Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying the weekend. We had an amazing week! The 8th grade field trip was a huge success and we are gearing up for our 6th grade field trip tomorrow and Tuesday! The 7th grade field trip is scheduled for the following Monday and Tuesday. Thank you to all the volunteers, teachers, PTA, and others who are helping to make all of these field trips happen!

This week is Staff Appreciation Week and Nurse Appreciation Day (Wednesday)!!!

Thank you to all our amazing SSMS Staff. During this Staff Appreciation Week, we want to express our sincere gratitude for all that you do. Your unwavering commitment and passion make a significant difference in the lives of our students every day. While we take this special time to recognize your efforts, please know that your contributions are valued and cherished every single day. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to our school community.

To our amazing Nurse... Nurse Blair, we honor and celebrate your invaluable contributions. Your compassion, expertise, and dedication to the well-being of our students make a positive impact every day. We are grateful that you are part of the SSMS team!

As we enter the last few weeks of school, please make sure pay attention to all the upcoming events as there is always an increase in activity this time of the year.

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. Middle School Hybrid Schedule for 2026-27 - DSISD will host an informational meeting for parents on Thursday, May 7, at 1:00 p.m. in the Center for Learning & Leadership regarding the middle school schedule change for the 2026-27 school year. Middle school principals, instructional coaches, and teachers will be present to explain the rationale for the change and respond to questions.

2. SSMS Theatre would like to invite everyone to their spring show, Mean Girls, Jr. and Hoodie. Both shows run May 7-9 at 6 pm. Tickets are sold online through RevTrak. See flyer below for more information.

3. MEAN GIRLS DRESS UP WEEK: Mean Girls will be performed this week on May 7th, 8th, and 9th, following the Hoodie play. In honor of the show, STUCO will be hosting a themed dress-up week to celebrate—be sure to join in the fun and show your school spirit! Make all of your outfits “So Fetch!” See flyer below for dress up days.

4. NJHS Applications due Monday., May 11th at 4:15 PM - On Monday, May 4th at 4:30 PM, all 6th and 7th grade students whose grades meet the academic grade requirement for selection to National Junior Honor Society will receive an invitation via email to apply for membership into the SSMS chapter of National Junior Honor Society. Emails will be sent to the student's DSISD email address. Please ensure your student checks their email to determine if this is an opportunity available to them. Completed applications are due no later than Monday, May 11th at 4:15 PM. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. Please understand that completion of the application requirements does not guarantee membership. See section below for more information.

5. Europe 2027 Trip Parent/Student Information Meeting is this Tuesday, May 5th at 6:30 PM in the DSHS Lecture Hall. Please enter the building via the front doors of the school. Hope to see you there. Your adventure awaits! See flyer below for more information.

6. Our Spring Final Exam Schedule is now available. Click HERE to see the schedule. Please note that Friday, May 22 is an early release day. Students will be dismissed at 1:10pm

7. Looking for 6th & 7th grade parents to help volunteer... 8th Grade Celebration is May 15. To help it run smoothly, we need the help of 6th and 7th grade parents to volunteer to set up and take down. You can sign up here! Please make sure you've also completed a background check through Inspiring Volunteers.

8. Changing Schools OR Leaving DSISD Next Year? Please click on this link to complete a short form if your student will NOT be returning to SSMS next year OR will NOT attend 9th Grade at DSHS for the 2026-2027 school year. After completing the Leaving DSISD Form, an Intent to Withdraw Form will be emailed to you. Please sign and return the Intent to Withdraw Form, so we can complete the withdrawal process for your student. Email our SSMS Registrar, Jen Havlin, with any questions.

