JOIN THE AWARD-WINNING SMS PTA FOR 2024-2025!

Support the SMS students and teachers by showing that you value your child’s education by joining the PTA. Memberships start at $12 and students are only $6 with a parent membership! As a benefit to members only, you will have access to an online directory as well as PTA member discounts. Student members receive special discounts during our spring and fall socials and have the opportunity to be involved in leadership opportunities.

It's Friday night after a long week and you don't feel like cooking -- go to Panda Express for dinner!

When: Friday, September 17, 2021 | 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Where: Panda Express located at:

SPRING CREEK & COIT 5901 Coit Road, Plano TX 75093

(972) 596 - 0107

How to Order: PandaExpress.com or the App. Enter 327497 in the promo code box

Or Bring paper flyer or show it on your smartphone

National Arts in Education Week

This week, September 12-18, is National Arts in Education Week!

Parent Programs - Lunch & Learn PISD

Beginning September 14, Plano ISD’s Parent Education & Engagement Program (PEEP) will host 30-minute "Lunch and Learn" parent sessions for Plano ISD families on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12:15-12:45 p.m. on Facebook Live. Log on to join Plano ISD parent educators and other parents to explore evidence-based positive parenting strategies as a community. The first few sessions will focus on Dan Siegel's book "Whole Brain Child".

September 18th is National Cleanup Day!

Set up and register a local cleanup on September 18th!

Please click here for more information!

Thank you for coming!

Thank you to everyone who attended our PTA General Assembly Meeting and Virtual Coffee with the Principal on Thursday morning. Special thank you to our principal, Ms. Kinnard for speaking with us!

Summary of 9/2 General Assembly Meeting

For those of you who were not able to join us, here is a brief summary of the meeting:

The membership voted to approve our Proposed Budget, Records Retention plan, and second Tax Free day of 2021, and to adopt the Financial Reconciliation Committee report as presented.
Second Chance Spirit Wear Sale – online sale from Friday, September 3^rd through Wednesday, September 15^th. Don’t miss this last chance to order items from our 2021-22 Spirit Wear line, tax-free!
Membership – we currently have 479 members, making us eligible for the Head Start Award. Help us to win the Early Bird Achievement Award and reach 100% of last year’s total membership – 599 members by September 29^th! Membership is important to give TX PTA a strong voice!
Fundraisers – we continue with Amazon Smile, grocery stores, and the World Wear Bin Fundraiser, and are having Restaurant Nights this year. First one is September 17^th at Panda Express!
School & Academic Enhancements – Schimelpfenig has asked PTA to provide Math manipulatives and materials for all grade levels, headphones for Special Ed classes, and a new bench for the front of the school.
Goals for the year
- Increase membership – 599 members last year, we just need one more to make it 600. Also, have 100% staff members (Golden Apple Award) and 25 student members (Student Membership Award).
- Host at least two Parent programs and two student programs this year.
- Work with Schimelpfenig staff to plan a Diversity Day for students in the spring.
Highlights from Ms. Kinnard’s talk and question session:
- Philosophies
  - People first
  - Relationships are the foundation
  - Sense of belonging is important
  - Address the whole child
  - Family and Community – take care of each other
  - Little things matter!
- Areas of focus
  - Build relationships
  - Create opportunities for students to socialize and interact
  - Teach students to “do school” again
  - Health & Safety – be safe at school, masks with opt-out, no large in-person gatherings for first nine weeks, Covid letters currently going to specific people based on classroom exposure
- Badges required of all middle school students in PISD – must be worn every day and be visible – if lost, stolen, or damaged, cost to replace is $5
- Panther Pride Time – Daily for 30 minutes, extension of 4^th period – Advisory time – Activities will include Social Emotional Learning, team-building, life skills, club meetings, academic enrichment targeted to each student's needs.
- She is always available by email or phone. Telephone best!

Don’t forget to stay connected by continuing to visit our Facebook page and our website at smspta.org. As always, feel free to contact me any time at president@smspta.org with questions, problems, or if you just want to join our wonderful SMS PTA Board!

Thank you!

Michele Rohleder

Be the Light Speech and Debate Fall Workshop

Jasper HS Band Booster - Practice PSAT/ACT/SAT

To register or for more details, click HERE.

Second Chance Spirit Wear Sale - through 9/15

Show your Schimelpfenig school pride! Order your spirit wear today!

Pre-order your Spirit Wear from Friday, September 3rd through Wednesday, September 15th at 11:59 pm. Sizes Youth Large through Adult XL are available in each style. If you are interested in larger sizes, please contact us at spiritwear@smspta.org to see what we have in stock.

Distribution information will be announced at a later date.

Mark your calendars! Our first PTA General Assembly meeting will take place on Thursday, September 2nd at 9:00 a.m. Grab a cup of coffee and join SMS PTA and our guest speaker, Principal Kristen Kinnard, to vote on our budget and discuss plans for this year! Please sign up HERE.

A virtual town hall with AFT: Tuesday, Aug. 31

National PTA Executive Director Nathan R. Monell, CAE will be participating in a virtual town hall with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Tuesday, Aug. 31 at 5:45 p.m. CST on "Prioritizing Safety For Students and Staff Amid New COVID-19 Surge." Check it out.

Back to Class: Virtual Town Hall-Sept. 1st

Join us Live on Facebook for a Back to Class: Virtual Town Hall-Sept. 1st

First Lady Dr. Jill Biden will be joining National PTA's Back to Class Virtual Town Hall to bring special greetings to kick off the new school year.

Use #PTABacktoSchool on social media to join the conversation!

Cyber Security and Privacy

TikTok recently announced new youth safety features and steps they're taking to protect teens on the platform. Learn more on their Newsroom.

News from PISD

Parent and Family Engagement Program -- PISD offers many in-person and virtual classes to parents. Topics range from how to use the Parent Portal to Dealing with Sibling Rivalry and Adult ESL classes. Check out the calendar of classes with the QR code or at: https://tinyurl.com/mzwjups or download the flyer here.
The Plano ISD Board of Trustees held an Emergency Meeting on August 23rd in which they approved a measure to temporarily require indoor masking at all Plano ISD schools, facilities and district-provided transportation. This temporary measure will be effective through Friday, September 24, or until there is further guidance on GA-38 as a result of ongoing state and federal litigation or legislative action. Parents were provided an option to request an exemption for their student and the results of those requests are shared via a Mask Exemptions Dashboard. Families who missed the August 25 deadline to request an exemption can work with their campuses to submit a request.
Check the Plano ISD COVID Case Dashboard to keep up-to-date on reported cases.

Upcoming Events

No Upcoming Events

Full calendar

Tutorial Schedule

Student Club Schedule

Facebook

Schimelpfenig Middle School PTA

The mission of Plano ISD's Family Education and Guidance Services is to strengthen all families in the community by providing education, resources and services which support raising responsible, self-confident, emotionally healthy children in today's complex society. Please visit HERE to gain access to PISD supports that you and your family may wish to utilize throughout the year!

DISCLAIMER: The Schimelpfenig Middle School PTA is a noncommercial, nonsectarian, nonpartisan association that does not endorse any candidate or political party. This PTA does not endorse non-PTA products or services. If you have a concern, please contact a member of the PTA Executive Board.