Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying the last day of Spring Break. We are excited to welcome all students back into the building tomorrow, Monday, March 24. Tomorrow starts the first day of Term 4. This is our last term for the school year. We are also gearing up for STAAR testing which starts on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 with English/Reading STAAR for 6th grade. See below for all STAAR testing dates.

We would like to congratulate all of our track athletes for an amazing season and for doing such a great job at the district track meet. Congratulations, also, to our band students who also had an impressive UIL competition performance. And, lastly, congratulations to Aditi Vishnubhatla for placing 12th in the Regional Scripps Spelling Bee on March 8! We are so proud of these amazing SSMS students!

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

1. Panoramic Picture for all 8th graders is TOMORROW, Monday, March 24 at 10:30 am. A flyer with details on how to purchase the picture will be emailed from the 8th grade team.

2. Blacklight Pep Rally is coming to SSMS! Friday, March 28, is our second annual Blacklight Pep Rally. All students should wear white or neon! More details to come.

3. 💃SSMS Spring Dance is April 4th!🕺 Tickets will be sold in the cafeteria starting Thursday, March 27th (in the morning and during each lunch). $5.00 - Cash only.

4. DUE TOMORROW, Monday 24th - SSMS PTA Board Officer Nominations for the 2025-2026 school year are now underway! If you are interested in taking on a role in the PTA leadership (or know of someone who would be a good fit), please fill out this form to let us know! The nominating committee’s responsibility is to consider all persons interested in a particular PTA position. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to nominations@ssmspta.org

5. STAAR testing is quickly approaching! If you have a school-issued Chromebook at your house not being used, please bring it to campus as soon as possible. We are in the process of taking count of our computers, and need to make sure they’re updated and ready to go for our students.

Please see the schedule for STAAR tests here.

6. Attention 6th Grade Families - There are required Immunizations for all 7th grade students; 1) Tdap and 2) Meningitis. Nurse Smith needs updated immunization record OR a notarized Affidavit from the State of Texas found here: https://co-request.dshs.texas.gov/. You may bring updated records to the school or email a copy to blair.smith@dsisdtx.us. For more information, visit https://www.dshs.texas.gov/immunizations/school or call Nurse Blair at 512-858-3604.

7. SSMS Attendance - We had another drop in our attendance rate this past week! We are still trending below our average attendance rate goal for this school year. Please continue to help us in prioritizing student attendance at SSMS. Go Tigers!🐯💛

Spring break is here!

We hope you all have a wonderful break! We look forward to welcoming the students back to school on March 24!

The deadline for current 6th and 7th graders to make changes in Skyward has passed. If there are any additional changes your student would like to make, please reach out to your student’s counselor.

The deadline for students to fill out their applications for courses that require an application (PALS, Yearbook, Student Aid, Office Aid, CL & I Aid PAWs PE PAWs), has passed. We are no longer accepting any applications.

Current 8th grade students' deadline to submit their classes in Schoolinks has now passed. If your student needs to make any changes to what they submitted, please email Sandy Zimmerman at sandra.zimmerman@dsisdtx.us Also, for any current 8th grade students wishing to have Off campus PE in their schedule, the HS Counselors are asking the application be filled out and dropped off at the front desk at the High school. If this is not taken care of, the Off campus PE course will be removed by the HS counselor and the alternate course/s will be added in its place.

On April 1 & 2, sixth-grade students, in their huddle class, will have the opportunity to participate in an important educational lesson (presented by the counselors), focused on the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence, and human trafficking, as required by Texas Senate Bill 9 (SB9). The curriculum has been carefully selected and approved by the DSISD administration, the Board of Trustees, and the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) to ensure that it is developmentally appropriate for our sixth graders. Still, these are opt-in lessons and parents must opt their students into the lessons in order for their child to participate. The lesson is called Sexting & Cyberbullying: Can’t Take it Back and is about 45 minutes long and includes a video component and guided discussions to reinforce the material.

The "Play it Safe" program offers trailers of the video lessons that parents or guardians can watch to get an idea of the content that will be presented to their children. If you'd like more information on what the curriculum specifically covers or how the lessons are structured, please contact your campus school counselor. We are hosting a parent presentation session for parents to preview the Sexting & Cyberbullying: Can’t Take it Back curriculum prior to the lesson being taught. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 25, at 9:30-10:30 and 2:30-3:30 in the Pecan Room at SSMS. You may review more detailed information about our Senate Bill 9 Play it Safe Curriculum on the District website by clicking this link.

6th Grade parents should have received an email from Actionaly, on March 6th. The Actionaly email contains the consent form for the lesson. Please complete the opt-in form from Actionaly by March 27, 2025. If we do not receive your form submission by this date, your student will be opted out. Remember, you must Opt in your student to participate in this lesson.

