Jag E-NEWS 4.17.20
FBISD Schools are currently closed through May 28, 2020.
JAGS ARE ON THE MOVE!
Jag Families,
Thank you for participating in our Jag Spirit Class Color Day. We loved seeing your pictures!
As you are aware, Dr. Dupre announced this week that FBISD would remain in online learning through the rest of the school year, as we will not be returning to physical classrooms.Though I know this was disappointing news, you probably sensed it was coming. It seems like every time I reach out to my community we are reflecting on another major change to the year! I keep thinking about you, the working parent who is juggling multiple school aged students, a household, along with all the other duties that come professionally and personally. I am so thankful for you and how we have rallied around our students!
Naturally, this may create additional questions in students' and parents' minds about a variety of topics, which is the purpose for this additional message to you this week, ahead of the usual weekend edition. They are all excellent questions, and we were anticipating them. We may not be able to give you definitive answers yet, but we wanted you to know that these topics are on the district's radar and that the district is working with campus leadership to create a unified approach to address them.
- When will I be able to retrieve my personal items from my locker, athletic/PE locker, etc.? - We know this is foremost on many students' and parents' minds. At some in the future, we will be able to share plans about how students will get their belongings. The district is working out a plan for this important opportunity, and when it is ready, it will be communicated to students and parents.
- What about medication in the clinic and immunization records for next year? - We will notify parents when/if a plan is in place for medication pick up. Immunization records may be directed to our nurse, Mrs. Ferguson, at Christine.Ferguson@fortbendisd.com
- What about the 8th Grade Trip? - Unfortunately, this event will not be able to take place, as we had hoped it would. We will be contacting students who paid their fee so that they may be issued a refund. They do have about 250 8th grade t-shirts that they were hoping to issue as a part of the exit event, and they are working on how they might make them available to 8th graders in a different way. Stay tuned.
- How may I return items that belong to the school (textbooks, library books, athletic equipment, musical instruments, etc.) - The district is working out a plan for this important opportunity, and when it is ready, it will be communicated to students and parents.
Also, you should expect to see your child's Term 3 (T3) report card in Skyward Family Access sometime in the afternoon on Wednesday, April 22. As we work towards end of year solutions that will honor our students, I want to direct us to our new end of the year grading guidelines so we have clear expectations for finishing strong. The information below highlights Dr. Dupre’s recent email where he addresses how grading and GPA calculations will be handled. You can access the FAQ HERE.
The fourth nine weeks grading process will require a shift in thinking. Numerical grades are replaced with “Met Standard” or “Did not Meet Standard.” Students will demonstrate proficiency in key areas tied to the TEKS which will best prepare them for the upcoming year.
The world seems to have turned to the arts for hope, healing, and inspiration during this pandemic, as the arts are inherently expressive and creative. On behalf of our Fine Arts teachers, please encourage your children to check in and participate with their Fine Arts courses, in order to keep singing, playing, drawing, painting, acting, or whatever it is they do. This is an opportunity for personal expression and release. Therefore, please make sure the arts are not left out of your daily life.
All my best,
Cholly Oglesby
Principal
Sartartia Middle School
SHHH! IT'S A SURPRISE FOR TEACHERS
WILL YOU BE IN FINE ARTS NEXT YEAR? Updates in the Letter Below
PALS Application for 2020-2021
7th graders with a servant heart who are still interested in being a PAL in their 8th grade year can still apply! We have created an online application and teacher recommendation for students to use. A minimum of two teacher recommendations are required; potential candidates will email two teachers with the teacher recommendation form link, asking them to complete the form no later than May 1. The application submission window is April 15-May 1, 2020.
Here is the SMS PAL Online Application which includes a link to the teacher rec form within: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QWJ9SRo5d0KRrL3SqZ9wVNrPyHvbZghFlMqAE9DhLwhUNkNHUzM3VUVYWE1ITTNGOFc1M1pPMFRGTS4u
DR. DUPRE'S MESSAGE ON GRADING
EXCERPT about Middle School: At the elementary and middle school level, the final grading period will not be used to determine the final average calculation. This means the average from the first three grading periods will be used to determine final averages, and the final grading period’s “Met Standard/Did Not Meet Standard” will be used as an indicator to determine student readiness for promotion and/or retention. Remember, right now, our focus is on supporting students in a time of crisis. We want students to learn and grow so that they are prepared for what’s next, without fear and penalties.
