Welcome to Sartartia Middle School Home of the

Welcome to Sartartia Middle School Home of the Jaguars 6 th Grade Counselor - Katherine Friedel Katherine. Friedel@fortbendisd. com (281) 634 -6320

MEET OUR STAFF Mrs. King-Knowles, Principal Mrs. Lisa Padron, Associate Principal (Interim) Mr. Scott Wagoner, Assistant Principal Mr. Carl Peters, 6 th Grade Assistant Principal Mrs. Katherine Friedel, 6 th grade Counselor Mrs. Tamika Ewing, Lead Counselor/7 th grade Mrs. Rachel Mc. Cune, 8 th grade Counselor

EXEMPLARY EDUCATION EVERYDAY! Earned 6 Distinctions in Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies Academic Achievement, Top 25% Closing Performance Gaps, Postsecondary Readiness 98% Satisfactory Levels in Math 95% Satisfactory Levels in Reading 99% Advanced Level Performance on Algebra EOC 94% Satisfactory Levels in Writing 98% Satisfactory Levels in Science 98% Satisfactory Levels in Social Studies

WE ARE SARTARTIA STRONG! The SMS 7 th and 8 th grade volleyball teams raised nearly $700 for the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer Awareness Month last October. Sartartia’s PTO raised more than $20, 000 during the school’s inaugural Jaguar Dash 5 K/1 mile sprint and Jag Challenge. Sartartia’s National Junior Honor Society knows the importance of leadership, and had the opportunity to visit with Sugar Land Mayor Joe. R. Zimmerman during his visit to the school in January. Eighth graders at Sartartia Middle School had the opportunity to visit with professionals from a variety of career paths during their annual Career Day. Our theatre production, #Viral, took second place in the FBISD District One Act Play

WE ARE SARTARTIA STRONG! Advanced Theatre donated the funds of their fall productions to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, totaling $1060. Five teams of girls have been commissioned by partner nonprofits in the area to design mobile apps to help make a difference in the community as part of Google’s Code For Change competition. Band had 29 students qualify for one of the three region bands this year. We have performed at the high school football games; attended FBISD Band Night; completed concerts at BBE, WSE and CSE; had a successful Fall Pep Rally, Veteran’s Day assembly and Winter Concert. 19 students from Sartartia participated in the FBISD Difference Makers Summit and our working with Ms. King-Knowles on how to implement their ideas at school

WE ARE SARTARTIA STRONG! SMS Algebra Quiz Bowl Team earned 1 st place in the middle school competition! 8 th grade B team boys basketball were division champions this year 8 A girls basketball Division champions Our art students showcased their artwork at the Sugar Land Museum of Natural Science during the month of October. Consecutive Orchestra Sweepstakes Awards since the school opened in 2001. Texas Music Educators Association State Honor Orchestra Finalist

WE WANT OUR SCHOOL TO BE… Fun! Relevant! A Communit y! Safe!

5 WAYS WE COMMUNICATE (AND MORE!) 1. Edmodo Edmodo is an online social learning platform for students, teachers, and parents Posted assignments, online resources, video sharing, class and group discussions Customizable color-coded calendar for classes and upcoming assignments and tests Parents can have separate accounts per child Parents can access multiple children on one parent account The Edmodo App can be accessed from mobile devices Information about getting an account will be sent home with your child 2. Twitter Follow us @SMS Jaguars Keep up to date with short messages about events happening at SMS Choose to receive our tweets as text messages

5 WAYS WE COMMUNICATE (AND MORE!) 3. Skyward Family Access (parent account) Skyward Student Access (student account) View your child’s gradebook, attendance, and tardies Receive emails when your child is missing an assignment or is marked absent from class Update your information (email address, phone numbers, emergency contacts, etc. ) Add money to your child’s lunch account Message your child’s teacher(s) To create an account, visit http: //www. fortbendisd. com/departments/technology/familyaccess or contact Latoya Bell at 281 -634 -6323 or email Latoya. Bell@fortbendisd. com 4. School Messenger Phone outs and email blasts directly from SMS Utilizes primary phone number and email address

