This week, February 1-5, is National School Counseling Week.
Thank you to our wonderful counselors for all that you do!
To "meet" our counselors -- Shealine Burks, Michelle Klena, and John Schlosser -- click HERE!
JOIN THE AWARD-WINNING SMS PTA FOR 2025-2026!
Support the SMS students and teachers by showing that you value your child’s education by joining the PTA. Memberships start at $13 and students are only $7 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.
If you missed our recent Cyber Security Program but would like to learn more about internet safety, you're in luck!
February 9th is international Safer Internet Day, and National PTA is hosting an entire week of digital safety experiences from February 8-12, 2021 to help PTAs and families create a safer, kinder, and more inclusive online community together. For further information and to register for family-friendly online workshops, go to: Safer Internet Day - Events | National PTA
On Tuesday, January 26th, we had a Special General Assembly Meeting to vote on extending the term of office of executive board members. Due to the difficulties of COVID-19, Texas PTA has approved a one-time extension of the term of office by one year in the same position with membership approval. Our membership voted to approve this extension, meaning that we will not need to elect a Nominating Board or have an election at our April General Assembly Meeting this year.
Therefore, your Schimelpfenig PTA Board for 2021-2022 is:
President: Michele Rohleder
1st VP Programs: Nupoor Dave
2nd VP Membership: Karen Gournay
3rd VP Volunteers: Stephanie Vaughn
5th VP Communications: Colleen Tiller
Secretary: Brenda Dunn
If you are interested in being part of the Schimelpfenig MS PTA Board next year, either in an Executive Board position or a Committee Chair position, please contact me at president@smspta.org.
At our PTA General Assembly meeting on Thursday, January 21st, we heard the following reports and presentations:
- We currently have 577 PTA members. We have earned the following Texas PTA Awards: Head Start (comeback - August), Early Bird (September), Snappy Increase (October), 3 Year High (November), Shining Star (December). We are working toward Golden Apple (all staff are PTA members), Student Membership, and MARS (Men Are Really Super) Awards
- Please keep filling the World Wear Bin in the Schimelpfenig parking lot, sync your Kroger card with our school, and use our Amazon Smile account when you make purchases on Amazon: PTA Texas Congress Schimelpfenig Middle School PTA
- The SMS PTA website has a new Programs tab, with links to various Parent Ed, Reflections, and SAGE programs from PISD, TX PTA, National PTA and other sources.
- Dr. Perry discussed the school population of 855 enrollment with 495 (58%) currently F2F, the Time Capsule reveal video and 25-year time capsule being planned by STUCO, and a Pep Rally planned for the Friday before Spring Break.
- Dawn Daley, our school nurse, discussed CDC and Collin County Health Department guidelines regarding Covid-19, discussed her role in tracking and reporting cases that affect Schimelpfenig, and encouraged parents to contact her if there are any questions about student health and/or quarantine rules.
- Michelle Klena, 7th grade counselor, discussed Mental Health aspects of Covid-19, the role our counselors have with reaching out and checking on students, and mentioned the many Family Resources links available on the Meet Your Counselors web page.
Please Note: visit our website at smspta.org, go to School Office, and click on Counseling and School Nurse in the drop down menu to find resources mentioned herein.
Michele Rohleder
Upcoming Events:
Siblings of children with disabilities. Feb 3, 6:30PM CST, Free. "It is important for parents to understand the unique challenges and benefits for children with special needs siblings. This workshop will explore those challenges and benefits, and offer ideas on how to help siblings express their feelings, fears and needs. Family unity is the goal!" https://prntexas.org/event/r10-siblings-of-children-with-disabilities-2/
Details through Facebook event link https://www.facebook.com/events/1346237712386331/
Any events listed are not associated with PISD or PTA, but provided with the intent to help parents.
We had our first program of the year 2021 on Cyber Security awareness. It was presented by – Zac Abraham, Security Manager, on January 19th 6pm.
It was a successful show with 30 parents and children.
If you have additional questions please feel free to reach out to the SMS VP Programs, programs@smspta.org.
References
- Phishing 101: https://staysafeonline.org/
blog/5-ways-spot-phishing- emails/ - Dangers of Social Media: https://www.ccsinet.com/blog/
social-media-cybersecurity/ - Have I been Hacked: https://haveibeenpwned.com/
Last chance to order your student a copy of the Schimelpfenig Yearbook!
Deadline to order is 1/29/21.
Order at: www.jostens.com/yearbookdeadl
Please join the National PTA on its YouTube channel for the 2021 Virtual Student Arts Showcase on January 26th at 7 p.m. EST, honoring the 200+ national awardees from the 2019-2020 Reflections program, showcasing works based on the theme: Look Within. Please RSVP for this virtual event at: 2021 Reflections Showcase RSVP Page (informz.net)
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.
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!
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.
