SMS Jag E-News
Week of April 5, 2021
Tuesday, April 6th
STAAR-7th Grade Writing
PTO Silent Auction Begins
Wednesday, April 7th
Jag Discovery Courtyard Beautification
Thursday, April 8th
Jag Discovery Courtyard Beautification
SAVE THE DATE--April 13, 2021
Gifted & Talented TPSP Student Showcase (Virtual)
STAAR TESTING (April 6th)
On Tuesday, April 6, 2021, we will be giving our first STAAR assessment for the 2020-21 school year, the 7th Grade Writing Assessment. Our school day and schedule will look different for all students on this date. Please read the information below to determine the plan for your child’s learning on April 6th.
- If your child is a 6th or 8th grader, he/she will need to stay home on April 6, 2021. Asynchronous assignments will be provided, and your child will need to complete and submit them in Schoology on April 6 for attendance credit. There will not be synchronous Microsoft Teams classes meeting on this date.
- If your child is a 7th grader and is a face-to-face learner, he/she will report to Sartartia Middle School before 8:45am and take the STAAR Writing Assessment. After the assessment, your child will stay at school and participate in learning activities until dismissal at 4:05 PM. Room assignments can be found on your teacher schoology page and will be posted upon entering of the school building.
- If your child is a 7th grader, is an online learner, and you have indicated you want him/her to take the STAAR Writing Assessment, he/she will report to Sartartia Middle School before 8:45am and take the test. When the testing is complete, he/she will need to be picked up by a parent or have your permission to walk/bike home. Room assignments can be found on your teacher schoology page and will be posted upon entering of the school building.
- If your child is a 7th grader, is an online learner, and you have indicated you do not want him/her to come to campus to take the STAAR Writing Assessment, he/she will stay home as usual. Asynchronous assignments will be provided, and your child will need to complete and submit them in Schoology on April 6 for attendance credit. There will not be synchronous Microsoft Teams classes meeting on this date.
In an effort to support all of our students who are not taking the STAAR assessment, we have scheduled teachers who will be available all day for online Microsoft Teams tutorials if a student needs help with his/her asynchronous assignments. In order to attend a tutorial session, students will use the links sent in the email to all parents on Thursday. Teachers will be waiting and available to help anyone who needs assistance.
Over Spring Break, 24 schools and 180 students across the state attended the TMSCA Math Contest. Sartartia Middle School received 2nd place in this event! In the individual competition: Aaron Fan received 1st place in General Math and 1st place in Number Sense; Kevin Hu received 4th place in General Math; Eric Zang received 5th place in General Math, 2nd place in Number Sense, and 3rd place in the Calculator Competition.
The SMS Math Club also participated the year-long Mathleague Competition and placed 2nd at the state level. The team of Kevin Hu, Alexander Sun, Aaron Fan and Eric Zang will advance to the National Mathleague Competition. Good luck boys!
COURSE VERIFICATION (APRIL 5-9)
The window has closed for parents & students to input or make changes to the career plan and next week there will be next year's course requests to review. Students will have an opportunity to review requests for next school year during their Advisory classes next Wednesday and Thursday, and a specific form will be used for updates. You will only be able to submit one time, so be sure that it is complete. If all is correct, you do not need to complete the form or take any further action.
PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBPAGE AT HTTPS://WWW.FORTBENDISD.COM/PAGE/95207
SMS PTO SILENT AUCTION
The 2021 Silent Auction will be open April 6-19th. Click here to view all of the items and bid.
During the Fall Semester of this school year, the SMS PTO unanimously approved funding for painting a mascot wall mural in the main gymnasium and a motivational wall wrap along the Counselors’ hallway in efforts to boost school spirit for all students, faculty and administration returning to the face to face environment. Proceeds from the auction will cover the cost of the mural and wall wrap ($11,800.00). Any funds remaining will be reserved for Spring and end of school year events.
COURTYARD BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT
Spring is here and it's time for Jag Discovery's annual school community service project. Students, teachers, and parents will roll up their sleeves and put on some gloves as they work in the courtyard gardens. Please consider donating supplies such as soil, mulch and plants or volunteering if you don't mind digging in the dirt. Please use the Sign-Up Genius to let us know how you can help.
JAGUAR ATHLETICS
For the 2021-2022 school year, the new acceptance physical date will be Thursday, April 1, 2021. This means that ANY athlete that is interested in participating in any UIL related sporting event for the 2021-2022 school year, their physical will be deemed acceptable and complete. This is beneficial to athletes that want to get their physicals turned in early and not have to wait until the season starts. Again, the district is accepting UIL physicals starting Thursday April 1, and once completed that physical will be good for the 2021-2022 school year.
