Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Welcome to the 2026-2027 school year! We are so excited to welcome our new and returning families to Sycamore Springs Middle School. School starts this Wednesday and we cannot wait to see everyone.

Listed below are several important updates about the new school year along with reminders and dates to add to your calendar. If you have any questions, please reach out to your student's teacher, counselor, or administrator. We are looking forward to a fantastic school year!

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. Open House is Tuesday, August 11 from 3:00-5:00 pm.

One last chance to get first-day ready! Stop by anytime between 3:00–5:00 p.m. to:

• Walk your schedule one last time
• Pick up your student ID so you’re ready for Day 1
• Practice your plan for drop-off, pick-up, or biking to school

This is a come-and-go, self-guided event. Parking is available in the Maroon Lot and Black Lot.

2. First Day of School is Wednesday, August 12. This is a block day and students will got to their 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th period classes.

• The school day starts at 8:50 am. Dismissal is at 4:15 pm.
• The building will open at 8:00 am. Students that arrive between 8:00-8:30 am will go directly to the cafeteria. 8th graders are welcome to use the interior courtyard in the mornings. At 8:30 am students will report to their 1st period class.
• We will have 1st period schedules posted up in the front of the school, by the cafeteria, and new student entrance since students will not be able to have their phones to access their schedules. They will receive a paper copy of their schedule in their 1st period classes. If a student's name isn't listed, they can get pick up their paper copy from the main office.
• Please make sure to plan enough time for drop-off and pick-up as there will be a lot of traffic during the first two weeks of school.

3. Schedules are now posted and available on Skyward Family Access. Counselors are still working on finalizing schedules and balancing classes. Your student's schedule could change up until Tuesday, August 11. Please make sure you check Skyward Tuesday night. Any changes to your student's schedule after Tuesday, August 11, will be communicated to your student.

• The deadline to request a schedule change is TODAY.
• If you would like to request a change to your schedule, please click on this Schedule Change Link and complete the form. Schedule change requests will not be accepted via email. Your counselor will process each request as soon as possible. Please note that if your request cannot be made, the counselor will reach out to you. Please also note that we DO NOT grant any teacher requests. All schedule change requests MUST be submitted by August 9th to guarantee that the request is considered before the first day of school.

4. Lunch Schedules - When viewing your student's schedule in Skyward, you may notice different letters (A, B, or C) listed alongside 3rd, 4th, and 5th periods. Don't worry, this is correct! These codes are part of how our classes are scheduled around our lunch periods and do not necessarily represent your student's actual lunch each day.

Please use the PDF schedule located in the Portfolio tab to determine your student's lunch assignment. The PDF clearly shows which lunch your student has each day.

A few important things to know:

• All 6th-grade students will have A Lunch. (New this Year)
• 7th- and 8th-grade students will have either B or C Lunch.
• A student's lunch may be different on our traditional days (Monday, Tuesday & Friday) than on our block days (Wednesday & Thursday).

The easiest way to remember:

Need the most current class schedule? → Schedule Tab
Need to know when your student eats lunch? → Portfolio Tab

The Schedule tab will always reflect counselor changes in real time. The Portfolio PDF is your best resource for lunch information.

5. Parking and student drop-off/pick up - We have two dedicated student drop-off zones and three pick-up zones:

For Morning Drop-off:

• Yellow Lot (south side near the elementary school)

• Student Drop-off (north side of campus near the Black Lot and stadium)

🚫 Reminder: The Maroon Lot (front of the school) is for buses, ADA access, and staff parking only. Parents may park here if coming into the building, but this is not a student pick-up or drop-off area.

For Afternoon Pick-up:

• Yellow Lot (south side near the elementary school)

• Student Drop-off (north side of campus near the Black Lot and stadium)

• Blue Lot (back of school by the cafeteria and gyms)

🚫 Reminder: The Maroon Lot (front of the school) is for buses, ADA access, and staff parking only. Parents may park here if coming into the building, but this is not a student pick-up or drop-off area.

‼️Please note that students will NOT be allowed to walk into or through any parking lots. Cars must pull up to the designated pick-up areas for pick-up.

6. For all bus riders - Parents should check Smart Tag Parent App for bus information or if they are not sure if they registered for the bus. Parents should submit a Bus Service Request or Change Form to change or add a request. Both links are on our webpage. Preliminary bus information is available now, parents should check back for updated times, etc. the day before school as students are still being added to buses as requests come in. Link to DSISD Transportation Website

7. Student IDs will be available to pick up during Open House on 8/11. Please note that all DSISD secondary schools require all students, faculty, and staff to wear their school ID at all times. The school will provide each student with a lanyard and plastic case when they pick up their ID. Students are able to buy a different lanyard or use a clip to adhere their ID to their shirt. IDs MUST be worn around the student's neck or on their shirt and not on their backpack, in their wallets/purse, or on their jeans. It is recommended that you purchase additional plastic cases and/or lanyards for your student's ID.

