Sycamore Springs Middle School
Weekly Newsletter
October 4, 2026
Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,
It’s hard to believe we are already wrapping up our first nine weeks of the school year! It has been a great start at SSMS, and we are proud of the hard work and growth of all our students.
As we head into the final few days of Term 1, please encourage your student to finish strong by checking grades, turning in any missing work, and completing any remaining retakes. The grading period ends this Thursday, October 8.
We also have a long weekend ahead! Friday, October 9 is a student holiday/staff workday, and Monday, October 12 is a district holiday. We hope our Tiger families enjoy the extra time together!
Have a great week, and Go Tigers! 🐯
Sincerely,
Kelly Miller
Principal
1. End of Term 1 - Thursday, Oct. 8 marks the end of the Term 1 grading period. Please check with your student to be sure all missing assignments have been turned in and that any retesting opportunities have been completed before this date. Finishing strong helps set the stage for a successful start to Term 2!
2. This Friday, Oct. 9, is a student holiday and staff Professional Development day. In addition, 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!
3. 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.
4. 🏀 Boys Basketball Tryouts Are Almost Here! 7th & 8th grade basketball tryouts run Friday, October 23 through Wednesday, October 28. Students planning to try out must complete the Student Interest Form before tryouts. See the section below for the full tryout schedule, times, and important details.
5. Not sure when the next Student Club day is? See flyer below for the dates of all our Club/ZAP dates.
6. Secondary Grading Information: Grades Should Reflect Learning
At DSISD, we believe grades should communicate what students know and are able to do. That means academic grades should reflect a student’s mastery of course objectives and the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), rather than non-academic factors such as behavior, discipline, attendance, tardies, or bringing in classroom supplies.
Throughout the learning process, students receive feedback to help them understand what they have mastered, where they still need to grow, and what they can do next. Ultimately, we want students to use that feedback to take greater ownership of their learning.
How can families help? When talking with your Tiger about grades, try shifting the conversation from “What grade did you get?” to “What did you learn?” or “What do you still need to work on?” The grade provides information, but the learning is what matters most.
7. Attendance Matters: What Does an “Excused” Absence Really Mean?
What a great attendance week at SSMS! Our Tigers finished the week at 98.3%, well above our 96.9% campus goal. Congratulations to 8th grade, leading the way this week with 98.6% attendance!
Did you know that providing a parent or doctor's note does not necessarily mean an absence stops counting toward the 90% attendance rule? Documentation may allow an absence to be coded as district-excused, but district-excused absences still count toward the 90% requirement. Certain state-excused absences, when they meet state requirements and are properly documented, are exempt from the 90% rule.
Remember, absences initially default to unexcused in Skyward until the campus receives the appropriate documentation. Please submit documentation within 48 hours of your student's return to school so the absence can be coded correctly.
Attendance Questions? Find information about reporting absences, documentation, the 90% attendance requirement, attendance makeup, and more on the DSISD Attendance & FAQ page
UIL Eligibility Reminder – No Pass, No Play
The end of the first 9-week term is this 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.
•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: Congrats to Autumn Kirtland, winner of the YETI Ramblers (16oz & 8oz) 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: 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 Friday October 16th 8:15AM in the Sycamore Room. Only two meetings left for 2026!
•ACTION: We love our SSMS Families 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 10/7, Thurs 10/8, and Tues 10/13 are available and will be posted weekly. Sign up here: SignUp.com Mobile
•ACTION: 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
•THANK YOU to Adela’s Sweet Maison & Milk + Honey Coffee Co. for helping make our first Principal’s Coffee of the 26’-27’ extra special! We’re grateful for local businesses that support our SSMS students & staff, interested, email: president@ssmspta.org
•Be sure to Like & Follow Sycamore Springs Middle School PTA on ourFacebookandInstagram - only 66 followers away from a 1500 goal- we post information & updates daily!
DSISD Hiring Substitutes
DSISD is hiring substitutes for the 2026-27 school year!
Substituting is the perfect way to step in and support our students and teachers. Whether you’re looking for part-time flexibility or full-time hours, you choose the schedule that works best for you. Substitutes can also opt into medical benefits and even pick the campus where they want to work.
Come be a part of our DSISD family and help inspire the next generation!
SSMS Facebook
SSMS Instagram
