Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying the long weekend and taking a little time to recharge.

As we head into a short but busy week, there are several important reminders and exciting events ahead. This Thursday, Feb. 19 we have a faculty meeting in the morning, so there will be no tutorials. Our very first SSMS Mixtape Talent Show is just around the corner, and we are so proud of the courage and creativity our students are showing as they prepare to take the stage. Student Council is also hard at work transforming our gym into an Enchanted Garden for the Spring Dance in March, and we are grateful for the parent support that helps bring these special events to life.

For our 8th grade families, course requests for high school are due February 27 in SchooLinks. Please be sure to review the Rising 9th Grade information and connect with your counselor if you have questions. For our 6th grade families, this is also a good time to check on required immunizations for 7th grade to ensure a smooth transition next year.

Finally, attendance continues to be a priority. Every day matters especially and we appreciate your partnership in helping our Tigers stay on track.

As always, if you need anything or have questions, please contact your student’s teacher, counselor, or administrator.

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. This Friday, February 13 and Monday, February 16, are student holidays. Teachers have a professional development workday on Friday, February 13 and February 16 is a district holiday. All campus and district office will be closed on Monday, Feb. 16. We hope you enjoy the four-day weekend.

2. Dripping Springs HS PTSA is excited to host Dripping Springs the Harlem Wizards on Sunday, February 22rd at 2 pm where they’ll take on the teachers, staff and community members from Dripping Springs Independent School District in a fun-filled community event. You can purchase your tickets now and view a sneak peek of the event.

3.The SSMS PTA is excited to present the first SSMS Mixtape Talent Show, hosted by Carl Coccaro! This is the last chance for students to sign up if they'd like to participate, so we would appreciate it very much if you would encourage your students to make a plan to sign up.

Here are the details:

1. Sign up for an audition time by Monday, February 9th HERE!

2. Auditions will take place next week February 12th

3. Feb 19th and 20th - Tech Run Throughs

4. February 26th and 27th - Mixtape Talent Shows, with amazing raffle prizes to be drawn

If anyone has questions, they can email: CARLALMASYCOCCARO@gmail.com

4. For 8th Grade Families - DSHS will be hosting several events catering to rising freshmen and their families.

• Feb. 17 - DSHS Tiger Band and Color Guard Orientation Meeting' DSHS Band Hall @ 7pm
• Feb. 27 - Course Requests are Due (in SchooLinks)

5. Our Student Council is working hard to transform our gym into a magical Enchanted Garden for our upcoming school dance! These events are more than just a fun night out—they are opportunities for our students to build community, celebrate their hard work, and create lasting middle school memories.

To bring this vision to life, we need your help. Your donations are the secret ingredient that makes this magic possible. We truly couldn’t do it without our incredible Tiger parents! Thank you for showing such amazing Synergy and helping us provide a night our students will never forget! Click HERE to access our Amazon Wishlist.

6. Orchestra Meet & Greet - This gathering will be a great opportunity to discuss the bright future of our programs at DSHS, DSMS, and SSMS. I’m looking forward to sharing some goals for the program and, more importantly, getting to know the students and families who make this community so special.

Event Details

• Date: February 26

• Time: 5:30 PM

• Location: DSHS Orchestra Room

I am truly grateful for the opportunity to meet you all and begin this journey together. See you there! Mr. Perrin

7. Off-Campus PE Parent Information Q&A - Join us for an informative virtual session about DSISD’s Off-Campus Physical Education Program, where we’ll provide a brief overview and answer parent questions!

• February 26, 2026: Google Meet Link
• March 5, 2026: Google Meet Link

8. 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.

9. Questions about the DSISD Acceleration Process? If you have questions regarding the acceleration process for your student, please visit the Credit by Exam & Grade Placement page on the district website. This page contains important dates, testing calendars, and referral windows.

For a comprehensive overview of the procedures and requirements, you can access the DSISD Acceleration Guide directly here.

