Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you are enjoying your weekend. We are excited about the upcoming week, especially our annual Elective Showcase this Wednesday for rising 6th–8th grade students and families, as well as the DSHS CTE Fair on Thursday. On Thursday, there will be no Tiger WIN; students will report directly to their 6th period class. Please be sure to check out this week’s newsletter for more details on these events, course selection information, and other important campus updates.

As always, if you need anything or have questions, please contact your student’s teacher, counselor, or administrator.

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. Student/Staff Holiday this Monday, Jan. 19. All campuses and district offices will be closed.

2. Change in Morning Drop-off Locations - Starting Tuesday, Jan. 20, only two doors will be available for students to use to access the building; the main entrance and the Student Drop-off entrance located on the side of building by the Black Lot. The doors in the back of the building by the cafeteria (Blue Lot) will NOT be available.

3. This Wednesday is our Middle School Elective Showcase! We invite all rising 6th–8th grade students and families to join us for this annual event on Wednesday, January 21, from 5:30–7:00 PM at Sycamore Springs Middle School. See below for more information.

4. For 8th Grade Families - DSHS will be hosting several events catering to rising freshmen and their families.

• January 22: CTE Programs of Study Exhibits at SSMS, led by DSHS students
• January 28 - 5:30 pm -7:30pm: Career Technology Education (CTE) Showcase at DSHS - this event allows students to see their CTE options and meet the teachers and students in the program

***For more details and a full list of events, please check out the Rising Freshman Grade Newsletter. We recommend that you bookmark this link for future reference as updates will be made as needed.

5. On February 6, the SSMS Tiger Belles will host a Tryout Clinic open to all incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders interested in auditioning. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO ATTEND, AND WILL SIGN UP WHEN THEY ARRIVE. See below for more information.

6. Hey Tigers, are you ready to cheer? If you’re interested in trying out for cheer, a Parent or Guardian must attend one of two sessions on Feb. 5 or Feb. 19 (students are welcome and encouraged to attend!) where we’ll break down everything you need to know about practice schedules, costs, required skills, the tryout process, application packets, and expectations for cheerleaders throughout the school year. This meeting helps families decide if cheer is the right fit before committing to tryouts. Quick reminder - cheer is only available for rising 7th and 8th graders. Let’s get ready to bring the spirit! Click HERE to access the flyer with more information.

7. Interested in Running Track? - The SSMS track season is quickly approaching! Please take a minute to check out the section below regarding how to complete the Track Interest Form and how to join the Track SportsYou pages.

8. 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families PD - Join DSISD on Monday, Feb. 9 from 8:30-11:30 am for a free "7 Habits of Highly Effective Families" workshop designed to help you build stronger, deeper connections with your family. This workshop is hosted by our very own DSISD staff and family members. Discover how the same 7 Habits principles that our students learn in school can be applied at home to help your family thrive. This engaging, self-discovery workshop will provide you with new skills and fresh perspectives. Make sure to check out the flyer linked above for more details.

9. February 2, 2026, SSMS is hosting another blood drive sponsored by DSHS . Teachers, staff, and community members may donate blood from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. The Blood Drive Bus will be parked in the main/maroon lot.

10. SSMS Attendance Matters - Weekly Update: We’ve just completed Week 20, and our Tigers are showing incredible consistency! Our overall Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for the week was 96.5%. We are just a fraction away from our campus goal of 96.9%, and the momentum is clearly building!

Grade Level Highlights:

• 7th Grade Excellence: A massive shout-out to our 7th Graders, who hit our campus goal exactly this week with an outstanding 96.9% attendance rate!

• Strong Finish: Our 6th Graders matched the school average at 96.5%, and 8th Grade followed closely with 96.1%.

Attendance & Secondary Grading

In DSISD, we believe consistent student attendance is essential to successful learning and a necessary component of academic credit. Per Texas compulsory school attendance law, a student may not be given credit for a class unless the student is in attendance at least 90% of the days for each semester.

We hope you all had a great weekend! We look forward to welcoming the students back on Tuesday, January 20.

Course selection for the 26/27 school year is here!! We will meet with current 6th and 7th graders for two visits. Visit 1 is informational. Visit 2 is for entering the courses in Skyward.

6th Grade first visit—January 20 & 21 in Science classes

7th Grade first visit—January 22 & 23 in ELA classes

During this first visit, we will cover course selection information. Each student will receive their Choice sheet so they can start considering classes. We ask students to bring the course sheet home to parents so you can be part of the course selection process and sign that you approve of the choices.