8. Personal Communication Devices - As a reminder, in accordance with House Bill (HB) 1481, Dripping Springs ISD prohibits students from using personal communication devices while on school property during the instructional day (8:00 a.m. – 4:15 p.m.).

Students are encouraged to leave personal communication devices at home whenever possible. If a device is brought to school, it must be powered off and stored away (backpack) from the time a student arrives on campus until dismissal. This expectation applies throughout the school day, including morning tutorials, passing periods, and lunch.

Personal communication devices include, but are not limited to:

• Cell phones (smartphones and flip phones)
• Smartwatches
• Tablets
• Personal computers
• Bluetooth earbuds/headphones
• Radios, paging devices, and other electronic devices capable of telecommunication or digital communication

9. School-Issued Chromebooks - Every student will be issued a DSISD Chromebook for instructional use on campus. New this year: School-issued Chromebooks may only be used during supervised instructional times, including tutorials and classroom instruction. Chromebook use is not permitted before school or during lunch. Chromebooks will be distributed by the third week of school during scheduled checkout times. Technology will not be required for assignments until students have received their devices.

10. Please review the dress code as set in the Student Handbook with your students, we need your help with your student arriving in accordance with the dress code to school. See below for more information regarding the DSISD Dress Code.

11.Dripping Springs ISD Health Services is committed to supporting your child’s health and well-being throughout the school year. Every campus is staffed with a full-time registered nurse who works closely with students, families, school staff, and healthcare providers to promote a safe and healthy learning environment. Please take a moment to review this DSISD Health Services Information. We look forward to partnering with you for a successful year.

12. Attendance Matters: Start Strong! Consistent attendance is one of the most important factors in a student’s success at school. Being at school each day helps students stay connected to their learning, build strong relationships with teachers and peers, and develop routines that set them up for success.

Even a few absences can add up quickly. Missing just two days of school each month can result in nearly a month of missed instruction over the course of the school year. When possible, we ask families to help us protect instructional time by scheduling vacations, appointments, and other activities outside of the school day.

As you plan for the year ahead, please take a moment to review the 2026–2027 DSISD Academic Calendar and, whenever possible, plan travel and time away from school around scheduled school holidays.

We know illnesses, family circumstances, and unexpected situations happen. Our goal is to partner with families to help students be here, stay connected, and start strong all year long.

Helpful Resources:

• 2026-2027 DSISD Academic Calendar
• DSISD Attendance Homepage

The first day of school is a block day and the building will open at 8:00 am.

• Students may enter the building through the main doors or the student drop-off entrance on the North side of the building (by the stadium).
• ALL 6th and 7th graders will report to the Cafeteria and 8th graders may use the interior courtyard if they arrive before 8:30 am. After 8:30 students will report directly to their 1st-period class.
• Students will KEEP their school supplies with them until Tiger WIN.
• Students will start their day in their 1st-period class.
• We will run our standard Wednesday Block Schedule (1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th period classes).
  

***Make sure to check your student's schedule on Skyward Family Access TUESDAY NIGHT (8/11). The counselors have been updating schedules over the weekend, therefore some students' schedules HAVE CHANGED SINCE TIGERS READY.

Students will attend all eight classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. On Wednesday and Thursday students will follow a block schedule where they will go to their odd (1, 3, 5, 7) classes on Wednesday and then even (2, 4, 6, 8) classes on Thursday. We will still have Tiger Win (Advisory) on block days (Wednesday and Thursdays). Click HERE to see our new bell schedule.

With the typical start of school traffic, please expect delays, particularly at the end of the day. Please make sure to follow the traffic flow and student pick-up/drop-off procedures stated below.

We have two dedicated student drop-off zones and three pick-up zones:

For Morning Drop-off:

• Yellow Lot (south side near the elementary school)

• Student Drop-off (north side of campus near the Black Lot and stadium)

🚫 Reminder: The Maroon Lot (front of the school) is for buses, ADA access, and staff parking only. Parents may park here if coming into the building, but this is not a student pick-up or drop-off area.

For Afternoon Pick-up:

• Yellow Lot (south side near the elementary school)

• Student Drop-off (north side of campus near the Black Lot and stadium)

• Blue Lot (back of school by the cafeteria and gyms)

🚫 Reminder: The Maroon Lot (front of the school) is for buses, ADA access, and staff parking only. Parents may park here if coming into the building, but this is not a student pick-up or drop-off area.

