SLMS Parents and Guardians,

Reminder - No School on November 1, 2024.

Updates to the newsletter:

• Book Fair
• Costa Rica Student Trip
• NWEA MAP Student Assessment
• Giftd and Talented Newsletter
• Boys Basketball Schedule
• PTO Updates

Sincerely,

Dr. Latoya Garrett

Principal

#weareTITANS

SLMS’s Fall Book Fair is here! Come by the library from 11-4 to 11-8 to shop all your favorite titles, get a head start on Holiday shopping, and check out our posters and school supplies! No cash? No problem! Prefer to shop from the comfort of your own home? We got you covered! Check out our online bookfair at https://www.scholastic.com/bf/sugarlandmiddleschool. Every item purchased supports the library and helps our Titans grow as readers, so be sure to come by the Book Fair! Happy reading!

Get excited! Mrs. Pratt is leading a student tour to Costa Rica for Summer 2026 and you’re invited. RSVP for our informational session on November 13, 2024 at 6:00 PM here: https://rsvp.eftours.com/zczz6hw

Ready to make the world your classroom? We’ll be traveling to the most biodiverse country in the world to see wildlife, experience different ecosystems, and have a bunch of fun. Register here for the info meeting to learn how you can join: https://rsvp.eftours.com/zczz6hw

NWEA MAP assessments are given at the beginning, middle, and end of the year to determine a student’s zone of proximal development and to monitor growth. Our students took these assessments in math, reading, and science. Their scores will be viewable in Skyward by Friday, November 1st at the end of the day.

As with any assessment, many factors can affect a student's scores. It is important to understand that these scores provide only one picture of how a student is doing in school. Please contact your child's teacher for additional information about their progress. For more information, please visit Family Toolkit - NWEA.

All students got a visit from their school counselor about SchooLinks! SchooLinks is the college and career platform for FBISD. It is also where we will do Course Selection and Four-Year-Planning. Please log in and create a parent account, so you can see what career activities we are up to!

Attention 8th grade students and parents!

The Fort Bend ISD Academy Applications for the 2025-2026 School Year is now open. Applications are available until 11/30/2024. Please use the link below to get started!

Fort Bend ISD Academy Application

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Seright at 281-634-3085, Kimberly.Seright@fortbendisd.gov

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, please reach out to your child’s grade level counselor:

Nafecia Brinson-6

Nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.gov

281-634-3087

Eleni Smith-7

Eleni.smith@fortbendisd.gov

281-634-3086

Kimberly Seright-8

Kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.gov

281-634-3085

Attention Student-Athletes!To play sports, you must be GREEN in Rank One.

• November 1: Student/Teacher Holiday
  
• November 11: Student/Teacher Holiday - Veterans Day

Thankful Greetings Titan Families!

November is here and we have a few fun opportunities and events planned that we would like to share with you! First, the SLMS Library is hosting their Fall Book Fair 11/4-11/8 and could use some volunteer help all week long or you could just visit the fair and shop! There will be having a PTO General Meeting on 11/17 at 6pm in the SLMS Commons. We will go over the budget and upcoming events and also have discounted spirit wear for sale. Our Fall Staff Appreciation Luncheon will be on 11/12 and we are having a Hot Diggity Dog Luncheon. Families are encouraged to donate and/or volunteer at the luncheon. Lastly, our November Spirit Night will be at Lopez Mexican Restaurant on 11/19 from 11am-9pm at the Wilcrest Location. Write your name/phone number on your receipt and drop your receipt at the front checkout to be entered in a $30 Lopez Gift Card Raffle! Spirit Nights are fun way to raise funds for the school and also bring the Titan community together. Consider inviting a fellow Titan family, neighbor or relative to join you at one of next spirit nights!

Book Fair Volunteer Sign-Up

Fall Luncheon Sign-Up

Congratulations to our September VIPS of the Month: Mrs. Cheryl Lim. Thank you for all you do for SLMS, Mrs. Lim!

Helpful PTO Links & Dates

• Become a PTO Member - membership is free and includes access to our monthly newsletter
• Become an approved Volunteer - all volunteers must complete an annual district background check
• Make a one time donation via Cheddar Up or a recurring donation via PayPal.
• Purchase Spirit Items through our Cheddar Up Store
• Purchase a Happy Birthday Marquee Greeting through our Cheddar Up Store
• Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) and bookmark our website: http://www.slmspto.weebly.com
• Donate used clothing & toys to the Textile Bin located near the bus ramp. Please do not place oversized items at the bin.
• Become a SLMS Mentor - complete the mentor form and return to Mrs. Seright
• Become a Community Business Sponsor

Upcoming Spirit Nights - Mark Your Calendar!

• 11/19 Lopez Mexican Restaurant - $30 Gift Card Raffle for Dine-In Guests **see front checkout for raffle entry
• 12/6-12/8 Lazy Dog Restaurant - Stafford

Thank you to all the parents and Titan staff who have joined/renewed their membership and donated to support our efforts! Questions? Contact us atslmsmembership@gmail.com. Volunteer questions? Contact us at slmstitansvips@gmail.com

Together we are TITANS!

