Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

We have officially wrapped up our first nine weeks of school! It's hard to believe how quickly the year is moving. I'm proud of the hard work our students have put in so far, both in and out of the classroom, and I'm looking forward to all that Term 2 has in store.

I hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend and getting a little extra time to relax and recharge. We have another busy stretch ahead with athletics, fine arts, student activities, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate!

Be sure to take a few minutes to look through this week's newsletter for important campus updates, upcoming events, and reminders.

As always, thank you for your continued support and partnership. Enjoy the rest of your long weekend, and we'll see our Tigers back on Tuesday!

Have a great week, and Go Tigers! 🐯

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1.Monday, Oct. 12, is a district holiday, and all district offices and campuses will be closed. We hope you and your family enjoy the long weekend!

2. Parent-Teacher Conferences - We want to remind families that parents and guardians are encouraged to partner with teachers in support of student learning. If you would like to schedule a parent-teacher conference, you may do so by reaching out to your child’s teacher directly. Conferences can be arranged at a mutually convenient time to discuss your student’s progress, strengths, and areas of growth.

3. At SSMS, our core values—Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible—directly connect with our Leader in Me (LEAD) habits. Integrating these habits builds daily student accountability, drives academic growth, and fosters a positive campus culture.

4. SSMS PTA Spirit Night – October 14! Take a night off from cooking and support SSMS PTA! Join us at Cousin Louie’s Italian Restaurant on Wednesday, October 14 for Spirit Night. They’ll be giving 20% back to SSMS PTA all day! Just mention SSMS PTA when ordering or use code BENEFITNIGHT for online orders. See the flyer below for more information.

5. DSEF Student Leadership Grants – Have a Great Idea? Does your student have an idea that could make a difference at SSMS or in our community? The Dripping Springs Education Foundation (DSEF) is offering Student Leadership Grants to help students bring their ideas to life! Applications are due October 17. Click here to learn more and apply!

6. PTA Needs your help... WE NEED CHILIS - for the SSMS PTA is cooking up a SPOOKtacular 3rd Annual Halloweenie Chili & Hot Dog Staff Appreciation Friday Oct 23rd Bring your famous chili, donate a dish and/or volunteer! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

7. ❤️ Red Ribbon Week is Coming! October 26–29

Tiger Nation, get ready to show your school spirit as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week! Join us for four fun dress-up days as we promote healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle.

See the section below for our daily dress-up themes and details!

8. Secondary Grading Information: Staying Informed Through Skyward

At DSISD, we believe clear communication and timely feedback are essential to student success. Families play an important role in supporting student learning, and Skyward Family Access makes it easy to stay informed about your Tiger's academic progress throughout the school year.

Through Skyward Family Access, parents can view grades, assignments, progress reports, and report cards at any time. Here are a few important reminders:

• Progress Reports: Available electronically at the end of the 3rd and 6th weeks of each nine-week grading period.

• Report Cards: Posted electronically in Skyward at the end of each grading period. Families will receive an email from DSISD when report cards are available.

• No Paper Copies: DSISD does not send home traditional paper progress reports or report cards. All information is available through Skyward Family Access.

Need help accessing Skyward? If you need assistance logging in or resetting your password, please contact our campus registrar at stephanie.casto@dsisdtx.us.

Did you know you can set up automatic grade alerts in Skyward? Rather than checking grades every day, families can use Skyward's notification settings to receive email alerts about their student's academic progress. Depending on the available settings, you may be able to receive notifications when grades fall below a selected percentage or when assignments are missing. It's a great way to stay informed and address concerns before they become bigger challenges!

How can families help? Make it a habit to check Skyward regularly with your Tiger. Rather than focusing only on the numerical grade, take a few minutes to discuss their progress, celebrate improvements, and identify areas where additional support may be needed. Staying informed and having conversations about learning can make a big difference!

9. Attendance Matters: The 90% Rule vs. Truancy

Our Tigers finished Week 9 with 97.2% attendance, keeping SSMS above our 96.9% campus goal! A special shout-out to our 7th graders, who led the campus this week with 97.9% attendance!

