th grader at Sartartia Middle School and he is being recognized as our student of the week for his outstanding leadership. Zach is a leader in the classroom, on the field, on the court, and in the community. In his LeadWorthy class, Zach had the opportunity to teach a lesson to some of our 6th grade students in Jag Discovery and he did an amazing job. He daily demonstrate the characteristics of a servant leader and we are thankful to have student leaders like Zach on campus.
Staff Spotlight
Debbie Engle has worked at Sartartia for 14 years. She started in 2006 as the Attendance Clerk and now teaches 6th grade social studies. She has been the Geography Club sponsor for 12 years and is extremely proud that our school has sent the SMS winner to state each year. Students have even placed 2nd and 3rd in two State Bees. Mrs. Engle is originally from California but has lived in New Territory since 1994. She is married to college sweetheart and they have been happily married for 36 years. They have four children ages 19 to 31, and two grandchildren with another on the way in February. Mrs. Engle loves college football and cheers for both the Aggies and Longhorns since they are a house divided. When she is not at school, you will probably find Mrs. Engle at Lifetime taking group fitness classes, spending time with her family or traveling somewhere sunny.
Hey Jag Parents!
We are so excited about how our 2019-2020 school year is going so far!! We hope to see you at parent nights and other programs that we offer this year in order to establish and maintain a collaborative school/home partnership.
Parent Information Night
Course selection parent information night – February 5th in the SMS commons/library
**This meeting will be the only time we have set up to give you details about what courses are being offered next year at SMS and help with any course selection questions you may have.
We do not have one on one meetings, so please do your best to attend J
The high schools also host their own parent nights, so please save these dates for your student’s zoned high school:
AUSTIN HS ---JANUARY 29, 2020
CLEMENTS HS ---JANUARY 22, 2020
DULLES HS--JANUARY 30, 2020
TRAVIS HS--JANUARY 29, 2020
No Place for Hate
Mrs. McCune is looking for students/parents to serve on this years No Place for Hate committee. The committee will meet once a month to help plan 3 school wide activities to support acceptance by combating bias, bullying and hatred, and creating and maintaining a positive climate here at SMS. If you or your child is interested in being on the committee, please have them sign up in the student center or tell their grade level counselor at lunch.
Our NEXT MEETING IS DECEMBER 13th at 8:20 am in Room #316
This year’s Heritage Day is scheduled for Friday, March 6th (date changed). Please be on the lookout for more information from Mrs. McCune directly regarding parent volunteer sign ups
School Counselor Tip: Helping my child with Today's Math
Weekly, we will send out an article to help with your child and their middle school experience.
Check out this article on: Helping my child with today’s Math http://www.nea.org/home/59862.htm
For 8th grade Parents Only:
Academies and P-Tech:
The online applications are due January 10, 2020.
You can find all Academy information here: https://www.fortbendisd.com/Domain/70
4 year planning:
If you missed the 4 year planning sessions – NO WORRIES Please visit our counseling webpage below for 8th grade/transition information
As always, for updates visit our website at https://www.fortbendisd.com/domain/2953.
Thank you for your continued support of us and our program. We are enjoying to a fantastic year with your students!!
-The SMS Counseling Team
Need more information contact:
Samantha Luxenburg
Art Teacher and Yearbook Adviser
Sartartia Middle School
Save the Date! 2019-2020 8th Grade Career Day
It's a Classy affair!!!
Date: January 31, 2019Location: James Reese Center
Attire: Business Attire (No Jeans, Tennis shoes, flip flops, etc...)
LAST DAY: Friday! BOOK FAIR
It is a BOGO book fair so every book that they buy, they get one free!
The book fair will be open tomorrow:
Friday 8-4
Thank you,
Jessica Fitzpatrick, MLS
Librarian
Sartartia Middle School
281-634-6377
AHS HS ProGrad Fundraiser
Travis High School Hayrides Fundraiser
Our Travis Prograd c/o 2020 would like to invite you to sign up for our Hayrides through Pecan Grove this holiday season. It is a fun ride through the neighborhood to look at the famous lights. All proceeds benefit the Prograd Lock in on graduation night. Click here to sign up for a Hayride!
PTO NEWS
PTO NEWS
MERCHANDISE
One final opportunity to order yard signs and decals is available Dec. 13 through Dec.18, order form and payment must be dropped off with SMS Front Office by the end of day on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Attached is updated order form.
Desserts for Holiday Staff Luncheon,12/18
Please sign up to donate some Desserts to show appreciation for our beloved staff during this holiday season. All items need to be dropped off on Wednesday, December 18th by 9am. Thank you!
Desserts for Holiday Staff Luncheon,12/18
PAWS FOR CAUSE - JAG CASH DRIVE
Support the PTO by donating to our Annual Cash Drive. Our Goal this year is $25,000. This is the only cash drive for the entire year. With the funds raised, we have plans to build a shade for the bleachers, bring in new technology for our students, fulfill our Teacher Wish Lists, support the fine Arts department and many more. If every Household donates just $10 we will exceed our goal. Now you can donate online by simply clicking the following link or simply visit our website www.sms-pto.org and click on the Donate button on the main page.
Please donate:
AMAZON SMILE
Support Sartartia Middle School PTO while you shop this holiday season! If you have an amazon.come account - you are eligible to help our school by simply linking your account to an AmazonSmile account. Amazon Smile will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases back to our school! We've received $95.93 from Amazon Smile this year so far!
Visit https://smile.amazon.com/ch/76-0690034 to sign up! It's free!
BOX TOPS GRADE LEVEL CHALLENGE
Our next Box Top fundraiser is underway! The grade level that collects the most Box Tops for the months of November and December will win electronic day during Jag Academy in January. Turn in your Box Tops to the front office labeled with your name and grade level or scan your receipts by December 18th. The winner will be announced when classes resume after the winter break.
SHUTTERFLY PASSIVE FUNDRAISER
A Great Way to shop Gifts for the Holidays and support your school all at the same time. We’ve made it super easy (and fun) to support us. Simply shop for your Holiday gifts or home Decor through our Shutterfly Storefront to create photo books, keepsakes, gifts, home décor and more—and Shutterfly will donate 8% to our school.
Please help us spread the word by sharing this post with your Family & Friends. Happy shopping!
JOIN SMS PTO 2019-2020
Its never too late to join the PTO. There are no joining fees or forms to fill. We are still looking for enthusiastic parents for several positions. Please reach out to Lakshmi K @ koppolu.pto@gmail.com for more details.
JAG SPORTS
Important Allergy Information
Please click this link to read more about our procedures for students with food allergies.
Assistant Principals & Counselors
Courtney Border-Assistant Principal
courtney.border@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6314
Brandi Goodly-Counselor
281.634.6318
7th grade
Dr. Sunday Johnson-Associate Principal
sunday.johnson@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6316
Rachel McCune-Lead Counselor
281.634.6319
8th grade
Paul Wells-Assistant Principal
281.634.6331
Kat Friedel-Counselor
katherine.friedel@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6320
Sartartia Middle School
Help us grow our fan base! Follow us on:
Twitter @sms_jaguars
Email: cholly.oglesby@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/sms
Location: 8125 Homeward Way, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: 281-634-6316
Twitter: @sms_jaguars