Sycamore Springs

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you and your family are enjoying the weekend and the amazing weather. We have a busy week this next week with football, volleyball, and cross country events, plus our first pep rally of the school year! Please take minute and read through all our upcoming events and reminders for the week.

If you need anything or have any questions, please reach out to your student's teacher, counselor, or administrator.

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. Leader in Me - Every month we will spotlight one of the Leader in Me habits with easy-to-implement strategies as well as how we are applying the habit at school plus some tools for home use. This month is Begin with the End in Mind. See the flyer below for more details.

2. PTA General Membership Meeting is this Friday, September 13 at 8:15 am in the Sycamore Room. Please see the PTA section in the newsletter for the RSVP link and other important information.

3. Don't forget to order your Yearbook now! Order your yearbook before 9/13 to score the best deal of the year! 4 free icons and the lowest price you can get! Click HERE to order your yearbook.

We are excited for the start of another week as we prepare to start going into classrooms this month!

On Sept. 17 & 18, 2024, 6th grade students will be presented a developmentally appropriate lesson on “It’s Harassment”, as required by Senate Bill 9 and the State guidelines for public schools. School Board members as well as our Student Health Advisory Committee have selected and approved the curriculum to use for this lesson. The lesson is approximately 45 minutes and includes a short video and a script to guide discussions both before and after the video. You may review the trailer of the “It’s Harassment” video at Play It Safe.

Schedule of SB9 Classroom Presentations for 6th Grade:

Lesson: It’s Harassment taught in Huddle on September 17 & 18, 2024

Lesson: Sexting & Cyberbullying taught in Huddle on April 1 & 2, 2025

As partners in your child’s education, we ask that you consider this information. You may preview more detailed information about our senate Bill 9 Play it Safe Curriculum on the District website by clicking this link.

Opt-in forms are due this week for the It’s Harassment lesson. Please have the form completed by September 12, 2024. If we do not receive your form submission by this date, your student will be opted out. Remember, you must Opt in your student to participate in each specific safety lesson.

Our parent book study Smart but Scattered starts this Thursday September 12th! We will be meeting virtually through Google Meets at noon on Thursdays. If you have already signed up you should have received the link. For more details and to sign up click here. We will be covering chapter 1 this week.

LaDonna Caroselli, 6th Grade A-K & 7th Grade Counselor

Sandy Zimmerman, 6th Grade L-Z & 8th Grade Counselor

Leader in Me is a PK–12 evidence-based model focused on leadership, culture, and academics that equips students, educators, and families with the leadership and life skills needed to thrive in a dynamic world. Check out the 5 Core Paradigms that drive the Leader in Me process.

Yearbooks are now on Sale! Order your yearbook today and score great deals. The sale price ends on September 13! Click HERE to order your yearbook.

Students must WEAR their student IDs at all times. If you are not wearing your ID as you enter the building you will be directed to get a temporary badge in the front office. If you lost your ID, you must order a new one from the district. Click HERE to order a new ID badge.

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

🎉 Congratulations to our Tiger of the Week: Logan Gee

SSMS XC is excited to recognize our Runners of the Week for August 14th to August 23rd. Our team was excited to celebrate the following runners:

Tivi Collodora: She was nominated by a teammate and an SSES parent who saw her on the trails at drop-off. Both of her nominations were for her support of her fellow athletes. She goes above and beyond to share her love for our team and XC by encouraging and running with her teammates when they need motivation. Her genuine care for each of her teammates reflects the heart of SSMS XC. Her leadership and awareness of others is appreciated by all.

Finn Willie: He is a runner who knows no limits. There is no expectation or distance that is too much for this amazing young man. He is a consistent presence at practice always arriving early and always giving 110% in everything he does. His attention to finishing everything he starts ensures that he gets the most out of each practice. Keep up the amazing effort, Finn, you are growing as a runner each day because of your work ethic!

Congratulations!

Coach McGilvray

• Our first ‘24-‘25 General Membership Meeting is Friday, September 13 at 8:15AM - please join us! Be sure to RSVP Here and allow time to have your badge pre-printed, or expect an ID scan if this is your first time on campus.

• Let your voice be heard: fill out this Form to suggest future PTA Meeting Topic Ideas that you'd like to hear about!

• The SSMS PTA is excited to open the call for volunteers for two departments that greatly help and influence our staff and students - Workroom Helpers and Hospitality! Both of these opportunities help our staff to feel appreciated and free up time for them to work with students. Please go to our LinkTree to sign up for Workroom Help or other volunteer opportunities, including Hospitality!

• We welcome you to join SSMS PTA! Your $10.50 membership dues help to keep the PTA running, provides grants to students & staff, provides occasional meals for teachers, and helps to fund campus improvements! Please share ideas, concerns, and experiences to make the school year better for everyone. Scan the QR code or go to joinpta.org to join.

• Be sure to Like and Follow our Facebook and Instagram - we post information and updates daily, and we’ll show up more often in your feed the more you react to the posts!

DSISD Employee Recognition Program

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.

