A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - October 26, 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
 

We have had a great Red Ribbon Week at WSMS in honor of living drug free.  Tomorrow the PTA is providing a drug awareness program through Aim for Success that will focus on the dangers of tobacco, drugs, and alcohol.  Please take some time over the weekend and throughout the next few months to talk to your students about the dangers of drugs and what they plan to do when they are confronted with drugs.  They will thank you for it later.  Have a great weekend.
 
    
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 West Lucas Rd, Lucas 75002
Office: 469-742-8417
Mobile: 214-293-9938
@WSMSLovejoyISD
#wsmslovejoy


4th Annual Lovejoy Letter Campaign
Dear Willow Springs Families,

Lovejoy is kicking off its 4th Annual Lovejoy Letter Campaign. This fabulous program goal is to
have our community write at least one gratitude letter to each teacher/staff members in our
district. It's a great way to show how much we appreciate what they do for our children.
We like to encourage you and/or your child to write a letter(s) to any teacher or staff, current or
past that have been valuable to your child(ren)'s educational experience. Please clearly label
the envelope with the recipient's name & LLC (Lovejoy Letter Campaign) and return the letter to
the front office by Friday, November 10th. We will begin to collect letters Monday, October
23rd.

Maria Ritchie and Onji Anderson will be coordinating Willow Springs Letter Campaign efforts.
The letter campaign has become such a meaningful tradition. We really appreciate you in
helping us make the campaign a success this year!

Sincerely,
Maria Ritchie and Onji Anderson
Willow Spring Lovejoy Letter Campaign


PTA Membership
We are in the process of wrapping up our PTA membership drive for the 2017-2018 school year. If you have not joined please consider joining. Membership includes access to the online member directory as well as first access to volunteer opportunities.  We greatly appreciate our members and want to highlight some of last year's accomplishments that were only possible with member time and financial support.

  • Student and parent programs:
    • Screenagers- parent and student screening
    • AIM student and parent program on abstinence
    • Parent program on suicide suicide prevention from Halliburton
    • AIM drug/alcohol program
    • Parent program on drug and alcohol
    • Randy Trevino College Prep parent presentation
  • Volunteer support
    • Donated food items for over 4 teacher/faculty luncheons and 3 student activities
    • Volunteers provided more than 40 hours in copy support
    • Volunteers provided 144+ hours volunteer support to WSMS School Store
    • Provided 175+ hours to WSMS Center for Academic Training
    • Provided 30 volunteers to chaperoned 2 student socials
    • Provided 10 volunteers to monitor hallways during STAAR testing dates
    • Provided 15 volunteers supported the front office during their lunchtime
  • Hospitality treated teachers and staff to luncheons and monthly treats
  • Boxtops collection $428; Kroger $347
  • 463 paid PTA members.
  •  
Consider joining today and help make 2017-2018 even better than last year.


Madagascar Live Tickets on Sale Now!
The animals are escaping from the Central Park Zoo.  Join the WSMS Musical Theatre Cast for an enjoyable evening of fun as they proudly present Madagascar Live on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th at the Lovejoy High School Auditorium.  All seats are reserved. Tickets may be purchased online at the Fine Arts Ticket Box .

If you like to Move It, Move It - we hope to see you at the show.


Mini Madagascar Live! VIP Party: November 2
Are you a VIP? Join us for a Mini Madagascar Live! VIP Party on Thursday, November 2nd, at 6:15 PM.  November 2nd is opening night of the Willow Springs Middle School musical, Madagascar Live!. The animals are escaping from the Central Park Zoo, and you are invited to experience it firsthand.  If you like to Move It, Move It, we hope to see you at this exclusive engagement to meet the zoo animals, and experience a Crack a Lackin good time.

This experience includes a special pre-show backstage tour with a Madagascar Live! character, signed show poster, t-shirt, 1 adult ticket and 1 child/student ticket, a goody bag and special reserved seating. Tickets are $50 and are available at this link.  Tickets to this special event are limited to the first 50 students.  Tickets are available only online.


Willow Springs PTA Reflections due Tomorrow: Within Reach
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, Willow Springs Middle School PTA, and PTAs across the country urge students in preschool through grade 12 to create and submit original works.  This years' contest theme is "Within Reach".  We hope all Leopards will submit an entry in one or more of the following categories: Dance Choreography, Literature, Film Production, Photography, Visual Arts, and Music Composition.  For rules and entry forms click here .  The deadline is Friday, October 27th.