Tickets will be sold in the cafeteria starting Thursday, March 27th (in the morning and during each lunch). $5.00 - Cash only.

STAAR testing is quickly approaching! If you have a school-issued Chromebook at your house not being used, please bring it to campus as soon as possible. We are in the process of taking count of our computers, and need to make sure they’re updated and ready to go for our students.

Please see the schedule for STAAR tests here.

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, 2024, 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

1. Panoramic Picture for all 8th graders will be on Monday, March 24 at 10:30 am. A flyer with details on how to purchase the picture will be emailed from the 8th grade team.

2. 8th Grade Field Trip - Our 8th Graders will go on their final middle school field trip on May 1! It will be a wonderful full day of team building and fun hosted at the Highland Lakes Conference center and facilitated by students from DSHS! Click HERE to pay $45 for the field trip. The deadline to pay for the field trip is April 17.

3. Rising 9th Grade Newsletter - Click HERE to access the DSHS Rising 9th Grade Newsletter.

Congratulations to Aditi Vishnubhatla for placing 12th in the Regional Scripps Spelling Bee on March 8!

Happy Birthday to all our SSMS Faculty and Staff! We ❤️ You! Go Tigers! 🐯

🎉 Congratulations to our Tiger of the Week: Mason Brudnicki!

Are you interested in trying out for the 2025 SSMS Boys’ Soccer Teams? If so, BOYS click HERE Soccer Interest Form. These Forms can also be found around school for you to scan. Boys’ Tryouts will be on March 24-25 at 7:15 am. Outside doors by the cafeteria will open at 6:45 am and close at 7:10 am. Please download the SportsYou app and enter the following code (FJZLCTEJ) to stay up to date with all the important information. If you have any questions please reach out to the following coach. Boys - Coach Bookout at christopher.bookout@dsisdtx.us

Are you interested in trying out for the 2025 SSMS Girls’ Soccer Teams? If so, please see flyer below for all the details.

FORE!!!!!!!! The SSMS Golf Season is right around the corner. Tryouts will begin the Monday we get back from Spring Break, March 24th at 4:15pm on the SSMS Grass Field. Tryout details will be posted on SportsYou. There will be a quick player only meeting right after school in the small gym for those athletes not in the athletic class on Thursday, March 13th. If athletes are unable to make the meeting they will need to see Coach Pilcik earlier that day to get the information that will be talked about. Please download the SportsYou app, and enter the following code (UY7P94NT) to stay up to date with all the important information. Please scan the Interest Form QR posted in the Athletics Hallway or in the Cafeteria. You MUST have a physical on file and your own clubs in order to participate. If you have any questions please reach out to Coach Pilcik at neal.pilcik@dsisdtx.us

Hey guys, be an “ACE” and join tennis! We would “LOVE” to have you! Tennis Season starts after Spring Break and at the conclusion of track season. Girls will have tryouts on Monday March the 24th after school and boys on Tuesday March the 25th. Final cuts will be made on Wednesday the 26th with both boys and girls who made first cuts attending final tryouts. We will hold a parent meeting for those who make the team on March 27th here at SSMS; exact time and location TBA. We will post an announcement on SportsYou confirming the parent meeting and alert you of any changes if needed.

After school practices will start the 31st from 4:15-5:15, everyday except for match days and Fridays. We will try to practice 3 times a week weather permitting. If your athlete has private lessons at that time; we can work out a plan for that as well. Please download the SportsYou app and enter the following code (TS2U-9PBE) to stay up to date with all the important information for Tennis at SSMS. Thank you for your participation and remember Tiger Tennis kids always; HUSTLE, HIT, & NEVER QUIT!

If you have any questions please reach out to Coach Plum at jon.plum@dsisdtx.us .

GO TIGERS!

DSISD Employee Recognition Program

Are you looking for a way to honor a Dripping Springs ISD employee? Whether you are a staff member wanting to recognize a co-worker for a job well done or a parent who is impressed by your child's bus driver for going that extra mile, this is the program for you! Anyone can nominate any DSISD employee through the district's employee recognition program, Tiger Stripes for Staff.

The program invites DSISD staff, students, parents and community members to participate by leaving a positive note about a staff member. Please click HERE to go to the district Tiger Stripe page.

DSISD will host two community information sessions on the 2025 Bond on Wednesday, April 9 in the CLL.

Are you looking to enroll a student new to DSISD for the 2025-26 school year? New Student Registration and the Pre-K Lottery will open 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟯 𝗮𝘁 𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠!