Did you know Texas has two different attendance laws?

Compulsory Attendance focuses on unexcused absences and truancy. The 90% Attendance Rule focuses on whether students attend enough of each class to earn credit or a final grade. Even absences excused by the district can count toward the 90% rule!

At SSMS, attendance is calculated by class period, not just by the total number of school days missed. That's why attending every class matters!

Attendance Questions? Find information about reporting absences, documentation, the 90% attendance requirement, attendance makeup, and more on the DSISD Attendance & FAQ page

We hope everyone is enjoying the long weekend!

7th graders, who’s parents gave consent to take the Terrace Metrics survey, completed that. Parents will receive a parent report sometime this week, via email from Terrace Metrics that explains student results. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student’s counselor.

Take a look at what’s coming up this month:

• Oct.15 & Oct. 28–8th Grade Safe Schools bullying prevention-8th History classes

• Oct. 20 @ 9:30 a.m.-SB9 7th Grade Parent Preview Mtg-Relationships Paint them Healthy

On Oct. 28 or 29, 7th graders will receive instruction, as required by Senate Bill 9 and the state guidelines for public schools, relating to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence and human trafficking. DSISD administration, Board of Trustees, and the Student Health Advisory Committee (SHAC) have selected and approved the curriculum to use for these lessons. The lesson is called Relationships: Paint Them Healthy”. This presentation addresses healthy and unhealthy aspects of a relationship, including mutual respect, boundaries, jealousy and control, how to break up, and communication skills. Regardless of what we’ve seen and learned growing up, we can gain the tools to make a conscious decision about the kind of relationship we want.

The lesson will be presented by the counselors in 7th Grade ELA classes. It is approximately 45 minutes in length and includes a video and a script to guide discussions both before and after the video. You may preview scripts and watch trailers at Play it Safe. Counselors are also hosting a parent preview/information session on Oct. 20th from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Pecan room at SSMS. 7th grade parents received an email from Actionaly this Thursday, Oct. 8th. This email has the electronic opt in form for the lesson. If you want your student to receive this lesson, you must opt them in. The deadline is October 22nd.

If you missed the Lunch and Learn on Youth Anxiety hosted by the Counseling Department, you can watch the recording on our DSISD Family Learning Lounge youtube page. *Recordings from outside agencies will be taken down one month after the presentation date*

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

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

At Sycamore Springs Middle School, our school-wide expectations—Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible—serve as the foundation for everything we do. To deepen these expectations and empower our students to take true ownership of their actions, we integrate Franklin Covey’s Leader in Me (LEAD) framework directly into our campus culture.

By intentionally connecting our Tiger core values with the 8 Habits of Highly Effective People, we provide students with a common language and an actionable roadmap for personal accountability, leadership, and emotional maturity both in the classroom and at home. When school staff and families use this shared framework, our students receive consistent coaching wherever they are.

Have an idea that could make a positive difference in your school or community? The Dripping Springs Education Foundation (DSEF) wants to help students turn those ideas into action!

DSEF's Student Leadership Grants provide funding for student-led projects that address real needs, encourage collaboration, build leadership skills, and make a lasting impact in our schools and community.

Whether your student has identified a need at SSMS or has an idea to help others in our community, we encourage our Tigers to think big and apply!

Application Deadline: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Apply for a Student Leadership Grant Here!

Questions? Contact Stephanie Moody at Stephanie@dseducationfoundation.org.

The end of the first 9-week term was last Thursday, October 8. Students participating in UIL (University Interscholastic League) activities must be passing all classes to remain eligible to compete. Grade checks are consistent across DSISD and follow the UIL calendar. Students who are not passing at the end of the term will become ineligible beginning Thursday, October 15.

✅ Parent Tip: Now is a great time to sit down with your student and check Skyward together to be sure all missing assignments and retakes are complete.

You can view the full UIL Eligibility Calendar HERE.

Take a night off from cooking and support SSMS PTA at the same time! Join us at Cousin Louie’s Italian Restaurant on Wednesday, October 14 for Spirit Night. They’ll be giving 20% back to SSMS PTA all day!

