Sycamore Springs Middle School

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. Buy your yearbook now for the lowest price. 2026 yearbooks are now available for only $45! However, this is a limited time offer, and will end before you know it! Click HERE. See below for more information about purchasing a student ad.

2. We’re excited to kick off our first Principal’s Coffee & Chat on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8:15 am. This is an informal opportunity to connect with Principal Miller, ask questions, and be part of the conversation at SSMS.

3. Secondary Grading Information: Students participating in UIL (University Interscholastic League) competitive activities must be eligible to participate in those activities. Grade reporting and eligibility check deadlines are the same across DSISD and are approved by the UIL itself. Here is the eligibility/grade check calendar for 2025-2026. Your students’ coach, advisor or activity sponsor can answer any questions you may have about how grades are checked for that specific activity. How can you help as a parent? Help your student stay accountable with their executive functioning skills, planning, calendarizing, and management of their assignments. Perhaps set calendar reminders for your student two weeks before eligibility checks, to give them enough time to make up any work missed during absences, etc. The first UIL Eligibility grade check is at Interim IB which is on September 19.

4. Mario Kart eSports Tournament - You are invited to attend our 2nd eSports Tournament at SSMS, featuring: Mario Kart 8 on Nintendo Switch! The tournament will be held after school in the SSMS cafeteria on Friday, October 3rd from 4:15 to 6 PM. See below for more information or click HERE to access the flyer.

5. Drip Spirit, DSISD's official spirit shop, is back for its second year of operation! The store, located in the Center for Learning & Leadership, is open every Wednesday from 12-5 PM (and Friday afternoons when the varsity football team is at home). You can also shop our store online at dripspirit.com. Staff can pick up orders at the store or we can arrange to have it delivered to your classroom/office. If you would like it delivered, please email us at thespiritshop@dsisdtx.us!

6. 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!

7. Student attendance is CRITICAL for student success. When students are out, they miss critical learning opportunities that cannot be duplicated. Since we are on a block schedule, missing one day means they actually miss two days worth of lessons. This adds up and creates learning gaps. Please click HERE (or read the Attendance section below) for more information how to report an absence, attendance office contact information, attendance times and additional information. DSISD Attendance Matters Flyer - click HERE

8. Last Weeks Attendance - our average daily attendance dropped quite a bit last week. Please help partner with the school and make attendance a priority.

It’s been a short but productive week!

On September 25 & 26, our 6th graders will receive instruction, as required by Senate Bill 9 and the state guidelines for public schools, to teach lessons 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 It's Harassment and the focal point is Respect for others. This lesson builds empathy by tackling issues such as appreciation of our differences, bullying, cyberbullying, safe bystander intervention, and flirting vs. sexual harassment. This curriculum will be taught this year to students in 6th grade with a developmentally appropriate lesson. The lesson 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 September 12, 2025 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. in the Pecan room at SSMS.

6th grade parents will receive an email from Actionaly on Wednesday, September 10th. This email will have the electronic opt in form for the lesson. The deadline to submit your opt in is September 22, 2025.

September is Suicide Awareness Month. For more information, check out this flyer that has information on warning signs and steps you can take.

Check out this flyer with information on an upcoming Parent Book Study on the book- “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. This District-Wide book study is being facilitated by two of our Licensed Mental Health Professionals (LMHPs).

We hope you have a great week! Go Tigers!

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

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

We’re excited to kick off our first Principal’s Coffee & Chat on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 8:15 am. This is an informal opportunity to connect with Principal Miller, ask questions, and be part of the conversation at SSMS.

Hello Tiger Family!

Myself and the yearbook team wanted to remind all of our parents who aren't aware of the back to school special that the 2026 yearbook is available for only $45! However, this is a limited time offer, and will end before you know it! You can scan the above QR code to access our storefront, or may copy and paste the direct link that I will leave at the bottom. This offer ends on November 14.

