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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - March 29, 2018
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
We officially have nine weeks of school left. The spring is traditionally a very busy time for students, teachers, and families. With state testing, competitions, and award ceremonies, as well as extra-curricular activities both in and out of school, students can get pulled in a lot of different directions. This is also a time when students get a little restless as we wrap up the year. Please continue to partner with our teachers and staff in supporting our students to complete assignments and projects on time, and prepare for tests. Thank you for your continued support. Have a great weekend.
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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Student Holiday Tomorrow
Friday, March 30th is a student and teacher holiday because we did not have to use it as a designated bad weather day.
WSMS Students Showcased at the Lovejoy High School Art Gallery
The WSMS and SCIS visual art departments are hosting an art show! Their work will be on display until Friday, April 6th and may be viewed during LHS hours.
Click here
for a complete list of WSMS artists.
WSMS 10-Week Healthy Lifestyle Challenge
WSMS PALS are challenging our students and staff to engage in a healthy lifestyle for the last ten weeks of school. Through a series of weekly challenges, students and staff will be challenged to promote healthy living in a variety of ways. For students who meet the challenge each week, they will be invited to put their name in a random drawing for weekly prizes. For a complete list of weekly challenges, please
click here
. The second challenge begins April 2nd and will run through April 6th. The current week's challenge is:
Unplug an hour before bed and until you wake up (Super Challenge: Unplug earlier and challenge your family to do it also to spend time together).
Parents, we ask your support with our challenge by modeling and discussing the week's challenge at home. If you would like to contribute $10 gift card donations for challenge prizes, please drop them off at the front desk, by Thursday, April 5th.
WSMS PTA General Meeting and Parent Program - Tuesday, April 3
Please join us for a special meeting with Randy Trevino, College & Career Counselor at LHS, "College Prep Planning". This presentation is designed for parents to help them guide their college-bound students through all 4 years of high school. Mr. Trevino will cover topics such as: College Planning, Searches, and Naviance, SAT/ACT Updates and Information, Holistic Review, Avoiding Student Burnout, Published vs. Unpublished Class Rank, and Options for Students with Special Needs. The General PTA meeting will begin at 9:45am in the WSMS Auxiliary Gym. Mr. Trevino's presentation will begin immediately after the meeting.
LOVE 4 JOYful DeAnna Mixon
DeAnna Mixon has been with Lovejoy ISD for almost 14 years and is a member of the Transportation team. She was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and had surgery earlier this week.
In addition to the GoFund Me, our theatre students are collecting items for a gift basket.The basket will be delivered next Thursday, April 5, so please drop off your items to Stephanie in the front office before then. Also, if would like to help prepare a meal for the family, please coordinate with Donella DiPasquale.
WSMS Book Fair -- Get In the Game
Our Book Fair is just 2 weeks away -- April 16-20! Our students always get excited about the Homeroom Competitions, but we are equally excited to get some great books in their hands before the long summer break. We will have the summer read choices for rising 7th-9th graders and many more titles your students will want to check out. Moms and Dads, you'll want to stop by to check out our adult selections including popular novels and cookbooks. Along with the book sales, we will be collecting coins to benefit City House in Plano whose mission is to provide emergency shelter and transitional residential services to children and young adults who are in need due to abuse, neglect or homelessness. To learn more about City House, click here.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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March Nutrition Newsletter
Band UIL Success
Congratulations to the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble members on their success this week in the Band UIL Concert and Sight-reading Contest at Wylie East High School.
The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Ms. Lindsay Abbott, received Superior ratings for their stage and sight-reading performances. The Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Ms. Marty Ball, received Excellent ratings in stage and Superior ratings in sight-reading performance. The directors are so proud of both bands. We are so thankful to all the parents for their support, but most of all, grateful for the hard working students of the Willow Spring Band. It is a joy to make music with you!
