Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

What an incredible week of celebration, gratitude, and community at Sycamore! Our Veterans Day Assembly was a powerful reminder of service and sacrifice, and we are so proud of our students and staff who made it such a meaningful event. A huge thank you to our amazing PTA for supporting the celebration and hosting the reception, to our talented Band and Choir for their moving performances, and to our Boy Scouts for a beautiful Presentation of Colors. A special shoutout as well to Student Council President Ellie Rios for doing an outstanding job as MC and to U.S. Army Officer and DSISD Board Trustee Rob McClelland for sharing an inspiring message with our students.

This week, we continue to see Tiger Nation in action through our ongoing Food Drive, Toys for Tots, and Supply Stop donation efforts. You’ll also find reminders about upcoming district holidays, health screenings, and opportunities to get involved through PTA events and our Student Council Wishlist.

Don't forget that the following week, November 24-28 all district offices and schools will be closed for the Thanksgiving break.

Thank you for your continued partnership, encouragement, and support. You make SSMS such a special place to learn and lead.

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. SMS Food Drive: November 10–21: Tiger Nation, let’s come together to support local families! Students can donate items like soup, powdered milk, fruit cups, beans, rice, pasta, veggies, tuna, and crackers, or make a “Birthday Cake in a Bag” (cake mix, frosting, disposable pan, and a can of Sprite). The Tiger WIN class with the most donations wins a Donut Party! All donations benefit Helping Hands of Dripping Springs and the Austin Area High School Family Food Pantry.

2. District Holiday - Next week (11/24-11/28) all district offices and campuses will be closed. Students and staff will return to school on Monday, December 1.

3. Threats are No Joke - These links are great resources from the Texas State Safety Center to spark conversations at home with your students. Threats Are No Joke! is a powerful PSA that highlights the serious consequences of making or sharing threats, even if they're meant as a joke. In this PSA, viewers see how a single text message shared among students quickly escalates into chaos, triggering fear, confusion, and a full law enforcement response. This PSA serves as a critical reminder that in today's world, there's no such thing as “just a joke” when it comes to threats about school violence, school safety, or harm to others. Whether spoken out loud, posted online, or sent in a text, threats, real or fake, can lead to legal consequences, school discipline, and have long-term consequences for a student's future.

• Video

• Resources

4. Student Council Amazon Wishlist - Help our Student Council make school events and activities even better by donating from our Amazon Wishlist! Every contribution—big or small—helps bring new ideas to life and keeps our school spirit strong. Check out the wishlist and donate today!

5. Restroom Concerns - We’ve recently noticed an increase in vandalism and misuse in several boys’ restrooms, including writing on walls, removing soap dispensers, spreading soap on floors, and damaging faucets or sinks. These actions have led to temporary restroom closures for cleaning and repairs.

We’re asking for your help in reminding students to take pride in our school, treat our restrooms with respect, and speak up if they see something that isn’t right. Working together, we can keep our campus clean, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

6. On December 2, SSMS is hosting their first ever 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.

7. Interested in trying out for DSHS Dance Team? Interest meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5:15 pm in the DSHS Lecture Hall.

8. The DSISD 18+ Program is selling 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 (black pens) through 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱! These customizable pens are designed and assembled by our students as part of the program’s entrepreneurial training component, and all profits directly support the program—helping students explore new entrepreneurial opportunities. To purchase, visit this LINK.

9. Toys for Tots - DSHS JROTC Students have partnered with the Marine Corps to raise money and toys for children in the Austin area. All DSISD campuses plus many local businesses are official toy donation sites. Please consider donating a toy. The last day to drop off donations is December 1.

10. Nurse Smith is conducting state-mandated health screenings this semester. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) mandates that all children must be screened or have a professional examination for possible spinal curvature problems. Please click on this LINK to read the full letter from Nurse Smith.

Round 2 during the month of December:

-All 7th grade girls: Scoliosis

-All 8th grade boys: Scoliosis

11. Secondary Grading Information: The Role of Homework in Learning

Homework gives students a chance to practice skills and concepts they’ve already learned in class or prepare for what’s coming next. You may notice that not all homework counts toward a student’s grade in Skyward—it often appears in the PRAC (Practice) category. Even so, homework remains an important part of learning! It helps students reinforce new concepts, build confidence, and receive feedback from teachers.

Because students often have access to many resources at home, homework isn’t always the best measure of what they can do independently—but it is a great way to strengthen understanding and study habits.