I also wanted to quickly answer a question many of you have had: Can I purchase a student ad, then create the ad at a later date? Unfortunately this is not possible, however Jostens has made the process of completing student recognition ads a breeze. You have multiple pre-designed templates waiting for you, and they are incredibly easy to use! As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at: james.sheridan@dsisdtx.us

Storefront HERE

You are invited to attend our 2nd eSports Tournament at SSMS, featuring: Mario Kart 8 on Nintendo Switch! The tournament will be held after school in the SSMS cafeteria on Friday, October 3rd from 4:15 to 6 PM.

The races will be held in 4-player groups, raced across 4 tracks on 150cc, and with All Items. The Top 2 races in each group will advance to the next round in the "Gold Cup" bracket. But don't worry, the bottom 2 racers in each group are NOT eliminated, but they will continue on to the "Silver Cup" bracket and continue racing!

Everyone is guaranteed to have a great time competing and racing, and at the end of the evening we will crown our first ever Mario Kart Champion of SSMS! Join us for a fun-filled evening of racing and competition.

Encourage and challenge your friends AND teachers to join us on Friday, October 3rd in the cafe after-school!

Registration: SSMS PTA Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Tournament FOR STUDENTS & STAFF

We had another great Club Friday this week!!! Every Friday, students participate in Club Fridays—a time to join peers in clubs that match their interests, build connections, and explore new activities. Clubs will continue through the end of the semester, and students will select new clubs next semester.

At the same time, Fridays also provide additional academic support through ZAP (Zeros Aren’t Permitted). Students who are below 75% and missing two or more assignments may be assigned to a mandatory tutorial session instead of attending their club. ZAP is designed as an opportunity for students to receive extra time, guidance, and support to complete missing work and get back on track.

Check out this flyer with information on an upcoming Parent Book Study on the book- “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt. This District-Wide book study is being facilitated by two of our Licensed Mental Health Professionals (LMHPs).

Students participating in UIL (University Interscholastic League) competitive activities must be eligible to participate in those activities. Grade reporting and eligibility check deadlines are the same across DSISD and are approved by the UIL itself. Please click HERE to see the UIL Eligibility Calendar. It is also linked below at the bottom of the newsletter. The first UIL Eligibility grade check is at Interim IB which is on September 19.

Your students’ coach, advisor or activity sponsor can answer any questions you may have about how grades are checked for that specific activity. How can you help as a parent? Help your student stay accountable with their executive functioning skills, planning, calendarizing, and management of their assignments. Perhaps set calendar reminders for your student two weeks before eligibility checks, to give them enough time to make up any work missed during absences, etc.

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! 🐯

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

Our Cheerleader of the Week was Paisley Lintz! She is our sweetest, kindest girl who wears her heart on her sleeve and is the embodiment of kindness. Paisley is incredibly hard-working and always has a smile on her face. This young lady cheers with her whole heart, loves with her whole heart and takes care of others with her whole heart. She lifts up everyone around her, and our team is so lucky to have her!

• 1st SSMS PTA General Meeting of 25’-26’ is THIS Friday Sept 12th 8:15AM in Sycamore Room. RSVP NOW: SSMS PTA General Meeting RSVP 2025-2026
• We have officially passed our membership total from last year-goal is 350+ SSMS PTA members! Join PTA TODAY: JoinPTA – JoinPTA. You’ll be entered in BOTH upcoming raffles-our next drawing is Oct 30th for a YETI Hopper Flip 12!
• Our SSMS teachers & staff have hit the ground running this 25’-26’ school year! You can help free up their time to educate & mentor by simply volunteering to make copies in our workroom. Please, consider signing up for one or MORE slots that is convenient for you. Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile Note: You must have a current background check completed with DSISD Inspiring Volunteers, Volunteering at DSISD | Dripping Springs Questions? Contact volunteers@ssmspta.org
• The SSMS PTA will be hosting Parent to Parent Campus Tours THIS month-Sept 5th, 19th, and 26th 11:30AM-12:15PM Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile
• Be sure to Like & Follow 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!

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!