9. Our annual award assemblies are next week.

• 6th Grade - Tuesday, May 12 @ 3:00 pm in Competition Gym (Invitation Only)
• 7th Grade - Wednesday, May 13 @ 3:00 pm in Competition Gym (Invitation Only)
• 8th Grade - Friday, May 15 @ 1:00 pm in Competition Gym (all 8th grade families - Limit 2 guest per student)

10. Visitor ID Scanning for End-of-Year Events: As we begin preparing for upcoming end-of-year events, we kindly ask that all parents and guardians ensure their IDs have been scanned into our system for the current school year if they plan to RSVP and attend any events on campus. Please see the link below for additional information. Visitor ID Scanning for End-of-Year Events

11. For 8th Grade Families - Please see below for upcoming events:

• May 11 - Incoming Freshman Athletics Parent Meeting; DSHS Cafeteria @ 6pm
• May 15 - 8th Grade Celebration;

12. Stop the Bleed Training for Students - DSISD nurses, along with North Hays County Fire staff, will conduct training on responding to traumatic injuries for students in grades 7–12 on Tuesday, May 12. Sign Up Here: Stop the Bleed Training for Students

13. This Spring we're hosting our 2nd annual Super Smash Bros Tournament on Friday, May 15. The tournament will take place in the SSMS cafeteria after school from 4:15 to 6PM. Whether you are a first-time player or an experienced tournament pro, we'll love to have you there! It's a free event to all and there will be prizes for the Top 8 finishers at the tournament! Register here: https://forms.gle/LiGsKAgzZ9NoqhPZ7

14. 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.

15. SSMS Attendance Matters - Weekly Update: Our overall ADA for Week 34 was 91.3%. 6th Grade led the school at 93.4 % followed by 7th Grade at 92.1% and 8th Grade at 88.5%. Let’s continue to focus on strong attendance as we head into the final stretch of the year—every day counts!

School is more than academics—it’s where students build friendships and grow socially and emotionally. Being at school each day helps students stay connected, engaged, and supported.

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

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

It’s almost show time for our Theatre Department — and we’ve got TWO shows in one night!

Keep an eye out during Mean Girls Jr!

We’ve got teachers and staff joining our student cast for a few surprise moments. We won’t spoil who... but let’s just say that our school is about to get a whole lot more FETCH.

Come see our amazing kids and cheer on your staff — we are all excited to see this show!

https://www.dstheatre.org/post/ssms-2025-2026-hoodiemean-girls-jr

Mean Girls will be performed this week on May 7th, 8th, and 9th, following the Hoodie play. The show will begin at approximately 7:00 PM each evening. In honor of the show, STUCO will be hosting a themed dress-up week to celebrate—be sure to join in the fun and show your school spirit! Make all of your outfits “So Fetch!”

Join Mrs. Jensen (DSHS) and Mrs. McGilvray (SSMS) to make June of 2027 one for the history books! Spend 12 days enjoying Europe’s most iconic corners, where the past and the future collide in the best way possible.

Imagine yourself going from the gritty-cool vibes of Berlin—where you’ll transition from spray-painting your own graffiti masterpieces to exploring "Dark Worlds" underground—straight into the storybook charm of Amsterdam. You’ll trade city trains for canal cruises and guided bike tours before heading to Brussels for the ultimate sugar rush (hello, waffle-making workshop and chocolate museums!). From the sobering history of the Berlin Wall to the pure adrenaline of Efteling Theme Park, this trip hits every note. It's not just a vacation; it's your chance to stand where history happened and eat your way through three different cultures. Your 2027 self is already jealous—don't leave them hanging!

Interested? Please attend the parent/student meeting on Tuesday, May 5th at 6:30 PM in the DSHS Lecture Hall. Please enter the building via the front doors of the school. Hope to see you there. Your adventure awaits!

Please note, this is a private tour and not a school-sponsored tour. This amazing trip is open to interested middle or high school students.