For the second visit, we ask that all students bring back their completed choice sheet with student and parent signatures. For this visit, we will help the students add their classes in Skyward. We will also collect the students' choice sheet at this visit and those will remain with the Counselors. We recommend taking a picture of the choice sheet so you know what your student submitted. The second visits are as follows:

6th Grade second visit—February 5 & 6 in ELA classes

7th Grade second visit—February 9 & 10 in Science classes

For current 6th & 7th graders, changes to 26/27 courses in Skyward can be made up until March 5th. After that Skyward will close on the student side and only counselors can make changes.

Please refer to this very Helpful link for course selection information, choice sheets, and course descriptors. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have any questions!

For our current 8th graders transitioning into high school, the High school counselors will be visiting on Feb 2 & 3 in History classes. They will go over course selection information and assist students in entering their courses in Schoolinks. For rising 9th Grade course selection information, please review this very Helpful link.

If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Zimmerman at sandra.zimmerman@dsisdtx.us

On January 21st, SSMS will host an Electives showcase night, from 5:30pm-7pm. We invite you to join us and learn more about core and elective classes.

On January 22, 8th Graders will attend a Career Technology Education fair at SSMS. High school students will present to them about these CTE classes that are offered at the High school.

We hope you enjoy the long weekend!

Go Tigers!

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

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

Middle School Elective Showcase - We invite all incoming 5th–7th grade students and families to join us for our annual Middle School Elective Showcase on Wednesday, January 21, from 5:30–7:00 PM at Sycamore Springs Middle School. See below for more information.

Families will have the opportunity to explore all elective offerings, meet elective teachers, and visit with 6th grade core teachers to learn more about on-level and honors course options. In addition, there will be a short parent presentation specifically for rising 6th grade families covering middle school expectations, course selection, and key information to support a smooth transition to SSMS.

We hope you’ll join us for this informative evening as you begin planning for your student’s middle school experience.

SSMS is hosting a blood drive on Feb. 2. Community members, faculty, and staff can stop by from 9 am - 1pm to donate blood. The Blood Drive Bus will be parked in the main/maroon lot.

On February 6, the SSMS Tiger Belles will host a Tryout Clinic open to all incoming 6th, 7th, and 8th graders interested in auditioning. STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER TO ATTEND, AND WILL SIGN UP WHEN THEY ARRIVE.

Tryout information will be released on January 21 at 5PM, on Social Media, and at the Tryout Clinic where students will receive

• Tryout materials (Dance and Technique Combination)
• A QR Code for an Online Parent Meeting,
• A tryout Packet with Application
• Details for the Official Tryout on February 26 at 5:30P

Students should wear all-black dance attire, and dance shoes and bring a water bottle to the clinic. You can find the QR for the Tryout SportsYou Page HERE.

If you are unable to attend the clinic on 2/6/26, please contact Mrs. Robbins at senanu.robbins@dsisdtx.us to receive the necessary materials and video of the tryout routine for the 2/26/26 tryout.

Hey Tigers, are you ready to cheer? If you’re interested in trying out for cheer, a Parent or Guardian must attend one of two sessions on Feb. 5 or Feb. 19 (students are welcome and encouraged to attend!) where we’ll break down everything you need to know about practice schedules, costs, required skills, the tryout process, application packets, and expectations for cheerleaders throughout the school year. This meeting helps families decide if cheer is the right fit before committing to tryouts. Let’s get ready to bring the spirit! Click HERE to access the flyer with more information.

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 Events:

• January 22 - CTE programs of study exhibits @ SSMS, led by DSHS students
• January 28 - Career Technology Education (CTE) Showcase at DSHS - this event allows students to see their CTE options and meet the teachers and students in the program.
• Feb. 2 & Feb. 3 - DSHS Counselors Visit w/ 8th Graders @ SSMS
• Feb. 4 - Virtual Course Plan Meeting for Rising 9th parents
• Feb. 9 & Feb.11 - 8th Grade Field Trip to DSHS (during the school day)

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!💪🎉

BOY’S TRACK PARENTS & ATHLETES (7th & 8th GRADE),

We are getting close to kicking off track and we have already begun making plans for a super competitive 2026 season. We will soon be posting lots of information on the SSMS BOYS TRACK SportsYou page so please sign up using this access code (QTLP-JMHN). Instructions are linked HERE. Meet schedules, practice schedules, weather announcements, and much more will be posted on this page.

An email with the Track Interest Form has been sent out to all Athletic and Strength & Conditioning classes. Athletes must use a DSISD email account to complete the form. If your athlete is not in either of these classes please have them email Coach Plum (email below) for the interest form.

