Jag E-News
Week of September 5, 2022
A MESSAGE FROM MRS. OGLESBY
Thank you so much to all of the parents and guardians that attended our Fall Open House. This is the first time we have had our Open House in person since the fall of 2019 and it was so great having the classrooms and hallways packed with Jag Parents. I want to give a special shout out to our Cheerleaders, Sweethearts, and Kickstart for their amazing performances that helped us kick off the night. After a full and fun week, we hope that everyone is enjoying the long weekend and that you find some time to rest and recharge.
As we head into the new week, Fort Bend ISD will join school districts throughout Texas to support the students and staff in Uvalde CISD as they return to school next week. We invite our students and staff to ‘Stand with Uvalde’ by wearing maroon and white on Tuesday, September 6 to honor, support and encourage the Uvalde community.
Now that we are entering the second month of school, our lost and found is beginning to get very full. Please remind your students to check the lost and found for missing items such as notebooks, clothing, water bottles, lunch bags, and shoes. The lost and found is located in the commons and students are frequently reminded to check for belongings in the morning and at lunch. At the end of each month, items that remain in the lost and found will be donated to a local charity.
I also want to say say "thank you" to our newest Platinum Sponsor, Olympic Dental. Thank you for your continued support of our school and PTO. Let's have a great week Jags!
Sincerely,
Cholly Oglesby
Principal
WEEK AT A GLANCE
Monday, September 5th
Labor Day (School Holiday)
Tuesday, September 6th
Science Tutorials 8:20-8:45am
Maroon & White: "Stand with Uvalde"
8B Football vs Bowie MS @ Mercer Stadium 5:30pm
Wednesday, September 7th
Electives Tutorials 8:20-8:45am
College T-Shirt Wednesday
7A & 8A Football vs. First Colony MS @ Old Kempner Stadium 5:30pm
Homework Help Lab 4:15-5:15pm (Room 435)
Thursday, September 8th
Math Tutorials 8:20-8:45am
No Place for Hate Meeting @ 8:20am
Spirit Night @ Raising Cane's 4:00-9:00pm
7th & 8th Grade Volleyball vs. Crockett MS @ SMS 5:15pm
National History Day (NHD) Parent Meeting @ 6:00pm (SMS Library)
Friday, September 9th
Social Studies Tutorials 8:20-8:45am
Girls Who Code Meeting @ 4:15-5:15pm
Ren360 Beginning of Year Testing Window Closes
School Spirit Shirt Friday
Saturday, September 10th
8th Grade Volleyball Tournament @ Sartartia MS
7th Grade Volleyball Tournament @ First Colony MS
Future Tiger Cheer Clinic 8:00-11:00am (Travis HS)
SAVE THE DATE
September 14th: PTO Meeting @ 6:00pm (SMS Library)
September 16th: Turn it Gold Day
September 19th: FBISD Foodie Art Contest Submissions DUE
September 21st: Whole Child Health Webinar 6:00-7:00pm
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Upcoming PTO Spirit Events
September 21st: Torchy's Tacos (Sugar Land)
September 23rd: Student Holiday/Staff Professional Development
EVENTS & UPDATES
Suicide Prevention Week
One of the most powerful ways to prevent suicide is being aware of common symptoms and signs in friends, children and loved ones and taking the necessary steps to get them the help they need. The following are common warning signs from The Jason Foundation. Warning sides may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Talking about suicide
- Making statements about feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
- A deepening depression
- Preoccupation with death
- Taking unnecessary risks or exhibiting self-destructive behavior
- Out of character behavior
- A loss of interest in the things one cares about
- Visiting or calling people one cares about
- Making final arrangements and/or giving prized possessions away
There are also a number of stressors that can contribute to a youth’s anxiety and unhappiness, increasing the possibility of a suicide attempt.
- Depression, mental illness and substance abuse
- Aggressive behavior and fighting
- Unstable home or school environment
- Family history
- Self-injury
- Eating disorders
Students who witness these warning signs in others, or are experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings, are encouraged to reach out to a school counselor, parent or trusted adult. Help is also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the FBISD TalkLine at (281) 240-8255 (TALK) or by texting SPEAK to 741741.
With support from the School Health Advisory Council, FBISD launched the Whole Child Health Initiative in 2020 to promote the District’s mental and health resources as part of its commitment to supporting and developing the mental, behavioral, social, emotional and physical health of all its students. For a complete list of mental health supports visit www.fortbendisd.com/wholechildhealth.
Yearbook Photos
Parents and students can submit photos from events to be considered for use in the SMS yearbook. Be sure to use this QR code or link to upload pictures throughout the 2022-2023 school year.
Photo Share Link: https://images.jostens.com/0TCFaDfoP5K6gBFPra3MIbQ
Lunch Reminders
Parents are welcome to eat with their student; however, do not bring or order food to share with other students. Middle School students do not have birthday celebrations during the school day. Foods associated with such celebrations are not allowed to be shared with others.
Gifted & Talented Referral Window Open
The Fall Gifted & Talented Referral window is open until September 30, 2022.
Students that are eligible for fall evaluation this fall are:
- Currently enrolled FBISD students in grades K-11.
- Students who are not identified for gifted and talented services in FBISD in any content area.
Parents and teachers may click here to submit a referral.
FBISD Medication Policy
Students are not allowed to carry or bring medications (prescription and non-prescription) to campus. If your child needs to take medication at school, please follow the guidelines below. If you have any questions, please call Nurse Middleton at 281-634-6324.