‼️Please note that students will NOT be allowed to walk into or through any parking lots. Cars must pull up to the designated pick-up areas for pick-up.

Families Coming from the North (Belterra, Ledgestone, etc.):

Enter the north entrance of the campus from Sawyer Ranch Road. You now have two options:

1. Turn Right to access the New Student Drop-off/Pick-up Zone. This is a one-way lane. After drop-off, the lane curves left into a two-way exit drive back to Sawyer Ranch.

2. Veer Left to loop near the football field and pick-up in the Blue Lot behind the school (cafeteria and gym area). After looping through, follow the same exit route.

Families Coming from the South (Highpointe, etc.):

Enter and exit through the south entrance near the elementary campus. Continue behind the elementary school to the Yellow Lot for student drop-off/pick-up.

Crossing guards will be at the sidewalk from Highpointe and at the top of the hill on the north side of the campus to assist pedestrians and bike riders.

• Bikers from the south should use the designated path, and walk bikes across the crosswalk with the guard.

• Bikers from the north should stay on the Sawyer Ranch sidewalk, walk bikes across the first entrance/cross walk, and use the new sidewalk to the student entrance.

If you have a student who will ride their bike to school, we recommend practicing the route BEFORE the first day of school so they know exactly where to go and where to park their bikes. Bike racks are located on the SSE side (for students riding in from Highpointe) and by the new student entrance by the football stadium (for the students riding in from Belterra area). Students will NOT be allowed to park their bikes under the main awning/main entrance.

Hays County installed signage and additional visual cues to bring attention to the crosswalk at Sawyer Ranch and White Wash Way. By law, the operator of a vehicle must stop and yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian crossing a roadway. Please be on the lookout for our students who are crossing Sawyer Ranch and thank you for your compliance with all driver, pedestrian, bike rider, and bus safety laws.

New this year: Our lunch schedule has changed! 6th grade will primarily have A Lunch, while 7th and 8th grade students will have either B or C Lunch.

When looking at your student's schedule in Skyward, you may notice lunch codes (A, B, or C) next to 3rd, 4th, and 5th periods. Here's how to find your student's lunch:

• Monday, Tuesday & Friday: Look at the codes next to 4th and 5th periods. This student has CB, which means B Lunch.
• Wednesday: Look at the code next to 3rd period. This student has C Lunch.
• Thursday: Look at the code next to 4th period. This student has C Lunch.

So, this student's lunch schedule is:
Monday – B | Tuesday – B | Wednesday – C | Thursday – C | Friday – B

Below is a chart to tell what lunch your student has for Monday, Tuesday, and Fridays:

Below are each grade-level's school supply lists. Elective teachers may request additional supplies the first week of school.

6th Grade Supply List

7th Grade Supply List

8th Grade Supply List

Students will be require to wear their student ID badge at all times during the school day. You may want to purchase an additional lanyard and/or plastic case for your student's ID. All students will receive an initial plastic case and lanyard when they receive their student ID.

Dripping Springs ISD Health Services is committed to supporting your child’s health and well-being throughout the school year. Every campus is staffed with a full-time registered nurse who works closely with students, families, school staff, and healthcare providers to promote a safe and healthy learning environment. Please take a moment to review this DSISD Health Services Information. We look forward to partnering with you for a successful year.

Personal Communication Devices - Per House Bill (HB) 1481, our district has adopted the required policy that prohibits students from using a personal communication device while on school property during the day from 8 am to 4:15 pm. This means students will need to leave personal communication devices at home or keep devices powered off and stored away (in backpacks, lockers, or vehicles, etc.) during the school day, including passing periods and lunches. Therefore, student will not be allowed to have the following on campus from the time they arrive on campus until the time they leave campus.

The following items are prohibited :

• Telephone;

• Cell phone such as smartphone or flip phone;

• Tablet;

• Smartwatch;

• Radio device;

• Paging device;

• Personal computers

• Bluetooth Earbuds/Headphones

• Or any other electronic device capable of telecommunication or digital communication

Every student will be issued a school district Chromebook for use on campus. Chromebooks will be available for all students to check out during the third week of school. All lessons within the first three weeks of school will NOT require the use of a Chromebook.

A Communication Guide for parents and students is linked HERE. It outlines our process of how students and parents can communicate with each other during the school day. This document will be linked at the bottom of each of my weekly newsletter for easy access.