On Monday, May 4th at 4:30 PM, all 6th and 7th grade students whose grades meet the academic grade requirement for selection to National Junior Honor Society will receive an invitation via email to apply for membership into the SSMS chapter of National Junior Honor Society. Emails will be sent to the student's DSISD email address. Please ensure your student checks their email to determine if this is an opportunity available to them. Completed applications are due no later than Monday, May 11th at 4:15 PM. Please note that late applications will not be accepted. Please understand that completion of the application requirements does not guarantee membership.

National Junior Honor Society is a national organization that serves to honor students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Candidates eligible for selection to the SSMS National Junior Honor Society chapter must be current 6th and 7th graders who meet the following requirements for membership:

• Candidates must have been in attendance for at least one semester at Sycamore Springs Middle School.

• Candidates shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 92 in their four core courses (ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies) for T1-T3 when their nine weeks grades for each course are averaged. (Please note: Candidates may add 5 points to their cumulative average for a course if they are taking a Honors or above grade level course.)

• Candidates must receive recommendations from two (2) current-year teachers.

Please note that invitations were only sent to NEW applicants and returning members will be contacted separately regarding their membership for next year. If you have any questions regarding SSMS NJHS or if your child did not receive an invitation to apply and you believe that they have met the academic requirements for membership, please contact Mrs. Nicole McGilvray, SSMS NJHS Adviser, at nicole.mcgilvray@dsisdtx.us.

As we begin preparing for upcoming end-of-year events, we kindly ask that all parents and guardians ensure their IDs have been scanned into our system for the current school year if they plan to RSVP and attend any events on campus. Please see the link below for additional information.

Visitor ID Scanning for End-of-Year Events

• 6th Grade - Tuesday, May 12 @ 3:00 pm in Competition Gym (Invitation Only)
• 7th Grade - Wednesday, May 13 @ 3:00 pm in Competition Gym (Invitation Only)
• 8th Grade - Friday, May 15 @ 1:00 pm in Competition Gym (all 8th grade families - Limit 2 guest per student)

Invitations will be emailed to any 6th or 7th grader who is being recognized. If you are planning on attending any of the award ceremonies, you will want to arrive early to get checked in and to avoid SSE dismissal. More information will be emailed to families when they receive their invitation.

For 8th grade families - make sure you are checking your email for all the details. Use this link to RSVP if you haven't already.

Please click on this link to complete a short form if your student will NOT be returning to SSMS next year OR will NOT attend 9th Grade at DSHS for the 2026-2027 school year. After completing the Leaving DSISD Form, an Intent to Withdraw Form will be emailed to you. Please sign and return the Intent to Withdraw Form, so we can complete the withdrawal process for your student. Email our SSMS Registrar, Jen Havlin, with any questions.

Join us on Thursday, May 14 for the Tiger Belles Spring Show. See flyer for details.

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

1. 8th Grade Celebration: May 15 at 1:00 pm The Celebration will start in the Gym then the clap out through SSES and SSMS and then celebration will end in the courtyard. We are planning pizza, sodas, and ice cream to celebrate our students. Fill out this snacks interest form! Suggested donation $10; please send your donation via Venmo to Laura Metcalf (@Laura-Metcalf-1, code 4683).

2. More details will be out soon. Please limit guests to two family members per student due to limited seating. If you haven’t already had your ID scanned this school year at SSMS you can come by the office to do so before May 13. This will allow us to have your sticker printed beforehand.

3. 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 Transition Events:

• May 11 - Incoming Freshman Athletics Parent Meeting; DSHS Cafeteria @ 6pm

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! 🐯

Congratulations to the Tiger of the Week!💪🎉

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

Choir Students of the week!

• Roxie Custenborder: Roxie is celebrated for her incredible focus and for always pouring her heart into both her choreography and her vocals.

• Bey Delarosa: Bey’s positive energy is infectious! Her constant good mood creates a welcoming environment that puts the entire ensemble at ease.

• Whitley Hauger: Whitley is a steadying presence in the classroom. We appreciate her calm demeanor, sharp focus, and consistently kind spirit.