5 WAYS WE COMMUNICATE (AND MORE!) 5. Sartartia Website http: //www. fortbendisd. com/sms Link to SMS event calendar Weekly announcements Information on upcoming events Links to faculty contacts Other Parent/teacher conferences Individual emails or phone calls Student Planners Counseling Webpage

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS Band Orchestra Art Theatre Choir Contest Math Science and Robotics Club (GT) Skateboard Club Spanish Club Art Club Sweethearts Dance Team Geography Club (GT) Book Club (GT) Gaming Guild Media Production Club Archery Club J-walkers Fearless and Bold (FAB) Club Do It Yourself (DIY) Club Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

CLUBS AND PROGRAMS Spelling Bee History Fair Science Fair Math Club (GT) Geography Bee Competition National Junior Honor Society - Spring of 7 th grade year(Leadership) Student Council – Campus student representative group. All grade levels (Leadership) PALS - Community service organization for 8 th grade students – Applications in the Spring semester of 7 th grade. UIL Sports (7 th AND 8 TH GRADE ONLY TRY OUT REQUIRED) Volleyball Basketball Football Soccer Track Tennis SMS Jaguar Cheerleaders SMS Sweethearts

th 6 How is grade different from 5 th grade?

TOP TEN DIFFERENCES Lockers Tardies 6 Teachers ZAP Hall Changes Dress Code Bigger Classes PE Locker Room Three Lunch Lines More Homework

STUDENT KEYS TO SUCCESS IN 6 TH GRADE 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Be organized Ask for help Attend tutorials Get involved in a club or activity Develop good study habits Get to know your counselor team

WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP MY CHILD ADJUST? Talk to your child daily(classes, friends, day to day) Help them get and stay organized (binders, folders) Encourage independence and decision making skills; encourage a study routine Encourage your child to ask teachers for help and attend tutorials Communicate with your child’s teachers regularly

Attendance In Middle School…. If you are absent ANY time of the day, even for only one class period, it counts as an absence in the system. The 10 am verification time is only for Elementary school.

IS PRE-AP RIGHT FOR MY STUDENT? Faster pace Requires a strong work ethic and commitment to see success Pre-AP courses demand more study time and independent projects More rigorous course content Do not have to take Pre-AP in all subjects; unless identified as GT

Course Selection Course selection sheets were issued the week of February 6 th to campus counselor • Electives – Choose 4 and rank them in preference order from 1 -4 (spaces are limited in some courses; full-year and cannot be changed) • Skyward Student Access – Enter requests into Skyward with elementary teachers and counselor • Signatures and Date – Parent and student signatures required • Due Date – Thursday, March 9 th to 5 th grade teacher/counselor

Electives Students should select 4 electives and number them by preference online and on hard copy of course selection sheet. 1 as their first choice, 2 as their second choice, etc. (2 -4 as Alternates) 6 th grade elective choices are: Art I Band Orchestra Theatre Arts (limited spaces) Choral Music Contest Math

Skyward Student Access February 27 -March 10 • Students must enter their elective course requests in Skyward Student Access (student login, NOT parent login) • Students will have an opportunity to select their academic courses and electives online at their elementary school (on-level or pre-ap) Additional information can be found at: http: //www. fortbendisd. com/Page/984

Course Selection Timeline • March 9 th – course selection sheets due back to 5 th grade teachers/counselor • April 12 th – Verification sheets will be posted on Skyward Student Access and a hard copy will be sent home. If you wish to make changes, please draw a line through the elective(s) chosen and indicate your preferences. Parent signature is required! Even if no changes are needed, please sign and return by April 21 st.

Questions and Answers Questions? 6 th Grade Counselor - Katherine Friedel Katherine. Friedel@fortbendisd. com (281) 634 -6320 Counseling Office Secretary Ms. Bowdary- 281 -634 -6411