Backpack Pickup Day at SMS!
Sundown Middle School students can pick up their backpacks on Thursday, July 31st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Sundown Middle School!
Each backpack will be stocked with FREE school supplies, thanks to the hard work and generosity of our incoming 8th graders and Coach Belew, who raised the funds and took care of purchasing supplies for EVERY middle school student!
We are incredibly grateful for their leadership, service, and commitment to supporting their fellow Roughnecks. 💙❤️
See you Thursday, July 31st! Let’s get ready for a great school year! Let's go!!!
Sundown Middle School students can pick up their backpacks on Thursday, July 31st from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Sundown Middle School!
Each backpack will be stocked with FREE school supplies, thanks to the hard work and generosity of our incoming 8th graders and Coach Belew, who raised the funds and took care of purchasing supplies for EVERY middle school student!
We are incredibly grateful for their leadership, service, and commitment to supporting their fellow Roughnecks. 💙❤️
See you Thursday, July 31st! Let’s get ready for a great school year! Let's go!!!
6th Grade Orientation [students new to Sundown Middle School] for 25-26
When: Thursday | July 31st
Where: Auditorium [Doors open at 8:45 AM]
Time: 9 AM - 11 AM
Who: 6th Grade Students and students new to Sundown MS. Students Only.
Sundown Roughnecks
Football Schedule
2025
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mPSOuRQM4S-VsTEvpWP3JsEQ-h52r79V/view?usp=sharing
Attention Sundown ISD Families: New State Law on Student Devices
House Bill 1481, recently passed by the Texas Legislature, will prohibit students from using personal communication devices, including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, portable gaming devices, and other Bluetooth-enabled technology, during the school day.
Under this new law, all personal devices must be powered off and stored out of sight during school hours or stored in a secure location, secure pouch, or other avenues that the district will explore.
This law will go into effect beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. Sundown ISD is currently in the process of reviewing and updating our local policy to ensure full alignment with this new requirement. As we finalize our plans, we will continue to share important updates with students, families, and staff.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership with Sundown ISD.
House Bill 1481, recently passed by the Texas Legislature, will prohibit students from using personal communication devices, including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, tablets, earbuds, portable gaming devices, and other Bluetooth-enabled technology, during the school day.
Under this new law, all personal devices must be powered off and stored out of sight during school hours or stored in a secure location, secure pouch, or other avenues that the district will explore.
This law will go into effect beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. Sundown ISD is currently in the process of reviewing and updating our local policy to ensure full alignment with this new requirement. As we finalize our plans, we will continue to share important updates with students, families, and staff.
As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership with Sundown ISD.
http://www.txswa.org/allstatesoftball25.php#2a
2025 Blue Bell/Texas Sports Writers Association
All-State SOFTBALL Teams.
First Team
Pitcher - Destiny Garza
Catcher - Brynly Gregory
Outfield - Camry Jourden
Utility - Breigh Gregory
Second Team
First base - Araceli Ibarra
Second base - Nayleen Morin
Third Team
Shortstop - Emry Jourden
Honorable Mention
Third base - Ericka Posadas
DP - Paola Huerta
🎉 Shoutout to our amazing Sundown High School students and faculty! 🎉
Pictured here are Mr. Townsend (celebrating 20 years teaching with Upward Bound), juniors Silver Pando, Lincoln Keesler, and Janessa Cruz, freshman Ivan Maldonado, and Mrs. Whitehead (completing her first year teaching math for the program). These students earned multiple academic awards while attending Upward Bound at South Plains College this June!
We’re incredibly proud of their hard work, growth, and achievements. Upward Bound is a federally funded program that helps first-generation students succeed in high school and prepare for college. Thank you to our dedicated teachers and outstanding students for representing Sundown with excellence!
Pictured here are Mr. Townsend (celebrating 20 years teaching with Upward Bound), juniors Silver Pando, Lincoln Keesler, and Janessa Cruz, freshman Ivan Maldonado, and Mrs. Whitehead (completing her first year teaching math for the program). These students earned multiple academic awards while attending Upward Bound at South Plains College this June!
We’re incredibly proud of their hard work, growth, and achievements. Upward Bound is a federally funded program that helps first-generation students succeed in high school and prepare for college. Thank you to our dedicated teachers and outstanding students for representing Sundown with excellence!
With deep gratitude and great pride, I want to share with our amazing Sundown community that Dr. Damon Lewis from Connecticut has been named the National Middle Level Principal of the Year. I offer my sincerest congratulations to Dr. Lewis, a man of strong faith and outstanding leadership, who is truly deserving of this national honor.
This journey has been nothing short of incredible. From being named the Region 17 Middle School Principal of the Year, to being selected as a finalist and then Texas Middle School Principal of the Year, and finally being honored as a National Finalist, I am humbled beyond words. Through this process, I’ve been blessed to meet and learn from some of the finest school leaders in Texas and across the nation.
