COLLEGE & CAREER READY

SMSD UPCOMING EVENTSFebruary 11 Stafford MSD Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.

February 11 Softball Season Opener vs. Spring Westfield, 6 p.m.

February 11-15 Harlem Renaissance Week, Intermediate School

February 11-15 Pink Week, Intermediate School

February 12 Boys Basketball Senior Night vs. El Campo, 7 p.m.

February 12 Girls Basketball Playoffs vs. La Grange, TBA

February 13 Houston Sabercats Rugby Team to read to Stafford Elementary Students, 1 p.m.

February 13 Study Abroad Meeting, 6 p.m.

February 15 Boys/Girls Soccer vs. Needville, 5 p.m.

February 16 Baseball Team Fun Day/Alumni Game, all day

February 16 Michael Mesa Field Dedication, 5:30 p.m.

February 16 Stafford Sensations Dance Contest, all day

February 16 Middle School Valentines Dance, 5-7 p.m.

February 18 Presidents Day (Professional Development for Staff, No Classes for Students)

BOARD VOTES TO RE-NAME BASEBALL FIELD IN HONOR OF MICHAEL MESA

The Stafford Municipal School

District made history last month

when the SMSD Board of Trustees

voted 6-0 to name the District’s

baseball field, “Michael Mesa Field.”

The field will be officially dedicated

on Feb. 16, 2019.

Michael Mesa was a proud Stafford

MSD Graduate who returned to his

alma mater as a coach and Spanish

Teacher. He became one of the

youngest varsity head baseball

coaches in the state. Shortly after

his second season as head coach,

he passed away unexpectedly at

age 26, in 2016.

STAFFORD MSD BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Stafford Intermediate School Counselor Shatarra King said that Black History Month is an

opportunity for all students to learn important history.

King, who's in her first year with Stafford MSD, created different themes for each week of

February.

This week was African-American Inventor Week...Next week is Harlem Renaissance Week, the

week of Feb. 18 is HBCU Week (Historically Black Colleges & Universities) and the week of

Feb. 25 is Black Wall Street, which is about the Greenwood Neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma

during the early part of the 20th Century.

Stafford Elementary will host its annual Black History Month Performance on Thursday, Feb.

28.

PREMIER WIRELESS DONATES HOTSPOTSThrough the partnership with Premier

Wireless, Stafford MSD received more than

$39,500 in free hardware and software

services, which enabled the district to secure

150 Smart HotSpotsTM and 50 traditional

hotspots. Premier’s Smart HotSpotTM allows

students to safely access the Internet to

research virtually anywhere without the need

of a computer.

To read the entire story, follow the link to the

SMSD Website:

http://www.staffordmsd.org/a_b_o_u_t_u_s/

news/premier_wireless_donates_hot_spots

_to_stafford_msd

KAI CARES ABOUT CATS!Stafford Intermediate School Fifth Grader Kai Elam wants to be a

Veterinarian when he grows up.

But he’s decided to voice his support for animals, specifically cats, right

away.

Last month, Elam spoke publicly at the Fort Bend County Commissioners

Court Meeting in Richmond regarding his support for a trap, neuter, and

release program for stray cats. As a result of Kai and other volunteers,

community support for the program is growing.

...“I was initially nervous about speaking at the meeting, but I think it

went well,” Elam said.

Elam and his family first became interested in cats when they moved to

Stafford, and there was a litter of kittens in their backyard. The family

had always enjoyed dogs, but this experience introduced them to cats.

Elam hopes that through advocacy, more and more shelters will keep

their feline residents alive.

LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION

Stafford Elementary

School hosted its

Annual Lunar New

Year Celebration

Performance on

Friday!

STAFFORD MSD 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL

Stafford

Elementary

Students and

Staff celebrated

the 100th Day of

School last

Friday!

