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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - January 25, 2018
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
As January winds down, our students and teachers continue to work hard both in and out of the classroom. It is always a pleasure to see their commitment and dedication in all that they do. Tomorrow will be an exciting day at WSMS. We will begin our day with a winter pep rally to recognize our programs currently participating in winter competition. As part of our pep rally, we will be welcoming 6th graders to WSMS as part of their campus tour. Please take a few minutes to view the information below about our 8th graders visiting Lovejoy High School and our winter pep rally. Go Leopards!
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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8th Grade Students to Visit Lovejoy High School
Tomorrow, all WSMS 8th grade students will be visiting Lovejoy High School to learn more about the registration process and course offerings. Our 8th grade students will tour the building and see the facilities of different elective programs. They will also get to eat lunch in the LHS cafeteria. On the same day, 6th grade students will be visiting WSMS to learn more about our programs and courses as they prepare for registration. Here is the schedule for the day:
- Jan. 26 Bell schedule
- WSMS Winter Pep Rally 9:30--10:30.
- 10:30--8th grade students depart for LHS--8th grade students will eat lunch at LHS. All 8th grade students will need to have funds on their cafeteria account in order to purchase lunch. The LHS lunch menu for Friday, January 26th can be viewed by clicking here. If your son or daughter will not be purchasing a lunch at LHS, they will need to bring a lunch from home.
- 1:30--8th grade students return to WSMS. All 8th grade students will attend periods 6-8 once they return.
Winter Pep Rally - Friday, January 26th
Our Winter Sports Pep Rally will be Friday, January 26th in our main gym at 9:30 AM. We are doing a morning pep rally so our 6th grade students from SCIS can participate before they tour our school. We will have performances from our theatre, band, choir, orchestra, colorguard, dance, and cheer programs. We will also recognize all of our winter sports programs and other students who participated in competitions in the months of December and January.
All parents are welcome to attend and are encouraged to park in a parking space not designated as a fire lane in the front parking lot to enter and sign-in through the front office. Overflow parking is available in the back of the school and parents may enter and sign-in through the west courtyard door.
Group Photos and Retakes - Tuesday, January 30
Reminder to parents that Group Photo day is Jan. 30. We have planned this procedure to go as smoothly as possible with a limited distraction of the academic day. Students will be called to the gym according to this schedule. Teachers have also received a copy of this schedule.
Newly enrolled students needing portraits to be included in the yearbook and for student IDs will also be photographed on this day. For these students, they are free to get their portrait made by asking their teacher, going during lunch, during homeroom or before 3 p.m. Homeroom teachers will check to ensure that these students have had their portrait made and if not, release students to the gym for portraits.
For more information on group photo/portrait day please contact S. Nicole Sanders at
[email protected]
.
2018-2019 Registration Meetings
It is time to begin the process of registering current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders for the upcoming school year at WSMS and LHS! Middle school and high school counselors will begin speaking to students in late January about elective classes, core class selections, how to register online, and what to expect in the 2018-2019 school year. Parent Registration Presentations will be held on:
Daytime WSMS Registration Presentations
Parents of current 6th graders: At WSMS, January 30, 9am-10am Registration Information Meeting
Parents of current 7th graders: At WSMS, January 30, 11am-12noon Registration Information Meeting
Evening WSMS Registration Presentations
Parents of current 6th graders: At WSMS, January 30, 5:30-6pm - GT Information
Meeting
Parents of current 6th graders: At WSMS, January 30, 6 - 7pm Registration Information Meeting
Parents of current 7th graders: At WSMS, January 30, 6:30 - 7pm - GT Information meeting
Parents of current 7th graders: At WSMS, January 30, 7 - 8pm Registration Information Meeting
LHS Registration Presentations
Parents of current 8th graders: At LHS, February 12, in the evening, 6pm - 8pm
Parents and current 8th graders: LHS Elective Showcase, February 12, Immediately following meeting
Counselors from WSMS and LHS will be meeting with 6th, 7th, and 8th graders to discuss registration during the school day.
