Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! I hope you and your family are enjoying the long weekend! This week we’re excited to spotlight a few important updates around campus. Our Principal’s Student Advisory Council is launching the SSMS Supply Stop, a new program to ensure every student has the supplies they need to succeed. Our 6th grade team has been hard at work making Tiger WIN adjustments to best support each student’s learning. And finally, we’re proud to invite all veterans to our annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11 as we honor those who have served our nation.

We can’t wait to see everyone back on campus Tuesday! 🐯

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. Monday, Oct. 13, is a district holiday, and all district offices and campuses will be closed. We hope you and your family enjoy the long weekend!

2. Our Principal’s Student Advisory Council is launching a new program to make sure every SSMS student has the supplies they need to succeed. We’re collecting donations of notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, backpacks, and more to stock our SSMS Supply Stop— a free resource for any student in need.

3. 6th Grade Tiger Win Updates for Term 2 - As a team, it is our passion to help all students be successful in every way. In order to achieve this goal, we are making adjustments to students’ Tiger Win placements. The 6th grade team discussed Tiger Win placements and moved students, as needed, to ensure their Tiger Win placement best met their academic needs. Thank you for your understanding and support of this process. If your child’s Tiger Win placement has changed, it will show in Skyward on Tuesday, October 14th (or sooner) and your child will receive an updated copy of their schedule during 5th period on Tuesday, October 14th. We know change can be difficult, so we appreciate your support in discussing that any change is to best support all our 6th graders during Tiger Win. - 6th Grade Team

4. Attention all Veterans - We invite all veterans to join SSMS as we honor you for your selfless service to our nation. A ceremony will be held on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at 10:30 am. Please fill out the form at this LINK so that we can prepare a seat for you. For more information, see the flyer below.

5. The Book Fair is Coming to SSMS! SSMS Book Fair starts on October 20. Click here to access our Book Fair website. You will find access to set up ewallets, shop online, and other important details. Thank you for supporting our Book Fair

6. Did you miss picture day or want to retake your picture? Picture retakes are Tuesday, 10/21. Stop by the front office to pick up an order form. https://www.phototexasphotography.com/

7. We want to remind families that parents and guardians are encouraged to partner with teachers in support of student learning. If you would like to schedule a parent-teacher conference, you may do so by reaching out to your child’s teacher directly. Conferences can be arranged at a mutually convenient time to discuss your student’s progress, strengths, and areas of growth.

8. State-mandated Health Screenings - 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 and hearing disorders, and Acanthosis Nigricans. Please click on this LINK to read the full letter from Nurse Smith.

9. Advanced Academics Information Night & GT Testing - The window for parents to request GT testing is open from October 1, 2025, through November 14, 2025. For additional information, and to access the referral link on October 1st or after, please visit the DSISD Gifted and Talented website.

10. DSISD's Counseling Department has put together 4 virtual Lunch and Learn opportunities. Check out this flyer for details on dates, topics, and how to register.

11. Secondary Grading Information: Grading with Purpose at DSISD - At DSISD, we believe grades should reflect what students know and can do, not factors like behavior, attendance, or bringing classroom supplies. Whenever possible, we separate behavior from academic grades so that grades truly represent a student’s mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).

Grades are just one part of the learning process, and our focus is on the feedback students receive along the way. This feedback helps students understand where they are in their learning and what steps to take next. Ultimately, we want students to take ownership of their learning and see grades as a reflection of growth, not just numbers.

How Parents Can Help
Talk with your Tiger about what they’re learning—ask about the skills and concepts they’re mastering, not just their grades. Remind them that learning is what matters most, and that effort and reflection help build lasting understanding. We value your partnership and appreciate your continued support!

12. Standard Response Protocol - Each year, we review each of the protocols with our staff and students through education and drills. Please see this flyer for what each emergency protocol means and what staff, students, and parents should to do in each circumstance. For more information, visit the Texas School Safety website on SRP.

13. DSISD is hosting a NARCAN presentation for families on October 29th. The event will be held at the Center for Learning & Leadership at 6:00 p.m. Dr. Kelly Clary from Texas State University will present on the use of NARCAN as well as opioid abuse. Please use this link to RSVP. Contact us at retta.ary@dsisdtx.us with any questions

14. SMS Attendance Matters - Weekly Update: We're closing out a great week! Our overall Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for Week 9 was 96.8%. This performance keeps us right on track with our annual goal of 96.9%! Thank you for your continued commitment to student success by prioritizing their time in the classroom.

A huge shout-out goes once again to the 6th Grade, who continue their leadership by achieving the highest attendance rate this week at 97.4%!

We know that life happens, but please remember that every day is a critical learning opportunity. Consistent attendance is the best way to ensure our students build knowledge and avoid learning gaps. Let's finish the first nine weeks strong!

