Be the Light Youth Association (BTL) is holding an Online Public Speaking and Debate Spring Workshop for 4th-10th graders. The workshop will be held on Sundays every week, starting from January 31st to May 9th, and new students will receive 15% off their registration fee! Over the past 3 years, BTL has hosted classes for 700+ students taught by nationally-recognized instructors, including two National and State champions. They’re excited to help students of all experience levels become confident, eloquent speakers this Spring, and 100% of proceeds will be donated to help underserved children. To register or learn more, visit bethelightyouth.org.
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. 
Please join us for a Virtual PTA General Assembly Meeting & Coffee with Dr. Perry!
Thursday, January 21st at 9:00 a.m.
Please sign up in advance for the meeting on our website at smspta.org. Meeting details and login information will be sent out on Wednesday, January 20th. A meeting recap will be included in our PTA Newsletter the Thursday following the meeting.
Upcoming Events:
Siblings of Children with Disabilities Learning Lab.
January 20th, Noon CST, FREE, registration and link to lab
Coffee and Chat Children's Mental Health Overview.
January 20th, 10AM CST, FREE (federally funded program) registration and link
Creative Parenting. January 20th, 10AM CST. Free. This workshop will highlight some of the unique challenges that go into parenting a child with a disability and guide parents to consider some “creative parenting” techniques. We will provide an opportunity for parents to consider their unique situation, then share and hear creative ideas from other parents.
How Sensory Issues Affect Children in School. January 21, 1:30PM CST
Embrace Differences Parent Support Group. January 26th Noon CST, FREE. Monthly support group for parents with children of different abilities.
Stress management and resiliency. January 28th, 10AM CST. This workshop helps parents understand the importance of managing their stress and building their resilience to stress. We will teach parents how to identify stressors and the main sources of their stress. We will discuss ways to deal with stress and improve resiliency, and then will teach parents some relaxation techniques that they can use to reduce their stress levels.
Any events listed are not associated with PISD or PTA, but provided with the intent to help parents.
Welcome back to Schimelpfenig for the start of the second semester of the 2020-2021 academic year!
Special greetings to all the students who are in virtual or face to face!
Special welcome to students new to Schimelpfenig and some who have returned Face-to-Face for the first time this week. It's a big building but it's full of friendly faces willing and able to help with any questions you might have.
Hope you all have a great semester!
This month, we have two important PTA Events coming up:
- Our Virtual Information Security Program for parents and students, postponed from December, will now be on Tuesday, January 19 at 6:00 p.m.
- Our next Virtual PTA General Assembly Meeting & Coffee with Dr. Perry will take place on Thursday, January 21 at 9:00 a.m.
Further details on both events, including advance signups, will be sent out next week.
In addition, the 87th Texas Legislative Session begins on Tuesday, January 12th. Public education issues and funding will be topics of importance. See documents HERE for Texas PTA and PISD Legislative Priorities.
Michele Rohleder
SMS PTA President
Thank you to all who donated to our World Wear bin. In December, we collected a total of 682 pounds and received $81.84!
Clean out your clutter of old toys, kitchen items, unused towels and bedding and of course CLOTHES! Bring them up to the BIG BLUE Bin located in the west parking lot.
Visit our Fundraising Page here for more information.
It’s hard to believe that it’s the middle of December, the winter solstice is upon us, and the year 2021 will soon be here.
There is light at the end of the tunnel that is 2020! Our winter break starts tomorrow, after an early release at 12:45, and we will see you back at Schimelpfenig MS on January 5, 2021.
From your SMS PTA Board, we wish you all:
Happy Holidays and Cheers to
a bright, healthy, prosperous new year!
TX PTA's Legislative Priorities for the 87th Legislative session. The 87th Legislature convenes on January 12th, 2021. Click here to check the document summarizing TX PTA's Legislative Priorities.
For more information visit here: Texas PTA - every child. one voice. (txpta.org)
It's that time of year to nominate a deserving staff member, parent or community member for PTA's highest honor, the Lifetime Membership or Extended Service Award.
These are the highest honors that can be given to a person from the Texas PTA and allows that individual know how much we appreciate their dedication to our children and SMS community. The Extended Service Award is given to individuals who are already Lifetime Members and have been actively involved in Texas PTA for a minimum of 10 years.
Please fill out the form and nominate any deserving candidates today!
Deadline extended to January 1, 2021.
If you have any questions, please contact membership@smspta.org
Due to a waiver issued from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), all Plano ISD students (whether enrolled in face-to-face instruction or School@Home) will receive free breakfast and lunch meals as long as funds are available.
For meal bundle pickup locations, schedules and menus visit www.pisd.edu/grabandgo. Anyone picking up meals without the student present, must bring appropriate documentation in the form of a school-issued ID, report card, parent portal attendance summary form, or birth certificate.
Our first virtual family program has been postponed due to a scheduling conflict.It’s not paranoia if they really are out to get you. An Information Security Primer for Parents and Students.
Further details and signup for this program will be available soon. Keep your eye on your email!
Thank you to all who donated to our World Wear bin. In November, we collected a total of 701 pounds and received $84.12!
Clean out your clutter of old toys, kitchen items, unused towels and bedding and of course CLOTHES! Bring them up to the BIG BLUE Bin located in the west parking lot.
Visit our Fundraising Page here for more information.
Pie Day 2020 was a huge success!
We received over 100 pies and were able to give a pie to every teacher and administrator, day and night custodial staff, FANS staff, bus drivers, and the crossing guard. We also received assistance from the Principals for the Day -- Sasha F. and Ella M. -- who delivered pies to the staff via the pie cart. Thank you to Sasha and Ella and to everyone who donated a pie(s) for our amazing Schimelpfenig staff!
This past Tuesday was Giving Tuesday, a day when people are encouraged to donate to the charity of their choice. You still have the opportunity to donate to your SMS PTA to support our students and staff on the PTA website!
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!
Michele Rohleder
SMS PTA President
Please also consider donating to the PISD CORE Store. Plano Council of PTAs is having a drive to restock the CORE Store. The CORE Store is accepting items for donation on December 5th and December 12th between 9 and 12. Please see the graphic below with a list of most needed items. Monetary donations can be made here.
Next week, the School Board meets on Tuesday, December 8th at 6:00 p.m. Our Plano Council of PTAs President, Tarrah Lantz, will be presenting a State of PTAs Address to the Board of Trustees. In addition, the Board will be voting on the calendar for the 2021-2022 school year. For more information about Board Meetings, click HERE.
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, November 27
- Thursday, November 28
- Friday, November 29
- Monday, December 2
- Tuesday, December 3
- Friday, December 6
- Saturday, December 7
- Monday, December 9
- Wednesday, December 11
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.
