Titan News
Update from Sugar Land MS - October 7, 2019
Principal's Update
Titan Parents,
Safety will always be a top priority at SLMS. The City of Sugar Land continues to work on improvements to Seventh Street, and these improvements will have an impact on SLMS. I sent a message earlier this week updating you about the work being done at W. Green Belt and Seventh Street. If you haven't kept up with updates regarding construction along Seventh Street, you may do so by visiting this Traffic Alert web page on our campus website. You may also want to note that Union Pacific Railroad will be closing the intersection of Eldridge Road and Highway 90 starting at 6:00 AM October 9 through 5:00 AM October 10.
Car Rider Line Observations -- Over the last couple of weeks we have noticed a few things that we want parents to be aware of:
- Increasing number of parents/drivers on their cell phones in the line and on the front circle drive. Phone use is prohibited in a school zone and in our front circle drive
- Increasing number of students being dropped off/picked up along Seventh Street rather than the front circle drive, as well as from the driver's side of the vehicle. Students may only exit/enter vehicles from the passenger side and in the front circle drive
- Increasing number of students still waiting for parent pick-up after 4:30. School is over at 4:10. We provide supervision outside until roughly 4:30. Please ensure your children are picked up in a timely manner for their safety
Your children are doing a FANTASTIC JOB during our emergency drills. We held several drills this past week (fire drill, emergency weather drill, and a lockout drill), and they have handled themselves wonderfully!
On October 31, we will have three grade-level assemblies to hear from the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation regarding "Start with Hello." Please read the article below regarding the presentations.
Do you have any spare 2-liter bottles lying around? If so, please have your child bring them to school and drop them off at the front desk. Our robotics classes are in need of about 50-60 bottles.
In closing, this week marks the end of the first grading period (Term 1). Report Cards will be visible in Skyward Family Access in the afternoon on Thursday, October 17. Have a great week, and note that this Friday, October 11, is a student holiday, as is the following Monday, October 14. Please follow us on Twitter at @SLMSTitans, and keep an eye on our campus website, as well.
Keith Fickel, Principal
Week of October 7, 2019
Upcoming Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
- End of Term 1 Grading Period - October 10
- Student Holiday / Staff Professional Development Day - October 11
- School Holiday - October 14
- Spirit Night at Raising Cane's - October 16
- High School Academy Community Night - October 23
- Picture Day - October 24
- "Trunk or Treat" Family Movie Night - October 24
- Start with Hello Assemblies - October 31
Start With Hello - Sandy Hook Promise Assemblies October 31
Fort Bend ISD is partnering with Sandy Hook Promise to present Start With Hello, a program that teaches students to be more socially inclusive and connected to each other. The program is designed to help reduce social isolation and bullying, while creating a culture of inclusion in schools and communities. Throughout October, Start with Hello program presenters will visit all FBISD middle and high schools to lead students in a free training program. They are coming to Sugar Land MS on October 31.
Through the Start with Hello activities and curricula, students will learn how to:
- See Someone Alone – and recognize the signs of loneliness and social isolation
- Reach Out and Help – and learn what students can do to help others feel included
- Start With Hello – and learn to break the ice and strike up a conversation
The Start with Hello program works to empower students to recognize traits of social isolation among their peers and report warning signs to trusted adults. The program does not seek to cause alarm or provoke ideas that schools are unsafe. (Note: the Sandy Hook Promise “Back-to-School Essentials” public service announcement video is not a component of this program and will not be shown to students.) The program instead teaches students to create a school culture of acceptance and inclusion for everyone. Social isolation is a very real epidemic that can cause individuals to pull away and, in some cases hurt themselves or others. Through proper training, our students can feel connected to each other and develop skills to build healthy relationships that will benefit them for years to come.
Learn more about Start with Hello at https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/startwithhello. The Start with Hello presentation will be held at our school on October 31 through grade-level assemblies in the afternoon.
Picture Day - Thursday, October 24
Laptop Lending Library
We are pleased to announce the re-launch of our Laptop Lending Library. Students will have the opportunity to check out a touch-screen laptop, with carrying case and charging cable, for two weeks, just they would check out a book. Some paperwork is required to be completed by parents, first, however. Please visit our Laptop Lending Library page or contact Mr. Sinclair, our Librarian or Mrs. Smith, our Library Aide, for more details.
High School Academy Information for 8th Graders
It's already time for our 8th grade students to be thinking about their options for high school. Fort Bend ISD offers an array of opportunities that appeal to a variety of interest areas. Please visit our High School Academy web page for details. A Community Night is scheduled for October 23 from 7:00-9:00 PM at the FBISD Administrative Annex (3119 Sweetwater Blvd).
Video Overview of High School Programs
Yearbooks on Sale! - $35 through November 4
Yearbooks are currently on sale for $35 until November 4th when the price will go up. Tribute ads for current 8th graders may also be purchased for either $20 (1/8 of a page) or $40 (1/4 of a page). To order, simply visit https://www.balfour.com/student-info?smi=71485. If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Childs at Molly.Childs@fortbendisd.com.
Tuesday and Thursday 5:15 Tutorial Buses
We are pleased to announce the start of our 5:15 Tuesday/Thursday Tutorial Buses. Students who participate in an after school tutorial, make-up session, help session, club/organization meeting, rehearsal, etc., may ride the 5:15 bus. Students staying after school for athletic practices or athletic events will not be able to ride the 5:15 tutorial bus.Visit our Tutorial Bus web page for details. You may also download a map of drop-off locations and approximate drop-off times. Students must know ahead of time which stop they will get off the bus at (there are 10 stops total). Select the one that is closest to their home.
8th Grade Career Day - December 5 - Volunteers and Guest Speakers Needed
Parent Volunteers
We love parent volunteers! Please renew your annual Criminal History Authorization (CHA) by visiting the district website. These reset on July 1 each year. Then, please join the PTO by visiting their website at www.slmspto.org.
FBISD and SLMS Need Mentors
Guide a Promising Student at a Fort Bend ISD school near your home or place of business. Whether you prefer to support a student's academics, their social well-being, or a combination of the two...Fort Bend ISD appreciates your support and partnership.
It's as easy as 1, 2, 3...
1. Register to attend this mandatory orientation, which includes an overview of the GPS program, guidelines for partnering with a student, and tips to ensure your success in the program.
2. Sign a one-year commitment to meet with a student, 30-60 minutes, once a week.
3. Complete the required background check for the safety of our students. Upon receipt of a cleared background check, we will send your application to the campus of your choice.
Free and Reduced Meal Information
FBISD Launches SchoolCafe
FBISD’s Child Nutrition Department has launched a new software program this school year, SchoolCafe. SchoolCafe will allow parents to create an account, make online payments, view school menus, set account restrictions and more. SchoolCafe can be accessed at https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd or through the SchoolCafe app. (Visit the Apple Store or Google Play store to download.)
Please note, you will still be able to view menus through MealViewer.
Parents will be able to make payments through https://www.schoolcafe.com/fbisd or through the SchoolCafe app starting Monday, August 5, 2019.
Should you have any questions, please contact FBISD Child Nutrition at (281) 634-1855.
Sugar Land Middle School
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
Regular 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