1. Meet the Teacher Night is Tuesday, August 26, from 6:00-8:00pm. This is an opportunity for you to meet each of your student's teachers and learn a little bit about the class. You will follow your student's schedule, so make sure to have a copy of it so you know where to go. Click HERE for the tentative schedule for the evening. Please note that you will only visit your students 8 classes, not Tiger Win/Advisory.
2. We are looking for an enthusiastic student to take on the role of our school mascot for the 2025–26 season! Being the mascot is a fun and important way to build school spirit, pump up the crowd, and represent Sycamore Springs Middle School with pride. If you’re interested please fill out this form to be contacted with more information regarding the tryout process!
https://forms.gle/pLG4BYJsjS2YNoqMA
3. School Picture Day is Sept 2 & 3 - Fall pictures are on September 2nd and 3rd through your student's social studies class. Photo Texas packets were passed out last week to all students this week. If your student needs a new one they can pick up a packet in the front office.
4. Next Monday, September 1, is a student and staff holiday. All schools and district office will be closed. We hope you enjoy the three-day weekend!
5. 🐯 Student Leadership Opportunities - At SSMS, there are many ways for students to get involved and make a difference! Check out these opportunities to lead, share your voice, and show your school spirit:
- Student Council (StuCo) - Interested in joining Student Council or running for an officer position? Report to Mrs. Johnsey’s room (H104) during Tiger WIN on Wednesday, August 27. Click HERE for the StuCo Officer Application.
- Tiger Leader Lighthouse Team - Want to make a difference in our school culture? Ready to step up as a campus leader? The Lighthouse Team meets daily during Tiger WIN. If you’re interested, pick up an application from Mrs. Johnsey in H104.
- Principal's Student Advisory Committee - Do you have ideas to improve SSMS? Want to share feedback directly with Principal Miller? Apply for the Student Advisory Committee! We meet once a month during Tiger WIN. Click HERE to apply.
- Bulletin Board Bunch - Are you creative? Do you want to help celebrate student accomplishments and keep our halls looking amazing? Join the Bulletin Board Bunch! Volunteers will be assigned a teacher and a bulletin board to decorate throughout the year. Click here to sign up!
6. MAP Testing is This Week - This week starts the Beginning of the Year NWEA MAP testing window for math and reading. This is an adaptive assessment that is used to help with tracking students’ growth and understanding and is individualized to meet students where they are. Students do not need to prepare for this assessment beyond ensuring a good night’s rest and breakfast. Thank you for reminding your student to bring their fully charged device to class on their testing day.
- Reading & Algebra I MAP Testing Window is August 25-August 29 with a make up window from September 2-5.
- Math MAP Testing Window is September 2-5 with a makeup window from September 8-12.
Your student's teacher will provide you with the specific dates that their class is taking the MAP test.
7. Club Friday starts August 29th. Students reviewed their options during Tiger WIN this week, and we will do our best to place them into one of their top three choices.
8. Beginning next week, we will launch Tier 2 and HB1416 interventions during Tiger Win. These interventions will take priority over other activities to ensure that we are providing targeted support for students.
To help with scheduling, we have designated priority days for the core subjects:
Monday – Social Studies
Tuesday – ELA
Wednesday – Math
Thursday – Science
Thank you for your support in making this time purposeful for our students. Your commitment to their success is greatly appreciated!
9. All students should now have their Student ID. If you student hasn't received their ID yet, please have them report to the main office first thing Monday morning so they can either pick up their ID or get a temporary ID sticker. If you need to purchase a replacement ID, please click HERE. Replacements are $5.
10. Overview of School Disciple in Texas - We want to share a helpful resource with families: Overview of School Discipline in Texas for Parents. This document provides a summary of House Bill 6 and explains how student discipline is addressed in Texas schools. We encourage you to review it to better understand the state guidelines and processes.
11. When You Support, Your Teacher WINS! Join DSEF as a sustaining member with a monthly pledge, and your child’s teacher will be entered into a drawing for a $250 Amazon gift card! Visit https://bit.ly/DSEFgift or our website, Dseducationfoundation.org, for more information.
12. The application window for the DSISD 2025-26 Community Advisory Committees is 𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗡. Community Advisory Committees serve an important role for the district by helping DSISD stay connected with its stakeholders, giving parents and community members the opportunity to participate in our processes and programs while leveraging the knowledge and expertise within the Dripping Springs community to improve our district. The application window is open until Friday, September 5. Parents and community members will be notified by October 1 if they have been selected for a committee. Apply Here: https://www.dsisdtx.us/article/2358273
13.Student attendance is CRITICAL for student success. When students are out, they miss critical learning opportunities that cannot be duplicated. Since we are on a block schedule, missing one day means they actually miss two days worth of lessons. This adds up and creates learning gaps. Please click HERE (or read the Attendance section below) for more information how to report an absence, attendance office contact information, attendance times and additional information. DSISD Attendance Matters Flyer - click HERE
Please consider the school calendar when planning vacations and/or time away from school, and try to align them with the planned school holidays; 2025-2026 DSISD Academic Calendar. Absenteeism places a tremendous strain on students and teachers as they attempt to make up missed instruction and school work. We love having your kids in school every day, so thank you for your partnership in ensuring their success through their attendance at school!
Lastly, below are some resources and information regarding this goal:
Secondary Attendance At-A-Glance
Secondary Attendance Handbook