You may contact Michelle Butler with questions at mmbutler81@gmail.com.  Please click here for additional information.  


School Store T-Shirt Sale
The school stores, located at Lovejoy High School and Willow Springs Middle School, are getting ready for the cooler weather.  Don't miss their special sales as they make room for the new season.
All Short-Sleeved T-Shirts - 50% off

Hurry, as the t-shirts will go quickly at this special price.
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.


WSMS Swim Tryouts
The next boys tryout will be Monday, October 30th. The next girls tryouts will be Tuesday, October 31st. If you are on another team and have conflicts, please let me know and we will arrange for you to tryout in the morning.

On the tryout days we will run practice till 5:00 pm. All other practice days will be till 4:30.

For the tryout process, we will be competing in the following races:
50 Butterfly, 50 Backstroke, 50 Breaststroke, 50 Freestyle, 100 Freestyle, 100 Individual Medley

Top 24 girls and 24 boys will be based on the placement of times in each of the races. Middle School team selection will be finalized by November 1st.


8th Grade Service Learning Project - Sign ups begin Friday, October 27th!  
This week, our 8th graders received information about our upcoming Service Learning project for 8th grade. Our 8th grade Service Learning project will take place on Wednesday, November 15th. This is a day where all 8th grade students will be bused to various locations in Collin County and Dallas to provide leadership in community service.  As part of the LISD Graduate Profile, to "work for justice through community service," our students participate in a campus wide community service project every year.

This Friday, October, 27th, all 8th grade students will sign up for a location that they would like to visit for our Service Learning project on November 15th. The sign-ups will go live at 5:00 PM on Friday, October 27 so students will need to be prepared to sign up for the location of their choice.  Through their science classes this week, students have been provided directions on how to sign up for a Service Learning location.  Some locations fill up fast so students have been asked to have an alternate choice if they are unable to get their first choice.  For a complete list of locations and descriptions, please click here .  This can also be found on our Willow Springs website under the "Students" tab at the top of the front page.

Parents, we need your help. Please click here to complete this short form allowing us to take your child off campus. This form will also allow you to sign up as a volunteer. As our students participate in these projects, Lovejoy ISD teachers and parent volunteers will provide supervision. Many organizations require small student to chaperone ratios. Volunteers are critical to make these experiences possible for our students.

If you have any questions, please call Monique Cardwell at 469-742-8422. We thank you in advance for helping make our 2017 Service Learning Day a memorable experience for all students.

Teacher Comments in PowerSchool
As a campus, our teachers are beginning to input comments into PowerSchool when students do not meet expectations on assignments and assessments.  If your son or daughter's grade on an assignment or assessment is underlined in PowerSchool, please click on the grade to view the comments for more information about the grade.  

Yearbook Early Order Deadline - Friday, October 28
There is still more time to order your WSMS Yearbook at the lowest price of the year of $40.00. Yearbook may be purchased online only by electronic check, Pay Pal, debit, or credit card. For more information, please click here. The price will go up to $50.00 after October 29.  



Principal's Coffee - Tuesday, October 31
Topic: Classwork & Homework at WSMS
I would like to invite you to a Principal's Coffee, on Tuesday, October 31 at 9:00 a.m. Our topic of discussion will be classwork and homework at WSMS.  The Principal's Coffee is a forum discussion for all 7th and 8th grade parents to visit with me about the middle school experience over a cup of coffee.


Career Day at WSMS - Wednesday, November 1!
WSMS will host our Career Day on Wednesday, November 1st from 10:00 a.m. - 12:55 p.m. Students will sign up for Career Day presentations beginning Tuesday, October 11th at 4PM continuing through Friday, October 13th at 8PM. Students will visit four presentations during Career Day. Students will select two career presentations of their choosing. Additionally, students will be assigned two presentations in career fields that may be unfamiliar to them, giving students the opportunity to explore four career fields. Sign-up will be through the WSMS web site.


Spelling Bee Tryouts - Thursday, November 2
Willow Springs Middle School will be hosting our 11th Annual Spelling Bee on November 16 at 9:30 a.m. in the cafeteria. Spelling Bee tryouts will be on Thursday, November 2 after school. All 7th grade participants will tryout in room C607/Mrs. Bellows's room; 8th grade participants will tryout in room C605/Mrs. Heid's room. Tryouts will begin at 4:10 p.m. in room C607 and C605. (No make up tryouts will be held, so make sure to come if you are interested!) Students must participate within their appropriate grade level, and the top six spellers from each grade, and one alternate from each grade, will be advance to the campus wide Spelling Bee on November 16th.


