Only two more weeks to go, Panthers!  Encourage your students to keep working hard and finish the 2021-22 school year on a high note!  

This week is a busy one:

• Monday, May 16 -- Orchestra 7/8 Spring Concert
• Tuesday, May 17 -- 6th Grade STAAR Reading & Band 7/8 Spring Concert at 7:00 p.m. 
• Wednesday, May 18 -- 6h Grade STAAR Math & 8th Grade Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday, May 19 -- 6th grade STAAR Math from 8:30-12:45 & SMS PTA General Membership Meeting at 6:00 p.m. & Choir 7/8 Pop Concert at 7:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 20th -- 8th Grade Celebration from 12-3:30 p.m.

Michele Rohleder

SMS PTA President

Please join us on Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in the Schimelpfenig MS library for our last meeting of the 2021-22 school year, as we meet with members of the 2022-23 PTA board, announce our 2022 SMS PTA scholarship recipient, vote on the interim budget, and closeout another odd but great year at Schimelpfenig!

There will be an extended lunch and party for all 8th graders at the school on Friday, May 20th.  

The lunch will be from 12-1:30.  PTA is providing Sonic lunch for all students who sign up in advance; information is in your student's English Google Classroom.  (Cafeteria lunch or bringing lunch still remain as options.)  

The lunch will be outside, drinks & snacks will be available for all 8th graders, and there will be games -- Giant Jenga, Checkers, Dominoes, Corn Hole -- available to play. 

If you would like to volunteer to help with the lunch & party and/or can donate drinks or snacks or loan us a rolling cooler (it will be hot and we need cold drinks!), please sign up on the Signup Genius here: Parent Volunteers: 8th Grade Celebration (signupgenius.com).  Help us make this a fun day for our 8th graders!

Together, we can spread the message that we can take actions to improve our mental health just like our physical health far and wide, and encourage people to take the next step for #MentalHealthAction. Go to Mental Health Action Day to learn more and join the effort to shift from awareness to action on mental health.

Since the pandemic began, the phrase “learning loss” has become a frequently used term in the education field. What kind of “learning loss” are teachers actually seeing in their classrooms and how are they working to address it? Angela Burley, sixth grade social studies teacher and a 2021-2022 Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow, joins the show to share her perspective on the issue. Listen now.

Last week, our Schimelpfenig staff enjoyed treats, breakfast. and lunch in celebration of Teacher Appreciation Week.  Thank you to all our volunteers who helped make this happen and to the Panther families who dropped off extra treats for the teachers during the week!  Staff and students can continue to celebrate this week with the following theme days:

Monday, May 9 -- Hats off to Our Schim Staff! -- wear a school appropriate hat

Tuesday, May 10 -- Schim Staff Rocks -- wear a school appropriate band or artist shirt

Wednesday, May 11 -- Schim Staff and Students Are a League of Their Own -- wear a team jersey, hat, or shirt.

This week, all 7th and 8th graders will be taking STAAR Reading on Thursday, and some will be taking STAAR Math on Friday.  Remind your students to charge their chrome books, bring a book, water bottle, and snack to school on those days.  Good luck to all students who are testing this week!

Reminder to parents of current 6th and 7th graders: School Supplies for next year are on sale on the Schimelpfenig PTA website at smspta.org. The sale continues through Friday, May 27th. All pre-purchased supplies will be delivered to students at Panther Preview, which is scheduled for August 2nd. Only a limited number of supply packs will be available for sale at Panther Preview, so buy your supplies now!

Michele Rohleder

SMS PTA President

The Teacher Burnout Crisis.  In the last few years, teachers have faced unprecedented challenges that have left a lot of them feeling burnt out. Experienced educator and activist, Sofia Gonzalez, shares her thoughts on teacher burnout and how systemic changes could make teaching a more sustainable profession. Notes from the Backpack - Podcast For Families | National PTA

Read this Op Ed by Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, sharing how the Department of Education is showing their appreciation by making year-round investments to support and lift up our nation’s teachers:  Teacher appreciation means taking action to solve causes of burnout (usatoday.com)

PTA's annual school supply sale has started!  If your child(ren) will be at Schimelpfenig next year, please consider purchasing school supplies through PTA.  The sales form can be found through your account at HERE.  Deadline is Friday, May 27.

This week is Teacher Appreciation Week!  Please join us in celebrating the wonderful teachers and staff at Schimelpfenig Middle School!  #ThankATeacher

Mark you calendars with these important dates at Schimelpfenig in May:

• Tuesday, May 3 -- Algebra EOC Exam
• Thursday, May 5 -- 8th Grade STAAR Science 
• Friday, May 6 -- 8th Grade STAAR Social Studies 
• Thursday, May 12 -- 7th & 8th Grade STAAR Reading 
• Friday, May 13 -- 7th & 8th Grade STAAR Math
• Tuesday, May 17 -- 6th Grade STAAR Reading 
• Wednesday, May 18 -- 6th Grade STAAR Math & 8th Grade Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m.(student arrival at 6:00)
• Thursday, May 19 -- SMS PTA General Membership Meeting at 6:00 p.m.
• Friday, May 20 -- 8th Grade Lunch & Celebration 
• Friday, May 27 -- Early Release -- LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Here are some tips to help make testing days go smoothly:

• Make sure your student(s) starts the day with a good breakfast, whether at home or in school;
• Remind your student(s) to charge their Chromebook overnight and bring the charger to school;
• Send your student with a book to read, a water bottle, and a snack;
• Remind your student(s) to dress appropriately -- some rooms feel chilly after sitting for four hours;
• Tell them:  Relax!  Take your time!  You're going to do great today!

Michele Rohleder

SMS PTA President

Since 1949, mental health organizations across America have observed May is Mental Health month.  This year, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is using this month to spread the message "Together for Mental Health" and bring all voices together to advocate for mental health and access to care.  Find more information about NAMI here: Mental Health Month | NAMI: National Alliance on Mental Illness and about Mental Health America here: Mental Health Month | Mental Health America (mhanational.org). 

Episode 57: Fostering Student Motivation. This month, Notes from the Backpack - Podcast For Families | National PTA is premiering a new Teacher Talk Miniseries.  The first episode features Education Week writer and Educator, Larry Ferlazzo.  New episodes will be released May 4, May 11, and May 18 in honor of Teacher Appreciation Month. Teachers will share answers to questions like:  

• What is it like to be a teacher right now?  
• What do you wish families knew about your job? 
• How can families partner with teachers to advocate for change in our schools?