PUMA PRESS

Final Stretch: Navigating the 2026 STAAR Season Together

As we enter the final months of the school year, our focus at Plummer is the upcoming STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness). While we know testing can feel high-stakes, our goal is to ensure every student feels prepared, confident, and supported.

The 2026 testing window is approaching fast. Here is everything you need to know to help your child cross the finish line with confidence.

🗓️ Important 2026 Testing Dates

Mark your calendars!

• April 14: Reading Language Arts (Grades 6-8)

• April 16: Social Studies (8th Grade)

• April 21: Science (8th Grade)

• April 28: Mathematics (Grades 6–8, Algebra I)

💡 Pro-Tips for the Final Push

Preparation isn't just about practice problems; it’s about mindset and routine. Here are three ways you can support your child at home:

1. Focus on "Test Endurance": The STAAR is a marathon, not a sprint. Encourage your child to read for 30 minutes without distractions or tackle a few multi-step math problems to build the "mental muscle" needed for longer testing sessions.

2. The "R.A.C.E." Strategy for Writing: If your child is taking a Reading/Language Arts test, remind them of the R.A.C.E. acronym for open-ended questions: Restate the question, Answer it, Cite evidence from the text, and Explain the connection.

3. Prioritize Wellness: In the two weeks leading up to the test, aim for a consistent bedtime. Research consistently shows that 8–10 hours of sleep and a high-protein breakfast do more for test scores than late-night cramming.

   
   

🛡️ Reducing Test Anxiety

The Texas Education Agency has introduced new "Test Anxiety Mitigation" guidelines this year, including updated onscreen directions designed to be more student-friendly. You can help at home by:

• Keeping it in perspective: Remind your child that this is just one way they show what they’ve learned—it doesn't define their worth or their entire academic journey.

• Practicing "Box Breathing": Teach them to inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, exhale for 4, and hold for 4. It’s a quick way to reset if they feel stuck on a difficult question.

📈 Looking Ahead: Accessing Results

Once testing is complete, you will be able to access your child’s results through the Texas Assessment Family Portal.

A Note of Encouragement: Our teachers have been working hard to ensure the curriculum is aligned with the latest TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) standards. Your child has the tools they need to succeed—now it's just time to let them shine!

📅 Upcoming Events

• Apr. 3 (Fri.): Student Holiday (No School)

• Apr. 6-10: National Assistant Principals' Week

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

• Apr. 10 (Fri): Boys' Soccer Scrimmage 7th @ Mustang Field & 8th @ Smith Stadium

• Apr. 10 (Fri): Choir Skate Night

• Apr. 11 (Sat): STAAR Saturday Review ELA (6-8) & History (8th grade only)

• 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)

The Plummer Choirs cleaned up this week at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest and the AISD Choir Festival. On Monday the Varsity Tenor Bass Choir received a Superior (1) rating on stage & an Excellent (2) rating in sight-reading. On Tuesday the Varsity Treble Choir & the Non-Varsity Treble Choir both received Superior (1) ratings on stage and Excellent (2) ratings in sight-reading. Finally, on Thursday both the 6th Grade Girls Choir & the 6th Grade Boys Choirs received perfect scores in both concert & sight-reading with Superior ratings all around. Ms. Truelson & Mr. Steward are beyond proud!!!! Big Congratulations to all Choir members on their dedication and hardwork to be successful!!!

It was a historic day for the band department yesterday at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Festival held at Dekaney High School. Our student-musicians poured their hearts into their performances, and the results speak volumes about their dedication.

The Results Are In!

We are incredibly proud to announce the ratings for our ensembles:

• Honors Band: Achieved the highest possible honors with "Superior" ratings both on stage and in Sight-Reading!

• Symphonic Band: Earned a "Good" rating for their stage performance and an "Excellent" rating in Sight-Reading.

Breaking Records

By earning straight Superior ratings, the Honors Band has secured the coveted Sweepstakes trophy! This is a monumental achievement for our program, marking the first time a band has reached this milestone since 2022.

"Ms. Bloomfield and Mr. Murray would like to send a gigantic congratulations to both bands. Their hard work and relentless practice truly paid off on that stage!"

Join the Celebration

When you see our band members in the halls, please join the faculty and staff in giving them a Puma-rific congratulations! These students have represented our school with excellence and grit.

Congratulations to all our performers on a job well done!

We are "hopping to higher scores" and hitting the court for a major win! To help our students feel fully prepared and confident for their upcoming assessments, we are hosting a special STAAR Saturday review session.

This session is a targeted "Game Plan" designed to help students master specific subjects. Please note the focus for this weekend:

• English Language Arts & Reading (ELAR): Open to all students in Grades 6–8.

• Social Studies: Open to 8th Grade students only.

Event Schedule

Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 11, 2026. Please note that timing is critical for this event to ensure we cover all our goals:

• 7:45 AM: Doors Open

• 8:00 AM: School Starts (The "Tip-Off!")

• 8:15 AM: No Entry After This Time (Please arrive early!)

• 12:00 PM: Event Ends

• 12:30 PM: Latest Pick-Up Time

Fuel for the Brain

We want our "players" to stay energized! We are happy to provide Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks for the students during the event.

Important Registration Note: To ensure we have enough food for everyone, please sign up online using the QR code on the flyer.

• Note: Students who do not sign up in advance are still welcome to attend and participate, but we will be unable to provide food for them.

Let’s work together to make sure our students are ready to give it their best shot. Scan the QR code on the flyer today to reserve your child's spot!

To celebrate all that hard work, it’s time to get ready for our favorite high-energy tradition: The Annual Student Dodgeball Game!

• Get Your Tickets: Tickets are on sale right now for just $5.00. Don't wait—we sell these until they are gone, so grab yours today!

• Want to Play? If you think you have what it takes to dodge, duck, dip, dive, and dodge, see Ms. Patterson to sign up for a spot on the court.

• Important Requirement: Before you can join the game or buy your ticket, please make sure you have paid any outstanding school fines.

Calling all kings, queens, and grandmasters-in-the-making! It is time to sharpen your strategies and polish your openings. We are thrilled to announce that the Aldine District Chess Tournament is officially on the horizon, and we want our students to be part of the action.

This is a fantastic opportunity for students to represent our school, test their skills against players from across the district, and enjoy a day of friendly, high-level competition.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, May 9, 2026

• Time: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

• Location: Bamberg Professional Development and Resource Center

  • 9999 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77038

• Eligibility: Open to all Aldine chess players in Elementary, Middle, and High School.

How to Register

Whether your student plays on a team or wants to enter as an individual, there is a spot at the board for them:

• Teams: Chess teams should enter through their school coach.

• Individuals: Individual registration can be completed by scanning the QR code found on the official event flyer.

Important: Permission Slips

Because this event is a school-sponsored field trip, all participating students must return a signed permission slip. Students can pick up their permission forms in the school library or directly from our Chess Sponsor, Mrs. Myers in Room 401. Please ensure these are filled out and returned to secure your student's spot in the tournament.

We can’t wait to see our students showcase their brilliance on the board. Let’s make this a tournament to remember!

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!

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

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.

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.