We hope you all had a great weekend!

On October 7 & 8, our seventh graders will receive a presentation on Vaping Prevention. This will be presented by Emily Heinatz with Safe Schools, in Health classes. The presentation covers the chemicals used in vapes, myths, the stress of peer pressure, and laws. Students will learn how vaping can impact their health and learn refusal skills. If you do not want your student to receive this lesson, please email their counselor and we will arrange for students to be in the Library where Ms. McCoy will monitor students.

Dripping Springs ISD has partnered with Terrace Metrics to understand & support the resiliency & well-being of our students. All 7th Grade students will have the opportunity to take this assessment on Oct. 22nd or 23rd via Tiger Win classes. Active consent is required from parents/guardians for their student(s) to participate in the evaluation. This means that we will not administer the assessment to any student with a parental/guardian consent status of no and no response consent. Only students with a parental/guardian consent status of yes will be allowed to participate. 7th grade parents will receive an email from Ms. Miller on October 6, with additional information about Terrace Metrics. On October 7, seventh grade parents will receive an email from Actionaly, which will contain the consent form. The consent form will close on Oct. 17. Before the Terrace Metrics parental consent window closes, we will host a 7th-grade parent meeting to provide information and answer questions about the Terrace Metrics Assessment. Please join us on October 9th from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. in the Pecan room at SSMS for this meeting.

Have a great week and Go Tigers!

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

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

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 and hearing disorders, and Acanthosis Nigricans. Please click on this LINK to read the full letter from Nurse Smith.

Round 1 will take place on November 4th and 5th during Science 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

Our Principal’s Student Advisory Council is launching a new program to make sure every SSMS student has the supplies they need to succeed. We’re collecting donations of notebooks, pencils, glue sticks, backpacks, and more to stock our SSMS Supply Stop — a free resource for any student in need.

Donations can be dropped off at the front office and addressed to SSMS – Principal’s Student Advisory. Thank you for helping us support our students and keep every Tiger ready to learn!

Please join us this Wednesday, Sept 17 at 8:15 am for our second Principal’s Coffee & Chat. This is an informal opportunity to connect with Principal Miller, ask questions, and be part of the conversation at SSMS.

Each year, we review each of the protocols with our staff and students through education and drills. Please see this flyer for what each emergency protocol means and what staff, students, and parents should to do in each circumstance. For more information, visit the Texas School Safety website on SRP.

SSMS Book Fair starts on October 20. Click here to access our Book Fair website. You will find access to set up ewallets, shop online, and other important details. Thank you for supporting our Book Fair

DSISD's Counseling Department has put together 4 virtual Lunch and Learn opportunities. Check out this flyer for details on dates, topics, and how to register.

Exciting new Sycamore Springs fam! Our 8th grade A basketball team has an incredible once-in-a-lifetime chance to shine on the San Antonio Spurs' court through the Court of Dreams program. They'll face off against Dripping Springs right before the Spurs take on the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday, November 8 at 1:20 PM. See the attached flyer for all the details, and scan the QR code to grab your tickets and cheer on our Tigers!

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!

Our secondary principals recently visited the Dripping Springs Helping Hands Food Pantry and were inspired by the incredible impact this organization has on our community. Serving more than 150 households each week, Helping Hands provides food, school supplies, and emergency assistance to local families in need. Their work truly reflects the spirit of care and connection that makes Dripping Springs so special.

Check out the article from Dripping Springs Century News!!!

Congratulations to the Players of the Game!

We’re excited to announce that tryouts for the SSMS basketball team are just around the corner! Mark your calendars for October 23th-24th and 27th-28th. All SSMS students are welcome to try out, as long as they have up-to-date physical and medical history forms on file.

If you're not in the Athletic class, don’t worry—simply email Coach E or Coach Pilcik so arrangements can be made for tryouts.

Please click the link below to fill out the interest form sign-up. This interest form will also let you know which days each grade level will have tryouts. While sign-ups help coaches prepare, you’re still welcome to try out even if you don’t sign up in advance.

Stay tuned for more details—we can’t wait to see you on the court!

https://forms.gle/EY9iMVeG6a2pyFGK6

Please help me in congratulating Callie Casto 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 is Zoey! She is one of the most hardworking cheerleaders on the team, whether she’s learning a new stunt position or sharpening her moves, she always puts so much effort into what she does. Her teammates, friends, teachers would describe her as one of the kindest, sweetest girls who wants everyone to be friends and we’re so thankful to call her ours!