For a complete registration timeline, please click
here
.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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Winter Illness
Due to the alarmingly high number of Flu cases being seen in Dallas and surrounding communities, we just wanted to remind you of the District Policies about students attending school with illnesses. Students MUST STAY HOME from school if they have experienced vomiting, diarrhea, or a fever of 100.0 or higher in the last 24 hours, without the use of medications to lower the fever, or stop the vomiting or diarrhea. This will help prevent the spread of illnesses to other students and staff as well as prevent your own child from contracting another illness since their immune system is already still low and trying to recover from their previous illness. Please read the attached letter about Flu from the CDC by clicking HERE.
January Nutrition Newsletter
WSMS Yearbook Extended Sales - deadline is February 2
The deadline to pre-order a yearbook for your child is February 2. We will need to give our yearbook order number total to our publisher and need an accurate sales count so please do not miss this deadline. We cannot guarantee your child a yearbook if you miss the February 2 order deadline. To preorder a book, please click here.
PTA Reflections
A huge thanks to all PTA Reflection participants! Our students did an excellent job on their entries and should be very proud of their work. Congratulations to the following students on their placement at the Council level and to Arya Raju earning an Overall Award of Excellence, and moving on to State.
Literature
Jenna Garcia - Award of Excellence
Lauren Dumin - Award of Merit
Shruti Subramaniyan - Award of Merit
Jake Pickens - Honorable Mention
Hudson Thomas - Honorable Mention
Galen Ezell - Honorable Mention
Photography
Maxwell Nwanebu - Award of Merit
Visual Arts
Madison Stutler - Award of Excellence
Student Attendance
One of our focus areas for this year is to increase our student and teacher daily attendance on campus. Research shows that the more students are in class with their teacher, the more they will learn over the course of the school year. The more students learn, the more success and confidence they will have in middle school. To promote this, we will be recognizing students and staff who have perfect attendance during each six weeks. Please assist us by working with your son or daughter to ensure they are getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and are taking care of themselves overall. In addition, our new state accountability system uses student attendance as criteria for evaluating the performance of schools. We also receive state funding based on our "Average Daily Attendance" of students that are present after 10:00 AM. As you begin to plan out of town trips this spring, please consider keeping your children in school through the Friday before each break. Let's work together to encourage our students to be in class every day.
2
rd
Nine-Weeks Student Perfect Attendance
First Semester Student Perfect Attendance
Coding Clubs at Willow Springs - Dates Have Changed!
Does your student enjoy technology? Do they gravitate to computers? Willow Springs and UT Dallas are partnering to bring Computer Coding Clubs to our campus. Spring dates have changed to allow more students to sign up.
Classes will now begin January 31st
. WSMS coding clubs are held on Wednesday afternoons from 4-5. Please
click here
for more information and registration.
If you are interested in UT Dallas spring break or summer coding camps, please click here.
"Engaged in a Healthy Lifestyle" Suicide Prevention Parent Presentation - February 20
We will have a parent preview of our "Engaged in a Healthy Lifestyle" / Suicide Prevention program after the 9:45am general PTA meeting on Tuesday, February 20th in the WSMS aux gym.
"Engaged in a Healthy Lifestyle" Suicide Prevention Student Presentations - February 27 & 28
We
"
will present Engaged in a Healthy Lifestyle" / Suicide Prevention information to WSMS students on Tuesday February 27th and Wednesday February 28th through 7th period classes. If you have any questions or concerns about this presentation please contact WSMS counselors, Kay Bordelon at 469-742-8424 or Kathy Stone at 469-742-8423.
AIM for Success Student Survey Results
On December 4th & 5th, WSMS students attended the AIM for Success - Freedom to Succeed program. The presentation provided the legal definition of sex and explained laws dealing with with such issues as child support, under age sex, sexual harassment and sexual activity while under the influence of of drugs and alcohol. The speakers encouraged students to abstain from sex until marriage so they could have an easier time reaching their goals and dreams. At the end of the presentation students took an anonymous survey. The survey compares WSMS Students with other students across the country who have also participated in the program.
To see the results of the survey
click here.
If you have any question or concerns, please feel free to contact WSMS counselors, Kathy Stone or Kay Bordelon.
Academic UIL
Academic UIL contest is approaching! Teams are practicing, but it is not too late to participate. All students in grades 7 and 8 are eligible to compete. Students may compete in as many events as they would like as long as the events they enter compete at different times during the competition day.
Click here
for the schedule of events. Please see the coach of any event you are interested in and remember that you can compete in multiple events. There is something for everyone!