All medications (prescription and non-prescription) must be furnished by the parent/guardian and appropriate medication administration forms must be completed by the parent/guardian. Medication must be delivered to the clinic by the parent/guardian in the original and properly labeled container and picked up by the parent/guardian. Another responsible adult, who has been designated by the parent/guardian in writing, is also authorized to pick up medication.
The nurse and/or clinic assistant will administer all medications in the clinic with the exception of students who are required by their physician to carry emergency medications with them at all times including asthma inhalers or auto injectable epinephrine. In those situations, the doctor must provide written orders to the school.
Medication administration requests for prescription medication or medication given greater than 15 school days must have the signature/directions of the physician. For prescription medications that are left at school, a second labeled container can be obtained from your pharmacy. When medication is discontinued, it must be picked up by the parent/guardian.
Cell Phone & Device Policy
- No phones may be in students’ possession during the instructional day. A phone is not considered an allowable instructional device. Instructional devices that are permitted are either laptops or tablets used for instructional purposes with the permission of a teacher.
- When students arrive on campus in the morning, they will report to their assigned holding area (common, courtyard, or gym). Students will be permitted to use their phones at school in the morning holding areas between 8:20-8:40am and after dismissal at the end of the day at 4:10pm.
- Phones must be powered off and stored in the students backpack during the instructional day (8:40-4:10). If you are issued a locker, they must be stored in your locker.
- Students may not use their phones or devices to access and use any social media at any time while students are on campus, including before and after school.
- Students may not use their phone to take photos or videos at any time while they are on campus, including before and after school. Phone use in the locker room or restroom is considered a severe violation and will be considered the fourth offense.
- Using earbuds and headphones in one ear only is permitted before and after school unless using them for instructional purposes during class time as instructed by staff.
- Some students will be exempt from these expectations due to documented health monitoring or medical necessity.
- Parents needing to contact their children during the instructional day regarding transportation or for emergencies may call (281) 634-6310 in order to have a message delivered to their child.
- If a student needs to call home for any reason, they will be able to use one of the phones in the office or in the teacher’s classroom with permission.
- Sartartia Middle School is not responsible for the loss or theft of student-owned devices.
- If a phone is discovered in a student’s possession or if a student misuses their own instructional device, the following steps will be taken:
Offenses (start over at the beginning of each semester)
- First Offense—Device is confiscated and delivered to the front office for end-of-day student pickup and recorded in Skyward with a referral.
- Second Offense—Same as the first offense.
- Third Offense—Same as first and second offense, and student fined $15 (per policy in the current FBISD Student/Parent Handbook).
- Fourth Offense or Severe Violation—Student device will no longer be allowed on campus and if brought to school, must be dropped off at the front office each day. Student is fined, a parent must pick up the phone, and a referral submitted to their administrator.
Tardies
Tardies officially began on Monday, Augusts 29th. Students that have repeated tardies will be called to the office and assigned consequences based on number of tardies they have accumulated.
- 1st Tardy—Teacher Warning
- 2nd Tardy--Student Conference with Administrator
- 3rd Tardy—Parent Contact from Administrator
- 4th Tardy—Lunch Detention & Parent Call
- 5th & More—Lunch Detention, After School or Saturday Detention
Level Change Requests
Students wishing to request a level change can do so, by getting the level change request form, located outside of the Student Center. Any student wishing to level down (go from AAC to grade level course) must be making a 74 or lower in their classes and must have had a conference with the teacher before the request will be reviewed. Students wishing to level up (go from a grade level course to an AAC) must be successfully passing their grade level course. Counselors also take into consideration students' past academic performance in that subject as well as teacher recommendation for students wishing to level up. All level changes are contingent upon space and availability of the requested course. There is no guarantee that a level change will be granted and the students' current courses and teachers could change. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to your students grade level counselor.
Ren360
As you may already know, our school and district uses Math and Reading Renaissance Star Assessments to help teachers understand what students know and what they are ready to learn next. These assessments are given throughout the school year to monitor student progress and are administered in the school setting. Part of our normal testing plan includes a fall, beginning of the year assessment. Our Fall Testing Window is August 22-September 9. The assessments will be given during the school day. Parents will receive student score reports via family access in Skyward after the assessment window closes. If you have any questions, please contact your student’s teacher or our Campus Assessment Coordinator, Melissa Ford. For more information about Renaissance Star Assessments, visit the Renaissance parent webpage.
Campus Assessment Coordination Contact Information:
Melissa Ford, Melissa.Ford@fortbendisd.com, Office: 281-634-4070
Whole Child Health Webinars
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
6th Grade
Assistant Principal: Courtney Border
courtney.border@fortbendisd.com
Counselor: Amy Melby
7th Grade
Associate Principal: Dr. Sunday Johnson
sunday.johnson@fortbendisd.com
Lead Counselor: Tanya Johnson
8th Grade
Assistant Principal: Paul Wells
Counselor: Kat Friedel
katherine.friedel@fortbendisd.com
Attendance: Cynthia Gonzalez-Trevizo attendancesms@fortbendisd.com
Registrar: Courtni Turner courtni.turner@fortbendisd.com
Nurse: Michelle Middleton michelle.middleton@fortbendisd.com
PTO Business Sponsors (2022-2023)
A special thanks to our:
PLATINUM SPONSORS
GOLD SPONSORS: Orthodontique
SILVER SPONSORS: Goosehead Insurance, Sweetwater Pulmonary, Lukin Family Dentistry
BRONZE SPONSORS: Sugar Land Swim School, Next Level Urgent Care
HELPFUL LINKS & RESOURCES
Sartartia Middle School
Help us grow our fan base! Follow us on:
Twitter @sms_jaguars
Instagram @sartartiams_jaguars
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