Jag-E News
Sartartia Middle School-Exemplary Education Everyday-8.23.20
We had a great first week back!
Dear Jag Families,
As we embark upon this extraordinary school year, we are excited to report an awesome first week of school. As we imagined, we have had some technology issues, but we are working through them. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to get into some virtual classes this week and meet our new students and welcome back our returning 7th and 8th graders.
I also would like to give a big shout out to our fabulous PTO for a successful teacher luncheon they provided last week to welcome back our teachers working face-to-face. It was enjoyed by all!
Thanks to all our parents and students who participated in the Chalk Walk last weekend. We sure do have some talent around here.
Two reminders:
- Sports physicals are needed for any athlete without a physical of file from 2019-2020
- Repeat athletes with a physical from 2019-2020 must fill out updated medical forms
The staff at SMS looks forward to seeing our community come together throughout the year as we engage in the SMS tradition of excellence through virtual teaching and learning.
With Jag Pride,
Cholly Oglesby
Principal
Sartartia Middle School
How Will SMS Communicate with Parents During the 2020-2021 School Year?
In an effort to continue with quality communication from the school, you will receive weekly parent newsletters via email on Sunday evenings. These will include the week’s events, looking ahead, and links to frequently needed information. If you are having trouble receiving our emails here are a few ways for you to troubleshoot: check your spam folder and email settings to allow emails from Sartartia Middle School at MassNotificationSystem@fortbendisd.com.
IMPORTANT: The e-mails containing the newsletter and other announcements will only go to the parent listed as “Family 1” in Skyward unless you go in and change the settings to add a second parent to receive them as well. For information on how to change the settings, click here or attached below.
Our website is also a valuable tool for the campus calendar and general campus information at www.fortbendisd.com/SMS. Follow us on Twitter @sms_jaguars and/or Instragram @sartartiams_jaguars for reminders, and highlights.
Student Attendance for 2020-21 Online Synchronous Learning
Please click here to view the daily student schedule during virtual learning. Important things to note:
- Attendance is taken during all synchronous classes and the state law for 90% attendance is in effect. Students need to plan on logging in to their classes for direct instruction every day during these times.
- Each class will have approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes of asynchronous learning experiences each week. Time in the schedule is allotted for this, but students may also complete asynchronous activities during other times outside of the school day (just like traditional homework).
- Teachers will post their tutorial times in Schoology, but students should also communicate with their teachers about specific help as the need arises.
- We are on a block schedule of sorts but students will see all seven teachers on Wednesdays for class check in’s.
Students should arrive to their virtual classes on time and dressed for school. Please help us by encouraging them to wear clothes and shirts that are school appropriate. Teachers spent the first few days helping students set up their daily schedules, understand expectations, and get back into the rhythm of school. Take a few minutes during the next week of school to review the FBISD Code of Conduct with your child here https://www.fortbendisd.com/studentcodeofconduct
At-Home Learning Kits
We will be distributing at-home learning kits Monday through Friday of this week, 8/24-8/28. If you have not already signed up, please use this link to schedule a time to pick up your student's at-home learning kit. If you have not already completed the form to request textbooks and other resources, you can still complete the form here. Please not that the at-home learning kits will not include any PE equipment.
Once you have signed up for a time, please be sure to drive through the front circle of Sartartia Middle School at your designated date and time. We will bring all of the textbooks and resources to your car. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please reach out to Ms. Border at Courtney.Border@fortbendisd.com
Ren 360
As you may already know, our school uses Renaissance Star 360 Assessments to help teachers understand what students know and what they are ready to learn next. Typically, 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. After careful consideration, knowing the value of this data to make informed instructional decisions for your child, we will be administering the assessment remotely.
In order to support your child on this assessment, you will need to:
- Use the Parent/Guardian Ren 360 Checklist (see attached)
- Have your student follow the Student Login Instructions in the box to the right
- Complete the required assessments listed in the box below between August 17th and August 31st.
- If at any time the program prompts your child to enter a monitor password to continue the assessment, please enter FBISD in all capitals
Parent Training Support Sessions
Connect using Schoology
During the online/virtual learning time Schoology is the district platform that the Counselors will be using to communicate with our students. We have each created a Schoology group as a way to not only connect with our students, but to also provide resources, guidance lessons, schedule virtual conferences, and offer other forms of support.
Please make sure that your child signs up for their grade level course:
6th - H5MR-J4KD-JSNWG
7th - RGNW-SBRK-KB4CS
8th - B8X5-Z8F4-DKTBR
**As always, if you have any questions, you can email your student’s counselor directly and we will set up a time to talk to you. Additionally, should your student need to speak with their counselor they can use the request to see the counselor form here:
8TH GRADE - REQUEST FORM
7TH GRADE - REQUEST FORM
6TH GRADE - REQUEST FORM
Thank you so much for everything you are doing for your child. Stay safe and healthy!
Student Schedules
We are working day and night to get your students scheduling errors corrected. If your child still has an issue, please have them complete this form so we know how we can help:
6th grade: click here!
7th grade: click here!
8th grade: click here!
The deadline to request any changes is Tuesday, August 25th at 4pm.
*Just a reminder, we will not be able to accommodate changes to any elective course that your student selected on their course selection worksheet.
Youth-led Creative Expression Contest to Prevent COVID-19 Across Texas
Click the Link for Contest Rules Prizes, and Details. The Due Date is 8/30/20
FBISD Meal Benefits
Child Nutrition is encouraging families to apply for Meal Benefits online at schoolcafe.com/fbisd or on their smartphone/device by downloading the SchoolCafé app from their Google Play or App Store. Links: https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd
FBISD encourages all families to complete the Free & Reduced Meals application, at SchoolCafe, and families who qualified in the 2019-20 school year will need to reapply.
- Free & Reduced Meals application - https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd
- Grab and Go Meals - https://www.fortbendisd.com/grabandgomeals
VIRTUAL Fall Open House--September 3, 2020
Students' TEAMS Links will be used to meet with teachers. More information coming...SAVE THE DATE.
Assistant Principals & Counselors
Paul Wells-Assistant Principal
281.634.6331
Friedel-Counselor
katherine.friedel@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6320
7th grade
Courtney Border-Assistant Principal
281.634.6314
Brandi Goodly-Counselor
281.634.6318
8th grade
Dr. Sunday Johnson-Associate Principal
sunday.johnson@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6316
Rachel McCune-Lead Counselor
281.634.6319
SMS Helpful Resources
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