•SSMS PTA is excited to participate in the Nat’l PTA Reflections! It encourages students of ALL ages & abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Students create and submit original works of art in the medium of their choice— dance choreography, film production, literature, music composition, photography, and visual arts — reflecting on a specific theme. This year's theme is "I Belong". Please see rules and entry form here! We would love for you to encourage your students to participate! A box for entries will be at the front desk (w/ paper entry forms) and questions can be directed to reflections@ssmspta.org. Entry forms and rules are also available on the SSMS website Let's get creative!

•WE HIT OUR SSMS PTA MEMBERSHIP GOAL: 3•6•7 (insert giggles!) Continue to join at JoinPTA – JoinPTA if you haven’t already to enter BOTH upcoming raffles-our next drawing is THIS month-Oct 30th-just in time for Halloween- for a YETI Hopper Flip 12!

•Save The Date: SSMS PTA General Meeting is Friday Oct 17th at 8:15AM in the Sycamore Room. We’ll discuss all upcoming SSMS PTA events, as well as donation, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities! Don’t forget, you can’t vote unless you’re a member: JoinPTA – JoinPTA

•Double, double, toil, & trouble…get those chili cauldrons to a bubble…2nd Annual Halloweenie Chili & Hot Dog Bar at SSMS on Wed Oct 29th! Bring your famous chili for donate a dish and/or volunteer! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

•THANK YOU to all our volunteers who consistently show up to free up teaching time to educate & mentor in the workroom WEEKLY. We’re set until November!! 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 and we’re looking for volunteers! It will promote any days/months that highlight special needs, help support the DSISD Special Olympics events, and show our SPED teachers love through their own Staff Appreciation event(s).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.

•The SSMS PTA will be hosting informative Parent to Parent Campus Tours this month-NEXT Friday Oct 17 & 24th 11:30-12:15PM. Come see why SSMS received the School of Excellence Award! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

•Congratulations to our very own SSMS PTA President, Matt Walker, for representing Dripping Springs ISD as an inductee into the Texas PTA 26’ Emerging Leaders Academy!

•SSMS PTA is still asking for donations for some good ol’ fashion fun w/ gently used board and/or card games! Drop off in SSMS Front Office to be given to SSMS Admin who will decide how & when to use them-ex. during student aide downtime. You may also purchase new here on the Amazon Wish List: Amazon.com

•Thank you to the 65+ SSMS contestants & volunteers who participated in the SSMS PTA 2nd Annual eSports Tournament-Mario Kart 8 last week! Congrats to our Top 8, Top 4, Finalist, and Champion winners. Stay tuned for more events!

•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!

Monday, 10/13 - Student & Staff Holiday/No School

Tuesday, 10/14 - B Day

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

Wednesday, 10/15 - A Day

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

Coffee & Chat w/ Principal Miller; Sycamore Room @ 8:15 am

Thursday, 10/16 - B Day

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

Volleyball @ DSMS; 8B/7A 5:00pm & 8A/7B 6:15am

Band Booster Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

Friday, 10/17 - A Day

PTA Membership Meeting; 8:15 am in Sycamore Room

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

Varsity Football vs. LTHS; Tiger Stadium @ 7:30pm (Black Out)

Saturday, 10/18

Volleyball - District A Team Tournament @ DSMS

10/20-10/24 - Scholastic Book Fair @ SSMS! 📚

10/20 - 7th Football vs DSMS @ SSMS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

10/21 - Fall Picture Retakes; Sycamore Room

10/21 - 8th Football vs DSMS @ DSHS; 4:15/5:30/7:00pm

10/22 - 7th Grade - Terrace Metrics Assessment (opt-in only) - during Tiger Win

10/23 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am (permission slip required)

10/23 - 7th Grade - Terrace Metrics Assessment (opt-in only) - during Tiger Win

10/23 - Band Booster Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

10/24 - Varsity Football vs. Del Valle; Tiger Stadium @ 7:30 pm (Pink Out)

10/25 - District Band Auditions

10/29 - PTA Chili Cook-off; Sign-up HERE 👻🎃

10/30 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am (permission slip required)

10/30 - Roots Meeting; F232 @ 8am

10/31 - Student Holiday/Teacher PD Day

11/3 - Girls Basketball Parent Meeting; Big Gym @ 5:30pm

11/4 - Taxpayer Tuesday; 9:15 am @ Dripping Springs High School (RSVP at this link)

11/5 - Girls Basketball vs DSMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5pm, 8A/7B 6:15pm

11/6 - FCA; Small Gym @ 8am (permission slip required)

11/6 - Boys Basketball @ DSMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

11/13 - Girls Basketball vs BCMS @ SSMS; 8B/7A 5pm, 8A/7B 6:15pm

11/13 - Boys Basketball @ BCMS; 8B/7A 5:15pm, 8A/7B 6:30pm

11/20 - Girls Basketball Team Pictures