Please read the full message provided in the link below: Update-Grading, GPA...
Autism Awareness Resource
We want to share a useful resource for all families, specifically those living with autism: https://www.autism-society.org/covid-19/
Included you will find some fun coloring pages for your family to share.
DONATE TODAY: Fort Bend Education Foundation
During this COVID-19 pandemic, students are forced to stay at home. But learning must go on!
The Fort Bend Education Foundation needs your support in providing a high-quality, online education as well as food, toiletries and other needs, to all students of Fort Bend ISD during this difficult time.
Donate today! https://bit.ly/2wQZAXp
Please free to share with family and friends.
Online Learning Schedule Information
Middle School Online Learning Schedule
Lessons/Activities will be posted for the week to allow for flexibility in your child's schedule, but we do ask that lessons/assignments are submitted to teachers when they are completed.
The purple schedule below shows how each week is organized.
- PE/Health/Kickstart: See website resources & videos, and the items your teacher places into their Schoology folder
- Non-HS Credit Electives: Teachers will post online learning activities to support students. Instruction and completion of these online learning activities will not exceed 30 minutes per week
- CTE Courses for High School Credit: May require additional instructional time per week due to course requirements.
SMS Campus Teacher "Office Hours" and Virtual Conferencing Schedule
TIPS from the TEAM
Tips from the Counselors
As we are working towards our new normal, we thought we would send you some weekly resources to use in your home with your students. This week/weekend we are encouraging you to do something FUN. Check out this list of virtual things to do in H-Town April 16-22 https://www.jillbjarvis.com/things-to-do-in-houston-this-weekend-with-kids-april-16-17-18-19-20-21-22-2020/.
Don’t forget, you can always check out the FBISD Behavioral Health & Wellness page or click here for more information regarding “SEL” or Social Emotional Learning his week.
Connect using Schoology
As we are transitioning to online/virtual learning, besides regular emails, Schoology is the district platform that 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, hold virtual conferences, and offer other forms of support.
Please encourage your student to use the code below to join their grade level Schoology group
SMS 6th Grade (2019-2020)
RGNW-SBRK-KB4CS
SMS 7th Grade (2019-2020)
B8X5-Z8F4-DKTBR
SMS 8th Grade (2019-2020)
FQKR-PXWR-2VHN3
All counselors have their virtual office hours from 3-4pm each day.
NJHS Applications/Info
If your child is applying for NJHS the application process, inductions and service activities are suspended until campuses reopen and classes resume. Please tell your child if any new information is given to us, we will communicate that as soon as we receive it.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
FBISD Summer School Info
8th grade parents, please continue to check the summer school webpage for information about summer school offerings for original credit. As of now, the registration for summer school is still TBD.
**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” on our website: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=QWJ9SRo5d0KRrL3SqZ9wVAlK8ATazN5OobLp8Vxi61hUNFdOVUUwMFpRUlJaWVowOFBHWTE2SFVUUS4u
We wish you all well during this time. The SMS Counseling Team
Schoology Information
FBISD Online Technology Expectations for Students (Download)
Please visit www.fortbendisd.com/covid19 for the most up-to-date information regarding the district closure and Fort Bend ISD's COVID-19 response. If you have any questions that require immediate assistance, please call the Fort Bend ISD Information Hotline at 281-634-0043. This call center is available to assist between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Virtual Spirit Day #JagPride
Assistant Principals & Counselors
Courtney Border-Assistant Principal
courtney.border@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6314
Brandi Goodly-Counselor
281.634.6318
7th grade
Dr. Sunday Johnson-Associate Principal
sunday.johnson@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6316
Rachel McCune-Lead Counselor
281.634.6319
8th grade
Paul Wells-Assistant Principal
281.634.6331
Kat Friedel-Counselor
katherine.friedel@fortbendisd.com
281.634.6320
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: 281-634-6310
Twitter: @sms_jaguars