Athletes do not have to be in the Athletic class to participate in Track.

There will be a parent meeting on Thursday, January 29th at 6pm in the SSMS Cafeteria.

We are looking forward to the upcoming season and watching these young men compete! Please email Coach Plum at jon.plum@dsisdtx.us if you have any questions.

Go Tigers!

Please help me in congratulating Josie Fowlkes for being our Tiger of the Week! We are so proud of all the hard work and effort you put into athletics!

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

The SSMS track season is quickly approaching! Please take a minute to fill out the Girl's Track Interest Form linked below. This is so that coaches know what events you are interested in trying this season.

Girl's Track Interest Form: https://forms.gle/fXt9pU46gkxZwNsk9

Also please join the Girl's Track SportsYou. Access Code: XBAVXDM4

SportsYou will be the place where we post information about meets, weather and any last minute changes. The track meet schedule and practice schedules are already posted on the page. Running event practice will take place during the athletic period. Field events and running practice for athletes not in the athletics period will be after school until 5pm.

Our parent meeting will be February 9th in the Big Gym at 5:30pm. Please email Coach Hulett with any questions: megan.hulett@dsisdtx.us

Congratulations to our Cheerleader of the Week, Aubrey! As our Performance Captain, she’s full of ideas, energy, and enthusiasm that take our routines to the next level. Aubrey is always looking for ways to make the team shine, grow and that creativity and dedication is what pushes us to be our best. Thank you for being one of our amazing captains, we see the hard work you put in and we couldn’t be prouder of how much you’ve grown on this team!

Throughout the school year, Sai has always demonstrated great poise, maturity, and patience in the Concert Girls Choir. She has always spoken to her peers and her teachers with respect and is truly a brilliant musician. Congratulations to our first choir student of the week!

•Our first “One-Click Winter Fundraiser” of the New Year! Donations here help SSMS PTA programming like our upcoming 26’ SSMS PTA Talent Show, Spelling Bee, and much MORE! DONATE HERE (easily once or monthly): ONE-CLICK Fundraiser THANK YOU for all the generous contributions so far!

Questions email SSMS PTA Fundraising at fundraising@ssmspta.org

•Thank you to Austin Cotillion for donating $150 last fall! They are now giving back $50 for every SPRING 4th-8th Grade registration by Feb 1st-mention your SSMS PTA Classes start Thurs Feb 26th 6-7:30PM at Mt. Olive Register: REGISTER | Austin Cotillion

Questions, email: austincotillion@gmail.com

•First event of 26’ is the SSMS PTA Spelling Bee NEXT week Tues Jan 20th SSMS Cafeteria BEE there and cheer on our participants!

Questions,email : spellingbee@ssmspta.org

•Save the Date: The SSMS PTA Middle School MixTape Talent Show is NEXT month Thurs Feb 26 & Fri Feb 27th (Times TBD)! WE NEED SPONSORS!

Auditions for performers & emcees are on Thurs Feb 12th & Fri Feb 13th. Mandatory run throughs Thurs Feb 19th & Fri Feb 20th (Times TBD) Note: Acts to be 3 minutes max! Please, bring music and any instruments needed. Email: president@ssmspta.org with inquiries

•THANK YOU to ALL our SSMS PTA Workroom Volunteers who show up to free up teaching time to educate & mentor in the workroom WEEKLY. New sign ups are live for 26’ Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs

•The SSMS PTA is requesting Lunch Volunteers for 26’ for the SSMS Admin during lunchtimes. Interested? Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs

•Save the Date: The SSMS PTA MS MixTape Talent Show is NEXT month Thurs Feb 26 & Fri Feb 27th (Times TBD)! ATTN: WE NEED SPONSORS- 3 cash or gift card local business donations for finishers. Email: president@ssmspta.org Auditions for performers & emcees are on Thurs Feb 12th & Fri Feb 13th. Mandatory run throughs Thurs Feb 19th & Fri Feb 20th (Times TBD) Note: Acts to be 3 minutes max! Please, bring music and any instruments needed.

•There is an opportunity to join Ms. Connolly Lees on the All Abilities Committee too. Interested?, email president@ssmspta.org

•On behalf of SSMS National Junior Honor Society & Ms. McGilvray: Clothes Bin have partnered to collect & recycle old clothing, shoes and textiles! Every pound of recycled items supports SSMS NJHS! Place your items in a bag that is tied closed and deposit them in the green recycling bin in our front Maroon parking lot.

