Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you and your family are having a wonderful weekend. Our first week back was AMAZING! The entire building was filled with laughter and smiles as students reunited with their friends and favorite teachers. We are beyond excited for the start of the school year. If you need anything or have any questions, please reach out to your student's teacher, counselor, or administrator. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year!

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. 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 wristband. It is a DSISD secondary schools requirement for all students, faculty, and staff to wear their school ID at all times. IDs MUST be worn around the student's neck or on their shirt and not on their backpack, in their wallets/purse, or on their jeans.

2. MS Schedule - This year both middle schools are running a hybrid schedule. That means that every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday students will go to all 8 classes. On Wednesday and Thursday they will go to four classes plus Tiger Win. Wednesdays are Odd Days, where students will go to 1st, Tiger Win, 3rd, 5th, and 7th periods. Thursdays are Even Days where students will go to 2nd, Tiger Win, 4th, 6th, and 8th periods. Pleas see the bell schedule below for more details.

3. Morning Expectations - The cafeteria is open from 8:00–8:40 a.m. each morning for students who would like to eat breakfast. All food and drinks must be consumed in the cafeteria. Students may not take breakfast to the pods, courtyard, or classrooms.

From 8:00–8:20 a.m.

• 6th & 7th Grade: Students should report to the cafeteria.

• 8th Grade: Students may gather in the interior courtyard. Please remember that no food or drinks are allowed in the courtyard.

Beginning at 8:20 a.m., students may choose to report to tutorials or move to a grade-level pod. Students may also remain in their designated morning area, the cafeteria for 6th and 7th graders or the courtyard for 8th graders, until the 8:40 a.m. bell releases students to class. Students working in the pods should be seated and keep voices low so they do not disrupt nearby tutorials.

💻 New This Year: Chromebook Use
Students may not use Chromebooks in the cafeteria or pods before school. Students attending tutorials may use their Chromebooks when needed for schoolwork.

4. Meet the Teacher Night is Tuesday, August 25 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.

5. Want to Join the SSMS CAC Team? We’re looking for parents and community members who would like to serve on our SSMS Campus Advisory Committee (CAC) this year! If you’re interested in getting involved and having a voice in our campus community, check out the District Announcements section at the bottom of this newsletter for details and or click HERE to apply.

6. Parking and student drop-off/pick up - We have two dedicated student drop-off zones and three pick-up zones. For more details about where to drop-off/pick-up, see section below. ‼️Please note that students will NOT be allowed to walk into or through any parking lots. Cars must pull up to the designated pick-up areas for pick-up.

7. Attendance Matters: Start Strong! Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a student’s success at school. Being at school each day helps students stay connected to their learning, build strong relationships with teachers and peers, and develop routines that set them up for success.

Even a few absences can add up quickly. Missing just two days of school each month can result in nearly a month of missed instruction over the course of the school year. When possible, we ask families to help us protect instructional time by scheduling vacations, appointments, and other activities outside of the school day.

As you plan for the year ahead, please take a moment to review the 2026–2027 DSISD Academic Calendar and, whenever possible, plan travel and time away from school around scheduled school holidays.

We know illnesses, family circumstances, and unexpected situations happen. Our goal is to partner with families to help students be here, stay connected, and start strong all year long.

Helpful Resources:

• 2026-2027 DSISD Academic Calendar
• DSISD Attendance Homepage

We hope you all had a fun but restful summer! We are excited to welcome you back to a new school year! Whether you're excited, nervous, or a mix of both, know that we are here to support you! For information and resources on how to support your children through this transition, please see this newsletter created by our DSISD LMHP Team.

In regards to schedule changes, students will remain in their current courses for the first 3 weeks of school. Schedule changes will only be made during the first two weeks of school if:

– A core class is missing
– You are in the wrong level of a core class (e.g., On-Level vs. Honors)
– A class period is blank or unassigned
– Two classes are scheduled during the same period

Elective change requests will be considered beginning in week 3 on a first-come, first-served basis and are subject to availability. We will share a google doc on Sept. 2nd, via parent email. This is where schedule change requests need to be made. We will not accept emails for a schedule change request.

Please note: We are unable to honor schedule change requests for lunch placement, class placement with friends, or specific teacher requests.

Don’t forget to start wearing a college shirt beginning this Wednesday! We will continue with our College shirt Wednesdays all year!

Again, we look forward to welcoming students back to a new school year! See you soon and Go Tigers!