Important note: The contest is February 23-24, 2018. The contest location is Coppell Middle School North, 120 Natches Trace, Coppell, TX 75019.
Please
click here
for the Academic UIL contest descriptions, coaches, and tryout times. Practice times will be determined by the coaches.
If your child will competing at the UIL competition,
click here
for information about Saturday's lunch option and t-shirts!
Save the Date: STAAR Testing This Spring
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Date
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Event
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Who?
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Tues. April 10
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Grade 7 Writing STAAR
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All 7
th
Grade
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Grade 8 Math STAAR
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8
th
Grade Pre-Alg
8
th
Grade Geometry
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Grade 8 EOC Rotations
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8
th
Grade Algebra
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Wed. April 11
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Grade 8 Reading STAAR
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All 8
th
Grade
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Grade 7 - Regular Class Day
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All 7
th
Grade
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May 7 - May 11
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STAAR Algebra EOC Exam
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7
th
Grade GT Math
8
th
Grade Algebra
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Mon. May 14
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Grade 7 Math STAAR
Grade 8 Math STARR Retest
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All 7
th
Grade (except GT Math)
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Grade 7 GT Math Rotations
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7
th
Grade GT Math
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Grade 8 FitnessGram
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All 8
th
Grade
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Tues. May 15
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Grade 7 Reading STAAR
Grade 8 Reading STAAR Retest
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All 7
th
Grade
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Grade 8 Sci/SS Rotations
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All 8
th
Grade
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Wed. May 16
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Grade 7 FitnessGram
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All 7
th
Grade
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Grade 8 Science STAAR
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All 8
th
Grade
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Thurs. May 17
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Grade 8 Soc. Studies STAAR
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All 8
th
Grade
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Grade 7 - Regular Class Day
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All 7
th
Grade
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Mom, Mr. Messer was my substitute?
Over the course of this year, the Willow Springs administrative team has made it a priority to be in classrooms connecting with students and staff throughout the learning process. When a teacher needs to be absent, our admin team has had the privilege of getting back into the classroom to teach lessons in all subject areas. This opportunity has allowed us to better implement the curriculum, support our teachers with their lessons, and get to know and understand our students in a classroom setting. Being in the classroom has been a positive experience for our teachers and students that we plan to continue this spring.
Interested in Becoming a Mentor?
Willow Springs is seeking strong adult volunteers to become mentors on our campus. An effective mentor understands that his/her role is to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of the student. Becoming a mentor is a great way to pay it forward, make a positive impact on a student's life, and make a positive impact on your own life!
If you are interested in becoming a mentor at WSMS, please contact Kathy Stone at [email protected].
School Store
The LHS Store is open Monday - Friday from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The WSMS Store is open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM. In addition to Lovejoy spirit wear, there are a limited number of grade-level spirit shirts for pep rallies, athletic events, and field trips to identify them as a WSMS student, also available for sale in the school store.
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Cold Weather Reminder
Parents please remind your student-athlete to bring warm clothing for athletics. Off-season in particular will practice outside if the temperature is above thirty-two degrees.
WSMS Wrestling
This week is the final week of this year's WSMS wrestling season as we close the season with the Middle School State Tournament this weekend at Southlake Carroll High School. Saturday we hosted our first Leopard Duals for the middle school wrestlers. The event went smoothly and we had 130 wrestlers from 6 schools compete. Thanks to all of the parents who were able to help the event run so well.
Basketball News
Girls 7th Basketball vs Wylie Cooper
A team - Won
B team - Won
C team - Won
Boys 7th Grade vs Wylie Cooper
A team - Won
B team - Won
C team - Won
Girls 8th Grade vs Ereckson
A team - Lost
B team - Lost
C team - Lost
Boys 8th Grade vs Ereckson
A team - Won
B team - Won
C team - Won
Parent Meeting for WSMS Track and Field - Tuesday, February 6th
There will be a parent meeting for the WSMS TRACK AND FIELD team (both boys and girls) on Tuesday, February 6th from 7:15-8:00 in the Willow Springs Cafeteria. If your child is interested in participating in Track and Field this spring, it is very important that you attend this meeting. Please email Coach Carly Littlefield [email protected] with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Lovejoy Lacrosse Spirit Day -
January 29th
If you love Chick-fil-A and Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse stop by Chick-fil-A on Stacy Road on Monday, January 29th to show your support of the Lacrosse teams. Chick-fil-A, on Stacy Road, is a sponsor of the Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse program for the 2017-2018 season.