How can you help as a parent?
Create a quiet, consistent space for studying. Encourage your Tiger to stick to a set homework time each day and to turn in assignments on time. Most importantly, talk with your Tiger about why homework matters—even when it’s not graded. These habits build responsibility and support long-term academic success.

12. SMS Attendance Matters - Weekly Update: We are proud to announce our strong attendance results for Week 14! Our overall Average Daily Attendance (ADA) was 96.6%. While this is an excellent performance, we are pushing toward our annual goal of 96.9%! Every day counts as we work to meet this target.

A fantastic shout-out goes once again to the 6th Grade, who led the school this week with an impressive 97.5% attendance rate! Your consistency is setting a great example.

Remember, consistent attendance is key to preventing learning gaps. Thank you for ensuring your Tiger is present and on time every day!

We hope you all have a great week ahead!

If you or someone you know is facing difficult times, please know that help is available — the following Resources are here to provide care, support, and nourishment to those in need.

On November 18 & 19, our 7th graders will receive a lesson on Cyber Safety & Cyberbullying. Emily Heinatz, with Safe Schools will present the lesson in Health classes. If you do not want your student to receive this lesson, please email your student’s counselor.

On November 19 & 20, our 7th graders will receive instruction, as required by Senate Bill 9 and the state guidelines for public schools, relating to the prevention of child abuse, family violence, dating violence and human trafficking. The lesson is called Abuse of Power. Counselors hosted a parent preview/information session on November 7th. The deadline to opt in your student was November 14, 2025. Please reach out to your student’s counselor if you have questions.

Please see this message from Our District LMHP team: Hello Tiger Families! The end of the semester is upon us, and the holidays are quickly approaching! Check out this English Newsletter or Spanish Newsletter created by our DSISD LMHP Team to learn how you can support your children and manage the stress of the holidays together.

Go Tigers!

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

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

Tiger Nation, let’s come together to support local families! Our Sycamore Springs Middle School Food Drive runs November 10–21. Students can donate items like soup, powdered milk, fruit cups, beans, rice, pasta, veggies, tuna, and crackers — or make a “Birthday Cake in a Bag” (cake mix, frosting, disposable pan, and a can of Sprite).

The Tiger WIN class with the most donations wins a Donut Party from Ms. Miller! 🍩
All donations benefit Helping Hands of Dripping Springs and the Austin Area High School Family Food Pantry.

Help our Student Council make school events and activities even better by donating from our Amazon Wishlist! Every contribution—big or small—helps bring new ideas to life and keeps our school spirit strong. Scan the QR code to check out the wishlist and donate today!

SSMS is hosting a blood drive on Dec. 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.

Interested in trying out for DSHS Dance Team? Interest meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 9 at 5:15 pm in the DSHS Lecture Hall.

Check out our November Roots Newsletter.

Congratulations to all our amazing musicians who tried out for All-Region! The following students made it into an All-Region band this weekend after two rounds of auditions that included 22 area schools.

Huge shout-out to our theatre department, students, and theatre booster for the most amazing musical. It was magical!!!

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, Kellan Gotta!💪🎉

Please help me in congratulating Christina Mcmillin 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 BCMS!

Congratulations to our Cheerleader of the Week, Elliot! She takes spiriting to a whole other level. Elliot’s got this confidence in her motions, power in her voice and her spiriting commands attention in the best way. She gives 100% every practice, every game, and is a great role model to the younger teammates. We’re so proud to have such an amazing cheerleader and teammate on our team!

•SSMS PTA is THANK-FALL for your quick donations. Keeping it simple to benefit our programs (Talent Show, Spelling Bee, Staff Appreciations, etc) in a BIG way: Click here: Thank-FALL Tigers Fundraiser Frenzy

•SSMS PTA FALL TRIVIA SPIRIT NIGHT is THIS Tues Nov 18th at 6:30PM at Suds Monkey! Family friendly fun w/ great food & fast paced trivia plus prizes for top teams! MENTION SSMS PTA for a portion to go towards our initiatives. Can't Make it? You will be missed, but you are welcome to DONATE HERE : Fall Trivia Spirit Night at Suds Monkey

•BEE there! Register NOW at SSMS Spelling Bee Registration for the SSMS PTA Scripps Spelling Bee, Tues Jan 20th 5:30PM SSMS Cafeteria. Questions, email : spellingbee@ssmspta.org

•LAST raffle of our SSMS PTA Membership Drive-Fri Nov 28th for a YETI Hopper M12 Backpack! JoinPTA – JoinPTA to be entered in it, just in time for the holidays!