Ms. Dykhoff, Grades 6-8 last names A-K

Mrs. Zimmerman, Grades 6-8 last names L-Z

Students will attend all eight classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. On Wednesday and Thursday students will follow a block schedule where they will go to their odd (1, 3, 5, 7) classes on Wednesday and then even (2, 4, 6, 8) classes on Thursday. We will still have Tiger Win (Advisory) on block days (Wednesday and Thursdays). Click HERE to see our new bell schedule.

With the typical start of school traffic, please expect delays, particularly at the end of the day. Please make sure to follow the traffic flow and student pick-up/drop-off procedures stated below.

‼️Please note that students will NOT be allowed to walk into or through any parking lots. Cars must pull up to the designated pick-up areas for pick-up.

We have two dedicated student drop-off zones and three pick-up zones:

For Morning Drop-off:

• Yellow Lot (south side near the elementary school)

• Student Drop-off (north side of campus near the Black Lot and stadium)

🚫 Reminder: The Maroon Lot (front of the school) is for buses, ADA access, and staff parking only. Parents may park here if coming into the building, but this is not a student pick-up or drop-off area.

For Afternoon Pick-up:

• Yellow Lot (south side near the elementary school)

• Student Drop-off (north side of campus near the Black Lot and stadium)

• Blue Lot (back of school by the cafeteria and gyms)

🚫 Reminder: The Maroon Lot (front of the school) is for buses, ADA access, and staff parking only. Parents may park here if coming into the building, but this is not a student pick-up or drop-off area.

Families Coming from the North (Belterra, Ledgestone, etc.):

Enter the north entrance of the campus from Sawyer Ranch Road. You now have two options:

1. Turn Right to access the New Student Drop-off/Pick-up Zone. This is a one-way lane. After drop-off, the lane curves left into a two-way exit drive back to Sawyer Ranch.

2. Veer Left to loop near the football field and pick-up in the Blue Lot behind the school (cafeteria and gym area). After looping through, follow the same exit route.

Families Coming from the South (Highpointe, etc.):

Enter and exit through the south entrance near the elementary campus. Continue behind the elementary school to the Yellow Lot for student drop-off/pick-up.

Crossing guards will be at the sidewalk from Highpointe and at the top of the hill on the north side of the campus to assist pedestrians and bike riders.

• Bikers from the south should use the designated path, and walk bikes across the crosswalk with the guard.

• Bikers from the north should stay on the Sawyer Ranch sidewalk, walk bikes across the first entrance/cross walk, and use the new sidewalk to the student entrance.

Bike racks are located on the SSE side (for students riding in from Highpointe) and by the new student entrance by the football stadium (for the students riding in from Belterra area). Students will NOT be allowed to park their bikes under the main awning/main entrance.

Hays County installed signage and additional visual cues to bring attention to the crosswalk at Sawyer Ranch and White Wash Way. By law, the operator of a vehicle must stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway. Please be on the lookout for our students who are crossing Sawyer Ranch and thank you for your compliance with all driver, pedestrian, bike rider, and bus safety laws.

Personal Communication Devices - Per House Bill (HB) 1481, our district has adopted the required policy that prohibits students from using a personal communication device while on school property during the day from 8 am to 4:15 pm. This means students will need to leave personal communication devices at home or keep devices powered off and stored away (in backpacks, lockers, or vehicles, etc.) during the school day, including passing periods and lunches. Therefore, student will not be allowed to have the following on campus from the time they arrive on campus until the time they leave campus.

The following items are prohibited :

• Telephone;

• Cell phone such as smartphone or flip phone;

• Tablet;

• Smartwatch;

• Radio device;

• Paging device;

• Personal computers

• Bluetooth Earbuds/Headphones

• Or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication

Every student will be issued a school district Chromebook for use on campus. Chromebooks will be available for all students to check out during the third week of school. All lessons within the first three weeks of school will NOT require the use of a Chromebook.

A Communication Guide for parents and students is linked HERE. It outlines our process of how students and parents can communicate with each other during the school day. This document will be linked at the bottom of each of my weekly newsletter for easy access.

From more information on HB 1481, please visit DSISD website regarding Personal Communication Device Policy and/or click on the DSISD HB 1481 flyer in ENGLISH or SPANISH.

Student IDs will be available to pick up during Open House on 8/11 and during the first week of school.

Please be aware that all DSISD secondary schools require students, faculty, and staff to wear their school ID at all times. Each student will be provided with a lanyard and plastic case upon picking up their ID. Students may choose to purchase an alternate lanyard or use a clip to attach their ID to their shirt.

Important: IDs must be worn around the neck or clipped to the shirt. They should not be attached to backpacks, placed in wallets/purses, or hung on jeans.