PENNIES FOR PATIENTS KICKOFF EVENTMary Revia of the Leukemia &

Lymphoma Society – Houston Texas

Gulf Coast Chapter visited the campus

to discuss “Pennies for Patients,” a

fundraiser that the school has

participated in for the past eight years.

She told the students “when heroes

work together, we change cancer.”

...A giant symbolic check in the

campus’ main office shows that

Stafford Intermediate raised $2,292

last year.

Revia challenged the campus to nearly

double that total this month, with a

new goal of $4,000. All of the donations

support blood cancer research, Revia

said.

SUPER SENIOR 55+ BREAKFASTStafford Middle School

presented at today’s Super

Senior 55+ Breakfast.

Stafford Middle School

Principal Ginny Gayle and

her students spoke about

the campus’ commitment to

Technology and academic

success.

The next Super Senior 55+

Breakfast will take place at

8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 1.

STAFFORD ELEMENTARY ROBOTICS TEAM EXCELS AT COMPETITION

LAST SATURDAY, STAFFORD ELEMENTARY ROBOTICS COACHES MRS.

MANKIN, MS. LUNA AND MRS. SIEVERS TOOK TWO TEAMS TO THE FIRST

LEGO LEAGUE REGIONAL COMPETITION. (GIRLS N’ GEARS AND SPARTBOTS

TEAMS). THEY WERE FEATURED IN THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE:

HTTPS://WWW.CHRON.COM/NEWS/HOUSTON-

TEXAS/HOUSTON/ARTICLE/ROBOTICS-TEAMS-RISE-TO-THE-CHALLENGE-

AT-HOUSTON-

13564622.PHP?FBCLID=IWAR3UBEJFDKLEWFSJOG6B5WREVJQYA6DIS7

MOPDGBHZHFLNKQC58WGO4GC8O#PHOTO-16832628

AND A VIDEO:

HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=Q5KIZFUGFQE&FBCLID=IWAR

1RKQX5LIKO80S0LOYQAORD2RD2QV4V9B6K5TF8BICQWDFN3BY9LUOQ

TYQ

SMSD’S EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMFrom Sunrise to Sunset, Stafford MSD's Extended Day Program is

the best in the land! It opens at 6 a.m. and closes at 6 p.m.

It is only $175 per month (Before & After School), or $50 per

month (Mornings only) and $125 per month (Afternoons only).

Included in that cost are Piano lessons from Dr. Errold Mills, a

Music Professor at Rice University, and Cycling Classes with

nationally-competitive cyclist and Stafford Elementary Physical

Education Teacher Carl Jones.

...Other Programs Offered:

Arts & Crafts

Cooking

Dancing

Tutoring (Reading & Math)

Soccer

Story Time

Homework Assistance

If you are interested in joining this program, contact Extended

Day Director Bernadette Lockett at blockett@staffordmsd.org

It is another great benefit of attending the ONLY Municipal

School District in Texas.

STAFFORD ELEMENTARY SCIENCE FAIR

SMETV covered last month’s Stafford

Elementary Science Fair.

Here is the video all about the Fair:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ

axDoUm7zI

STAFFORD HIGH RODEO ART WINNERSHere is a video about

Stafford High juniors Kylie

Bui and Zoe Schomburg,

who won the Gold Medal

and Best in Show,

respectively, among

Stafford High School

students in the Houston

Livestock Show & Rodeo

Art Contest:

https://www.youtube.com/

watch?v=S7k646bCHSQ&fb

clid=IwAR163yUllhWCN2IR

HA-

rch2fgXJtCNEbz40nmLD-

BqBtlRUa6b2ZeEa0wK0

CALLING STAFFORD MSD ALUMNIDear Stafford Alumni,

We are looking for Class Reps to help us build a Stafford MSD

Alumni Network!

We are currently in need of Class Reps from the following

classes:

1994, 1995, 1996

2005, 2006, 2007, 2011

Please e-mail Stafford MSD Communications Coordinator

Michael Sudhalter at msudhalter@staffordmsd.org if you are

interested or would like to nominate somebody from one of

those years.

