PUMA PRESS

Spring Break: Recharge, Refocus, and Relax

As the flowers begin to peek through and the days get a little longer, it can only mean one thing: Spring Break is here! After a busy winter term filled with projects, tests, and extracurriculars, this upcoming week is a vital opportunity for our students (and parents!) to hit the "reset" button. Whether you’re heading out on a family road trip or enjoying a quiet "staycation" at home, here are a few ways to make the most of the time off:

1. Prioritize Physical Rest

The school year is a marathon. Use this week to catch up on sleep and step away from the early morning alarms. A well-rested brain is more creative, less stressed, and ready to tackle the final push toward summer.

2. Unplug to Reconnect

Consider a "digital detox" for a day or two. Swap the tablets and gaming consoles for:

• A local hike or a trip to the park.

• Board game marathons or family movie nights.

• Spring baking projects (who doesn't love a fresh batch of lemon bars?).

3. Keep the "Learning Spark" Alive

Learning doesn’t have to feel like homework. Spring Break is the perfect time for low-pressure exploration. Visit a local museum, start a small backyard garden, or finally dive into that book series your child has been eyeing.

A Quick Reminder: School will be closed from Monday, March 16th through Friday, March 20th. Classes will resume on Monday, March 23rd.

We wish all of our families a safe, joyful, and refreshing break. We can’t wait to see our students back in the halls, recharged and ready for a fantastic spring semester!

📅 Upcoming Events

• Mar. 16-20: Spring Break Week

• Mar. 27 (Fri): Report Card available in HAC (3rd Nine Weeks)

• Mar. 28 (Sat.): STAAR Saturday for English Language Arts Reading (6th,7th,8th Grades) & STAAR Saturday for Social Studies (8th grade only)

• Mar. 30 (Mon):Varsity Tenor Bass Choir UIL Contest

• Mar. 31 (Tues): Varsity Treble Choir & Non-Varsity Treble Choir UIL Contest

• Apr. 2 (Thurs): 6th Grade Choir Festival @ Davis HS

• Apr. 8-11: TSA State Competition in Ft. Worth

• Apr. 10 (Fri): Choir Skate Night

• Apr. 14 (Tues): STAAR English Language Arts Reading Test (Grades 6-8)

• Apr. 16 (Thurs): STAAR Social Studies Test (Grade 8 only)

• Apr. 21 (Tues): STAAR Science Test (Grade 8 only)

• Apr. 28 (Tues): STAAR Math Test (Grades 6-8)

To all the parents and guardians who traded their morning coffee at home for a seat in our classrooms: Thank you. On March 6, we hosted our first-ever Parent Day, and the energy in the building was nothing short of electric. It’s one thing to hear about school at the dinner table; it’s another thing entirely to live it. We were so impressed by your willingness to dive back into the world of class novels and labs alongside your students.

The day started on a high note with a warm welcome from Mr. McAfee. After a quick greeting, he led our parents on a guided walk around the building. It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the halls where our students grow, learn, and occasionally are tardy.

Seeing parents sitting at desks, taking notes, and participating in class discussions was the highlight of the day. Whether you were tackling a complex math problem or analyzing a piece of literature, your presence provided a unique bridge between home and school life.

To wrap up the experience, the library was filled with laughter and "debriefing" sessions as families shared their favorite moments from the days lessons.

We believe that a strong partnership between families and faculty is the secret sauce to student success. Thank you for making our inaugural Parent Day a resounding success. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

Plummer Middle School is proud to celebrate the accomplishments of our Technology Student Association (TSA) students who have advanced to the Texas TSA State Conference, which will be held April 8–11, 2026 at the Fort Worth Convention Center. This marks the third time Plummer TSA has advanced to the State Conference. What makes this accomplishment even more exciting is that this year’s team consisted of all new competitors with zero returning members, and every student who competed at the Regional Competition advanced to State. Students advancing to the Texas TSA State Conference include: • Viviana Antonio Gonzalez – Children’s Stories & Leadership Strategies • Misael Antonio-Gonzalez – TSA eSports • Keily Medina – TSA eSports • Madison Proshee – Children’s Stories & Leadership Strategies • Malachi Proshee – Prepared Speech & Leadership Strategies • Ivan Rojas – Leadership Strategies • Susan Sanchez – Children’s Stories • Kelvin Tran – Cybersecurity • Osiris Bruce – TSA eSports • Jeremy Sue – TSA eSports.

This year also marked an exciting milestone for our program as Plummer Middle School hosted the first-ever eSports Madden Tournament on Sunday, February 22, 2026. In their first year competing, our TSA eSports team earned 2nd place at the Regional Competition and placed 15th overall, qualifying them to advance to the State Conference. Through TSA, students develop important skills in leadership, creativity, problem solving, teamwork, and technology innovation. These experiences help prepare students for future opportunities in STEM and technology-related careers.

TSA Advisor Mrs. Tanisha Albrite, known to students as “Coach TinkHERbell,” shared: “Great things happen when students believe in themselves. When they believe, they grow, lead, and discover just how far their potential can take them."

We are incredibly proud of our Plummer TSA Pumas and wish them the best as they represent our school at the Texas TSA State Conference. Go Pumas! 🐾

We are thrilled to share some incredible news with our school community! Our very own Mrs. Sarr has been officially selected as the SHABE (Suburban Houston Association for Bilingual Education) Secondary ESL Teacher of the Year.