Starting the second week of school, Assistant Principals will monitor compliance and track students who are not wearing their IDs or who consistently forget to wear them. Consequences, such as lunch detentions, will be issued to students who do not adhere to this policy.

To purchase a new ID, click HERE.

We do NOT allow food delivery services during the school day (Doordash,

Ubereats, etc.) for the following reasons: we cannot have strangers on our campus

flowing in throughout the day and it is disruptive to class time. If a delivery service drops

off anything at school, you will be able to collect it from the AP's office at the end of the

day. Parents/Guardians may still drop off items at the front office. Students will NOT be allowed to leave class to pick up food from the office unless it is during their scheduled lunch time.

Please review the dress code as set in the Student Handbook with your students. We need your help with your student arriving in accordance with the dress code to school.

Student dress standards:

• School issued ID Cards on a lanyard is a required part of the dress guidelines for secondary students.
• The student’s back, bottom, chest, and stomach must be covered.
• Underwear must not be visible, pants/jeans that are ripped or have holes may not reveal the student’s private areas or undergarments.

Students may not wear:

• Tops that are strapless, plunging or low-cut.

• Sheer or see-through clothing, fabrics covering private parts must not be seen through.

• Clothing that has pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene.

• Clothing that advertises or depicts tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or any other substance prohibited by policy.

If a student’s dress and/or grooming is deemed unacceptable (i.e. a secondary student not wearing an ID badge, a student in inappropriate clothing) by a faculty member and/or administrator:

• The student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school and return to the classroom.

• If the problem cannot be corrected at school, campus administrators will work with the student and parent/guardian to obtain an acceptable change of clothing for the student in a way that minimizes the loss of instructional time.

• Repeated or severe violations of the dress code standards will result in more serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Campus administrators have the final authority concerning the propriety of clothing worn on school property, at school activities, or any time a student is representing the campus/district.

Click here for the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct. Information about the dress code can be found on page 65 of the Student Handbook

In tandem with our campus attendance goals, we will also be monitoring tardies more closely. Below is our process for addressing tardies by class period.

1st Tardy: Conversation 1:1 with Teacher and student
2nd Tardy: Conversation 1:1 with Teacher and student and email/call home
3rd Tardy: Conversation 1:1 with Teacher and student, call home + referral

• 1st Referral: 1 Lunch Detention
  
• 2nd Referral: 2 Lunch Detention
  
• 3rd referral: Parent Conference and Before/After School Detention

If your student needs to miss school, please make sure to send an email using this address:

ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us

If you have a doctor’s note to submit, please email a picture of it to the attendance office (ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us) or turn in the note to the front office within 48 hours of the absence.

For more information regarding attendance, please visit the DSISD Attendance Webpage which includes the steps above as well as other helpful information.

If you need to pick up your student during the school day, please remember these guidelines.

1. Email the attendance office (ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us)

2. Be sure to include the student's name and what time you are picking them up.

3. All pick-ups are recommended to be before 3:50 p.m. Please allow at least 20 minutes for pickup time.

4. You will need to enter the front of the building to sign your student out. Students will not be released from class until an approved adult is here to pick them up. If you have another adult picking up your child that is not on your emergency contact list in Skyward, please email (ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us) to let us know they are approved.

5. Make sure to have your photo ID/driver's license ready to show the front receptionist.

6. You will need to bring your cell phone to use the QR code to sign your child out.

This week’s Tiger of the Week showed what it truly means to be a Tiger! He consistently demonstrated our three core values by being Safe, Respectful, and Responsible in his actions and choices. His positive example helps make SSMS a great place to learn and grow. Way to represent Tiger Pride!

SSMS XC and Coach McGilvray had their first practice yesterday and watched the sun rise over SSMS for the first time this season!

Meet the people who make SSMS special! Each week, we’ll spotlight a member of our Tiger team.

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

If you student is planning on playing football, please download the SportsYou App and join the SSMS Football group.

SSMS Football

Access Code - WE8W-SEEB

*Click on this FLYER for more detailed instructions on how to download the app.

Calling all SSMS runners!

SSMS cross country is ready to run and needs you! All runners are welcome and try-outs are not required to practice with us, but don't wait to sign up as our team is near capacity! We practice from 6:45 AM to 8:00 AM four to fice days a week and our team is open to any 7th or 8th grader. You do not need to enroll in Athletics to participate with SSMS Cross Country and I am willing to work with you if you are balancing other activities or sports.