STAFFORD MSD ALUMNI UPDATE(INFORMATION COURTESY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS-

AUSTIN)

UT Aerospace engineering senior Mykaela Dunn – a

Stafford High School graduate -- is one of only 38 women

selected across the globe to receive a Brooke Owens

Fellowship!

The competitive fellowship provides opportunities for

historically underrepresented genders to be paired with

jobs at the nation's leading aerospace organizations and

companies. Congratulations Mykaela!!

RESILIENT KIDZ PROGRAM SET TO START ON FEB. 19

STAFFORD MSD IS EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE A NEW COURSE FOR PARENTS CALLED “RAISING HIGHLY CAPABLE

KIDS”. THE COURSE WILL BE FACILITATED BY ELEMENTARY COUNSELORS MS. JACKSON AND MS. HOBBS.

ACCORDING TO THE PARTICIPANT’S HANDBOOK, THE “RAISING HIGHLY CAPABLE KIDS” COURSE IS DESIGNED

TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHY YOUR PARENTING IS SO IMPORTANT TO YOUR CHILD'S SUCCESS. AT THE

HEART OF EACH SESSION IS A DIGITAL SLIDE PRESENTATION FEATURING 40 DEVELOPMENTAL ASSETS, WHICH

ARE ESSENTIAL BUI...LDING BLOCKS OF DEVELOPMENT AND HELP YOUNG PEOPLE GROW UP HEALTHY, CARING,

AND RESPONSIBLE. WE WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO JOIN US FOR THIS 13-WEEK COURSE AS WE WORK

THROUGH THE COURSE TOGETHER.

THE COURSE WILL BE OFFERED ONE NIGHT A WEEK IN THE HIGH SCHOOL CRIMINAL JUSTICE ROOM (F-136)

FROM 6-7:30 P.M. ON TUESDAYS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 19. ALSO, FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE CHILDCARE WILL BE

PROVIDED FREE OF CHARGE FOR SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN PRE-K THROUGH 4TH GRADES ONLY.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT CHERISE ROBERTS AT CROBERTS@STAFFORDMSD.ORG

YOUNG SCHOLARS PROGRAMStafford Middle School Counselor Laporsha Frazier is new to the District, but

she already exemplifies Stafford MSD's Mission -- "to graduate every student

College or Career Ready, without Remediation."

Ms. Frazier started the "Young Scholars" Program, which has 37 students (about

1/6 of the Middle School enrollment).

...The Eighth Grade students go on college visits. They've visited Lamar

University and have upcoming trips to scheduled for Texas Southern, Rice and

Houston Baptist this spring.

Ms. Frazier, who has a Master's in Counseling from Prairie View A&M University,

talks to the students about preparing for college academically. She also

discusses how to apply for Financial Aid and which exams (SAT/ACT) they need

to take.

This preparation is nearly unprecedented at the Middle School level.

We are fortunate to have Ms. Frazier in our District!

STAFFORD MSD TO HOST

MINECRAFT EVENT ON

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28

JOIN THE STAFFORD MSD SHAC COMMITTEECalling all: Parents, students, teachers,

school health professionals,

administrators, faculty, staff and general

community. Are you interested in

serving on the SMSD School Health

Advisory Committee, better known as

SHAC? This committee focuses on the

health, wellness, physical education and

nutrition for all students. For more

information contact Tammy Boyette,

Chief Academic Officer or Carolyn Finley

at 281-261-9342.

STAFFORD MSD’S NATIONAL SIGNING DAYTwo future engineers and two future

businessmen walked into the Stafford High

Competition Gym on Wednesday morning.

They officially accepted opportunities to play

college football, but it's just the next step in their

educational journey:

• Kenneth Savanah – University of

Houston

• Zachary Natt – Mary Hardin-Baylor

• Josh Scott – Navarro College

• Gabriel Sandoval – RPA College

STAFFORD GIRLS BASKETBALL TO COMPETE IN PLAYOFFS

The Stafford High Girls Basketball Team has

won eight of its last nine games. They

clinched second place in District 24-4A with

a 9-3 record.

