PUMA PRESS
WEEKLY PARENT NEWSLETTER Volume. 2, Issue 22
A Message from Plummer Middle School
Our scholars will be administered the STAAR assessments on campus throughout April. Please make sure your child goes to bed early, and arrives at school on time each day. Cell phones, backpacks, and visitors are not permitted on the campus on STAAR Testing days.
đïž Important 2026 Testing Dates
Mark your calendars!
April 21: Science (8th Grade)
April 28: Mathematics (Grades 6â8, Algebra I)
Upcoming Events
đ Upcoming Events
Apr. 15 (Wed): Progress Report 7 for the 4th Report Period is available in HAC!
Apr. 20-24: National Library Week!!!
Apr. 21 (Tues): STAAR Science Test (Grade 8 only)
Apr. 22 (Wed): Happy Administrative Professionals' Day!!!
Apr. 22 (Wed): Girls' Soccer Games (7th) @Plummer 5PM, (8th)@Davis 7PM
Apr. 23 (Thurs): Boys' Soccer Games (7th) @Plummer 5PM, (8th) @DavisHS 7PM
Apr. 25 (Sat): Beginning Band Festival @ MOC
Apr. 27 (Mon): 8th Grade Field Trip to Dave & Busters
Apr. 28 (Tues): STAAR Math Test (Grades 6-8)
Apr. 28 (Tues): All Library Books are due for the school year!
Apr. 30 (Thurs): 6th Grade Field Trip to Max Bowl
May 1 (Fri): 7th Grade Field Trip to Max Bowl
May 2 (Sat): Annual Marine Corps Ball
May 28 (Thurs): 8th Grade Formal: A Night Under the Stars
Unlock a World of Wonder: Celebrating National Library Week!
April 20â24 marks National Library Week, a time to celebrate the incredible resources, community connections, andâof courseâthe endless stories found right inside our library walls.
Whether your child is a budding bookworm or needs a little extra spark to start their reading journey, our school and local libraries are the ultimate "all-access pass" to new worlds.
Why the Library is Your Childâs Best Friend
Itâs about more than just checking out books! Libraries play a vital role in our students' development by providing:
Equal Access: From the latest graphic novels to high-tech research databases, every student has the tools they need to succeed.
A "Third Space": Itâs a safe, quiet, and welcoming environment outside of the classroom and home where kids can explore their own interests.
Media Literacy: Our librarians help students navigate the digital world, teaching them how to find reliable information in an age of "fake news."
How You Can Join the Celebration
You donât need to be a literary scholar to participate. Here are three simple ways to get involved this week:
- The "Library Date": Take a trip to your school library or to the local public library after school. Let your child pick out anything they wantâeven if itâs a cookbook or a manual on how to draw dinosaurs!
- Join the Fun: Letâs show our love for libraries! See the poster below for our National Library Week dress-up schedule and join in the celebration.
- Play Library Bingo: Library Bingo Cards are available in the library starting now! Our goal is to have a fun way to explore the library and read different genres and types of books.
Score Big at STAAR Saturday!
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:
- Science (8th Grade Only)
Event Schedule
Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 18, 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.
Letâs work together to make sure our students are ready to give it their best shot. Scan the QR code on the flyer today or click this link to reserve your child's spot!
Plummer Boys Soccer Victorious in District Opener
The Plummer Boys Soccer teams kicked off their district season last night with impressive wins against the Garcia Ravens.
7th Grade:
Result: Defeated the Ravens 6-1.
Performance Highlight: Outstanding defensive effort and strong teamwork, particularly in the second half.
Next Game: Come support the 7th graders next Thursday at 5:00 PM at Bill Plummer Stadium as they take on the Hoffman Hornets.
8th Grade:
Result: Clipped the wings of the Ravens with a 5-2 victory.
Note: The team will be focusing on cleaning up their defensive play.
Next Game: The 8th grade boys will face the Hoffman Hornets next Thursday at 7:00 PM at Davis High School.
Puma Sports Update: Gear Up for a Busy May!
Itâs an exciting time for our student-athletes! As we wrap up the current season and look ahead to the next, please mark your calendars for these three essential events happening this May.
đ Football Parent Meeting
Thursday, May 14 Calling all future gridiron stars! We will be hosting a mandatory meeting for parents of students interested in playing football. Weâll discuss the upcoming season schedule, safety protocols, and expectations for our student-athletes.
đ©ș Athletic Physicals
Tuesday, May 19 | 4:45 PM â 6:15 PM Don't wait until the last minute! To participate in any school sports for the upcoming year, students must have a cleared physical on file. We are making it easy by hosting on-site physicals at Plummer Middle School. This is a quick and convenient way to ensure your child is cleared and ready to play.
đ The Blue Print Pumas Sports Award Banquet
Wednesday, May 20 | 5:30 PM Itâs time to celebrate our hard work and hustle! Join us for an evening dedicated to our incredible athletes. We will be recognizing individual achievements and team milestones during The Blue Print Pumas Sports Award Banquet Ceremony. Letâs send off the season with Puma pride!
Checkmate! Join Us for the Aldine District Chess Tournament
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 â 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 canât wait to see our students showcase their brilliance on the board. Letâs make this a tournament to remember!
The Importance of Reading
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.
Senate Bill 12 Consent Forms
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."
Bell Schedule
- 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 MondayâThursday 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.
Absence Notification
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.