This prestigious award is a massive milestone. SHABE is a premier organization dedicated to promoting bilingual, biliterate, and multicultural education. To be recognized by them at the district level is a true testament to Mrs. Sarr's unwavering commitment to our students' academic and personal growth.

A Heart for Our Students

Mrs. Sarr doesn't just teach a curriculum; she champions a culture of belonging. Her classroom is a space where bilingualism is celebrated as a superpower rather than a hurdle. We are incredibly blessed to have her expertise and passion on our campus every day.

In Her Own Words

When asked about the honor, Mrs. Sarr shared a powerful reflection on what drives her work:

"Being recognized by SHABE is deeply humbling because it reflects not only my work, but the journeys of my students and the educators who supported me along the way. My experiences as an immigrant and English language learner continue to guide my teaching, reminding me daily that education is most powerful when it is rooted in empathy, justice, and belief.

My commitment to bilingual education is personal, professional, and enduring. As long as there are students who doubt their worth because of the language they speak, I will continue to teach, advocate, and lead with the understanding that multilingualism is not a barrier to success—it is a bridge."

Join Us in Congratulating Her!

We couldn't be prouder to see Mrs. Sarr recognized on such a grand stage. Her leadership is a "bridge" for so many of our students, helping them navigate their education with confidence and pride in their heritage.

Please join us in giving a huge Congratulations to Mrs. Sarr for this well-deserved honor!

Ms. Truelson & Mr. Steward would like to thank the Choir students who showed up and showed out at Pre-UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest on Friday, March 6th at MacArthur HS. The Varsity Tenor Bass Choir, Varsity Treble Choir, and Non-Varsity Treble Choir all received some great comments and suggestions from the judges. All 3 Choirs are busily preparing for UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest as it quickly approaches.

Join us for an exclusive community event for families of children with disabilities. There will be food, sensory activities, and resources to assist and empower families. Mark your calendar, gather the family, and come enjoy a fun day in the park. Únase a nosotros en un evento comunitario exclusivo para familias de niños con discapacidades. Habrá comida, actividades sensoriales y recursos para ayudar y capacitar a las familias. Marque su calendario, reúna a la familia y venga a disfrutar de un divertido día en el parque. East Aldine District Park | 2800 Aldine Mail Rt. | April 11 | 10AM-1PM

📣 Get Ready for Cheer Tryouts!

Hello Parents and Guardians,

It’s time to gear up for the upcoming cheer season! To ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone, please review the requirements and important dates below.

📋 Mandatory Requirements

Before any student can step onto the mat for tryouts, they must have the following on file:

• Current Athletic Physical

• Proof of Insurance

Where to find forms: You can download the athletic physical packets on the Aldine ISD website under the Athletics Department → Sports Medicine tab.

🗓️ Important Dates & Locations

Please mark your calendars for the following sessions. Attendance during the practice days is highly encouraged to ensure students are prepared for the final evaluation.

If you have any questions regarding the process or the required paperwork, please feel free to reach out to Ms. Banks. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation in making this a great season for our athletes!

Go Cheer Team!

Here are a few reasons why it is important for students to read on a regular basis:

• Improves academic success: Reading helps students absorb information, understand complex concepts, and express their ideas. Studies show that the most successful students read the most.

• Enhances vocabulary and fluency: Reading helps students build a stronger vocabulary and language fluency.

• Expands knowledge: Reading exposes students to new cultures and concepts, and helps them build a robust knowledge of the world.

• Improves social-emotional well-being: Reading can help students develop better social and emotional well-being.

• Helps students understand the world: Reading helps students understand broader issues in their communities and beyond.

• Helps students through difficult times: Reading can help students through their own personal rough spots.

• Encourages participation in conversations: Reading encourages students to participate in conversations about the world around them.

• Improves concentration and curiosity: Reading improves concentration and curiosity.

• Promotes inner calm: Reading promotes inner calm.

We recommend that children read for 20 minutes a day to boost literacy skills and foster a love of reading. Encourage your child to check out library books from Plummer Middle School's Library! It is also recommended that your child has access to books at home.

The Spring Break vaccination clinic will be held on March 19th at:

St. Leo the Great Catholic Church

Monte Carmelo Building

2131 Lauder Road Houston, TX 77039

This vaccination clinic is available for free to all students and siblings. Instead of scheduling multiple appointments across different days, you can ensure all your children are up-to-date in a single visit.

As a friendly reminder, we ask that all parents complete the Senate Bill 12 Consent Forms as soon as possible. This new legislation requires parental consent for a variety of school-based services and activities, including participation in clubs, and receiving certain health and counseling services.

To ensure your child has uninterrupted access to these opportunities, please complete the form through your Home Access Center (HAC) account or by clicking this link: https://forms.aldineisd.org/Forms/sb12Form. Your prompt attention to this matter is greatly appreciated."

• A Days (Even Periods): Mondays & Wednesdays
  
  
• B Days (Odd Periods): Tuesdays & Thursdays
  
  
• Focus Fridays: All classes
  The academic day is from 8:35 AM to 4:10 PM. Academic interventions are held Monday–Thursday from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Students who ride the bus may use the extended-day buses. All other students must be picked up promptly. Scholars will have 3 minutes to transition between classes. Restroom use is not permitted during transitions or within the first and last 10 minutes of each class.

Please remember, if your child is absent, please complete the Absence Notification Google Form that is located on the Plummer website. You are able to upload documents such as doctor's notes to this form.