Our first practice will be on Thursday, August 13th. Parents will need to create a login on Rank One and sign all of the forms and upload your athlete's physical into the system before runner's are able to participate in practice. Please do not send them to school. Please use the link below to access Rank One: https://drippingspringsisd.rankone.com/Pro/Login.aspx

In addition, please complete the cross country interest form below as soon as possible from your DSISD Google account to hold your spot on the team: https://forms.gle/41NHp2ZowdavPArW6

Runners are expected to wear a SSMS athletic dri-fit shirt (available for purchase from the SSMS Athletic Boosters) with their own black running shorts. If you need to order a dri-fit shirt, the webstore is currently closed as they check their inventory numbers, so in the meantime, runners can wear a dri-fit/t-shirt (preferably maroon, grey or white) with black shorts.

Our season is quick (District Meet is scheduled for October 7th) but will include great trails, amazing sunrises, endless memories, personal bests, incredible friendships, and hopefully, YOU! Please email me if you have any questions at nicole.mcgilvray@dsisdtx.us

Happy Trails!

Coach McGilvray

•ACTION: It’s the first day of school, and SSMS PTA Membership is officially OPEN! Last year, 382 members joined, and this year our goal is 425 to help fund the events, programs, grants, and staff appreciation that make a difference at SSMS. FUN FACT: We’re currently already at 132 members?! Membership takes just 2mins, NO volunteering is required (but appreciated), and those who join early are entered into all 3 raffles for a GLO30 facial, YETI Ramblers, and a YETI Roadie 15 Cooler! Scan the QR code or visit www.joinpta.org to join today — let’s Syc ’Em Tigers!

•ACTION: Help the SSMS PTA spread a little hospitality! We’re STILL looking for a VP of Volunteers to help with a few student & staff events starting with our beloved Halloweenie in October. Interested? Email: president@ssmspta.org with any questions

•ACTION: Please, join us for our first SSMS PTA Membership Meeting Friday Sept 11th at 8:15AM Sycamore Room. Mark your calendar for the following dates: 10/16/26, 11/13/26, 2/19/27, 4/9/27, and 5/7/27 Questions email, secretary@ssmspta.org

•SSMS PTA provided lunch at the annual SSMS BTS Staff Luncheon with a fresh HEB. Thank you to DS Flores for donating the salsa! Help support staff appreciation (and much MORE) with your membership at www.joinpta.org

Be sure to Like & Follow Sycamore Springs Middle School PTA on ourFacebookandInstagram - we post information & updates daily throughout the school year, and we’ll show up more often the more you react to the posts! Note: Incoming 6th Graders Class of 2033 info is there too!

Community Advisory Committees serve an important role for DSISD by helping the District stay connected with its stakeholders, allowing parents and community members to participate in our processes and programs, while leveraging the knowledge and expertise within the Dripping Springs community to improve our district.

More information and application links can be found at the link below or at dsisdtx.us/committees.

District News: https://www.dsisdtx.us/article/3074127

Monday, 8/17 - All Classes

Tuesday, 8/18 - All Classes

Wednesday, 8/19 - Block Day (odd classes)

XC Parent Meeting; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

Thursday, 8/20 - Block Day (even classes)

Friday, 8/21 - All Classes

8/24 - Volleyball Parent Meeting; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

8/25 - Meet the Teacher Night, 6-8pm

8/26 - Fall Musical Auditions Begin

8/27 - Football Intrasquad Scrimmage; SSMS @ 7:00am

8/27 - Volleyball @ DSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

8/28 - XC Lockhart Meet; Lockhart City Park @ 5pm

8/31 - 7th Football vs DSMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/1 - 8th Football @ DSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/2 - XC Smithville JH Meet; Smithville HS @ 5pm

9/3 - Fall Pictures; all day

9/3 - Volleyball vs HBMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

9/4 - Fall Pictures; all day

9/4 - PTA Board Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 8:15am

9/10 - Volleyball Team Pictures; 3:00pm

9/11 - XC Team Pictures; 7:15am

9/11 - Football Team Pictures; 7:30am

9/11 - XC Austin ISD MS Invitational; Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park @ 6pm

9/14 - 7th Football @ LTMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/15 - 8th Football vs LTMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/15 - Volleyball Night @ DSHS; TBD

9/17 - Volleyball @ LTMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

9/21 - 8th Football @ WHS;5:00/6:30pm

9/22 - 7th Football vs HCMS @ SSMS; 5:00/6:30pm

9/24 - Volleyball vs HCMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

9/26 - XC St. Andrew's MS Invitational, St. Andrew's @ 7am

9/26 - Volleyball Hays Tournament @ Hays CISD

9/28 - 7th Football @ BCMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/29 - 8th Football vs BCMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/29 - XC Tiger Invitational; DSHS @ 5pm