The Lady Spartans will open the

Class 4A playoffs on Tuesday,

Feb. 12 vs. La Grange at Sealy

High School.

The SHS Girls Basketball Team became the

first SHS Varsity Team to qualify for the

playoffs in 2018-19. The team is looking for

its first postseason victory in five years.

STAFFORD BOYS BASKETBALL BOOK DRIVE ON SENIOR NIGHT (TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12)

The Stafford High Boys Basketball Team is hosting a Book

Drive. The Spartans encourage their fans (and fans from

visiting El Campo High) to donate a book at the arena.

Stafford hosts El Campo on Senior Night, which will be the final

regular season home game for four Stafford High seniors --

Auturo Jackson Jr., Khalill Scrubbs, Alexander Jones and

Zacchias Jackson, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 at the SHS

Competition Gym.

Here’s a video about the four seniors and the Book Drive:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMwidi-5QWE

SHS SOCCER TO HOST RICE CONSOLIDATEDThe Stafford High Boys & Girls Soccer Teams

will host Rice Consolidated tonight at Spartan

Stadium.

SPRING TENNIS SEASON DEFEATS 5A SCHOOL

The Stafford High

Varsity Tennis Team

defeated Class 5A

Nacogdoches last

week!

SPARTAN SPORTS CENTRAL - FEBRUARYIn this week's edition of Spartan Sports Central, we speak to

Mission4Mike President Gracie Martinez about the upcoming Michael

Mesa Field Dedication on Saturday, February 16.

We catch up with Stafford Girls Basketball Head Coach Mark Spivey. The

Lady Spartans became the first SHS team to clinch a playoff spot in 2018-

19.

We visit with Stafford Boys Basketball Head Coach David Montano. The

Spartans have won six of their last seven games. They're one victory

away from clinchin...g a playoff spot.

The Player Profile is Stafford Track & Field athlete Skylar Carrier.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSiXecQv1Cs&feature=youtu.be&fb

clid=IwAR2FS1rUxLObLXBIUfgjAwuPXHGDq6acFAeEz5l7teRU3uW5zrEkhAz

uS4o

SPARTAN RELAYS SET FOR MARCH 1

For the second straight year, the

Stafford High Track & Field Program

will host the Spartan Relays. The

event will be held on Friday, March 1.

Stafford will also host the District

Track & Field Meet on April 10 & 11.

STAFFORD MSD ANNUAL REPORT

• READ ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE

STAFFORD MSD 2017-18 SCHOOL YEAR:

• HTTP://WWW.STAFFORDMSD.ORG/USERFILE

S/SERVERS/SERVER_895872/FILE/ABOUT/S

MSD2018ANNUALREPORT_REVISED%20PRO

OF%20071118.PDF

STAFFORD MSD IS STEM-FOCUSED• STAFFORD MSD IS ALREADY A LEADER IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY,

ENGINEERING & MATH (STEM). THANKS TO THE 2017 BOND, WE ARE

ABOUT TO TAKE IT TO ANOTHER LEVEL.

• WE WILL BECOME THE ONLY CAMPUS IN FORT BEND COUNTY TO HAVE A

STEM MAGNET FOR GRADES 3-THROUGH-12.

• HERE IS THE VIDEO:

• HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=YIHCLSVJUXW

VISIT OUR ARCHIVESDID YOU MISS A PREVIOUS COMMUNITY

UPDATE?

WE HAVE ARCHIVES OF COMMUNITY UPDATES

ON THE STAFFORD MSD WEBSITE.

CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO FIND THEM:

HTTP://WWW.STAFFORDMSD.ORG/A_B_O_U_T_U

_S/COMMUNITY_UPDATES