•One month until “it’s beginning to look a lot like the SSMS PTA Sugar Shack!” Help us put together the sweetest buffet of holiday treats for SSMS teachers & staff on Fri Dec 12th. Be on the look out for sign up, coming soon!

•THANK YOU to all our NEW (& old!) Workroom Volunteers who show up to free up teaching time to educate & mentor in the workroom WEEKLY. Let’s fill slots to finish out 25’! 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 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

•SSMS PTA is creating an All Abilities Committee led by ACC Aide, Ms. Connolly Lees, for All Abilities Month in Dec as well as a Talent Show Committee for Feb, headed by SSMS parent Carl Coccaro, and we’re STILL looking for volunteers to make events happen! 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.

•SSMS is now accepting Toys for Tots NOW through Mon Dec 1st. Please, drop off NEW, unwrapped toys in the labeled box in the SSMS Front Office.

•The SSMS PTA will continue hosting informative Parent to Parent Campus Tours LAST one for Nov is Fri 11/21 11:30-12:15PM. Come see why SSMS received the School of Excellence Award! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

•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!

The DSISD 18+ Program is selling 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘀 (black pens) through 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟱! These customizable pens are designed and assembled by our students as part of the program’s entrepreneurial training component, and all profits directly support the program—helping students explore new entrepreneurial opportunities. To purchase, visit this LINK.

JROTC Student Led Military Club proudly partners with Toys for Tots and the Marine Corps to help raise toys and money for Austin children. We are grateful for the support of all the schools in DSISD and the many local businesses and neighborhoods who host boxes and promote this great cause.

Host locations will collect toys from Oct 1 - Dec 1 and then military club students will collect all the toys and organize them at the high school. The Marines will pick them up in the first week of December and distribute them to families in need throughout the month of December.

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!

Monday, 11/17 - A Day

Tuesday, 11/18 - B Day

Beginner Band Concert; Big Gym @ 6:30pm

SSMS PTA Presents Fall Trivia Night @ Suds Monkey; 6:30 pm

Wednesday, 11/19 - A Day

7th grade - Abuse of Power SB9 Lesson in Science Class

Thursday, 11/20 - B Day

FCA; Small Gym @ 8am (permission slip required)

7th grade - Abuse of Power SB9 Lesson in Science Class

Girls Basketball Team Pictures

Friday, 11/21 - B Day

SSMS Food Drive - Last Day to Donate

Band-Regional Orchestra Sectional

PTA Campus Tour; 11:30 am (RSVP Here)

11/24-11/28 - Thanksgiving Break/Student Holiday 🦃🥧

12/2 - HOSA Blood Drive @ SSMS

12/4 - CAC Meeting #2; Sycamore Room @ 7:45am

12/4 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am (permission slip required)

12/4 - Girls Basketball @ LTMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

12/4 - Boys Basketball vs LTMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

12/4 - Jazz Band Concert; Stage @ 6:30pm

12/5 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30 am (RSVP Here)

12/5 - Regional Band Rehearsals and Clinic; AISD Performing Arts Center

12/6 - Regional Band Rehearsals and Clinic; AISD Performing Arts Center

12/8 - Girls Basketball vs HCMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

12/8 - Boys Basketball @ HCMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

12/9 - NJHS Meeting; 6th grade Pod @ 8:05am

12/9 - 7th/8th Grade Band Concert; Stage @ 6:30pm

12/9 - Middle School Night for Girls Basketball at DSHS

12/10 - Principal's Student Advisory Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 10:20am

12/10 - NJHS Meeting; 6th grade Pod @ 4:20pm

12/10 - Winter Choir Concert; Stage @ 6:30 pm

12/11 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am (permission slip required)

12/11 - Dance Performance; Stage @ 6pm

12/12 - PTA Campus Tour; 11:30 am (RSVP Here)

12/12 - Choir Caroling at ES campuses

12/12 - PTA Sugar Shack 🍭🍪

12/12 - Winter Orchestra Concert, 7:00pm at DSHS (all DSISD string orchestras)

12/13 - Boys Basketball Barton Springs Tournament

12/15 - Girls Basketball @ HBMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

12/15 - Boys Basketball vs HBMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

12/15-12/18 - Finals Week

12/18 - Early Release

12/19 - Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day

12/22-1/2 - Winter Break - Staff/Student Holiday ❄️🎄

1/5-1/6 - Student Holiday/Teacher Work Day

1/7 - First Day of Spring Semester