SLMS Titan News
Week #35 - May 10, 2021
Greetings SLMS Parents and Guardians,
Happy Mothers Day to all of the moms out there! We thank all moms everywhere for the tireless work they do for their families. And for those whose mothers are no longer with us, we pray that your cherished memories will provide you comfort, peace, and thankfulness for all that your mothers did for you.
STAAR testing continues this week. See the schedule below. Related to STAAR testing, it is important for our parents to know that on days when online students come up to school to take their STAAR tests May 18 through May 26, traffic will increase significantly in the car rider line in the mornings. Therefore, please plan ahead and plan to arrive earlier than you typically do so that your children are on time to school. Remember, also, that students are only to be dropped off in the car rider circle, not along Seventh Street or in the parking lots. When everyone is ready with their wellness screener completed and ready to be shown to staff, the line moves very quickly. Thank you in advance for your understanding and your readiness.
We still have about 160 of our current sixth grade students whose immunization records have yet to be updated in our clinic. Please get this taken care of ASAP. See the article below about immunizations for sixth graders. It includes contact information and instructions.
Tuesday, May 11, is our monthly SLMS PTO "Bite Nite" or "Spirit Night", and this time it will be at Raising Canes on Highway 6 from 4:00 until 8:00 PM. See picture below for details.
We look forward to celebrating our 8th graders this week in our 8th grade Virtual Awards Ceremony on Thursday evening, and then next week, on Friday, May 21, we look forward to wishing all of our 8th graders a fond farewell as they launch into high school. Please join us in the drive-through parade that we will have for our 8th grade students. We have some swag to give each of our 8th graders during this event. A separate message with details will be sent to all 8th grade students and their parents.
We will also be coming to you next week with information related to school supplies for the 2021-22 school year, new student orientation sessions prior to the start of school, a preview of our bell schedule for next year, and a few other updates to help you get a sense of what 2021-22 will look like at SLMS.
Please take a moment to get caught up to all the goings-on at SLMS this week by reading the news items below. This edition of Titan News includes information about:
- Upcoming Events
- Two SLMS Sixth Graders Named as Finalists in Do the Write Thing Challenge
- SLMS PTO Bite Nite/Spirit Night at Raising Canes - Tuesday, May 11
- National School Nurse Day is May 12
- Yearbooks -- Get Them While They Last!
- STAAR Testing Schedule for This Week (8th Grade Testing)
- STAAR Schedule for the Month of May (Downloadable)
- End of Year Schedule (May 28 through June 3)
- SLMS Boys' Athletics for 2021-22 -- Calling All Current Sixth and Seventh Graders!
- Immunizations for Current Sixth Grade Students -- How to be Ready for Seventh Grade
Thank you for taking some time to consider the items in this week's Titan News. I hope each of you has a great week this week!
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#Resilience
#GracePatienceOptimism
#BetterTogether
#InfinitePossibilities
#TitansOwnIt
Week At-A-Glance
Upcoming Events
- May 14 - Spring Orchestra Concert
- May 19 - Kickstart Kids' Curbside Belt Ceremony
- May 21 - 8th Grade Drive-Through Celebration/Parade
Also coming soon....
LAPTOP COLLECTION for students who have been issued a FBISD-owned laptop (and hotspots, too, if checked out). F2F students will be first, followed by online students. More details forthcoming....stay tuned!
Two SLMS Sixth Graders Named as Finalists in Do the Write Thing Challenge
Sixth graders Ryder M. and Nathalie M. were named as finalists in the 2021 Houston/Harris County Do the Write Thing Challenge. DTWT provides students with relational tools necessary to combat violence. Congratulations, Ryder and Nathalie! Their ELA teacher, Mrs. Person, along with all of the SLMS school community, is so proud of these two students, as well as all who participated in this annual challenge. SLMS has finalists in the DTWT challenge every year!
SLMS PTO Bite Nite/Spirit Night at Raising Cane's - Tuesday, May 11
National School Nurse Day is May 12
National School Nurse Day was established to foster a better understanding of the role of school nurses in the educational setting. Show your appreciation for school nurses with a special thank you on May 12. Many students across the state rely on school nurses to treat everyday illnesses. The theme for this year is, “School Nurses: Championing the Whole-Student.” Visit the National Association of School Nurse's webpage to learn more about the important role school nurses play in educational settings.
Thank you, Nurse Lincoln, for all that you do to support student and staff health and wellness! We also thank our clinic aide, Julie Cutaia, for all that she does to support students and staff, as well!
Yearbooks -- Get Them While They Last! Only $40.00
The end of the year is quickly approaching, and we plan to distribute our 2020-21 yearbooks to students who purchased them at end of May. It is not too late to get one of the few remaining books we have available. Therefore, we have extended the sales window until supplies run out. If you have not ordered yet, please take advantage of this opportunity. You may place your order for this year's book by visiting our SLMS Balfour Online Storefront today. This year's book is only $40.00, and it may only be purchased online.