On Monday afternoon, families can visit either dsisdtx.us/pk (Pre-K) or dsisdtx.us/registration (K-12) to begin the registration process. Additional information about New Student Registration and the Pre-K Lottery can be found at the link below. We're excited to welcome our newest Tigers!

District News: https://www.dsisdtx.us/article/2051307

As you know, Founder's Day requires a lot of volunteers. This is a great opportunity for student's, staff, parent volunteers to get service hours or just help this community event run smoothly. To view all the volunteer opportunities, please click on the SignupGenius link.

Monday, 3/24 - A Day

Boys Soccer Try-outs Begin; 7:15 am

8th Grade Panoramic Picture @ 10:30 am 📷

Girls Soccer Try-outs Begin; 4:15 pm

Golf Try-outs Begin; 4:15 pm @ SSMS Grass Fields

Tennis Try-outs for Girls; 4:15 pm @ Tennis Courts

Tuesday, 3/25 - B Day

SB 9 Parent Preview; Pecan Room @ 8 am or 2 pm

Tennis Try-outs for Boys; 4:15 pm @ Tennis Courts

Wednesday, 3/26 - A Day

FCA Meeting in Small Gym @ 8:15am

8th Grade - Safe Schools Lesson: Juvenile Laws & Bullying; During Social Studies Classes

PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

Last day to opt your 6th Grader in for the SB 9 Lesson (Sexting & Cyberbullying: Can’t Take it Back)

Thursday, 3/27- B Day

Board of Trustees SSMS Campus Visit; 9:30 am

8th Grade - Safe Schools Lesson: Juvenile Laws & Bullying; During Social Studies Classes

Tennis Parent Meeting; location and time TBD

Friday, 3/28 - B Day

Spring Black Light Pep Rally; during Tiger Win

PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

3/31 - Girls Soccer Parent Meeting; Gym @ 5:30pm

3/31 - Boys Soccer Parent Meeting; Cafeteria @ 5:30pm

4/1 - 6th Grade - Sexting & Cyberbullying: Can’t Take it Back (SB 9 Lesson); During Huddle

4/2 - CAC Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 7:45 am

4/2 - Paraprofessional Appreciation Day! 🎉

4/2 - 6th Grade - Sexting & Cyberbullying: Can’t Take it Back (SB 9 Lesson); During Huddle

4/2 - Student Council Meeting; P10 during Tiger Win

4/2 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

4/3 - Choir Contest; Hays CISD Performing Arts Center

4/4 - School Librarian Appreciation Day! 📚

4/4 - PTA Board Meeting; 8:15 am in Pecan Room

4/4 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

4/4 - Spring Dance; 6-8pm 💃🕺

4/7-4/11 - National Assistant Principal Week! 🙌

4/8 - STAAR Testing - 6th Grade ELA

4/9 - STAAR Testing - 7th & 8th Grade ELA

4/10 - Principal Coffee & Chat; Pecan Room @ 8:15am

4/10 - STAAR Testing - ELA Make-up Day

4/10 - Girls Soccer vs BCMS @ SSMS

4/11 - PTA General Membership Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 8:15 am

4/11 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

4/15 - STAAR Testing - 8th Grade Social Studies

4/16 - STAAR Testing - 8th Grade Social Studies - Make-up Day

4/16 - NJHS Meeting; 8:00 am or 4:15 pm in 6th grade pod

4/16 - FCA Meeting; 8:15 am in Small Gym

4/16 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

4/17 - Girls Soccer vs. HCMS @ SSMS (A Team Only)

4/18 - Holiday; No School 🐰🐣

4/21-4/25 - National Volunteer Week! 🎉

4/22 - School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 🚍🙌

4/22 - STAAR Testing - 8th Grade Science

4/23 - STAAR Testing - 8th Grade Science - Make-up Day

4/23 - National Administrative Professional Day! 🙌

4/23 - FCA Meeting; 8:15 am in Small Gym

4/23 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)

4/24 - Girls Soccer @ LTMS

4/25 - No School/Staff Professional Development Day - Founders Day! 🎠

4/29 - STAAR Testing - 6th Grade Math & Compacted Math

4/30 - STAAR Testing - 7th & 8th Grade Math

4/30 - FCA Meeting; 8:15 am in Small Gym

5/1 - STAAR Testing - Math (all tests) - Make-up Day

5/1 - 8th Grade Field Trip!!! 🎈

5/1 - Girls Soccer @ WRMS

5/2 - School Lunch Hero Day 🙌

5/2 - PTA Board Meeting; Pecan Room @ 8:15am

5/2 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30-12:00 - must sign up ahead of time (click HERE to sign up)