From more information on HB 1481, please visit DSISD website regarding Personal Communication Device Policy and/or click on the DSISD HB 1481 flyer in ENGLISH or SPANISH.

Student IDs will be available to pick up during Open House on 8/11 and during the first week of school.

Please be aware that all DSISD secondary schools require students, faculty, and staff to wear their school ID at all times. Each student will be provided with a lanyard and plastic case upon picking up their ID. Students may choose to purchase an alternate lanyard or use a clip to attach their ID to their shirt.

Important: IDs must be worn around the neck or clipped to the shirt. They should not be attached to backpacks, placed in wallets/purses, or hung on jeans.

Starting the second week of school, Assistant Principals will monitor compliance and track students who are not wearing their IDs or who consistently forget to wear them. Consequences, such as lunch detentions, will be issued to students who do not adhere to this policy.

We do NOT allow food delivery services during the school day (Doordash,

Ubereats, etc.) for the following reasons: we cannot have strangers on our campus

flowing in throughout the day and it is disruptive to class time. If a delivery service drops

off anything at school, you will be able to collect it from the AP's office at the end of the

day. Parents/Guardians may still drop off items at the front office. Students will NOT be allowed to leave class to pick up food from the office unless it is during their scheduled lunch time.

Please review the dress code as set in the Student Handbook with your students. We need your help with your student arriving in accordance with the dress code to school.

Student dress standards:

• School issued ID Cards on a lanyard is a required part of the dress guidelines for secondary students.
• The student’s back, bottom, chest, and stomach must be covered.
• Underwear must not be visible, pants/jeans that are ripped or have holes may not reveal the student’s private areas or undergarments.

Students may not wear:

• Tops that are strapless, plunging or low-cut.

• Sheer or see-through clothing, fabrics covering private parts must not be seen through.

• Clothing that has pictures, emblems, or writings on clothing that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene.

• Clothing that advertises or depicts tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs or any other substance prohibited by policy.

If a student’s dress and/or grooming is deemed unacceptable (i.e. a secondary student not wearing an ID badge, a student in inappropriate clothing) by a faculty member and/or administrator:

• The student will be given an opportunity to correct the problem at school and return to the classroom.

• If the problem cannot be corrected at school, campus administrators will work with the student and parent/guardian to obtain an acceptable change of clothing for the student in a way that minimizes the loss of instructional time.

• Repeated or severe violations of the dress code standards will result in more serious disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Campus administrators have the final authority concerning the propriety of clothing worn on school property, at school activities, or any time a student is representing the campus/district.

Click here for the Student Handbook and Student Code of Conduct. Information about the dress code can be found on page 65 of the Student Handbook

In tandem with our campus attendance goals, we will also be monitoring tardies more closely. Below is our process for addressing tardies by class period.

1st Tardy: Conversation 1:1 with Teacher and student
2nd Tardy: Conversation 1:1 with Teacher and student and email/call home
3rd Tardy: Conversation 1:1 with Teacher and student, call home + referral

• 1st Referral: 1 Lunch Detention
  
• 2nd Referral: 2 Lunch Detention
  
• 3rd referral: Parent Conference and Before/After School Detention

If your student needs to miss school, please make sure to send an email using this address:

ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us

If you have a doctor’s note to submit, please email a picture of it to the attendance office (ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us) or turn in the note to the front office within 48 hours of the absence.

For more information regarding attendance, please visit the DSISD Attendance Webpage which includes the steps above as well as other helpful information.

If you need to pick up your student during the school day, please remember these guidelines.

1. Email the attendance office (ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us)

2. Be sure to include the student's name and what time you are picking them up.

3. All pick-ups are recommended to be before 3:50 p.m. Please allow at least 20 minutes for pickup time.

4. You will need to enter the front of the building to sign your student out. Students will not be released from class until an approved adult is here to pick them up. If you have another adult picking up your child that is not on your emergency contact list in Skyward, please email (ssmsattendance@dsisdtx.us) to let us know they are approved.

5. Make sure to have your photo ID/driver's license ready to show the front receptionist.

6. You will need to bring your cell phone to use the QR code to sign your child out.

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

If you student is planning on playing football, please download the SportsYou App and join the SSMS Football group.

SSMS Football

Access Code - WE8W-SEEB

*Click on this FLYER for more detailed instructions on how to download the app.

Calling all SSMS runners!

SSMS cross country is ready to run and needs you! All runners are welcome and try-outs are not required to practice with us, but don't wait to sign up as our team is near capacity! We practice from 6:45 AM to 8:00 AM four to fice days a week and our team is open to any 7th or 8th grader. You do not need to enroll in Athletics to participate with SSMS Cross Country and I am willing to work with you if you are balancing other activities or sports.