• Evelyn Benning: Evelyn stands out for her wonderful attitude and the genuine enthusiasm she brings to every rehearsal.

• Lela Roberts: A model of dedication, Lela’s hard work and quiet determination make her a cornerstone of our choir.

• Sofia Henderson Diaz: Sofia is recognized for her fantastic attitude and a sense of humor that can brighten anyone’s day.

• Scar Turba: A natural leader, Scar consistently "sings out" and is always the first to offer a helping hand to her peers.

• Emily Rao: Emily demonstrates remarkable maturity and integrity. She is a diligent worker who always advocates for doing the right thing.

• Lydia Naquin: Lydia’s passion for singing is evident in everything she does. Her intentionality and dedication to the craft are truly inspiring.

• ATTENTION: We have just ONE more SSMS PTA Membership (Budget) Meeting, THIS Friday May 8th 8:15AM in the Sycamore Room. We hope to see you there! RSVP here: SSMS PTA Membership Meeting RSVP 2025-2026

• The SSMS PTA following their April Membership ‘Election’ Meeting is pleased to announce the SSMS PTA 2026-2027 Executive Board was approved! (2) Council Delegates and Parliamentarian are appointed positions. To be considered along with VP of Volunteers, please contact: president@ssmspta.org

• SSMS PTA is searching for a special someone to join our Hospitality Committee and/or Executive Board as VP of Volunteers! Email: president@ssmspta.org with any questions, suggestions, or interest! We NEED you!!!

• ACTION: SSMS Staff Appreciation Week starts THIS Mon May 5th-Fri May 8th! 100% of your donation goes toward funding staff meals, snacks, & appreciation gifts. Every contribution-BIG or small-makes a huge difference in celebrating our teachers & staff! DONATE HERE 2025-2026: Staff Appreciation

• ACTION: SSMS PTA Staff Appreciation Days for THIS Mon May 5th-Fri May 8th: Morning Fuel Monday, Taco ‘Bout Appreciation Tuesday, Wellness Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday Treats, and Finale Friday: Showered with Appreciation HELP HERE:

*Showered with Appreciation-Gift Donation: SignUpGenius - Mobile

*EASY! Gift Card Registry: Amazon Gift List Note: Gift Cards are delivered to an address for safe arrival

• ACTION: The SSMS PTA is just getting started for 26’-27’! We're already preparing for our SSMS Staff & Students-Back-to-School teachers & staff lunches, another Esports Tournament, Staff & Student Grants, Spelling Bee, Talent Show, & Staff Appreciations throughout the year! GIVE HERE: 2025-2026: Staff Appreciation to ensure everyone starts the new school year being supported, celebrated, and ready to succeed! Questions? Email: SSMS PTA Fundraising at fundraising@ssmspta.org

• SSMS PTA Parent to Parent Campus Tours for May! Fri 5/8, Wed 5/13, and Fri 5/15 11:30AM-12:15PM Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile Come see why SSMS received the School of Excellence Award-perfect for incoming 6th Grade Parents!

• We appreciate our regular SSMS PTA Workroom Volunteers and would love to see NEW faces who show up to help free up teaching time to educate & mentor in the workroom WEEKLY-we need help: 5/5, 5/6, 5/7, 5/8, and 5/11 Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs

• We celebrated Bus Driver Appreciation Day on Wed April 28th! Shoutout to the MVPs of our daily routine-the DSISD Bus Drivers! From first pickup to final drop-off, you keep things safe, smooth, and on schedule with patience and positivity. Thank you for being such an important part of our SSMS students' day-we wheelie appreciate you!

• HELP! SSMS PTA Lunch Volunteers are needed for just 30 mins to give students outside time on days without the rain! Sign up now: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs

• ACTION: SSMS Parents please make sure IDs have been scanned into system PRIOR to EOY events! If you haven’t visit the SSMS Front Office Mon-Fri 8AM-4PM otherwise badge won’t be preprinted when RSVPing at a later time closer to events. Please also note: Due to space, each student will be limited to TWO guests at the EOY celebration. Thank you!