GIFTED & TALENTED UPDATES
The GT Parent Symposium is almost here. This event is an opportunity for GT parents to share their experiences and perspective in raising GT children. Our hope is that the GT Parent Symposium will help each of us learn more about our GT children and connect with other GT parents in FBISD. Click here for a full schedule of events.
For your convenience, we have created one Zoom link to access all sessions and seminars. There are a variety of seminars/events scheduled the week of April 12th - April 17th and we hope you will find many topics that may interest you! On Tuesday and Thursday, you will have the opportunity to enter a breakout room of choice once you enter the general Zoom call.
Zoom Link: http://bit.ly/gtparentsymposium21
Meeting ID: 988 2857 8713 Passcode: 817020
MILLION MILE MONTH
Don't let a pandemic keep you from staying active and living a healthy life! How many miles can you get during the month of April? Million Mile Month is a challenge to complete 1 million miles of physical activity, together as a global community. This year's event will be a virtual and individual experience. Log your daily physical activity and compete with others from Fort Bend ISD in order to stay active and a chance to win prizes from the sponsors of this challenge. It's FREE to participate but with a small donation you can receive an official MMM t-shirt and other prize drawings throughout the month of April. Let’s show everyone how many miles the Fort Bend ISD community can complete together this April. Registration is quick and participation is easy and fun. Be sure to list Sartartia Middle School as your organization.
Sign-up for Million Mile Month HERE.
TURN IT BLUE
April is Autism Awareness Month and the puzzle piece ribbon is the universal symbol for autism awareness. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the fastest-growing developmental disability in the United States affecting 1 in 45 school-aged children. Autism is the primary disability of students in Fort Bend receiving special education services.
What can you do?
- Educate your children about autism and increase awareness of this developmental disability
- Empower your children to make a positive contribution to the lives of others through kindness and tolerance
- Enable your children to make a difference, take action and become positive role models for other children.
Early Detection
- While every child develops differently, we know that early treatment improves outcomes, often dramatically. Click here for more information.
Hope for Three is a local nonprofit and autism advocacy organization that raises awareness through outreach, education and events. They provide resources and support to Fort Bend County families living with autism spectrum disorder. www.hopeforthree.org
ATTENDANCE
Attendance and engagement in all classes, regardless of learning model, is expected from every student, every day. 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 AttendanceSMS@fortbendisd.com. Contact our attendance clerk, Mrs. Williams, at (281)634-6322 if you have questions.
DAILY WELLNESS SCREENER
Parents/students must complete a Daily Wellness Screening through Skyward. If your child is cleared, they may attend school that day. If your child is not cleared, they may not report to school and a member from the district COVID-19 contact tracing team will contact families directly. In addition to the screener, students will receive, and must pass, a temperature check before reporting to their classroom. To make student entry as safe and efficient as possible, please make sure the screener is completed prior 8:00 AM each day. Another way students can be allowed in is by showing a screen shot of their “cleared” screen. This screen shot must show the date for that day to be accepted.
FACE MASKS
As part of our continued efforts to keep our students and staff safe, Fort Bend ISD will continue to require masks and facial coverings in all schools and District facilities.
The District will continue this requirement until it can further review guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Fort Bend County health officials, and the District’s medical advisor, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Per the Governor's statement, "public schools may operate as provided by, and under the minimum standard health protocols found in, guidance issued by the Texas Education Agency."
The overall health and safety of the community remains a priority, and District leadership is aware that not all employees have had the opportunity to be vaccinated. Retaining the mask mandate will ensure a safe learning environment for all students, teachers and staff. Students who arrive on campus without a mask will be given a fresh, new disposable mask to wear.
Assistant Principals & Counselors
6th Grade
Paul Wells-Assistant Principal
281.634.6331
Kat Friedel-Counselor
katherine.friedel@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6320
7th Grade
Courtney Border-Assistant Principal
courtney.border@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6314
Brandi Goodly-Counselor
281.634.6318
8th Grade
Dr. Sunday Johnson-Associate Principal
sunday.johnson@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6316
Jo Wells
281.634.6319
SMS Helpful Resources
Sartartia Middle School
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Email: cholly.oglesby@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/sms
Location: 8125 Homeward Way, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: 281-634-6310
Twitter: @sms_jaguars