SLMS Titan News
Week #11 - October 18, 2021
Greetings SLMS Parents, Guardians, Students, and Staff,
I hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful weather this weekend -- it is such a welcome change from our normal hot/humid days!
Congratulations to our 7th and 8th grade football teams and their coaches Coach Esposito, Coach Efron, Coach Harris, Coach Willis, Coach Bohannan, Coach Hotzel, and Coach Marchand for making the playoffs, which will extend their season into the week of October 25. Their opponents and game locations are TBD. Congratulations to our Cross Country team and Coach Eckhardt on their awesome season. They ran their final meet of the season--the district meet--this past Friday, and did a wonderful job. Congratulations to Maximo G. who placed 2nd in the 7th grade boys' division and to Holly F. who placed 1st in the 8th grade girls' division. Our XC team runs with heart, and they are wonderfully supportive of each other! And congratulations go out to our 7th grade girls' volleyball team for their appearance at the end-of-season tournament this past Thursday. The girls played a tough match, taking 3 sets, but lost 23-25. You grew so much this year ladies, and we are proud of all of you, as well as all of our volleyball players, for a great season! Now it's on to basketball! (See article below about basketball tryouts)
We welcome a new Titan staff member this week. Please say "hello" to Mrs. Carissa Allen, our SEL Instructional Coach, who will be helping our administrative team, teachers, counselors, and staff with our work in social-emotional learning. We are sharing her talents with Bowie MS, as well. Welcome, Mrs. Allen!
Our PALs students and their teacher, Mr. Harris, are putting together a fun, yet focused effort on Red Ribbon Week, which starts next week. There will be daily themes, all of which are fun but meant to be part of a broader message of not taking drugs. There will be some aspects that involve fun dress opportunities, but they will still require students to be in dress code. Look for more details in the next edition of Titan News. There is a link to the dress code at the end of this edition of this newsletter.
We are going into the second week of a six-week stretch to Thanksgiving which has no breaks or holidays. This can add to students' and staff members' existing levels of stress. It is important to maintain vigilance regarding self-regulation and self-care during times like these. Kindness to and patience with one another will be paramount as we draw closer to the Thanksgiving break.
This week's news contains information about:
- Upcoming Events
- October Young Citizen of the Month!
- SLMS PTO Spirit Night (All Day) at Panda Express - October 20
- Fall Portrait Day - October 18
- WINGS Club (Girls) - Information
- Basketball Tryout Information
- Yearbooks On Sale Online Now!!! - Only $40
- Everyone Can Help With Yearbook Pictures!
- Lending Library Devices and Technology
- SLMS Trunk or Treat Family Event - Thursday, October 21
- Birthday Messages on the SLMS Electronic Marquee
- Important Contact Information
I hope you have a peaceful and enjoyable week!
Sincerely,
Keith Fickel, Principal
#NewBeginnings
#TitansOwnIt
#ReturnOfTheTitans
The Week At A Glance
Upcoming and Important Dates
- Red Ribbon Week - October 23-30
- Football Playoff Games: 7th grade, October 25 (opponent & location TBD); 8th grade October 26 (opponent & location TBD)
- High School Academies Visiting 8th Graders - October 25 & 26 through PE classes
October Young Citizen of the Month - Liam Lazaro
Congratulations to 8th grader Liam Lazaro upon being selected as the October Young Citizen of the Month, sponsored by Sugar Land Exchange Club. Liam was nominated and voted on based on his academic success, his hard work, good character, good sportsmanship, and other amazing qualities. Congratulations, Liam!
SLMS PTO Spirit Night (All Day!) at Panda Express - October 20
Note: If you order online using the Panda Express app or via the Panda Express website. please use online ordering code 327032
Basketball Tryout Information
- Basketball tryouts are for 7th and 8th grade students
- All athletes will need an up to date athletic physical on file with the coaches and all RankOne Sport electronic forms completed to be eligible for tryouts; forms will not be accepted on the day the tryouts begin; they must be turned in ahead of time
- Please wear basketball shorts, a t-shirt, and sneakers to the tryouts
- Athletes need to attend all tryout days and times
Girls' Tryout Information
- Tryouts occur on October 20, 21, and 22 (must attend all three days)
- Tryouts begin at 6:45 AM each day (must be on time)
- Sign up on the clipboard by the girls' locker room entrance
- Questions? See Coach Karen Efron or Coach Toni Woods
Boys' Tryout Information
- Tryouts occur on November 3, 4, and 5 (must attend all three days)
- Tryouts begin at 4:20 PM on November 3 and 4, and at 6:15 AM on November 5 (must be on time)
- Questions? See Coach Pete Esposito
Fall Portrait Day is Monday, October 18
We are excited that Fall Portrait Day is coming! Portraits will be taken through students' PE, Health, and Kickstart classes on Monday, October 18. Students have already received paper copies of information and pricing. See images below for more details. You may also download the flyer given to the students (Spanish/English) by clicking the item below.