Just mention SSMS PTA when ordering, or use code BENEFITNIGHT for online orders.

Grab some dinner, support our Tigers, and then cheer on SSMS Football! 🐯🏈

SSMS is celebrating Red Ribbon Week, October 26–29! We're encouraging all Tigers to participate in our spirit days as we come together to promote healthy choices and a drug-free lifestyle!

Here's our dress-up schedule:

• Monday, October 26 – Red Out: Wear red to show your support!

• Tuesday, October 27 – Holiday Day: Dress for your favorite holiday!

• Wednesday, October 28 – Dress Like a Teacher Day: Students dress like teachers for our Student-Teacher Swap Day!

• Thursday, October 29 – Costume Contest: Show off your creativity with a fun costume!

We can't wait to see our Tigers show their school spirit and creativity throughout the week! 🐯

This week’s Tiger of the Week showed what it truly means to be a Tiger!

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

Special shout-out to our Coaches!

Happy Birthday to all our SSMS Faculty and Staff! 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!💪🎉

Please congratulate the Players of the Game!!!

We are so proud of all our volleyball players! We especially want to recognize the following players of the game from this week's game against WRMS!

Congratulations to our SSMS XC Runners of the Weeks for the past two weeks. For the week of September 21st through September 25th, we recognized runners and our manager for their commitment. These runners and our manager show up eager and finish strong. From practice to warm-ups to reaching for the finish line, these runners show endless effort and enthusiasm Congratulations to Merritt (7G), Teddy (7B), Jordan and Vanna (8G), Cooper (8B) and Weston (manager). Keep bringing your best to all you do on and off the trails.

For the week of September 28th through October 2nd, we recognized runners who continue to push their pace as they seek their race pace in their endless quest for a new PR (personal record). The improvement that these runners achieve is a testament to their determination, motivation and “can do” spirit. Congratulations to Sydney (7G), Amos (7B), Alex (8G) and Josiah and Parker (8B). Keep pushing to find your next PR while inspiring your teammates!

Please congratulate these Choir Students of the Week!

•ACTION: Join us at Cousin Louie’s for the first SSMS PTA SPIRIT DAY/NIGHT of 26’-27’

Treat yourself to lunch or a night off from cooking WHILE supporting your Tiger(s)! Wednesday, October 14th ALL DAY. Be sure to mention “SSMS PTA” when ordering, so a portion of your order goes to our school or use “BENEFITNIGHT” when ordering out.

•ACTION: Pumpkins, patches & PTA perks—fall fun that gives back to SSMS! Visit Driftwood Fall Festival now until Nov 1st by purchasing your ticket here: Driftwood Fall Festival and SSMS PTA gets $5 per ticket-mention we sent you!

•ACTION: LAST raffle for the YETI Roadie 15 Hard Cooler is Fri 10/31 and YOU have to be in it to win it! We are at 350+ members, and so close to our goal of 425, so join today at JoinPTA – JoinPTA

•ACTION: HELP-WE NEED CHILIS- for the SSMS PTA is cooking up a SPOOKtacular 3rd Annual Halloweenie Chili & Hot Dog Staff Appreciation Friday Oct 23rd Bring your famous chili, donate a dish and/or volunteer! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

•Our next SSMS PTA Membership Meeting is THIS Friday October 16th 8:15AM in the Sycamore Room. Only two meetings left for 2026!

•Sponsor Spotlight: Thank you to Dripping Springs Automotive Dripping Springs Auto Repair - Dripping Springs Automotive for their generosity as a SSMS PTA GOLD Sponsor for staff appreciation, student grants, programs, events, and MORE! Want to help us too? See below.

•ACTION: We love our SSMS Community for your support of SSMS students & staff! Your PTA donations—both BIG & small—help fund programs, events, grants, & staff appreciations like the upcoming Halloweenie that make SSMS so special. Sponsorships start at $250 and offer great visibility on our social media with over 2K followers! Donate today: Donate to Sycamore Springs Middle School PTA to help us support our students, teachers, and staff.