Additionally, we have a limited number of last year's books (2019-20) that we will be selling in the front office for a discounted price of $30.00 (cash or check; not available online). This is a special sale that will not be offered again. If you missed the opportunity to purchase one, we encourage you to stop by and pick one up. You can always ask about previous years as well, as we have a small number of other books still available. Yearbooks from the 2018-19 school year and prior will only be $20.00, if they are available.
STAAR Testing Schedule for This Week
STAAR Testing This Week is Face to Face (F2F) ONLY (see blue and white chart below)
- Tuesday, May 11 - STAAR Math 6 & 7 (F2F)
- Wednesday, May 12 - STAAR Reading 6 & 7 (F2F)
- Thursday, May 13 - STAAR Math 8 (F2F)
- Friday, May 14 - STAAR Reading 8 (F2F)
All Students Taking STAAR, Please Note the Following:
- District laptops will be furnished for students who do not already have a district device issued to them. Students who have a district device issued to them need to bring it with them to school that day, FULLY CHARGED, and also bring the charging cable, just in case
- The assessment will be administered at Sugar Land MS via the STAAR online platform (i.e. via district laptops).
- Students will need a set of wired earbuds (not air pods or wireless ear buds)
- Students will need to bring a sack lunch from home, or be prepared to receive a sack lunch from the cafeteria
- NOTE: see the chart below if your child is an online student who "opted in" to take the STAAR Assessments. They will go about their usual online class schedule this week, but starting next week, they will come up to campus to take the STAAR tests, as shown in the blue and white chart below.
If you have questions about STAAR, please email becky.white@fortbendisd.com
STAAR Testing Schedule for May 2021
Below, please find a chart showing how SLMS is administering the STAAR assessments this year. There is a link to download it as a PDF, as well, found below the chart. Please take note of a few general items related to STAAR assessments at SLMS in May:
- All testing will be done IN PERSON at SLMS, even for students in the online learning model who "opted in" to take the STAAR assessments this year
- With the exception of F2F 6th grade students on May 11 and 12, all assessments will be administered using the STAAR online platform that is loaded on FBISD-owned laptops. F2F 6th grade students will take their assessments on May 11 and 12 using the traditional paper-based assessment method
- Related to #2 above, if you have been issued a FBISD-owned laptop, please bring it, FULLY CHARGED, along with the charging cable to school on your STAAR day(s)
- All students, including those in the online learning model who "opted in" to take the STAAR assessments, must continue to complete the wellness screener in Skyward prior to arrival at SLMS
- When students who are in the online learning model complete their STAAR assessment, they will contact a parent who will then come to campus to pick them up and take them home, where they are expected to engage with their regular classes online for the balance of the day
Questions about STAAR assessments may be directed to becky.white@fortbendisd.com
End of Year Schedule - May 28 through June 3
Please download the document linked below, which is the End of Year Schedule, covering the dates of Friday, May 28 through Thursday, June 3. This document explains what will be happening on these four days.
You may recall that the district adjusted Wednesday, June 2, by making it a full day (8:50-4:05), rather than an early release day, because of minutes needed to comply with state law. Therefore, our only early release day is the last day of school, Thursday, June 3. School will be over at 1:20 that day.
More details about expectations for the final days of school will be sent at a later date. Download the document below, Middle School Semester 2 End Schedule 2021. It is the same at all district middle schools.
Face to Face Student Schedule
Online Student Schedule
Interested in Boys' Athletics at SLMS Next Year? Please Complete This Form!
In an effort to gain more participation and streamline communication for athletics next year, the boys' athletics department has created a form for prospective student athletes (current 6th and 7th graders) to complete. Those students who select a sport will be contacted to let them know prior to the start of school what will be required of them to be able to participate in their choice of sport. Students will be able to enter a response using the link below, which will take them to 1Link, where they will be logged into their student Microsoft account.
The link is: https://forms.office.com/r/RrRfR2FhRM
Important Information For Face-to-Face Students in Term 4
Please take a moment to open the two documents below related to expectations and safety for in-person (face to face) learners and their parents (regarding car rider line safety)
Immunization Reminders for Current Sixth Graders (Online or F2F)
Your sixth-grade child did or will receive the Tdap and the Meningitis vaccines at their 11-year-old check-up. If they have had these vaccines, please provide proof of this to the clinic when your child gets them. These are the required shots for 7th grade and providing them as soon as you get them will keep your child compliant! You may email it to julie.cutaia@fortbendisd.com or fax it to (281) 327-3091.
Our experience has been that some parents wait until the last possible minute to be in compliance with these immunization requirements. Please help us help your child be ready for next year, as it will approach faster than you think!
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)
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)
Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.com)
Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com)
Nurse - Angi Lincoln (angela.lincoln@fortbendisd.com)
Executive Assistant to Principal Fickel - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@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
#Resilience
Office Hours: 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