7th Grade Hearing /Vision Screenings - November 7th and November 8th
Tuesday, November 7th and Wednesday, November 8th, WSMS nurses will be performing the required State Hearing/Vision screenings on all 7th grade students. If your child wears glasses or contacts, please make sure they bring them to school on those dates.


Recycle Week November 6-10
Are your shoes too small?? Not your style anymore? Bring your no-longer-worn shoes in for donation any day during the week of November 6-10 for Recycle Week at Willow Springs!

Collection boxes will be available on campus and all shoes collected will be donated to those in need. Thank you in advance for supporting this PTA program!
              




Campus Information and Reminders
Red Ribbon Week Follow Up
Parents, as Red Ribbon Week is coming to an end, it is a great time to talk to your students about drugs and alcohol. This week WSMS students went through a program called IMAP. Students talked about how impactful drugs and alcohol can be to your goals, current drug trends, and ways to say no when approached. It is not a matter of "if", but instead a matter of "when" your children will be approached to try alcohol or drugs. Are they prepared? Talk with them about a plan to help them those tough situations. Click here for a link to our RRW lessons:


National Prescription Take Back Day - October 28th , 10am - 2pm
Did you know the non-medical use of Rx drugs ranks second only to marijuana as the most common form of drug abuse in America? The majority of teens abusing Rx drugs get them from family and friends - and the home medicine cabinet. We encourage all WSMS families, to take their old and/or unused prescriptions this Saturday, October 28th to a center near you. There are locations in Fairview, Allen, McKinney, Plano, Murphy, and Wylie! Click here for the location nearest you: https://takebackday.dea.gov

All Region Orchestra Results
This past weekend the orchestra department competed in the All Region Orchestra. This is an individual competition where students are competing for a spot in an "All Star" Orchestra. We are competing against orchestra students in Lovejoy, Allen, Rockwall, Sherman and McKinney. There were over 700 students auditioning for a spot in one of these orchestras. We are extremely proud of all students that took the initiative to learn the music and go through this process. We are pleased to announce the following students who made one of the All Region Orchestra's.

MS Brahms Orchestra
Ayana Dalley - 3 rd chair violin - Willow Springs MS

MS Beethoven Orchestra
Cecile Zhang - 6 th chair violin - Willow Springs MS
Amber Liu - 21 st chair violin -Willow Springs MS
Meghan Karras - 24 th chair violin - Willow Springs MS
Amanda Karras - 28 th chair violin - Willow Springs MS


Scott Watson Memorial Chess Tournament
On Saturday, October 14th, Hagio Pang and Emily Perry represented Willow Springs Middle School at the 8th Annual Scott Watson Memorial Chess Tournament in Irving, Texas. They played against other local schools, finishing in 3rd place in the Middle School Championship. Their trophy will be displayed at WSMS. Congratulations to Hagio and Emily.  




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 kathy_stone@lovejoyisd.net.


WSMS---It's Community Service Time

8th grade - Wednesday, November 15

7th grade - Friday, March 2

Community Service is set up for 8th and 7th graders as part of the Graduate Profile, Works for Justice in the Community, so that all students can experience giving service back to the community.

One of WSMS's business for 8th graders is Vogel Alcove. This organization deals with the homeless children in the metroplex area. 30% of  Dallas children grow up in poverty. That is 2 out of every 5 children that Vogel Alcove is helping.

Vogel Alcove provides an education and food supply to these children. Part of their food supply consist of Bye-Bye Bags. These bags are given out daily to all of the children. The bags provide dinner to some kids, and additional nutrition when the kids are away for Vogel Alcove.  

We are asking all of WSMS to be part of a Give $5 for LIVES Campaign . We would like for all staff and student body to give $5 to this campaign. This money will be donated to Vogel Alcove to buy Bye-Bye bag food items.

The PALS class will be collecting at lunch times for the Give $5 for LIVES Campaign during the week of October 30- November 3 . Coach Coonrod will take the money donated to Vogel Alcove when 8th grade has their community service day on November 15th.

In addition to the Give $5 for LIVES Campaign we would like WSMS to donate items for the   Bye-Bye Bags. Coach Coonrod will take these bags with her on November 15, our community service day, to Vogel Alcove. A list of food items can be found on the hallway poster and in Mr. Messer's parent newsletter.