Our first practice will be on Thursday, August 13th. Parents will need to create a login on Rank One and sign all of the forms and upload your athlete's physical into the system before runner's are able to participate in practice. Please do not send them to school. Please use the link below to access Rank One: https://drippingspringsisd.rankone.com/Pro/Login.aspx

In addition, please complete the cross country interest form below as soon as possible from your DSISD Google account to hold your spot on the team: https://forms.gle/41NHp2ZowdavPArW6

Runners are expected to wear a SSMS athletic dri-fit shirt (available for purchase from the SSMS Athletic Boosters) with their own black running shorts. If you need to order a dri-fit shirt, the webstore is currently closed as they check their inventory numbers, so in the meantime, runners can wear a dri-fit/t-shirt (preferably maroon, grey or white) with black shorts.

Our season is quick (District Meet is scheduled for October 7th) but will include great trails, amazing sunrises, endless memories, personal bests, incredible friendships, and hopefully, YOU! Please email me if you have any questions at nicole.mcgilvray@dsisdtx.us

Happy Trails!

Coach McGilvray

ACTION: The 26’-27’ SSMS PTA Membership Drive is now OPEN! Please, join to benefit our students, teachers, & staff with NO obligation to volunteer! Stay tuned for raffle info through October. Sign up:

https://www.joinpta.org/

•We did it! Over the summer the SSMS PTA hit over 500 Instagram followers (& counting!) Follow on FB and Insta to informed & connected from everything from events, reminders, and volunteer opportunities!

•Thank you to two incredibly talented members of our SSMS Community, Mary Ellen Clifford & Alicia Lemon of Stitch-A-Story, for their collaborated donation of a Wildflower Texas Quilt for our fundraising. If you have a donation, please email: fundraising@ssmspta.org

•ACTION: Help the SSMS PTA spread a little hospitality! We’re STILL looking for a VP of Volunteers to help with student & staff events starting with our beloved Halloweenie in October. Interested? Email: president@ssmspta.org with any questions

•The SSMS PTA surprised our teachers & staff with a sweet assortment of HEB treats plus HTeaO this BTS week.! We can’t wait to serve them up lunch at the annual SSMS Staff Luncheon tomorrow. We’re excited to help kick off the new school year by showing our appreciation for the incredible SSMS Staff-Stay tuned, more events to come!

Monday, 8/10

Football Parent Meeting; Cafeteria, 5:00pm

Tuesday, 8/11

Student Updated Schedules - Published in Portfolio Tab @ 9am

Open House (come-and-go event), 3-5 pm

Wednesday, 8/12 - Block Day (odd classes)

First Day of School 🏫

Volleyball Tryouts Begin

Thursday, 8/13 - Block Day (even classes)

Cross Country (XC) First Practice; 6:45am

Football Early Morning Practices Begin

Friday, 8/14 - All Classes

8/19 - XC Parent Meeting; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

8/24 - Volleyball Parent Meeting; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

8/25 - Meet the Teacher Night, 6-8pm

8/26 - Fall Musical Auditions Begin

8/27 - Football Intrasquad Scrimmage; SSMS @ 7:00am

8/27 - Volleyball @ DSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

8/28 - XC Lockhart Meet; Lockhart City Park @ 5pm

8/31 - 7th Football vs DSMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/1 - 8th Football @ DSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/2 - XC Smithville JH Meet; Smithville HS @ 5pm

9/3 - Fall Pictures; all day

9/3 - Volleyball vs HBMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

9/4 - Fall Pictures; all day

9/4 - PTA Board Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 8:15am

9/10 - Volleyball Team Pictures; 3:00pm

9/11 - XC Team Pictures; 7:15am

9/11 - Football Team Pictures; 7:30am

9/11 - XC Austin ISD MS Invitational; Walter E. Long Metropolitan Park @ 6pm

9/14 - 7th Football @ LTMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

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

9/15 - Volleyball Night @ DSHS; TBD

9/17 - Volleyball @ LTMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

9/21 - 8th Football @ WHS;5:00/6:30pm

9/22 - 7th Football vs HCMS @ SSMS; 5:00/6:30pm

9/24 - Volleyball vs HCMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm & 8A/7B 6:30am

9/26 - XC St. Andrew's MS Invitational, St. Andrew's @ 7am

9/26 - Volleyball Hays Tournament @ Hays CISD

9/28 - 7th Football @ BCMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/29 - 8th Football vs BCMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

9/29 - XC Tiger Invitational; DSHS @ 5pm