10. SSMS Spring Dance Info - Step into an Enchanted Garden on March 27 from 6–8 PM for a night of music, lights, and a little bit of magic. This special dance is proudly hosted by Student Council with the incredible support of our admin team, and it’s going to be a night you won’t want to miss. Details about ticket sales and wristband handouts can be found in the flyer below.

11. Student Council is asking for parent volunteers to help with post-dance cleanup on March 27th from 8:10–8:45 PM, right after the school dance ends. Helping during this short window makes a big difference—it allows the STUCO students who helped plan the event to finish up sooner and enjoy a well-deserved night out afterward. A completed background check is required, and more details are in the flyer below. We want to thank all of you parents for your help and generosity!

• Click HERE to sign up to volunteer.
• Click HERE for the background check.

12. SSMS Attendance Matters - Weekly Update: Week 24 (2/9–2/12) results are in! Our overall Average Daily Attendance (ADA) was 92.2%. While we are still pushing toward our campus goal of 96.9%, a huge shout-out goes to our 8th Graders for leading the school this week with an attendance rate of 93.8%, followed by 6th Grade at 93.3% and 7th Grade at 89.4%.

Maintaining consistent attendance is vital for academic credit and student success. Per Texas law, students must attend at least 90% of their classes—staying within a limit of 5 unexcused absences this spring—to receive course credit. Because our block schedule means missing one day is actually missing two days of instruction for those subjects, we ask that you report all absences within 48 hours via Family Access and consult the school calendar before scheduling non-emergency appointments. Thank you for partnering with us to keep our Tigers on track!

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

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

The SSMS PTA is excited to present the first SSMS Mixtape Talent Show, hosted by Carl Coccaro! This is the last chance for students to sign up if they'd like to participate, so we would appreciate it very much if you would encourage your students to make a plan to sign up. Here are the details:

1. Sign up for an audition time by Monday, February 9th HERE!

2. Auditions will take place next week February 12th

3. Feb 19th and 20th - Tech Run Throughs

4. February 26th and 27th - Mixtape Talent Shows, with amazing raffle prizes to be drawn

Participating in the Talent Show gives students a powerful opportunity to build their courage, creativity, and self-esteem, especially for those who don’t often get a chance to shine on stage! Here is a graphic with a QR code if you’d like to share that with your students or their parents.

Dear 6th grade Parents/Guardians:

Texas state law requires that ALL students receive the following vaccines PRIOR to starting 7th grade. Students cannot start 7th grade and will not receive their schedules without meeting the following requirements:

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 https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/

Most physicians administer the required vaccines during the 11 year wellness check. Please check with your child's doctor to see if your child has already received the required vaccines. If not, please make arrangements to have the vaccines administered.

Vaccine records can be emailed to me (blair.smith@dsisdtx.us) or dropped off at school.

Helpful links:

Texas Minimum State Vaccine Requirements for Students Grades K-12

Texas Immunization Exemptions

Immunization Resources

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Nurse Blair

Hey Tigers, are you ready to cheer? If you’re interested in trying out for cheer, a Parent or Guardian must attend one of two sessions on Feb. 5 or Feb. 19 (students are welcome and encouraged to attend!) where we’ll break down everything you need to know about practice schedules, costs, required skills, the tryout process, application packets, and expectations for cheerleaders throughout the school year. This meeting helps families decide if cheer is the right fit before committing to tryouts. Let’s get ready to bring the spirit! Quick reminder - cheer is only available for rising 7th and 8th graders. Let’s get ready to bring the spirit! Click HERE to access the flyer with more information.

SSMS Spring Dance Info - Step into an Enchanted Garden on March 27 from 6–8 PM for a night of music, lights, and a little magic!

Hosted by Student Council with support from our admin team, this is a night you won’t want to miss.

Student Council is transforming our cafeteria into a magical garden to create a fun, memory-making evening for our students.

