February 9, 2025
Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,
Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We had an amazing week with one of the Harlem Wizards visiting us during lunches on Thursday and on Friday Friendship Church donated Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream bars for all the students! Thank you, Harlem Wizards and Friendship Church for your time and donations. The students loved both!
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize, honor, and celebrate the incredible contributions of Black leaders, innovators, and changemakers throughout history.
Throughout the month, our students will engage in daily “Did You Know?” facts, classroom discussions, historical spotlights, and special activities that highlight Black excellence in history, science, literature, music, and beyond. We encourage families to continue the conversation at home by exploring books, music, and stories that celebrate Black history and culture. Together, let’s honor the past, inspire the present, and build a future where all voices are valued and celebrated! Thank you for partnering with us in creating an inclusive and inspiring learning environment for all! 🎉✨
This Friday is National School Resource Officer (SRO) Appreciation Day! We’re so lucky to have Deputy Salazar as part of our SSMS family! He goes above and beyond to keep our campus safe while also building great relationships with our students, staff, and families. His sense of humor, kindness, and ability to connect with everyone make a huge difference every day. Thank you, Deputy Salazar, for all you do—we appreciate you!
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. The Tiger Leaders are delighted to introduce an exciting new fundraiser just in time for Valentine's Day! From February 10 to 14, treat your friends (and yourself!) to delicious Fundip for only $1 during tutorials and lunch in the cafeteria. Spread some joy and sweetness this season—let's make it a celebration to remember!
2. For 8th Grade Families - DSHS will be hosting several events catering to rising freshmen and their families.
- February 11 & 13: 8th Grade students will tour DSHS and get insights into course offerings during 5th period. Students will be bussed to and from their campuses. If you would like to opt your student out of this experience you can do so here, they will remain on their campus for that period.
3. On February 14th, the SSMS Tiger Belles will be hosting a tryout clinic open to all incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who are interested in auditioning for Tiger Belles. Students are encouraged to wear appropriate dance attire and shoes, and to bring a water bottle to the clinic. During the clinic, all participants will receive a tryout packet with application, a QR code to an online parent meeting regarding the organization, and essential information about the official tryout scheduled for February 27th. If for some reason you cannot make the tryout clinic on 2/14/25 please contact Mrs. Robbins at senanu.robbins@dsisdtx.us to get all of the necessary materials for tryouts on 2/27/25.
4. Yearbook recognition ad deadline is February 13, 2025. Order your Yearbook ad here.
5. SSMS Cheer Tryout are March 7! There is a mandatory parent Information Meeting on Feb. 28 (if you didn't make the Feb. 7 meeting). Come to our upcoming parent meeting on February 7th or on February 28th at 5 PM in the Sycamore Room. Get all the details about tryouts, scoresheet, cheer booster club, and more. We can’t wait to see you there! Cheer Tryouts are on March 7!
*It is mandatory to attend at least one parent information session if you daughter is going to tryout for SSMS Cheer.
6. Dripping Springs HS PTSA is excited to host Dripping Springs the Harlem Wizards on Sunday, February 23rd 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 .
7. The district spirt shop, Drip Drip Spirit is having a t-shirt design contest. The deadline is 2/14. See flyer below for more details.
8. February marks the nationally recognized month-long celebration of Love the Bus, a time to show gratitude towards our dedicated transportation staff who ensure the safety of our students as they are transported to/from school and on trips. Our drivers and monitors treasure any note or cards they receive from our students!
9. Next Monday, February 17, is a district holiday. All campus and district office will be closed. We hope you enjoy the three-day weekend.
10. SSMS Attendance - As we continue to focus on our goal of improving attendance, we are initiating a process to address attendance concerns. Some of you may have already received an attendance letter from your child’s AP. Our goal is to partner with you and your child. Once a student has accumulated unexcused absences that exceed the 90% rule, a plan will be implemented to support the student and improve their attendance. This plan can include school-to-home communication, assigned tutorials, or an attendance contract.
Please help us continue to improve student attendance. Go Tigers!🐯💛
SSMS PTA Updates:
Thank you to those who contributed to our SSMS Souper Bowl MMXXV - the staff greatly appreciated the delicious meal on Friday!
Save the date for Texas PTA's Rally Day on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Capitol in Austin! The day will include:
- Opportunities to meet with legislators to discuss key issues impacting education
- A rally on the Capitol steps to unite and amplify our collective voice
- Informative sessions to equip attendees with tools for effective advocacy and understanding Texas PTA's priorities for the 89th Legislative Session are available here!
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.
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