WSMS thank you in advance for your support of the Give $5 for LIVES Campaign . Your generosity will help provide nourishment to those in need right here in our community.        

Items needed for donation-- all items need to be self packaged and be able to  fit in a small brown paper lunch sack

Goldfish crackers                                          Cheese crackers
Small cans of vienna sausages                    Tuna salad kit
Chicken salad kit                                           Fruit cups       
Applesauce cups                                           Fruit strips           
   

Student Nutrition Newsletter for October


WSMS School Store and Student Spirit Shirts
Our Willow Springs School Store is open from 11:15-1:15 on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. 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. If you pre-ordered a grade-level spirit shirt, please have your son or daughter pick their shirt up in the school store during lunch. These grade-level spirit shirts may also be purchased by clicking here .  We will place another order based on our online purchases.





Athletics
Football Results - October 24
7th Grade
Black team:Win
Red team: Win

8th Grade
Black team: Win 40-8
Red team: Win 38-14

Volleyball Results - October 19
7th Grade
A team: Win
B team: Win
C team: Win

8th Grade
A team: Win
B team: Win
C team: Win

Winter Sports Season Transition
We will be transitioning into winter sports soon. The athletic transition meetings will be held during 1st and 8th period Friday, November 3. During the meeting each student-athlete will double check that they are signed up for their correct winter sport, and they will get detailed information from their winter sport coaches. Winter sport options are as follows: remain in cross country, girls/boys basketball, or off-season. Boys athletics will transition to their winter sport Wednesday, November 8. Girls athletics will transition into their winter sport on Monday, November 6. Girls/boys wrestling will begin practice on Monday, November 13. Thank you for your support of Willow Springs athletics. Go Leopards!

WSMS Girls Basketball Tryouts - November 6-8
8th Grade
Nov. 6: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Nov. 7: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Nov. 8: 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. -- Girls will be told if they made the team by the end of practice

7th Grade
Nov. 6: 3:25 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Nov. 7: 3:25 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Nov. 8: 3:25 p.m. to 5:00 p.m -- Girls will be told be the end of practice if they made the team

8th grade will practice in the mornings and 7th grade will practice in the afternoons.

7th grade games are on Monday nights (exception is Tuesday, January 16). 8th grade will play on Thursdays.


Boys Basketball Tryouts
8th Grade
Nov. 8: 8th Period until 5:00 p.m.
Nov. 9: 8th Period until 5:00 p.m.
Nov. 10: 8th Period Only -- Boys will receive decision letter

7th Grade
Nov. 8: 1st Period and 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 9: 1st Period and 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Nov. 10: 1st Period Only -- Come after school to the Main Gym to receive your decision letter


WSMS PTA


CAT Volunteers Needed!
Parents are invited to help in the Center for Academic Training (CAT) this Fall! Volunteers are asked to help read a test aloud to a student. If you are able to help for an hour on one of these days please view our calendar and select a time that works best for you by clicking here . We need volunteers between 11:15 to 1:20 (1-hour time slots available) Thank you in advance for your support and time. Please contact Cynthia Beets, txbeetsall@aim.com for any questions

Volunteer Opportunities!
Willow Springs volunteer opportunity calendar may be found here

Thank you in advance for your support! - Kasey Havens, WSMS Volunteer Coordinator


District and Other News

Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Kendra Scott Gives Back
Kendra Scott is hosting a "give back" event with 20% of the sales going to the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Kendra Scott will provide snacks and beverages. We hope you will join us for this special event.
Thursday, November 9
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Kendra Scott in Watters Creek
888 Watters Creek Boulevard



Give to the Foundation via AmazonSmile
If you plan on purchasing items from Amazon.com, please consider visiting Amazon Smile. Amazon established AmazonSmile to give back 0.5% of the price of eligible AmazonSmile purchases to charitable organizations. When you are ready to shop, log in to your Amazon account by visiting the AmazonSmile website for the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Once you have logged in, you will have access to the same products, same prices and same service you find at amazon.com. Thank you for your support of the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools.


Outdoor Concert Orchestra and Choir: October 28
The Lovejoy Fine Arts Department is excited to premier the Outdoor Concert in the Lovejoy High School Courtyard.  You are invited to bring a lawn chair and blanket to share in this extraordinary music program delivered in an incredible outdoor experience.  Each concert offers a special atmosphere and delicious treats.