Visit www.mylifetouch.com and use Picture Day ID EVTXXN37J
WINGS - We Inspire New possibilities; we are Girls Soaring!
Attention all SLMS girls!!!! IT is time to think about what you are going to do for the school year. Study hard, get great grades, make new friends, and become involved are all wonderful choices you can make. One of those choices is joining the WINGS club, which is open to girls in ALL grades! Applications are available in the counseling office, or you may download and print an application below. Applications are due October 22, and the first meeting is October 27. See Mrs. Seright or any counselor with any questions you may have.
Yearbooks On Sale Online NOW! Only $40.00
Our yearbook staff is hard at work creating the yearbook for this year. You do not want to miss out. Yearbooks are $40.00, which is the same price as last year, and they may be purchased online by visiting this page on the Balfour website.
We still have copies of last year's yearbook available for sale, as well. They are $40.00, and may be purchased only with exact cash, money order, or check, and they are not available online. Please contact our Yearbook Sponsor, Ms. Simpson at alison.simpson@fortbendisd.com if you have any questions regarding this year's yearbook (or last year's yearbook).
Everyone Can Help with Pictures for the Yearbook
The yearbook staff cannot be everywhere to take pictures for the yearbook, but you can help them out! Download the Balfour ImageShare app to your device, and follow the instructions in the flyer below to be able to share pictures you have taken for possible inclusion in the yearbook. Pictures submitted must be school-relevant and appropriate. The yearbook staff and sponsor will determine which photos to include. Note that any inappropriate photos submitted will be referred to campus administration, and possibly to law enforcement, if warranted.
Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccinations & Pfizer Booster at SLMS - Saturday, October 30
Lending Library Devices and Technology
To provide technology for students that are quarantined and need to attend classes online, families can check out laptops from the SLMS library for a 2-week period. Currently we do not have hotspots available. This is an optional service for those who need it. Parents must first complete a form in Skyward called, Lending Library Agreement: 2021-22. It is a good idea for all students to have this form on file in case they suddenly need a device in the middle of the year. To request a device, contact Mr. Sinclair at david.sinclair@fortbendisd.com. Checkout is handled via no-contact curbside pickup. Parents may arrange a pickup time with Mr. Sinclair outside of normal arrival and dismissal hours in the front circle drive.
SLMS "Trunk or Treat" Family Event - Thursday, October 21
The SLMS Counseling Office is hosting TRUNK or TREAT on OCTOBER 21! The Event will be outside on the bus ramp side of the school from 5:30-6:30 PM. All students and families welcome to dress up and come walk the path of trunks to collect treats and say “Hi” to all of our neighboring schools and student organizations. It should be a fun family night! If you would like to donate candy to be passed out during this event, please drop it by the front office.
Birthday Messages on SLMS Marquee
Does your SLMS child have an upcoming birthday? Would you like to wish them a happy birthday on our new digital campus marquee? The PTO is coordinating birthday messages to go on our marquee as a means of raising funds to help meet needs of students and teachers. Publicizing your child's birthday is only $15.00. Please follow these simple steps to get your child's birthday announced on the marquee:
- Visit https://my.cheddarup.com/c/slmspto
- Scroll down to the "Happy Birthday Marquee" item
- Click "Add to Cart"; you are redirected to another screen where you will
- Enter information about your child and select the style of announcement you wish to see on the marquee
- Click "Add to Cart ($15.00)"
- Review your order
- Click "Continue to Forms"
- Enter your child's name and grade level
- Click "Continue to Payment" and finish your purchase
Note that submissions must be received at least two weeks ahead of the desired date to be posted on our campus marquee. Please contact Heather Martin of the SLMS PTO at heathermartincpa@gmail.com with questions. And feel free to order SLMS swag like hoodies, t-shirts, and more while you are ordering your child's birthday message!
Important Contact Information
- Associate Principal - Monika Martin (monika.martin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Nafecia Brinson (nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.com)
- Assistant Principal - Dr. Dawn Rogers (dawn.rogers@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Eleni Smith (eleni.smith@fortbendisd.com)
Eighth Grade
- Assistant Principal - Luster Goodwin (luster.goodwin@fortbendisd.com)
- Counselor - Kim Seright (kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.com)
Counselor Clerk - Carmen Brantley (carmen.brantley@fortbendisd.com)
Assistant Principal Secretaries
- 7th and 8th Grade - Tina Garcia (diamantina.ibarragar@fortbendisd.com)
- 6th Grade - Sherri Woodcock (sherri.woodcock@fortbendisd.com)
Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.com)
Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.com)
Nurse - Shetal Patel (shetal.patel@fortbendisd.com)
Clinic Aide - Cassandra Rodarte (cassandra.rodarte@fortbendisd.com)
Executive Assistant to Principal Fickel - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@fortbendisd.com)
Sugar Land Middle School
46 Years
1975-2021
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
#NewBeginnings
#Resilience
Office Hours
8:20-4:20 PM
Email: keith.fickel@fortbendisd.com
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
Twitter: @SLMSTitans