Before you place your order let the cashier know you are supporting Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse. Invite your family, friends, and co-workers. We hope to see you on the 29th.
PTA News
We have more than 5 million good reasons to vote in the Primary Election on March 6, 2018. Be an advocate for all students in your
#CommYOUnity
and make your voice heard.
You may
click here
to view a list of candidates running for office in Collin County. Our State Representative Seat is District 89 and our State Senate Seat is District 8.
If you are new to the district, please be sure to register to vote by February 5, 2018. Additional information is available on the
votetexas.gov
website.
PTA Reflections
The National PTA Reflections program encourages students of all ages and abilities to explore and be involved in the arts. Through the program, National PTA, Lovejoy Local and Council PTAs, and PTAs across the country invite students in Preschool through grade 12 to create and submit original works. This year's contest theme was "Within Reach." The Lovejoy Council of PTAs is proud to announce the award recipients for the Council Level Reflections contest. Please
click here
for the listing.
Seventeen students received the Overall Award of Excellence and are advancing to the state level of the competition. Congratulations to:
Primary (K-2)
Dance:
Isabella Porter
, PES
Literature:
Conor Vermie
, PES
Photography:
Riley McCarter
, PES
Visual Arts:
Lerin Davis
, HES
Intermediate (3-5)
Dance:
Addison McCaffity
, LES
Literature:
Audrey Morgan,
PES
Music:
Mary Sheridan
, HES
Photography:
Emersyn Runions
, SCIS
Visual Arts:
Marisa Green
, SCIS
Middle School (6-8)
Literature:
Arya Raju
, WSMS
Visual Arts:
Jocelyn Kim
, SCIS
High School
Film:
Jackie Carroll
, LHS
Literature:
Jack Czyz
, LHS
Music:
Ryan Schlimme
, LHS
Photography:
Major Friesland
, LHS
Visual Arts:
Mary Johnson
, LHS
Special Artist
Photography:
Gavin Lauter
, SCIS
Volunteers Needed for the Frisco College Baseball Classic
The Frisco College Baseball Classic is returning to the Dr. Pepper Stadium, March 2nd - 4th. Texas A&M, Baylor, Louisiana Tech, and Cal Berkeley will be playing in a round robin tournament.
The Frisco College Baseball Classic is partnering with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for this event and is looking for volunteers to help throughout the weekend. Students in grades 8 - 12 may click here to register to volunteer.
Relay for Life Luminarias
Relay for Life is an annual event which will be held at Willow Springs Middle School to raise awareness of cancer and to donate to cancer research. This year's initiative is to bring the Lovejoy community together as a whole to promote a sense of unity and caring. We hope you will save the date of April 6th and join us for Relay for Life.
Relay for Life Dinner
A dinner in honor of survivors, caregivers, and their families will be held in conjunction with the Relay for Life event. If this applies to you or to someone you know, please RSVP to
Katherine Guo
.
Relay for Life Stories to Share
The high school Relay for Life committee is also organizing a tribute to those who have been affected by cancer. If you have a story to share, please contact
Katherine Guo
.
Relay for Life Gallery Wall Opportunity
To encourage participation of students at the elementary and intermediate school levels, the LHS Relay for Life organizers are hosting a coloring page activity. Students may
click here
to print the coloring page and decorate it as creatively as they can. They may then turn the page into the receptionist desk at their campus to receive a pencil, sticker or other prize. The event organizers will use all coloring pages to create a gallery wall for the event, which will represent loving support for those whose lives have been affected by cancer.
Relay for Life Luminarias
Relay for Life is selling Luminarias for the Relay for Life event on April 6th at Willow Springs Middle School. Luminarias honor those whose lives have been affected by cancer. You may dedicate a Luminaria to loved ones who lost their battles with cancer, someone currently battling cancer, or anyone who has overcome cancer. When you attend the Relay event, you will see the Luminarias placed around the track, decorated with names and sometimes messages to whom they are dedicated. Luminarias are $10. If you would like to purchase one, please
click here
.
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