SLMS PTO

Support our students and staff by setting up a monthly donation to PTO. You can set this automatic donation starting at a few dollars. Remember that every dollar helps our PTO do AMAZING things for our community.

When a new badge is printed for a student, a fine will be assessed in Skyward. Theh parent will receive an email with a link to pay Revtrak. The standardized fee of $8 will be placed on the Skyward account for the student.

Students must comply with the following dress and grooming standards, including in online learning platforms.

Sugar Land MS Cell Phone Expectations

• Phones must be powered off and stored in the students' backpacks during the instructional day (8:20 AM - 4:10 PM).
• When students arrive on campus in the morning, they will report to their assigned area (commons or gyms). Students will be permitted to use their phones on occasion at lunch and after dismissal.
• Students may not use their phones or devices to access and use any social media at any time while students are on campus, including before and after school activities.
• Students may not use their phones to take photos or videos at any time while they are on campus unless they have special permission.
• Phone use in the locker room or restroom is considered a severe violation and will be considered the fourth offense.
• If the cell phone rules are broken or if a student misuses their own instructional device, the following steps will be taken:
• First Offense—The device is confiscated and delivered to the front office for end-of-day student pickup. The student receives a Skyward referral.
• Second Offense—Same as the first offense.
• Third Offense—The offense is recorded in Skyward with a referral, a $15 fine is assessed and the parent/guardian will need to pick up the phone. (per policy in the current FBISD Student/Parent Handbook).
• Fourth Offense or Severe Violation—Student receives a $15 fine, a parent must pick up the phone, and a referral submitted to their administrator.
• If a student needs to call home for any reason, they can use the phone in the office or in the classroom with permission.
• FBISD schools are not responsible for the loss or theft of student-owned devices per district policy. The student is responsible for retrieving the phone at the end of the day for the first and second offense.

Frequently asked questions:

• So what are SLMS cell phone expectations? When students enter SLMS until the end of the instructional day, students will turn off their cell phones and keep them in their backpacks. Students who do not follow the expectations will have their cell phones confiscated per the district parent-student handbook.
• What if I need to contact my student during the school day? If a parent needs to contact their student during the instructional day regarding transportation or for emergencies they may call 281-634-3080.
• What if my student is not responding to my text messages? This is a great way to see if your student is following the school expectations. As long as they are not responding between 8:20 AM and 4:10 PM, be proud that your student is following the school rules.
• How will my child tell me that they forgot something at home and need for me to bring it up to school? At Sugar Land, part of our mission is to develop independence. You can help us by allowing your child to experience the natural consequence of forgetting something at home. If it is schoolwork, then they receive the late work points taken off. If it is shoes for PE, then they may have to sit out. If it is their lunch, then they receive a meal from the cafeteria at no cost to them this year.
• What if my child sends me a text from the restroom. Phone use in the locker room or restroom is considered a severe violation and will be considered the fourth offense. Fourth Offense or Severe Violation means that the student is fined, a parent must pick up the phone, and a referral is submitted to their administrator.

Support and talk with your child ahead of time about our Sugar Land Cell Phone Policy to help ensure they follow the rules and do not get their cell phone taken up. For some students this will not be a big deal, for others, they will need to understand following school rules is important.

Sixth Grade

• Associate Principal - Monika Martin (monika.martin@fortbendisd.gov)
• Counselor - Nafecia Brinson (nafecia.brinson@fortbendisd.gov)

Seventh Grade

• Assistant Principal - Dawn Rogers (dawn.rogers@fortbendisd.gov)
• Counselor - Eleni Smith (eleni.smith@fortbendisd.gov)

Eighth Grade

• Assistant Principal - Luis Mercedes (luis.mercedes@fortbendisd.gov)
• Counselor - Kim Seright (kimberly.seright@fortbendisd.gov)

Counselor Clerk - Asia Stewart (asia.stewart@fortbendisd.gov)

Assistant Principal Secretaries

• 7th and 8th Grade - Tina Garcia (diamantina.ibarragar@fortbendisd.gov)
• 6th Grade - Mayra Morales (mayra.morales@fortbendisd.gov)

Attendance - Mary Beth LaVergne (mary.lavergne@fortbendisd.gov)

Registrar - Tandi Phillips (tandi.phillips@fortbendisd.gov)

Nurse - Gwendolyn Davis (gwendolyn.davis@fortbendisd.gov)

Clinic Aide - Cathy Tekrouri (cathy.tekrouri@fortbendisd.gov)

Executive Assistant to Principal - Mary Connealy (mary.connealy@fortbendisd.gov)

Principal - Dr. Latoya Garrett (latoya.garrett@fortbendisd.gov)

49th Year at SLMS

1975-2024

Inspiring and equipping the young men and women of our community for futures beyond what they can imagine since September 2, 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.

#weareTITANS

Office Hours

8:20-4:20 PM

Email: latoya.garrett@fortbendisd.gov
Website: www.fortbendisd.com/slms
Location: 321 7th Street, Sugar Land, TX, USA
Phone: (281) 634-3080
X: @SLMSTitans