ACTION: Opportunities to volunteer at SSMS are here! You can help free up teaching time to educate & mentor by simply volunteering to make copies in our workroom WEEKLY. Please, sign up for one or MORE slots that is convenient for you. OPEN SLOTS: Wed 10/14, Thurs 10/15, and Mon 10/19 are available and will be posted weekly. Sign up here: SignUp.com Mobile

•Register NOW at SSMS Spelling Bee Registration to receive the official word list to prepare for the SSMS PTA Scripps Spelling Bee. Date is TBA mid January 27’ in the SSMS Cafeteria. Questions, email: programs@ssmspta.org

•SSMS PTA is excited to participate in the Nat’l PTA Reflections! It encourages students of ALL ages & abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Students create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice— dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts — reflecting on a specific theme. This year's theme is "What Culture Means to Me.We would love for you to participate! Rules and entry form now electronic, here: https://www.txpta.org/reflections-participation

•Be sure to Like & Follow Sycamore Springs Middle School PTA on ourFacebookandInstagram - only 55 followers away from a 1500 goal- we post information & updates daily!

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!

Monday, 10/12 - District Holiday/No School

Tuesday, 10/13

7th Football @ HBMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

Wednesday, 10/14

FCA Meeting; Small Gym @ 8:00am (must have permission slip to attend)

CAC Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 7:45am

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

PTA Spirit Night @ Cousin Louie’s Italian Restaurant; all day

Thursday, 10/15

Principal's Student Advisory Meeting; Sycamore Room during Tiger Win

School Board Visit to SSMS; 11-12 visiting CTE Classes

8th Grade Safe Schools Bullying Prevention Presentation in SS Classes

Volleyball @ HBMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30pm

Friday, 10/16

XC Team Breakfast & Uniform Return; 7am

PTA General Membership Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 8:15am

🐯Varsity Football Home Game vs. Bowie; Tiger Stadium @ 7:30pm 🏈

Saturday, 10/17

Volleyball - District B Team Tournament; at SSMS

Region Choir Field Trip; AISD

10/19 - 7th Football @ DSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

10/19 - Volleyball vs DSMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30pm

10/20 - NJHS Meeting; 6th grade Pod @ 8:05am

10/20 - Picture Retake Day; 9-2pm in Sycamore Room

10/20 - SB9 7th Grade Parent Preview Mtg in Pecan Room @ 9:30am

10/20 - 8th Football vs DSMS @ DSHS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

10/21 - FCA Meeting; Small Gym @ 8:00am (must have permission slip to attend)

10/21 - Student Club Day - during Tiger Win

10/21 - NJHS Meeting; 6th grade Pod @ 4:20pm

10/23 - XC Fun Run; 7am

10/23 - PTA Halloweenie Chili & Hot Dog Staff Appreciation; Sign up here

10/24 - Volleyball - District A Team Tournament; at DSMS

10/24 - District Band Auditions; SSMS Gym

10/26 - Red Ribbon Week Theme: Red Out

10/26 - Girls Basketball Tryouts Begin

10/26 - SSMS Spotlight @ School Board Meeting; CLL Boardroom @ 6pm

10/27 - Red Ribbon Week Theme: Holiday Day

10/28 - Red Ribbon Week Theme: Dress Like a Teacher Day

10/28 - FCA Meeting; Small Gym @ 8:00am (must have permission slip to attend)

10/28 - 8th Grade Safe Schools Bullying Prevention Presentation in SS Classes

10/29 - Red Ribbon Week Theme: Costume Contest

10/30 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday

11/4 - Student Club Day - during Tiger Win

11/6 - XC Fun Run; 7am

11/12 - Principal Coffee & Chat; Pecan Room @ 8:15am

11/12 - Principal's Student Advisory Meeting; Sycamore Room during Tiger Win

11/18 - Student Club Day - during Tiger Win

12/2 - Student Club Day - during Tiger Win

12/9 - CAC Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 7:45am

12/10 - Principal's Student Advisory Meeting; Sycamore Room during Tiger Win