Drip Spirit, DSISD's official spirit shop, is back for its second year of operation! The store, located in the Center for Learning & Leadership, is open every Wednesday from 12-5 PM (and Friday afternoons when the varsity football team is at home). You can also shop our store online at dripspirit.com. Staff can pick up orders at the store or we can arrange to have it delivered to your classroom/office. If you would like it delivered, please email us at thespiritshop@dsisdtx.us!

Witness the power of persuasion and performance! The award-winning DSHS Speech and Debate team is proud to present an evening of intellect, eloquence, and entertainment. This showcase is a fantastic opportunity to see our talented students in action as they prepare for the upcoming competition season.

Come and be inspired by a variety of performances, which may include:

• World Schools Debate: Watch teams of students tackle complex global issues in this dynamic and collaborative debate format.

• Congressional Debate: See students act as senators and representatives, debating legislation they've written themselves in a simulation of the U.S. Congress.

• Informative Speaking: Learn about fascinating topics as students deliver well-researched and engaging speeches designed to enlighten the audience.

• Extemporaneous Speaking: Be amazed as competitors analyze and deliver speeches on current events with minimal preparation time.

• Lincoln Douglas Debate: Witness a one-on-one clash of values in this classic philosophical debate format.

• Policy Debate: Observe a deep-dive into complex policy issues, showcasing rigorous research and argumentation in a two-on-two format.

• Oral Interpretation: Be moved by powerful and entertaining performances of literature, including poetry, prose, and drama.

This event is a wonderful way to support our students, learn more about competitive speech and debate, and enjoy a thought-provoking and entertaining evening.

Event Details

Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025

Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM

Location: Dripping Springs High School Lecture Hall

Admission: This event is free and open to all students, parents, faculty, and community members.

RSVP: https://forms.gle/MJf9yu6KmjgxmQCZ7

Monday, 9/8 - A Day

Tuesday, 9/9 - B Day

Wednesday, 9/10 - A Day

Thursday, 9/11 - B Day

Volleyball vs Lake Travis MS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:00pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

Friday, 9/12 - A Day

Cross Country Pictures; 7:00am

Football Team Pictures; 7:30am

PTA General Members Meeting; Sycamore Rm @ 8:15am (please RSVP)

Choir Fall Retreat; SSMS Cafeteria @ 4:30pm

XC St. Andrew's MS Invitational, St. Andrew's @ 5:00pm

MS Band at Varsity Football Game; 7:30pm @ Tiger Stadium

Varsity Football vs. Harker heights; Tiger Stadium @ 7:30pm...Hot to Trot Tropical Theme 🍍

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

9/16 - 8th Football vs LTMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/17 - ☕Principal’s Coffee & Chat; Pecan Room @ 8:15 am

9/18 - Volleyball @ HCMS; 8B/7A 5:00pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

9/19 - 📣Fall Pep Rally; During Tiger Win

9/19 - PTA Parent to Parent Campus Tours;11:30-12:15 (click HERE to sign up)

9/20 - Volleyball Hays Tournament @ Hays CISD

9/22 - 8th Football vs HCMS @ Westlake HS; 5:00/6:30pm

9/22 - School Board Meeting Featuring SSMS; CLL @ 6pm in Board Room

9/23 - 7th Football vs. HCMS @ SSMS; 5:00/6:30pm

9/23 - MS Volleyball Night @ DSHS Volleyball Varsity Game; @ DSHS

9/25 - 6th Grade - SB 9; "It's Harassment" Lesson in science class

9/25 - Volleyball vs HBMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:00pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

9/26 - 6th Grade - SB 9; "It's Harassment" Lesson in science class

9/26 - PTA Parent to Parent Campus Tours;11:30-12:15 (click HERE to sign up)

9/29 - 7th Football @ HBMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/30 - 8th Football vs HBMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

10/2 - Volleyball @ WRMS; 8B/7A 5:00pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

10/3 - PTSA/SSMS Mario Kart eSports Tournament; Cafeteria @ 4:15pm

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

10/7 - 8th Football vs WRMS @ Westlake HS; 5:00/6:30pm

10/9 - Volleyball @ BCMS; 8B/7A 5:00pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

10/17 - PTA Parent to Parent Campus Tours;11:30-12:15 (click HERE to sign up)