Sycamore Springs

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you and your family are enjoying the weekend and the amazing weather. What an amazing week we had last week. The pep rally was a hit! The students loved celebrating and cheering on each other during the games and then we made sure to wish each of our our fall sports teams good luck this season.

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. UIL and Grades - This Friday is our first UIL deadline that may impact a student's eligibility. 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. Interim IB closes on September 20. Any student who receives a grade below 70 for Interim IB will be ineligible to play starting on September 27.

2. Nurse Smith will be 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 vision, hearing, Acanthosis Nigricans, and spinal curvature problems. Please click on this LINK to read the full letter from Nurse Smith.

Round 1 will take place on October 10th and 11th during Social Studies and will involve:

-All of 7th grade: Vision, hearing, and Acanthosis Nigricans screening (marker on back of neck for Type 2 Diabetes)

Round 2 timing TBD (notification will be sent out) and will involve:

-All 7th grade girls: Scoliosis

-All 8th grade boys: Scoliosis

3. SSMS Choir is hosting a COLOR RUN on September 21 at 4:00 pm. Registration is now open. Registration gets you entry into the event, a white shirt, and Kona Ice!! See below for more details.

4. DSISD is looking for high school and/or middle school students to serve on one of the following Community Advisory Committees for the 2024-25 school year. If interested, please fill out the Student Interest Form.

• Budget Collaboration Committee
• Citizens' Bond Steering Committee
• Elementary #6 Name Recommendation Committee

5. Student Attendance is Critical for Student Success. Our goal for this year is to increase our Average Daily Attendance (ADA) by 1%.

• 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 for information on how to report an absence, attendance office contact information, attendance times, and additional information. To access the Attendance Matters in DSISD flyer, click HERE.

We are excited for the start of another week as we are going into classrooms!

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.

The due date to fill out the Opt-In form was Sept. 12. If you have missed that deadline, your student was opted out of the lesson.

We finished week one of the Book Study. Thanks to those parents who were able to join! If you want to join us next week please do so! 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 chapters 2-4 this week.

We hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

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

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

This image can be really helpful in reinforcing the principles of Stephen Covey’s "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People." Visual reminders can make these concepts more accessible and memorable. We will be focusing on a new each month and will share helpful resources for the classroom and at home.

Now that students have written a SMART WIG, they will be coming up with a few steps or Lead Measures that will help them reach their goals. They will also have accountability partners at school for daily support at school.

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 20. Ineligibility begins on September 27.

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.

Nurse Smith will be 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 vision, hearing, Acanthosis Nigricans, and spinal curvature problems. Please click on this LINK to read the full letter from Nurse Smith.

Round 1 will take place on October 10th and 11th during Social Studies and will involve:

-All of 7th grade: Vision, hearing, and Acanthosis Nigricans screening (marker on back of neck for Type 2 Diabetes)

Round 2 timing TBD (notification will be sent out) and will involve:

-All 7th grade girls: Scoliosis

-All 8th grade boys: Scoliosis

Free Kona Ice after the run, too!

Sept. 21st 4:00pm

Start/Finish Main Lot @SSMS

SIGN UP ... WEAR WHITE … DO THE COURSE !

This event is EPIC! It’s an easy run/jog/walk/skip around SSMS THREE times past the COLOR STATIONS where you will be DOUSED in non-toxic color powder practically turning you into a rainbow! At the end, everyone gets their own color packet, we have a live color explosion on

the hill and take pics after!

Registration is OPEN!

Adults $25 ~~ Students (11-18) $15

Children (Under 10) $10

Registration gets you entry into the event, a white shirt, and Kona Ice!!

Such a great place to get photos with friends for the yearbook!

Fun family event!

Register HERE!

Our first pep rally was a huge success! The theme was Hawaiian and our students and staff nailed it!!!

6th grade received the SSMS Spirit Stick for Most Spirited and Mrs. Pillai was celebrated with the Best Dressed Spirit Stick!

Way To Go Tigers!! 🌸🏆🐯

SSMS 8th Grade Team all dressed up!!!

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.

Congratulations to the following students!