The program invites DSISD staff, students, parents and community members to participate by leaving a positive note about a staff member. Please click HERE to go to the district Tiger Stripe page.

Dripping Springs ISD has announced the 2024-25 dates for the district’s community series, Taxpayer Tuesdays.

Taxpayer Tuesdays is an opportunity for parents and community members to tour DSISD campuses and facilities and learn about district operations and finances, student programs and successes, and ask questions of district leaders. At each event, taxpayers tour a campus and learn about a topic relevant to our fast-growing district.

For the 2024-25 school year, there will be three events in the fall semester and three in the spring that stakeholders can attend. Each event is held from 9:30-11:00 a.m.

Stakeholders interested in attending any of the Taxpayer Tuesday sessions can RSVP here. Information can also be found at dsisdtx.us/taxpayertuesdays.

Dripping Springs ISD is excited to launch the district’s first spirit shop, Drip Spirit, on Wednesday, September 4.

Drip Spirit will include apparel items including T-shirts, polos and hoodies as well as hats, Yeti cups, clear bags, stickers and more. The store also will carry youth spiritwear.

The spirit shop will be located in the DSISD Center for Learning & Leadership (300 Sportsplex Drive) and be open from 12:00-5:00 p.m. every Wednesday and on select Fridays. Customers will also have the option to buy online at dripspirit.com and pick up their orders the next business day.

Be sure to follow Drip Spirit on Facebook and Instagram

Monday, 9/9 - A Day

7th Football vs McCormick @ SSMS; 5:30/6:45

Tuesday, 9/10 - B Day

Tax Payer Tuesday (The School Boards Role in DSISD); 9:30 am @ CLL (Center for Learning & Leadership)

8th Football @ McCormick; 5:00/6:30

Wednesday, 9/11 - A Day

XC Bastrop MS Invitational; 5:00pm

Thursday, 9/12 - B Day

Last day to opt-in 6th graders for the SB 9 "It's Harassment" lesson

Volleyball vs Bee Cave @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

Friday, 9/13- B Day

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

Fall Pep Rally - during Tiger Win

Last Day to Order Yearbooks at Discounted Price

9/16 - 7th Football @ BCMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

9/17 - National IT Professional Day 💻🎉

9/17 - 6th Grade - SB 9; "It's Harassment" Lesson in Huddle

9/17 - XC West Ridge Invitational

9/17 - 8th Football vs. BCMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

9/18 - 6th Grade - SB 9; "It's Harassment" Lesson in Huddle

9/19 - Volleyball vs HCMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

9/20 - Interim 1B Grade Check - Ineligibility begins on 9/27

9/20 - Varsity Football vs Buda Johnson; Tiger Stadium@ 7:30pm

9/21 - Volleyball Hays Tournament; time TBD

9/23 - 7th Football @ HCMS; 5:00/6:30

9/24 - 8th Football vs HCMS @ Westlake HS; 5:00/6:30

9/25 - New to DSISD Student Breakfast/Social🍩; during Tiger Win

9/26 - Volleyball @ LTMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

9/28 - XC Marble Falls - Mustang XC Invitational; 7:30pm

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

10/1 - 8th Football vs. LTMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

10/3 - XC District Meet @ Dripping Springs

10/3 - Volleyball @ West Ridge; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

10/4 - PTA Board Meeting; 8:15am in Pecan Rm

10/4 - Varsity Football vs Austin High; Tiger Stadium@ 7:30pm

10/7 - 7th Football vs WRMS @ SSMS; 5:00/6:30

10/8 - Tax Payer Tuesday (School Finance); 9:30 am @ DSE

10/8 - 8th Football @ Westlake HS; 5:00/6:30

10/8 - Tiger Belles Parent Meeting; 5:30 pm in Sycamore Rm

10/10 - Volleyball @ Hudson Bend; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

10/10 - Choir Fall Concert; 6:30pm in Cafeteria

10/11 - PTA General Membership Meeting; 8:15am in Sycamore Rm

10/12 - Volleyball District B Team Tournament @ SSMS; Time TBD

10/14 - District Holiday/No School

10/15 - 7th Football @ HBMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

10/16 - National Boss's Day 🎉

10/16 - 8th Football vs. HBMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

10/17 - Volleyball @ DSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

10/18 - Varsity Football vs Lake Travis; Tiger Stadium@ 7:30pm

10/19 - Volleyball District A Team Tournament @ DSMS; Time TBD

10/21-10/25 - Red Ribbon Week

10/21-10/25 - Book Fair

10/21 - 7th Football @ DSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

10/22 - Picture Make-up Day

10/22 - 8th Football vs. DSMS @ DSHS; 4:15/5:30/7:00

10/25 - PTA Chili Cook-off 🌶🍲

10/26 - District Band Auditions

10/28 - Girls Basketball Parent Meeting; 5:30pm in Big Gym

10/29 - Battle of the Books

10/29 - Orchestra Concert

10/31 - No School/Staff PD Day - Happy Halloween! 🎃👻🦇

11/1 - No School/Staff PD Day

11/2 - Region Band Auditions