Coffee House: October 28
5:00 PM, Lovejoy High School Courtyard
Bring your lawn chairs and blankets, and join us for the annual Coffee House outdoor concert, led by LHS students. Hear the beautiful voices of student solos and ensemble groups, and enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, drinks and pastries (available for purchase). Invite your neighbors and friends.  We hope to see you there.
 
LHS Band UIL Area Marching Contest: October 28
The LHS Band will compete at the UIL Area Marching Contest on Saturday, October 28th.  The band will perform at 11:00 AM at the Little Elm Sports Complex.  The results will be announced at 4:45 PM, and finals will follow for those bands advancing to State.  The LHS Band has been preparing the UIL Show, "Metalmorphosis 2017" since August.  This year, the 5A bands will have their rotation to compete for state. We hope to see our Lovejoy Fans in Wylie supporting our Marching Leopards.

Lovejoy High School Honors Veterans
On November 13th at 6:00 PM, Lovejoy High School will host its annual Veterans Day Banquet. The event, catered by Rudy's Barbecue, is open to all veterans and their families. Please share this information with friends and family members, and click here to RSVP.


Girls Lacrosse Try-It Clinic: November 11
Lovejoy Lacrosse will host a free try-it clinic and introduction to lacrosse for all Lovejoy girls in grades Kindergarten through 8th grade. The clinic will be held on Saturday, November 11th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the Willow Springs Middle School Football Field. No lacrosse experience is necessary and there is no need to register. This will be a fun, no pressure environment where Lovejoy girls can try lacrosse and parents can learn about the Lovejoy Lady Leopards Lacrosse program. Please click here for additional information.
Last year's inaugural season was a great success. Now, we're looking for more girls to join the fun. Come out and see why lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in the United States and in North Texas.
Questions? Click here to email Lovejoy Leopard Lacrosse.


Gold Award: First Aid Donations for ACO
A message from Neha Kapur :
" My name is Neha Kapur. I am a senior at Lovejoy High School and an ambassador in Girl Scouts. I am working on my Gold Award, which is the highest honor in Girl scouts.
For my service project, No Fear First Aid Is Here, I am creating awareness among kids regarding the importance of first aid in their lives. Knowing what to do when you or someone else is hurt can be very valuable information. I am going to have workshops for children to teach them about first aid, and also to let them practice skills. I feel every child should have at least a basic knowledge of First-Aid.
Additionally, I am holding donation drives at all Lovejoy schools to create first aid kits to donate to Allen Community Outreach (ACO). Items requested for donation are band aids, antiseptic wipes, crepe bandages, cotton balls, gloves, gauze, and any other supplies you would typically find in a first aid kit.  All donations are appreciated and will be accepted through Friday, October 27th. "


Lovejoy High School Student Council
Pink Out Football Game:  October 27
Every year, Lovejoy Student Council makes a donation to help beat breast cancer. The LHS Student Council members invite you to purchase Pink Out t-shirts to raise money and spread awareness for the cause. The t-shirts are $16 and may be purchased through the Online Payment Center .

This year's fundraiser will benefit a local non-profit organization. Check out
www.breastcancercanstickit.org , and the organization April Samuels has built to help fight breast cancer. Her story is amazing and her family lives in the Lovejoy district. Orders will be delivered to campuses October 25th and 26th.


Safe!: November 8
Issues Affecting Today's Teens and How You Can Help
We all want to keep our teens safe.  Join Vanita Halliburton and Dr. Ray Levy on Wednesday, November 8th at 11:30 AM in the Lovejoy ISD Administration Building Board Room to learn how to:
·          Recognize signs of distress in teens
·          Promote brain health
·          Foster resiliency and positive coping skills
·          Know the warning signs of suicidal behavior
·          Find help for a struggling teen
·          Implement protective measures to keep teens SAFE!
Vanita Halliburton is president of the Grant Halliburton Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to raise awareness and understanding of adolescent mental health and suicide prevention. She speaks from the heart about her son's battle with depression and bipolar disorder and his suicide at the age of 19.

Ray Levy, Ph.D., LSSP is in private practice in Dallas, TX and works extensively with high risk children, children with ADHD and strong-willed behaviors.  He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows discussing various psychological issues.  Dr. Levy travels throughout the country giving workshops and talks on therapy, and child and adolescent issues.