Titan News
Update from Sugar Land MS - June 12, 2019
Preparing for 2019-20
I hope this message finds all of our Titan families doing well and that you are enjoying your summer. Our teachers and staff are busy "recharging their batteries" by getting some much needed and well deserved time away from school in order to be ready for the new school year, but they are also investing in your child's future by continuing their professional learning at various points during the summer. In this issue of Titan News, please find some important updates related to construction along Seventh Street which will affect access to the campus, important information related to an adjustment to expectations for student-owned electronic devices for the upcoming school year, dates for our student orientation / Titan Camp in August, and instructions to ensure your profile is up to date with Blackboard Connect, the new parent communication portal launched in November 2018.
Be sure to follow us on Twitter at @SLMSTitans, and keep an eye on our campus website, as well.
Keith Fickel, Principal
Construction Around Campus / Seventh Street
The first phase of construction for a City of Sugar Land drainage project along Seventh Street will start Wednesday, June 12. Access to SLMS off of Seventh Street will not be possible if you are traveling westbound from Eldridge. Instead, please access our campus from the eastbound lane of Seventh Street (coming from Main/Burney). Seventh Street will effectively become a one-way street this summer.
Information about this multi-phase project (DR1801 - Covington Woods Drainage Improvements - Sugar Land MS/Sugar Mill Relief Line) is on the City of Sugar Land’s website (click the "Drainage" tab). This phase of the project should be completed prior to the start of the school year in August. If anything changes, we will update our community.
The City of Sugar Land plans to send official notice to the community this week through various channels, including social media and the city website.
Titan Camp - Incoming 6th Grade and New 7th/8th Grade Students
UPDATE 7/19/19 -- CHANGE IN DATES
This is an event for all of our incoming 6th grade students, as well as any 7th or 8th grade students who are new to Sugar Land MS for the 2019-20 school year. Due to ongoing construction along Seventh Street and the challenge of accessing the parking lot on the east side of the campus, we have broken this event into two sessions on different days. Please come at the date and time listed below for your part of the alphabet. Note that there is no Titan Camp for our returning 7th and 8th grade students.
- Last Names A thru L - Thursday, August 8, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
- Last Names M thru Z - Monday, August 12, from 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Opportunities for attendees:
- Get locker assignment/combination
- Add funds to your cafeteria account
- Receive your list of classes
- Purchase PE uniform
- Purchase Titan swag from our PTO store
- Make some new friends!
If you cannot attend this event, it's okay! We'll catch you up on the first day of school, which is Wednesday, August 14.
Student-Owned Electronic Devices
Please take a moment to review our updated campus procedure for student-owned devices, which will be implemented when school starts in August. This procedure was developed during the 2018-19 school year in consultation with our Campus-Based Leadership Team, composed of SLMS staff, parents, and community members. We will go over this procedure with students in detail when school begins.
Ensuring Lines of Communication Between Home and School Remain Open - Blackboard Connect
Keeping the lines of communication open between home and school is crucial for student success. Therefore, please ensure that your contact information, such as email addresses and phone numbers, are kept up to date in Skyward Family Access and in Blackboard Connect, which was launched in November 2018. Please visit the district's Blackboard Connect information page, and download/view this how-to document related to keeping your Blackboard Account information current. To ensure that all parents and guardians continue to receive timely communications, primary guardians are encouraged to log in to Blackboard Connect to review their contact information, and if they choose, add other contact phone numbers and email addresses for other family members to ensure communications are delivered to them, as well.
School Supplies for 2019-20 - Online Order Deadline Friday, June 14
The deadline for ordering school supply kids that contain all your child needs for the upcoming school year is Friday, June 14. The SLMS PTO wants to make it easy for you to get your child's school supplies for the 2019-20 school year, and they have partnered with Teacher Tailored / SchoolKidz to provide a convenient, cost-effective way to purchase supplies for next year. All of the supplies for your child's grade level are included, based off of the SLMS school supply list, which was created by the teachers. The only items not included are things like PE uniforms and specialty items needed for certain elective classes. PE uniform sales will begin in late July in a separate process. A list of items needed for specialty electives classes will be shared by your child's teacher once school starts.
Here are some of the reasons to consider ordering your supplies through this program:
- No hassle, no lines to get in
- Check one more thing off of your back-to-school to-do list
- You get everything on the school supply list in the correct quantities
- Supplies are delivered directly to school in a box labeled with your child's name (one less thing to have to bring to school)
- Most items are guaranteed by the company to last the entire school year and will be replaced if that doesn't happen
- Cost-effective (kits range from $45-$52, and you won't even be charged sales tax!)
- You help the PTO, which in turn helps the students and teachers!
Here is how to order:
Online
- Visit http://www.shopttkits.com, and enter our school's program code, which is 93458
- Orders are taken online through June 14, 2019
Summer Reading List
Dual-Residency/Power of Attorney Renewals
All Dual/Co-Residence or Power of Attorney (POA) are required by the FBISD to be renewed each school year. If your child will need to be on a Dual/Co-Residence and/or Power of Attorney, you will need to bring the following to Mrs. Phillips:
- Completed affidavit that was mailed to you or you may pick one up at SLMS.
- Obtain notarization of the Dual/Co-Residence Affidavit or Power of Attorney PRIOR to coming to the school.
- Bring the following documents with the notarized affidavit:
- Parent’s ID
- Homeowner/Leaseholder or POA’s ID
- Deed or Lease to the residence
- Current Utility Bill (elec, gas or water)
Your child(ren) will not be permitted to attend school on the 1st day (August 14, 2019) if you have not renewed your DUAL or POA along with all supporting documents. If the child no longer needs a DUAL or POA, the parent will need to come to campus with the above-mentioned supporting documents to prove zoned residency beginning Tuesday, June 4, come to SLMS from 8:30-4:00 on any Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday of each week during the summer. All FBISD campuses and offices will be closed the week of July 1-5.
For any questions, please contact Mrs. Phillips at (281) 634-3118, or email her at tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com
Sugar Land Middle School
Inspiring and equipping the young men and women of our community for futures beyond what they can imagine since 1975.
Summer Office Hours Begin Monday, June 3
- 7:30-5:30 Monday-Thursday
- Closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch
Regular Office Hours Resume Monday, July 29
- 8:00-4:00 Monday-Friday
- Closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
Twitter: @SLMSTitans