•Be sure to Like & Follow Sycamore Springs Middle School PTA on ourFacebookandInstagram - we post information and updates daily throughout the school year, and we’ll show up more often the more you react to the posts! 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!

Join DSISD on Monday, Feb. 9 from 8:30-11:30 am for a free "7 Habits of Highly Effective Families" workshop designed to help you build stronger, deeper connections with your family. This workshop is hosted by our very own DSISD staff and family members. Discover how the same 7 Habits principles that our students learn in school can be applied at home to help your family thrive. This engaging, self-discovery workshop will provide you with new skills and fresh perspectives. Make sure to check out the flyer linked above for more details.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, February 9, 2026

• Time: 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

• Where: Live Oak Conference Room, DSISD Administration Building (300 Sportsplex Dr.)

To help us plan, please RSVP by Friday, January 23.

Monday, 1/19 - District Holiday/No School

Tuesday, 1/20 - B Day

6th Graders Choice Sheet Info Session for 26-27 in Science Classes

Spelling Bee🐝; 6:30 pm in Cafeteria

Wednesday, 1/21 - A Day

6th Graders Choice Sheet Info Session for 26-27 in Science Classes

Elective Showcase; 5:30-7pm (all rising 6th graders and current 6th & 7th graders invited)

Thursday, 1/22 -A Day

No Tiger Win Today; Students will go directly to 6th period

FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

7th Graders Choice Sheet Info Session for 26-27 in ELA Classes

8th Graders - DSHS CTE Fair during 6th period (SSMS Gym)

Boys Basketball vs. BCMS @ SSMS; 7A/8B 5:15pm & 7B/8A 6:30pm

Girls Basketball @ BCMS; 7A/8B 5:15pm & 7B/8A 6:30pm

Friday, 1/23 - A Day

7th Graders Choice Sheet Info Session for 26-27 in ELA Classes

Saturday, 1/24

Boys Basketball HLMS B Team Tournament @ HCMS

Girls Basketball District B Team Tournament @ West Ridge MS

Dance Competition

Choir Region Auditions

1/26 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

1/26 - Boys Basketball vs DSMS @ SSMS; 7A/8B 5:15pm & 7B/8A 6:30pm

1/26 - Girls Basketball @ DSMS; 7A/8B 5:15pm & 7B/8A 6:30pm

1/28 - Career Technology Education (CTE) Showcase at DSHS for rising 9th graders

1/29 - Roots Meeting; F232 @ 8am

1/29 - Band Booster Club Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

1/29 - Boys Track Parent Meeting; Cafeteria @ 6pm

1/31- Boys Basketball HLMS A Team Tournament @ BCMS

1/31 - Girls Basketball District A Team Tournament @ HBMS

2/2 - 2/6 - National School Counseling Week 🙌🎉

2/2 - SB 9 Parent Meeting; Pecan Room @ 9am

2/2 - DSHS Counselors Visit w/ 8th Graders @ SSMS

2/3 - DSHS Counselors Visit w/ 8th Graders @ SSMS

2/4 - DSHS Virtual Course Plan Meeting for Rising 9th parents

2/5 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

2/5 - 6th Grade Enter Course Request into Skyward in ELA classes (Counselor Visit #2)

2/5 - Cheer Parent Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

2/6 - 6th Grade Enter Course Request into Skyward in ELA classes (Counselor Visit #2)

2/6 - PTA Souper Bowl Staff Luncheon 🏈🍲

2/6 - Dance Tryout Clinic; 4:15pm

2/7 - Dance Competition

2/9 - "7 Habits of Highly Effective Families" workshop for our DSISD families; CLL @ 8:30am

2/9 - 7th Grade Enter Course Request into Skyward in Science classes (Counselor Visit #2)

2/9 - 8th Grade Field Trip to DSHS (group 1); 9-10:30am

2/9 - Girls Track Parent Meeting; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

2/10 - 7th Grade Enter Course Request into Skyward in Science classes (Counselor Visit #2

2/10 - Beginning Band Concert; Big Gym @ 6:30pm

2/11 - 8th Grade Field Trip to DSHS (group 2); 9-10:30am

2/11 - Principal's Student Advisory Meeting; Tiger Win

2/11 - Girls Track @ DSMS-Run Only; 4:15pm

2/11 - Boys Track @ SSMS - Run Only Event; 4:30pm

2/12 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am

2/12 - DSISD Lunch and Learn - Fostering Grit; 11:30am

2/14 - Dance Competition

2/15 - National School Resource Officer Day 👮‍♂️🙌

2/16 - District Holiday/No School

2/19 - Cheer Parent Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

2/26 - Dance Tryouts