Having my daughter, Alyssa, by my side here in Seattle made this moment all the more special. Being able to represent my faith in God, my children, my family, the incredible staff and students of Sundown Middle School, everyone who has ever poured into me and believed in me, Sundown ISD, and the beautiful community I proudly call home has truly been the greatest honor of my career.
A heartfelt thank you to my incredible children, Michael and Alyssa, and to my entire family—my greatest cheerleaders and unwavering support system. To my Ralls community, where my professional educational journey began, thank you for your continued support, kind words, and encouragement. And to my beloved Sundown community, thank you for every message, every prayer, and every expression of kindness throughout this incredible journey.
Sundown raised me. This town, these people, and this school district helped shape who I am today. I hope that in some small way, I’ve made you proud. My heart is full. Now, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get back to the important work ahead. We’ll continue doing what we do best, supporting each other with love, grit, and grace, but this time with renewed purpose, sharpened vision, and an even deeper commitment to our students, our school, and one another. Let’s make this upcoming school year our strongest yet. Together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.
I think it’s safe to say… this will be the last post about Dr. Salazar for a while! (Trust me, I’m just as ready as you are!)
Dr. Miguel Salazar
This past year at Sundown Middle School was outstanding! The kids and teachers knocked it out of the park in the classroom and on the field. As you know, such outstanding accomplishments do not just happen on their own. High levels of success happen due to thoughtful and thorough preparation, a lot of hard work, and a willingness to take risks! This is exactly the leadership Dr. Miguel Salazar has provided for his campus! Sundown ISD is honored and proud to have Dr. Salazar not only leading the way at SMS but also at the state and national level! Dr. Salazar is an outstanding ambassador for leading students and staff to achieve beyond their perceived realities and to dream of becoming more than they have imagined or hoped!
If given a chance, please take time to wish Dr. Salazar “the best of luck” while at the NASSP (National Association for Secondary School Principals) conference this week. It is at this conference that Dr. Salazar will find out if he will be honored as the National MS Principal of the Year! We should all know something regarding this award late Wednesday evening!
Good Luck Dr. Salazar! You are an integral part of positive change within education and the lives of those you lead and mentor! Sundown ISD is proud of you!
❤️💙SUNDOWN MIDDLE SCHOOL PARENTS💙❤️
As school supply lists come out and Amazon Prime deals are hitting, just remember…
YOUR SCHOOL SUPPLIES ARE COVERED!!!
Coach Belew & our Sundown 7th Grade Class raised money to purchase school supplies for all of Middle School. Amazon packages are flowing in and backpacks will be put together in the next couple of weeks for you to pick up!
Thanks Coach Belew!!!
We know you’ve heard a lot about Dr. Miguel Salazar lately, but we couldn’t let this moment pass without sharing one more exciting update. As you know, Dr. Salazar is a finalist for National Middle Level Principal of the Year and will be heading to Seattle on Tuesday morning for the official announcement at The Gala of Excellence on Wednesday night (6:45–9:00 PM).
No matter the outcome, we are incredibly proud of Dr. Salazar, not just for this honor, but for the unwavering commitment he shows every day to our school, our community, and most importantly, OUR STUDENTS!
Please join us in wishing him safe travels and the very best of luck!
🎉 Check out the video our staff and students helped create to celebrate this moment!
https://youtu.be/0-NDFNaoAO8
No matter the outcome, we are incredibly proud of Dr. Salazar, not just for this honor, but for the unwavering commitment he shows every day to our school, our community, and most importantly, OUR STUDENTS!
Please join us in wishing him safe travels and the very best of luck!
🎉 Check out the video our staff and students helped create to celebrate this moment!
https://youtu.be/0-NDFNaoAO8
Sundown Roughneck August Football Calendar
The Roughneck Band Fireworks Stand is OPEN until midnight tonight! If the rain has kept you away, it isn’t raining now…come on out! If you’ve already been, come again….we have a TON of new inventory that we just picked up this morning!
We have lots of stuff for kids big and small!
Hope to see you soon!
Roughneck Band Fireworks is open! These kids would love to sell you some! Open until 10:00 tonight.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1S27Rfnpyg
Leaning into Leadership podcast by Darrin M Peppard, EdD
Episode 221: The Power of Belief-Miguel Salazar’s Journey to Transformative Leadership NASSP MS POY
In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School and NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year finalist. Miguel shares his deeply personal story—from growing up in poverty and facing multiple challenges as a youth to becoming a leader determined to give every student a chance at success.
Miguel explains how a single teacher, Coach Danny Randolph, changed the trajectory of his life by believing in him. Now, Miguel pays that belief forward through a culture-first leadership approach rooted in visibility, relationship-building, and care.
