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? 

As we #ThankATeacher this week, join National PTA live on Facebook Tuesday, May 3 at 7 p.m. EDT for A Teacher’s Perspective panel discussion. The panel will be moderated by Lisa Ann Walter of the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary and will feature U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel Cardona, National PTA President Anna King, NEA President Becky Pringle and a diverse group of educators from across the country.

On April 20th, we elected officers to lead Schimelpfenig MS PTA in the 2022-23 school year.  Congratulations to all!  We know you'll do a great job next year!

• President -- Nupoor Dave
• First VP, Programs -- Snehal Gudadhe
• Second VP, Membership -- Ioana Radulescu
• Third VP, Volunteers -- Abbie Furrow
• Fourth Vp, Ways & Means -- Terri Childress
• Fifth VP, Communications -- Teri Ellis
• Secretary -- Nickol Gallovich
• Treasurer -- Kelly Jo Luellen

The following Executive Board positions are open for the 2022-23 school year:  Arts in Education, Diversity, Environmental, Healthy Lifestyles, and Hospitality. If you are interested in any of these positions, please contact Nupoor Dave at nupoordave@gmail.com.

Please mark your calendars for our last General Membership Meeting of the 2021-22 school year on Thursday, May 19th at 6:00 p.m.

Thank you to the Schimelpfenig staff for providing dessert, coffee and tea for our meeting and the wonderful thank you video that they put together for volunteer appreciation week!

Michele Rohleder

SMS PTA President

Early voting starts today and continues through Tuesday, May 3 for the May 7th election on two Proposed Constitutional Amendments.  Both proposed amendments concern property taxes.  Find out more about this election and the primary runoff election on May 24th at:  Home - League of Women Voters of Collin County (lwvcollin.org) and About the Elections Division (texas.gov)

As part of the 2022 Congressional Art Competition, the public is invited to view a free, public art exhibition at the North Texas Performing Arts from now until May 1, 2022, featuring fifty-two original art entries from students in Texas' Third District. Additionally, constituents may view this year's impressive entries on Congressman Van Taylor's website. 

School Sports Are Back.  Where Are the Athletes? Student interest in school sports has nosedived since the start of the pandemic. Nearly 3 in 10 students who were athletes pre-pandemic are no longer interested in playing organized sports, according to a recent survey. This decline could have long-term consequences for students. Read the article.

Wednesday, April 27th from 6-8pm, EVENT: Yes, We Are: A community circles discussion on safety & security. Plano Senior High School cafeteria. This event is open to all PISD 9-12th graders, their families, and community members. This event was asked for by students to connect with their SROs and to give the students an opportunity to hear from the police department and PISD leadership. This is also a wonderful forum for community members to connect with each other about their safety & security concerns. Register HERE. 

Announcing the 2022-23 Reflections Theme:  Show Your Voice!   Each year, over 300,000 students in Pre-K through Grade 12 participate in the National PTA Reflections program, creating original works of art in response to a student-selected theme. Categories include Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography and Visual Arts. This year's theme was submitted by Jason Yevin from the Salk/Macarthur PTSA in New York. It's not too early for your student to start working on his or her Reflections submission for next year!