Sugar Land MS Titan News
FINAL Summer Edition #6 - THE BIG DAY - August 16, 2020
Greetings Titan Families,
Tomorrow is the BIG DAY, and the SLMS Staffulty (staff and faculty) are excited to welcome your children into their virtual classrooms starting at 9:00 AM. We know that things may not go as planned given that we are re-thinking to much of how we “do school.” We have been talking as a staff about the idea that we are in a moment in education that is infinite with possibilities as we embrace online learning for the first time. As excited as we are about the possibilities and being open to what it can bring, we realize that it is also challenging for many parents and students. We are committed to supporting our families as we re-imagine the educational learning experience at SLMS. Each of us--students, teachers, staff, and parents--will undoubtedly experience hiccups and frustrations this weekend and likely even on Monday. But it will all be okay. We also may not be able to solve every issue or concern tomorrow. Or Tuesday. Grace, patience, and optimism must play a central role on all sides in this shared experience.
We know that there may be questions you will have regarding online learning as school starts. In order to support our families and address these concerns, we will have staff available to assist you so that we may respond to the questions or issues that you may be experiencing. Please see First Day Parent Help information below. For now, if your child is experiencing issues with their password, please visit www.fortbendisd.com/studentpassword for instructions. This video is a helpful tool to prepare you and your child for online learning in Teams, Schoology, and Skyward. A Technology Resources page is also available for more information.
In closing, one thing I hope that we will all learn from the launch of this new experience of synchronous online learning is that it may take a while for all the newly-built digital systems to stabilize and for us to grow accustomed to using them, but that if we all take the long view, not the narrow, right-here/right-now view, we have the greatest chance of success. But until that time comes to pass, please do not lose patience or hope with us (or with yourself) as we navigate these potential bumps in the road together. #BetterTogether #InfinitePossibilities #TitansOwnIt
Thank you for your time and attention, and on behalf of the entire SLMS staff, welcome to the beginning of this historic 2020-21 school year.
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, SLMS Principal
Patience. Grace. Optimism.
First Day Parent Help
We know that there may be questions you will have regarding online learning as school starts. Our first priority is to make sure that every student is able to login and enter their virtual class on the first day of school at 9:00 AM. In order to support our families and address these concerns, our campus has put the following plan in place for Monday morning so that we can respond to the questions or issues that you may be experiencing.
We anticipate a high call volume. To minimize wait time, we have multiple phone lines for you to call for support based on the last letter of your child's name (regardless of grade level). Be prepared to leave a voice mail if call volume is high. These phones will be manned starting at 8:00 AM. Please note that we are unable to accommodate in-person visits to campus at this time.
- A-I -- 281-634-3111
- J-Q -- 281-634-3082
- R-Z -- 281-634-3091
- En Español 281-634-3117
- Main Office Line 281-634-3080
In addition to phone lines, staff members will be available via Zoom to assist parents as needed. Click on the following link any time from 8:00 - 10:00 AM Monday morning. You will enter a virtual waiting room until a staff member admits you to the Zoom meeting. At that point, someone will be there to provide assistance. The Zoom link is:
https://zoom.us/j/3538847107?pwd=VTVMeUlVVExxWGo1Q0pKanJEeGNnQT09
Patience. Grace. Optimism.
Laptop/Device Distribution Information
LAPTOP DISTRIBUTION INFORMATION - UPDATED 8.15.20
Phase 2 begins the week of August 17, with the schedule below. If you would like to obtain a device(s) for your SLMS child(ren) in Phase 2, sign up for a time using this Sign-Up Genius.
- Monday, August 17 (3:30-6:00 PM)
- Tuesday, August 18 (3:30-6:00 PM)
- Wednesday, August 19 (3:30-5:00 PM)
- Thursday, August 20 (3:30-5:00 PM)
- Friday, August 21 (3:30-5:00 PM)
Patience. Grace. Optimism.
Link to Welcome Video from our Teachers (it is in the Virtual Orientation video above, but the quality isn't great). This is a better way to view it!
1Link is Here! Single Sign-On Tool
Online learning can open a world of new possibilities; however, it can also come with its fair share of challenges. Easy access should not be one of those challenges. This Fall, Fort Bend ISD is proud to introduce 1Link (Powered by ClassLink).
1Link is a single sign-on platform that allows students, teachers and staff to utilize one username and password to access their digital resources and tools including Schoology, Clever and Microsoft Teams. Single sign-on is an essential tool for productive remote learning. 1Link is web-based and available from the classroom or at home and can be accessed from a computer or mobile device.
All actively enrolled FBISD students can access 1Link using their district email (Ex. john.d1@student.fortbendisd.com) and network password. New student enrollees will be granted access upon completion of the enrollment process. Parents must log in to Skyward Family Access to retrieve password credentials for their student(s), which can be found in the Online Forms section of Skyward Family Access. Instructions for the retrieval of student password information can be found on the Fort Bend ISD website.
For more information about 1Link, please visit www.fortbendisd.com/1link.
Access 1Link at 1link.fortbendisd.com. Feel free to download the helpful one-page how-to document below.
Patience. Grace. Optimism.
Pictures from our New Student Welcome Parade
School Supplies -- Slight Revision
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.
Note: while not on our school supply list linked above, you may wish to consider these optional technology items suggested by the district:
- Universal Stylus Touch Screen Pen (Passive) (For use with touch screen devices)
- BYOD (Bring Your Own Device): Refer to “Guide to Student BYOD Devices” on Fort Bend ISD webpage: https://www.fortbendisd.com/Page/105736
- Headset/Headphone with mic (must be compatible with iPad 6th generation or greater & Windows 10 computers)
Important Contact Information
- Assistant Principal - Dr. Dawn Rogers (dawn.rogers@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Eleni Smith (eleni.smith@fortbendisd.com)
Seventh Grade
- Assistant Principal - Luster Goodwin (luster.goodwin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Kim Seright (kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.com)
Eighth Grade
- Associate Principal - Monika Martin (monika.martin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Nafecia Brinson (nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.com)
Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.com)
Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com)
Nurse - Angi Lincoln (angela.lincoln@fortbendisd.com)
Campus Secretary - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@fortbendisd.com)
Counselor Clerk - Carmen Brantley (carmen.brantley@fortbendisd.com)
Assistant Principal Secretaries
- 6th and 7th Grade - Tina Garcia (diamantina.ibarragar@fortbendisd.com)
- 8th Grade - Sherri Woodcock (sherri.woodcock@fortbendisd.com)
Immunizations Must Be Up to Date -- Even When School is 100% Online
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. To find out more information regarding immunizations, visit the Texas Department of State Health Services web page.
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
#BetterTogether
- 8:00-4:00 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