A highlight of their conversation is the “Beyond the Classroom” program, an initiative where staff use their passions—whether it’s budgeting, button sewing, or pickleball—to teach students life skills and, more importantly, to build trust and authentic connections.
Key takeaways from this episode:
The importance of being vulnerable and owning your story as a leader Why giving “every kid a champion” isn’t optional—it’s essential A framework for building authentic relationships through schoolwide culture systems The role of self-care, balance, and spiritual growth in sustaining great leadership Whether you're a new principal or a veteran leader, Miguel’s story and leadership model will inspire you to see the potential in every child—and in yourself.
Guest Bio: Miguel Salazar is the principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, Texas. Before assuming his current role, he served as a math teacher, coach, assistant principal, and high school principal. Miguel is committed to fostering positive school culture, promoting equity, and ensuring every student’s success. His leadership philosophy centers on shared accountability, high expectations, and building strong, authentic relationships with students and staff. Through innovative programs like “Beyond the Classroom,” Miguel and his team ensure every student has a champion who sees them not just for who they are today, but for who they can become.
Leaning into Leadership podcast by Darrin M Peppard, EdD
Episode 221: The Power of Belief-Miguel Salazar’s Journey to Transformative Leadership NASSP MS POY
In this powerful episode, Dr. Darrin Peppard sits down with Miguel Salazar, principal of Sundown Middle School and NASSP National Middle School Principal of the Year finalist. Miguel shares his deeply personal story—from growing up in poverty and facing multiple challenges as a youth to becoming a leader determined to give every student a chance at success.
Miguel explains how a single teacher, Coach Danny Randolph, changed the trajectory of his life by believing in him. Now, Miguel pays that belief forward through a culture-first leadership approach rooted in visibility, relationship-building, and care.
A highlight of their conversation is the “Beyond the Classroom” program, an initiative where staff use their passions—whether it’s budgeting, button sewing, or pickleball—to teach students life skills and, more importantly, to build trust and authentic connections.
Key takeaways from this episode:
The importance of being vulnerable and owning your story as a leader Why giving “every kid a champion” isn’t optional—it’s essential A framework for building authentic relationships through schoolwide culture systems The role of self-care, balance, and spiritual growth in sustaining great leadership Whether you're a new principal or a veteran leader, Miguel’s story and leadership model will inspire you to see the potential in every child—and in yourself.
Guest Bio: Miguel Salazar is the principal of Sundown Middle School in Sundown, Texas. Before assuming his current role, he served as a math teacher, coach, assistant principal, and high school principal. Miguel is committed to fostering positive school culture, promoting equity, and ensuring every student’s success. His leadership philosophy centers on shared accountability, high expectations, and building strong, authentic relationships with students and staff. Through innovative programs like “Beyond the Classroom,” Miguel and his team ensure every student has a champion who sees them not just for who they are today, but for who they can become.
Sundown Elementary is looking for a Paraprofessional. If interested please fill out the online application and email Mr. Berry.
Application can be found at the following link:
https://jobs.redroverk12.com/org/SundownISD
If you haven’t made plans to purchase fireworks for the upcoming coming 4th of July, you should consider supporting our Sundown Roughneck Band! Details are provided below!
Sundown Middle School has an opening for a Science Teacher for Grades 7 and 8. If you know someone who would be a great fit for us here at Sundown, please have them email me their resume: msalazar@sundownisd.com
Softball All-District Honors
A huge congratulations to our Roughette Softball Team! We knew we would have a couple of post-district honors as we had a historic State Softball Championship run this year, so to get ALL 10 of our players the honor of earning MVP, Offensive MVP, Defensive MVP, 1st Team All-District Infield/Outfield, and Utility Player for our District is an amazing accomplishment! We are so proud of their efforts and attitudes this past season!
#WeAreSundownSmart #WeHaveSundownHeart #WeAreSundownStrong
Softball All-District Honors
Destiny Garza | All-District MVP
Emry Jourden | All-District Defensive MVP
Brynly Gregory | All-District Offensive MVP
Breigh Gregory | 1st Team All-District Pitcher
Ericka Posadas | 1st Team All-District Infield
Araceli Ibarra | 1st Team All-District Infield
Camry Jourden | 1st Team All-District Outfield
Ciena Jackson | 1st Team All-District Outfield
Paola Huerta | 1st Team All-District DP
Nayleen Morin | 1st team All-District Utility
Sundown High School is searching for a Family and Consumer Science teacher for the 2025-2026 school year. If you have any or know someone who has any interest please e-mail a resume to jgriffith@sundownisd.com
4 Roughettes make the Super Elite Team!!
Congratulations to Destiny Garza (MVP), Brynly Gregory (Catcher of the Year), Emry Jourden, and Camry Jourden!!
