SMS E-News

Hello Raider Families,

Spring is here, and we are entering an exciting and busy time at SMS! With only a couple of months left in the school year, we have so much to look forward to. Please read below for important updates and upcoming events happening this April.

Academic Update:

State Testing is Around the Corner - State testing will begin in late April. Please ensure your child gets plenty of rest, eats a healthy breakfast, and arrives at school on time each day. Please note the recently updated testing dates.

Upcoming Important STAAR Testing Dates:

• April 14 - 6th Grade Reading / Language Arts

• April 15 - 7th & 8th Grade Reading / Language Arts

• April 16 - 8th Grade Science

• April 22 - 6th & 7th Grade Math

• April 23 - 7th Grade Honors, 8th Grade Math/Algebra 1

• April 24- 8th Grade Social Studies

Teacher Appreciation Week - We will celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week on May 6-10, but we are already planning a week full of surprises and gratitude for our wonderful educators. If you’d like to donate snacks, gift cards, or supplies, please see their list in SMS E-news. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Shout-Outs & Celebrations - A big thank you to Nurse Kaycee Rountree professionally for how quickly and professionally she handled a medical emergency for one of our staff members recently! Thank you!

Congratulations to our UIL SMS Band who received all 1’s in a recent competition. We’re the only campus in the region to earn this!

Congratulations to our UIL SMS Choirs for receiving Sweepstakes at this week's competition. All Choirs that competed received 1's for their performances!

As we approach the final stretch of the school year, I want to thank you for your ongoing support of our students and staff. Let’s continue to work together to make these last months memorable and successful for everyone.

We've had the chance to sit down with our students over the last week for our Raider Talks to give them some updates and reminders as we finish the year. Below is what we discussed with the students:

Upcoming STAAR Testing
You've worked hard all year and so have your teachers. Now it's time to give it your best effort. Show up, stay focused, and show what you know!

MAP Testing – Week of May 5
Your growth from Fall to Winter was outstanding! Let’s keep that momentum going and strive for even more progress during the Spring MAP administration.

Essential Life Skills for Success
Success isn’t just about talent—it’s about habits and choices. At SMS, our expectations for students are:

• Be kind and positive – Use your words to uplift others.

• Take responsibility – Own your actions and learn from mistakes.

• Show respect – Treat all adults, peers, school property, and personal belongings with care.

Hallway Freeze Reminder
Students must be in class during instructional time as this is where the magic happens and this is our core business. Use passing periods for restroom breaks, filling water bottles, etc. If an urgent need arises during class, ask your teacher privately during independent work time. If you're running late during the passing period and may not make it before the tardy bell, communicate with your teacher to avoid being marked tardy.

SISD Device Policy for SMS
Cell phones, personal devices, smartwatches, and wireless earbuds/headphones must remain off and in backpacks from the moment students enter the building until they leave. These devices are not to be used during the school day.

Both our Concert Band and Honors Band earned Superior ratings ("1s") from all 6 judges at the UIL Concert & Sightreading Contests!

Even more impressive—Sunnyvale was the only school in our entire district to receive straight 1s from every judge at every UIL contest this year!

Congratulations to the SMS Choirs!

A huge round of applause to all of our amazing choirs who competed at UIL! Every single choir earned the highest rating possible – Superior from all 6 judges in both the concert and sight reading! Each choir took home a SWEEPSTAKES!

Choirs that competed:

• Non Varsity Tenor Bass

• Non Varsity Treble

• Varsity A Cappella Treble

• Varsity Honors Tenor Bass

Way to go, Raiders! Your dedication, hard work, and talent shined through. We couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of you!

Superintendent, Matt Kimball awarded SMS nurse Kaycee Rountree and SHS nurse Danielle Hawkins challenge coins for their outstanding dedication and medical service. Rountree and Hawkins went above and beyond to help someone in need, showcasing their true spirit of compassion and care.

These challenge coins symbolize their commitment to excellence and their role as guardians of health and safety in our Sunnyvale school community. Thank you for all that you do!

Happy School Librarian Day to Tera Rabe. She is the heart of our library and a champion of reading, learning, and adventure! From recommending the perfect book to fostering a love of reading in our students, Mrs. Rabe makes our library a magical place.Thank you for your dedication, patience, and the countless ways you inspire our school community every day.

**8th Grade Social Studies Test is now scheduled for Thursday, April 24. (The previous date was Thursday, April 17.)

Parents,

Please help us enforce the following with your students by supporting our district and campus policies.

• Dress Code
• NO Food, Gum or Drinks allowed in classrooms!! Students will be asked to leave food and drinks behind before leaving the cafeteria. NO GUM ALLOWED IN THE BUILDING AT SMS! Students are allowed to have a water bottle in the classroom.
• No phones or smart devices/watches allowed for use around SMS.