Sycamore Springs Middle School

Hello Sycamore Springs Middle School Families,

Happy Sunday! We have an exciting week ahead at Sycamore! Our annual Book Fair kicks off on October 20, and we can’t wait to see students exploring new stories and finding their next favorite read. Tuesday is also Picture Retake Day—perfect for anyone who missed the first round or wants a do-over!

A big shoutout to our amazing PTA for organizing a board game donation drive—thanks to their efforts (and your donations!), students now have access to a dozen new games to enjoy during lunch. It’s been wonderful seeing our Tigers connect, laugh, and build friendships over friendly competition!

Our Principal’s Student Advisory Council is also launching the new SSMS Supply Stop, a student-led program to make sure every Tiger has the supplies they need to succeed. We’re so proud of their leadership and commitment to helping others!

Looking ahead, you’ll also find important updates in this week’s newsletter about state-mandated health screenings, Advanced Academics & GT testing, our upcoming Veterans Day ceremony, and a NARCAN parent presentation later this month.

Thank you for staying connected and for all the ways you support our campus.

Go Tigers!

Sincerely,

Kelly Miller

Principal

1. 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

2. 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/

3. 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.

4. Resetting Student Google Email Pictures - On Thursday, October 16, at 8 am, technology will reset all student pictures on their Google email and Google Drive to the default picture of the first letter of their first name. Students will no longer be able to customize their Google email pictures.

5. 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.

6. Court of Dreams - SSMS vs DSMS @ SA Spurs Court - 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 flyer below for all the details, and click HERE to grab your tickets and cheer on our Tigers!

7. 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. The vision and hearing screens will occur on Nov. 4 & 5. Please click on this LINK to read the full letter from Nurse Smith.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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!

11. 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

12. SMS Attendance Matters - Weekly Update: We are continuing to crush our attendance goal! Our overall Average Daily Attendance (ADA) for Week 10 was 96.9%. That is exactly on target for our year-long goal of 96.9%! Thank you, SSMS families, for keeping attendance a top priority.

This week's shout-out goes to the 6th Grade, who once again led the charge with an outstanding 97.5% attendance rate!

Every single day in the classroom is a critical opportunity for learning. Your commitment ensures our students have the best chance to succeed, and that consistent presence is what prevents learning gaps. Let's keep this excellent momentum going!

We hope you all had a great weekend!

On Oct. 20 & 21, our sixth graders will receive a presentation on Vaping Prevention. This will be presented by Emily Heinatz with Safe Schools, in ELA 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 will be taught 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 Sycamore room monitored by one of the counselors.

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. The deadline to fill out the form was Oct. 17. If you were not able to fill out the form, your student will remain in their tiger win class and not be administered the Terrace Metrics.

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!

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 Tiger of the Week!

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 Aviana Abbgy 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 volleyball players! We especially want to recognize the following players of the game from last week's game against DSMS!

SSMS XC Blazes the District Trail

On October 1st, SSMS XC completed their season blazing their final trail at the Lake Highlands District Meet at DSHS posting FIFTY new PRs by increasing our pace and pushing ourselves to new speeds.

Congratulations to our 8th grade boys who were DISTRICT RUNNER UP! Your teamwork made the dream work! As a team, our 7th grade girls earned 3rd place while our 7th grade boys and our 8th grade girls earned 4th place in their respective divisions. Incredible efforts by each runner to work together with their division teammates resulted in these amazing finishes!

Congratulations to our individual medalists who placed in the top 10 in their division at Districts: Reagan P (6th) and Finley R (10th) for 7th Girls; Asher E (6th) for 7th Boys; Brooke M (4th) for 8th Girls; and Adam A (1st and 8th Grade Boy District Champion), Caleb R (3rd) and Henry Z (9th) for 8th Boys.

Way to run, SSMS XC! You are the MORE in Sycamore!

Our Cheerleader of the Week is Amelia! With her clean, sharp moves and that big, bright smile, she’s the definition of a steady teammate. As a backspot, she’s always there—strong, dependable, and ready to catch her fliers (and hype them up, too!). She brings such good energy to every practice and game, and her teammates know they can always count on her. We’re so grateful for the sunshine and strength she brings to our cheer fam!

Please help me in congratulating our Tiger Belles of the Week!!!

•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!

•SSMS PTA presents HC Pumpkins Pumpkin Carving Contest NEXT Sat Oct 25th 9AM (see image for details.) Entry by purchase of the pumpkin(s), with a portion of proceeds benefitting your SSMS PTA-judging at 5PM!

•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!

•The great chili GHOUL off is a couple weeks away! The 2nd Annual Halloweenie Chili & Hot Dog Bar at SSMS on Wed Oct 29th! Bring your famous chili or donate a dish and/or volunteer! Sign up here: SignUpGenius - Mobile

•THANK YOU to all our NEW (& old!) volunteers who 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

•The SSMS PTA is requesting volunteers for the SSMS Admin during lunchtime. Interested? Sign up here: SignUpGenius - MobileNote: 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

•SSMS PTA is also creating a Talent Show Committee in prep for early 26’ Interested, email: president@ssmspta.org

•Save the Date: DSISD PTA Council Tiger Talks of 25’-26’ is in ONE MONTH, Mon Nov 10th at 6:30PM starting at Rooster Springs Elementary. Tiger Talks: Eat Well, Grow Strong: Nutrition For Kids and Teens, a moderated panel discussion followed by Q&A Note: Childcare and food provided

•Middle School Night at Hot Ground Gym: A DSMS/SSMS PTA Collab is NEXT month, Wed Nov 15th 6:30-7:15P

•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

•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, 10/20 - A Day

Scholastic Book Fair @ SSMS! 📚

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

Tuesday, 10/21 - B Day

Scholastic Book Fair @ SSMS! 📚

Fall Picture Retakes; Sycamore Room

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

Wednesday, 10/22 - A Day

Scholastic Book Fair @ SSMS! 📚

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

Thursday, 10/23 - B Day

Scholastic Book Fair @ SSMS! 📚

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

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

Band Booster Meeting; Sycamore Room @ 5pm

Friday, 10/24 - A Day

Scholastic Book Fair @ SSMS! 📚

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

Saturday, 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