• 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! We’re just 10 followers away from 500 followers?! 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!

Teacher Appreciation Week!!! 🎉🙌

Monday, 5/4 - A Day

FCA Meeting; Small Gym @ 8am

6th Grade Field Trip to Pedernales Falls (Group 1)

Golf @ WRMS Tournament; Vaaler Creek @ 4:10pm

Tuesday, 5/5 - B Day

6th Grade Field Trip to Pedernales Falls (Group 2)

Tennis vs WRMS @ WHS; 5:30pm

Europe Trip 2027 Parent/Student Info Meeting; DSHS Lecture Hall @ 6:30pm

Wednesday, 5/6 - A Day

School Nurse Appreciation Day! 👩‍⚕️

Thursday, 5/7 - B Day

Staff Faculty Meeting; No tutorials

Middle School Hybrid Schedule Informational Meeting; CLL @ 1:00 pm

Girls Soccer @ WRMS; 5pm

Boys Soccer @ WRMS; 6:15pm

Mean Girls Jr. Musical; 6pm

Friday, 5/8 - B Day

PTA Membership Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 8:15am

PTA Parent-to-Parent Tour; 11:30am (Sign-up HERE)

Mean Girls Jr. Musical; 6pm

Saturday, 5/9

Band Schlitterbahn Trip

Mean Girls Jr. Musical; 6pm

5/11 - FCA Meeting; Small Gym @ 8am

5/11 - 7th Grade Field Trip to The Alamo (Group 1)

5/11 - Extrava-Banda Band Concert; Gym @ 6:30pm

5/12 - 7th Grade Field Trip to The Alamo (Group 2)

5/12 - 8th Grade Passion Projects; Small Gym

5/12 - ACC End of Year Celebration

5/12 - 6th Grade Award Assembly; Big Gym @ 3pm (by invitation)

5/12 - NJHS Meeting; 6th Grade Pod @ 4:20pm

5/12 - Golf @ HLMS District Tournament; Legends @ 4:10pm

5/12 - Tennis vs BCMS @ DSHS; 5:30pm

5/12 - Stop the Bleed Training for Students; CLL @ 6:00 pm

5/13 - NJHS Meeting; 6th Grade Pod @ 8:05am

5/13 - 8th Grade Passion Projects; Small Gym

5/13 - PTA Parent-to-Parent Tour; 11:30am (Sign-up HERE)

5/13 - 7th Grade Award Assembly; Big Gym @ 3pm (by invitation)

5/13 - Boys Soccer @ BCMS; 5/6:15pm

5/13 - Girls Soccer vs BCMS @ SSMS; 5/6:15pm

5/14 - Tigers Rise (Rising 5th Graders Visit SSMS) 🐯

5/13 - Tiger Belles Spring Show; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

5/14 - Tiger Orchestras Final Concert; DSHS PAC @ 6:30pm

5/15 - PTA Parent-to-Parent Tour; 11:30am (Sign-up HERE)

5/15 - 8th Grade Award Assembly & Celebration; 1:00 pm

5/15 - ESport Smash Tournament; Cafeteria @ 4:15pm

5/15 - Cheer Showcase; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

5/18 - FCA Meeting; Small Gym @ 8am

5/18 - Girls Soccer vs DSMS @ DSHS; 5/6:15pm

5/18 - Boys Soccer vs SSMS @ SSMS; 5/6:15pm

5/18 - Tennis vs DSMS @ DSHS; 5:30pm

5/19 - Final Exams (5th & 7th exam)

5/19 - NJHS Ceremony; Cafeteria @ 7pm

5/20 - Final Exams (1st and 3rd exams)

5/21 - Final Exams (8th and 6th exams)

5/22 - Final Exams (2nd and 4th exams)

5/22 - Last Day of School!!! 😎 (Early Release)