We discussed our plans for the spring semester and heard from Ms. Kinnard about the happenings at Schimelpfenig MS.  Here are the highlights:

• We announced our PTA Lifetime Members:  Karen Gournay and Mitch Matuska.  Karen has been our VP of Membership for the past two years.  She has been an active volunteer at Schimelpfenig and other PISD schools for many years with her three children and also teaches in PISD.  Mitch has taught 8th grade History and PACE at Schimelpfenig for many years.  He chairs the History Department and PACE Department at Schimelpfenig and continues to be enthusiastic about teaching our children about history.  Congratulations to Karen and Mitch!
• We elected our Nominating Committee.  The nominating committee is responsible for recruiting the best-qualified PTA executive board candidates to lead your SMS PTA for the 2022-23 school year.  Please consider serving on the board next year; contact information for the nominating committee will be available soon!
• PTA Events dates in February:
  • Monday, February 14th -- We need your help to set up an awesome Valentine's Treat Bar for the staff.  Please sign up here if you are able to donate items.
  • Monday, February 28th -- The In-N-Out Burger Cookout Fundraiser is coming to Schimelpfenig!  February 28th is Middle School Open House night, and the Cookout truck will be at the school before the Open House.  Tickets for meals will be sold in advance for $5.  Meals will include a hamburger or cheeseburger (with lettuce, tomato and spread), potato chips, and a soft drink.  (Plain burgers or grilled cheese sandwiches will also be available.)  Tickets will be on sale soon!  
• Ms. Kinnard updated us on the following
  • New 6th grade English teacher started this week; Spanish 8 has a long-term substitute; still searching for a nurse and 8th grade English teacher.
  • Recognized the following teachers:
    • Shelby Rose -- Teacher of the Year Nominee 
    • Tiffany Prda -- TI STEM Teacher Nominee
  • New cell phone policy -- phones must be put away during class to minimize distractions
  • Reading Initiative -- grant and matching funds from the school
  • Important spring semester dates:
    • March 4 -- Lunchapalooza
    • April 14 -- Multicultural Day
    • Spring Testing -- 7th grade reading field test and TELPAS in February; STAAR testing in May.
• School of Excellence -- in the next step in our path to earning the School of Excellence, SMS PTA will be assisting the school with the Reading Initiative.  More details will be coming soon about how students, parents, and community members can be part of the Reading Initiative and help encourage all Schimelpfenig students to read more books!  

Michele Rohleder, 

SMS PTA President