• Tickets are $5.00 (cash only) and will be sold March 9-13 in the cafeteria. Wristbands will be handed out March 24-26 during lunches.
• To help bring this vision to life, we’re asking for donations through our Amazon Wishlist (link below). Thank you to our amazing Tiger parents for your continued support!
• We’re also seeking parent volunteers for post-dance cleanup from 8:10–8:45 PM on March 27.
• A completed background check is required; see the flyer for details. We appreciate your help in making this event a success.

• Click HERE to access our Amazon Wishlist.

• Click HERE to sign up to volunteer.
• Click HERE for the background check.

DSHS has created a Rising 9th Grade Newsletter with key dates and upcoming events. The link will be shared in my weekly newsletters, but you may also want to bookmark it and check back for updates. Click HERE to access the Rising 9th Grade Newsletter.

Upcoming Events:

• Feb. 17 - DSHS Tiger Band and Color Guard Orientation Meeting' DSHS Band Hall @ 7pm
• Feb. 27 - Course Requests are Due (in SchooLinks)

Please join me in celebrating our amazing Tigers with September birthdays! Wishing each of you a day filled with joy, laughter, and lots of cake. We ❤️ You! Go Tigers! 🐯

Big cheers to our amazing SSMS teachers who earned a shout-out from their peers this week! Your hard work and positivity keep our campus shining bright. We’re so lucky to have the BEST staff around. Thank you for making SSMS the place to be!

Congratulations to the Tiger of the Week!💪🎉

Congratulations!!!

Congratulations to our students, Caleb Luddy, Carla Smith and Pema Fithen for making the 2026 All-Region Choir. These students have been working so hard since the Fall semester to audition for this advanced choir. On January 31st, they competed against 500 other students from around Austin and were placed in 2nd, 7th, and 11th chair! get to sing in the All-Region Choir Concert on 2/7.

• Send the SSMS PTA “One-Click LOVE Fund” Fundraiser some love! It helps programming like our upcoming 26’ SSMS PTA Talent Show, Student & Staff Grants, and much MORE! DONATE HERE (easily once or monthly): February Edition: Spirit Nights THANK YOU for all the generous contributions so far! Questions? Email: SSMS PTA Fundraising at fundraising@ssmspta.org

• ATTENTION: The NEW SSMS PTA Middle School MixTape 26’ Talent Show is NOW, Friday February 27th 6-8PM in the SSMS Cafeteria. Come support our talented SSMS students!

• SSMS PTA Membership Meeting is NEXT Fri Feb 20th 8:15AM This special meeting will appoint a Nominating Committee for the SSMS PTA 26’-27’ Exec. Board RSVP here: SSMS PTA Membership Meeting RSVP 2025-2026

• SSMS & DSMS Middle School Nights are back with a Feb Mash Up: Code Ninjas Fri Feb 20th 6-8:30PM: SignUpGenius - Mobile and Hot Ground Gym Wed Feb 25th 6:30-7:15PM: SignUpGenius - Mobile Sign up TODAY for these FREE “screen free” events!

• SSMS PTA Lunch Volunteers for additional help during lunchtimes. Great way to volunteer for 30mins! Stay tuned at this link for updated sign ups: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs

• SSMS PTA Parent to Parent Campus Tours for Feb! Come see why SSMS received the School of Excellence Award-perfect for incoming 6th Grade Parents! Fridays 2/20 & 2/27 11:30AM-12:15PM Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

• SSMS PTA Membership Spring Recap: We currently are at 383 PTA Members earning the Head Start (Aug), Early Bird Achievement (Sept), Snappy Increase (Oct), and Shining Star (Nov) TX PTA Awards! This is a 26% increase over last year?! Well done SSMS!

• THANK YOU to all our SSMS PTA Workroom Volunteers who show up to free up teaching time to educate & mentor in the workroom WEEKLY. We NEED help this short week: Wed 2/18-Fri 2/20-Mon 2/23-Thurs 2/26-Fri 2/27!! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs

• On behalf of SSMS National Junior Honor Society & Ms. McGilvray: Clothes Bin have partnered to collect & recycle old clothing, shoes and textiles! Every lb. of recycled items supports SSMS NJHS! Place your items in a bag that is tied closed & deposit them in the newly UPDATED green recycling bin in our front Maroon parking lot.

