April 27, 2025
Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,
Happy Sunday! I hope you and your family were able to join in on some of the Founders Day festivities. We have an action-packed week ahead of us with our last week of STAAR testing (Math - all grade-levels), our 8th grade field trip, soccer, tennis, and golf competitions, and our spring play all happening this week.
As always, if you need anything or have any questions, please contact your student's teacher, counselor, or administrator.
Go Tigers!
Sincerely,
Kelly Miller
Principal
MATH STAAR Testing This Week
All tests will start promptly at 9am. PLEASE have students to school on time. Please avoid these dates for appointments. Students will be required to stay in the testing environment until the test has concluded. They can read or sleep when they finish the test. Please DO NOT plan on picking your child up when they are finished. This is extremely disruptive to others still testing, and it is logistically difficult for staff when we are in a testing environment. Per Texas Education Agency, students may not have phones or Apple watches on their person during the test.
Please partner with us during STAAR testing to put SSMS's best foot forward. This data is important data for us as educators, and it is also how the State and community view our school. Let's work together to give our students the opportunity to do their absolute best.
Please see the schedule for STAAR tests here.
Leader in Me - DEADLINE to take MRA Survey is May 2
The Measurable Results Assessment (MRA) survey is NOW OPEN for all parents, staff, and students. The MRA is a tool that we use to annually collect, analyze, and report student, staff, and school-level outcomes related to the focus on improving leadership, culture, and academics. It helps us identify our strengths and weaknesses, develop goal-centered improvement plans, and monitor progress toward school improvement. There are three surveys; one for families, one for students, and one for staff.
We hope that you will participate in our FAMILY MRA survey so we can use the feedback to make our school an even better place for students and families. It is anonymous and should only take 5 minutes.
Click HERE to access the FAMILY SURVEY. The last day to take the MRA Family Survey is Friday, May 2!
If you have any questions about the surveys or wish to see a list of questions, please contact your student’s counselor, assistant principal, or principal.
2025-26 INCOMING 7TH GRADE TEXAS IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS
Texas school immunization requirements are determined by the state legislature and set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, in conjunction with the Texas Education Agency.
All incoming 7th graders are required to have two immunizations:
1. Tetanus, Diphtheria and Acellular Pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap): 1 dose within the
last 5 years to be valid.
2. Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV4): 1 dose of the quadrivalent vaccine on or after a student's
11th birthday to be valid.
or
Reasons of Conscience Exemption
If your child has already received these immunizations, you may drop off, fax (512-858-3699), or email (blair.smith@dsisdtx.us) the updated record at any time.
Please note: We can only accept a record from an electronic health record system if it includes the clinic's contact information and the provider's signature/stamp. A screenshot or print-out from your child's patient portal does not satisfy this requirement.
Your child’s immunization status is available for you to view in Skyward. Go to Family Access and click on the ‘Health Info’ tab located on the left side of the page.
Class schedules will not be released and students will not be allowed to start on the first day of school, August 13th, 2025, until an updated immunization record has been provided. Thank you for your understanding.
Please contact me with questions.
--
Blair Smith, RN, BSN
Nurse|Sycamore Springs Middle School
512-858-3604
Fax 512-858-3699
SSMS PTA Updates:
During the April 5 General Membership meeting, SSMS PTA approved the resolution to support the 2025 Dripping Springs ISD Bond Referendum. Early voting has started! Please make a plan to vote:
Early Voting: Monday, April 28 - Tuesday, April 29 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Election Day: Saturday, May 3 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
For full details about the Bond Propositions, visit the 2025 DSISD Bond website: dsisdtx.us/2025bond
It's the most wonderful time of the year at SSMS! It's time for the 2025 Staff Appreciation Week! Sign up here to show your appreciation by bringing or sending in a gift, gift card, plant, or treat to be lavished upon our entire hard-working staff of life-changers! Sign up here! Thank you SO much and we can't wait to show them how much they're loved! Bring in your sweet donation by 10am on Friday, May 9th. Questions? Email volunteers@ssmspta.org
The SSMS PTA is offering a new way to see our school in action! In an effort to increase family engagement, we will be doing parent-to-parent campus tours to give you a firsthand view of what our students and teachers do each and every day - sign up here!
The SSMS PTA and the SSMS Staff have been so grateful for the help we've received this year! The teachers get so much time back to spend in their classrooms with all of our children and will be able to start the New Year off with a little more ease. Sign up here!
We appreciate everyone that has joined SSMS PTA this year! If you haven't joined yet, please consider! It is open all year to new memberships, we appreciate each and every one of you. Go to joinpta.org to join.
Be sure to Like and Follow our Facebook and Instagram - we post information and updates daily, and we’ll show up more often in your feed the more you react to the posts!
Stop the Bleed Training
DSISD is offering traumatic injury response training to students in grades 7th -12th. This training will educate students on how to respond to a traumatic injury in hopes of saving a life. Parents are welcome to accompany their student and observe the training which is scheduled for May 08, 2025 at 6:00PM. Please RSVP by May 02, 2025 so that accommodations can be made for families interested.
District Looking for Student Volunteers - this summer
We are currently seeking middle school and high school student volunteers to support our Extended School Year (ESY) program for elementary and secondary students with special needs. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain hands-on experience, earn volunteer hours, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
Volunteer Dates & Times:
June 2–4 (Monday–Wednesday)
June 9–11 (Monday–Wednesday)
June 16–18 (Monday–Wednesday)
8:30 AM – 12:30 PM each day
Volunteers will assist teachers and support staff in classrooms, help with activities, and engage with students in a fun, structured environment.
Please reach to Becky Hutson, becky.hutson@dsisdtx.us, by Friday, May 9 if your student is either interested in volunteering this summer or if you have any questions.