6th - James Quick

7th - Kelton Smith

8th - Sage Watkins

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

🎉 Congratulations to our Tiger of the Week: Holden Wottrich

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

SSMS XC Runners of the Week

SSMS XC is excited to recognize our Runners of the Week for September 3rd to September 6th. Our team was excited to celebrate the following runners who are "trail partners" and know the power of two on the trail:

Sienna Cole and Emily Coffman: As some of our newest members to SSMS XC, these ladies provided inspiration, friendship and a consistent reminder that you are never alone on the trail. Their teamwork makes the dream work as they continue to push each other to go farther faster. Sienna and Emily, keep challenging each other on the trail to reach your goals.

Xavier Reyes and Elgin Smith: Our 2024 season is the second year of this dynamic duo's presence on the trails for SSMS XC. Their friendship and consistent pace allow them to continue to push the envelope of what they can achieve. Their joy for running is evident and is powered by friendly competition. Xavier and Elgin, run your race and crush your pace!

Congratulations!

Coach McGilvray

DSHS football wasn't the only thing shining under the "Friday Night Lights" on Friday, Sept, 6th. SSMS XC shined bright in their first appearance of the season on the trails at St. Andrew's. This was our biggest meet of the season, but our runners stayed focused and ran their race against the 272 7th/8th grade girls and the 371 7th/8th grade boy runners on the trails.

We had 59 runners on the trail, which earned us the name "Sycamore Army" from one of the smaller teams. Our "army" pushed themselves to the limits as they set their PR (personal record) for the season. Each runner was excited to have their time to use as inspiration and goal setting as we continue down our paths this season. Congratulations to returning team members, Carter B., Brielle F and Xavier R., who closed the books on 2023 by starting the 2024 season faster than their PR at the end of the season last year.

With the boys team cheering them on enthusiastically at the start, our 7th and 8th grade girls worked together to bring home the 2nd place "Runner Up" team award for 7th and 8th grade girls, which was a huge accomplishment given there were 16 other teams on the trails. In addition, Brooke M (5th overall), Zoey R. (12th overall ) and Gemma M. (18th overall) brought home individual medals for being in the top 20 (a.k.a. top 7.4%)! Congratulations ladies on a race well run!

With the girls cheering loud enough for the boys to hear them before they even entered the stadium, our boys crossed the finish line in record time. They worked with their "train" partners to push each other faster and were in a full sprint of determination as they crossed the finish line. The cheers and support of their teammates was a great reward for an amazing race.

Special thanks to Mateo for stepping in as our "manager for the night." We are grateful for your support of your teammates and look forward to having you back on the trails with us soon.

Congratulations!

Coach McGilvray

• THANK YOU to all who have already joined our PTA! Your support has helped Sycamore Springs Middle School PTA earn the Head Start Award by jump-starting the year with 75% or more of last year's total membership!
• If you haven’t joined PTA yet, we welcome you to support SSMS students and staff! 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.
  
• Let your voice be heard: fill out this Form to suggest future PTA Meeting Topic Ideas for the board to consider.
  
• 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!
  
• 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.

DSISD is looking for high school and/or middle school students to serve on one of the following Community Advisory Committees for the 2024-25 school year. If interested, please fill out the Student Interest Form.

• Budget Collaboration Committee
• Citizens' Bond Steering Committee
• Elementary #6 Name Recommendation Committee

DSISD is seeking community input on the name for Elementary #6, which is scheduled to open for the 2025-26 school year. A survey is available through Friday, October 11 for stakeholders to share their suggestions for the name of the school. Scan the QR code or visit the link below to complete the survey!

More Information: https://www.dsisdtx.us/article/1756486

Survey: https://forms.gle/f2ZLMxcGGJQCQYB99

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, 9/16 - A Day

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

Tuesday, 9/17 - B Day

National IT Professional Day 💻🎉

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

XC West Ridge Invitational

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

Wednesday, 9/18 - A Day

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

Thursday, 9/19 - B Day

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

Friday, 9/20 - A Day

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

Volleyball Middle School Night @ DSHS Varsity Volleyball game vs. Westlake; 6:30 pm @ DSHS

Varsity Football vs Buda Johnson; Tiger Stadium@ 7:30pm

Saturday, 9/21

Volleyball Hays Tournament; time TBD

Choir Color Run at 4:00pm - Register HERE!

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

9/26 - Advanced Academics and Gifted & Talented Information Night; 6:00pm at CLL

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 - 7th Graders: Vision, hearing, and Acanthosis Nigricans screening (during Social Studies)

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

10/11 - 7th Graders: Vision, hearing, and Acanthosis Nigricans screening (during Social Studies)

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