• 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!

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. Click HERE to leave a Tiger Strip!

Join us for an informative virtual session about DSISD’s Off-Campus Physical Education Program, where we’ll provide a brief overview and answer parent questions!

• February 26, 2026: Google Meet Link
• March 5, 2026: Google Meet Link

Monday, 2/16 - District Holiday/No School

National School Resource Officer Day 👮‍♂️🙌

Tuesday, 2/17 - B Day

NJHS Meeting; 6th grade pod @ 4:20am

Wednesday, 2/18 - A Day

NJHS Meeting; 6th grade pod @ 8:05am

Boys Track Meet @ DSMS; Field Events Only (4:15pm)

Girls Track Meet vs DSMS @ SSMS; Field Events Only (4:15pm)

Thursday, 2/19 - B Day

FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

NO TUTORIALS - Faculty Meeting

Talent Show/Mandatory Run-through; 4:30-6pm

Cheer Parent Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

Friday, 2/20 - A Day

PTA Membership Meeting; Sycamore Room @8:15am

PTA Parent-to-Parent Campus Tour; 11:30 (RSVP Here)

Talent Show/Mandatory Run-through; 4:30-6pm

Percussion Only Ensemble Concert; DSHS PAC @ 7pm

Saturday, 2/21

Dance Competition

Saturday, 2/22

Harlem Wizards @ DSHS; 2pm (Buy Tickets HERE)

2/24 - Band Pre-UIL Concert at DSHS; 6:30pm

2/25 - Boys Track Meet @ LTMS; 4:15pm

2/25 - Girls Track @ West Ridge; 4:15pm

2/26 - CAC Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 7:45am

2/26 - Roots Meeting; F232 @ 8am

2/26 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

2/26 - Band Booster Club Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

2/26 - Orchestra Meet & Greet; DSHS Orchestra Room @ 5:30 PM

2/27 - PTA Parent-to-Parent Campus Tour; 11:30 (RSVP Here)

2/28 - Dance Competition

3/2 - SB9 Sexting/Cyberbullying Parent Presentation; 9am in Pecan Room

3/2 - Cheer Clinic Day 1; 4:15pm

3/3 - Cheer Clinic Day 2; 4:15pm

3/4 - Boys Track Meet @ WRMS; 3pm

3/4 - Girls Track Meet @ Hudson Bend; 4:15pm

3/4 - Cheer Clinic Day 3; 4:15pm

3/4 - UIL One Act Play Community Performance; 6pm in Cafeteria

3/5 - PTA Parent-to-Parent Campus Tour; 11:30 (RSVP Here)

3/5 - Cheer Tryouts; 4:15

3/5 - UIL One Act Play Community Performance; 6pm in Cafeteria

3/6 - UIL One Act Play School Performance; 1:30pm in Cafeteria

3/7 - UIL OAP Festival @ DSMS

3/10 - Band UIL Concert & Sightreading; Hays PAC

3/10 - 7th Grade Boys/Girls Pre-District Track Meet @ DSHS; 4:15pm

3/11 - Band UIL Concert & Sightreading; Hays PAC

3/11 - 8th Grade Boys/Girls Pre-District Track Meet @ DSHS; 4:15pm

3/12 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

3/12 - Choir Pre UIL; DSHS PAC @ 7pm

3/13 - PTA Board Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 8:15am

3/13 - PTA Parent-to-Parent Campus Tour; 11:30 (RSVP Here)

3/16-3/20 - Spring Break 😎🏄‍♀️⛱️

3/23 - 8th Grade Panoramic Picture

3/25 - District Track Meet - Day 1 @ Westlake HS; 2pm

3/26 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

3/26 - Roots Meeting; F232 @ 8am

3/26 - District Track Meet - Day 2 @ Westlake HS; 2pm

3/27 - Tennis Parent Meeting; Time TBD