SLMS Titan News
Summer Edition #2 - July 17, 2020
Preparing for the 2020-21 School Year & SLMS 45th Anniversary
Greetings Titan Families,
My hope is that this Titan News update finds you and your family in good health. We intend for this update to provide you some information regarding the launch of the 2020-21 school year, which also happens to coincide with the 45th anniversary of the opening of SLMS. The nature of the pandemic and its impact on the opening of school has meant that much of the information you would ordinarily receive from the campus would have come to you sooner and also in greater detail. We are simply at the mercy of ever-changing conditions, and we do not want to get ahead of any messaging from the district. Nonetheless, there are a few items that we can tell you about, which we hope you will find helpful. There is still a tremendous amount of planning going on at this time--planning that may have to shift if conditions warrant. If anything, we are all learning to be flexible these days!
Orientation - We are organizing a "virtual" orientation for our students where we hope to have a virtual tour, share online class expectations and what online classes will "look like", teacher introductions, and share how we will use resources like our campus web page, Schoology, and Skyward. We will also share about attendance, grading, and other items, and we will end with a Q&A session. Orientation will last approximately 45 minutes, and will conclude with a Q&A session. Our plan is to offer this multiple times--late in the day and early evening--in order to accommodate smaller groups of attendees but also accommodate parent work schedules, so parents may attend, as well. These will be virtual, and not in-person orientations. The specific dates and schedule will be shared with you in the next update.
School supplies - Although we will start the year 100% online, students will still need school supplies at some point. Over the last few years, our school supply list has been pared down to only truly essential items and to be reasonable in cost. These items will be needed when we return to face-to-face instruction, but your child will also find them helpful during online learning. If you ordered pre-packaged school supplies from the PTO, they will be delivered to the campus in early August. We will devise a pick-up plan for them and communicate it with you when the time comes. Here is a link to our school supply list.
Verification of Enrollment - In the coming weeks, after the district has announced more detailed plans for the 2020-21 school year, the district will ask families to verify enrollment. This enrollment verification is required for families of new and returning students so that the district may more effectively plan to support students.
Please continue to monitor your email, and visit the Fort Bend ISD and Sugar Land MS websites and social media channels for additional updates. And remember, it is vital that parents keep their contact information (email, phone numbers, etc.) current with the district so that the lines of communication may remain open. Contact Mrs. Phillips via email or by phone at (281) 634-3118 if you need to update your information.
While plans to start the year continue to be made, we promise to keep you up to date. Please keep in mind much of our campus-level communication to you will come after district announcements and communication.
In closing, as we begin the 45th year in which SLMS has served the community, know that we will plan some special activities to celebrate this milestone, so please stay tuned! It is going to be a different kind of year, but it will also be one in which everyone--students, staff, and parents--will grow. In the meanwhile, please be safe and follow all prescribed health and safety protocols. We will be in touch again next week!
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, SLMS Principal
Checking in with Charles #2 - Replay from July 15
Please take a moment to watch a reply the "live" event hosted by Dr. Dupre on July 15 regarding the opening of school. You may also want to review his letter sent to parents and the community on July 14.
Mr. Doyle McDaniel
It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Mr. Doyle McDaniel. He passed away peacefully Sunday, July 12 after long illness. Mr. McDaniel served with distinction at Sugar Land MS for the last 7 years. He could be found along Seventh Street in the mornings and afternoons, joyfully helping our students cross the street, and he appreciated the many parents and students who would bring him coffee or breakfast on a regular basis. During the school day he was hard at work providing in-class support to many of our students in their classes, always with his trademark smile. He could also be found running the clock and scoreboard at most sporting events, especially football and soccer. Working in education was something he had always wanted to do, and the decision to do so came later in his working life. He served our nation in the US Army, as well. Mr. McDaniel retired from Fort Bend ISD at the end of the 2019-20 school year.
Mr. McDaniel was a wonderful soul, full of compassion and kindness, and one who never knew a stranger. He loved our school, the students, and the staff very much, and he knew that he was loved in equal measure in return. His family thanks the entire SLMS community for the love, care, and respect you showed him while he was at SLMS. Our school was his second family. We will organize an online opportunity to remember Mr. McDaniel in the coming days, and when we know more about his funeral arrangements, we will share this information with you. He will be dearly missed.
Required Immunization Information
This is a reminder from our nurse that all students must have their shots up-to-date or have a valid exemption on file when school starts. This is regardless of whether instruction is online or in person. The Fort Bend County Health Department is hosting an immunization event on July 18, which may be helpful to you. See the informational flyer below. To find out more information regarding immunizations, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services web page.
Grab and Go Meals Resume
Grab and Go Meals have resumed at ten sites across the District. As a reminder, breakfast is available from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and lunch is available from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. On Thursday, extra breakfast and/or lunch meals will be provided for Friday. Visit fortbendisd.com/freemeals for the latest information.
Mental Health Partnership with Vida Clinic
We would like to welcome one of FBISD’s mental health partners, Vida Clinic to our campus. They are a resource that will offer counseling services to our campus students, families, and staff starting this summer. To schedule services with Vida Clinic, please visit vidaclinic.org or contact the Vida Clinic Care Team at 512-518-2209 or by email at vidacare@vidaclinic.org. Vida Clinic will work with each family or staff for payment of services and identify funding options to fit their unique situation.
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
Regular Office Hours - Resuming Monday, June 27
- 8:20-4:20 Monday-Friday
Summer Office Hours - Ending Thursday, June 23
- 7:30-5:30 Monday-Thursday (Closed Friday)
- Closed 12:00-1:00 for lunch
Email: keith.fickel@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
Twitter: @SLMSTitans