Food Challenge Winners from WSMS
Texas 4H held their District Food Challenge competition this past weekend at Dallas Fair Park. Food Challenge is a mystery basket type cooking event. Bring your knives, pots, pans etc. (about 50 specific items) You get a bare table, electricity and a mystery bag of food. The team has 40 minutes to prepare the meal, clean get ready to present.
Each member then has a part in a 5 min. presentation about their dish to a panel of Judges. Roles include, Nutrition, My plate, Sanitation, Preparation, Costing and Healthy Substitutions.
While the food prep and presentation is very important, knowledge of my plate, nutrition, food borne illness etc. is heavily weighted.
22 counties, hundreds of kids in 3 age groups - juniors, intermediate and seniors. One of the Intermediate teams that competed was mostly a Willow Springs Team (4 out of 5 girls)
THE CARBASHIANS
Kailey McDonald
Katie White
Kendal Dohmann
Elizabeth Esposito
Charlee Proctor (Princeton ISD)
Suicide Prevention Presentation Follow-up
Over the past several weeks, WSMS has offered three parent and two student presentations to help educate both parents and students on how to keep ourselves emotionally and mentally healthy and how to spot the warning signs of depression and risk of suicide. We hope you and your family have benefited from these presentations. Several resources were suggested including:
Building Resilience in Children and Teens: Giving Kids Roots and Wings by Kenneth R. Ginsburg
When a Friend Dies, A book for Teens About Grieving and Healing by Marilyn E. Gootman
Safety Corner - Keeping Kids Safe
Many parents grapple with providing their students with access to technology but maintaining control and keeping their students safe. Two resources that provide internet safety are:
Family Online Safety Institute, FOSI.org
Forcefield, Parent Control App for iPhones
WSMS Math Counts Video Challenge
The Math Video Challenge is a national program that challenges students to develop their math, communication and technology skills in a collaborative video project. Now that the video has been submitted into the competition, the MathCounts team needs the community's help. From mid-February through mid-March, the general public votes on the videos and the 100 videos with the most votes advance to the judging rounds.
Please take a moment to vote online for our WSMS Math Counts video, created by WSMS Math Counts team members Kendall Carll, Jordan Day, Joshua Lass and Eric Wang. This team is sponsored by Jacob Hunter. Click here to watch the video and cast your vote. You can vote once every 24 hours. You'll need to setup an account, but it only takes a couple of minutes.
LHS and WSMS School Store Spring Sale
Don't miss the LHS and WSMS School Store Spring Sales.
Save 50%
on all in stock merchandise. Store hours are as follows:
LHS Store - Monday - Friday - 8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
WSMS Store - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday - 11:15 AM - 1:15 PM
STAAR Testing
STAAR tests for all of our students are below. Please keep the STAAR testing dates in mind while scheduling doctor appointments and orthodontics appointments. If a student is pulled out of school once he/she has begun their STAAR exam, the state requires it be graded "as is". If you have questions or concerns regarding any conflicts you may have with the STAAR testing dates, please contact Kathy Stone at [email protected].
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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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STAAR Testing Days - No Electronics on Campus for Testers
On STAAR testing days, we are requesting students who will be testing do not bring electronics to campus. Cell phones, tablets, laptops, eReaders, or other electronic devices will not be allowed in testing rooms. If students forget and bring their devices to school, they will be asked to sign a release and place their electronics in a plastic bin that will be removed from the testing room. Any electronics brought to school on testing days will be returned when testing is complete. Students will not be allowed to place electronics in lockers on testing days.
Additional Information for STAAR Tests April 10 & 11:
- Students will have 4 hours to complete the test.
- If a student arrives past 9:15, then they will NOT be allowed to take the test, and the student will have to make the test up on a different day.
- If students are absent from the test, they will have the opportunity to take the test on a different day as long as it is within the testing window.
- All test taking students will eat lunch in their testing rooms.
- Due to security on testing days, parents will not be allowed to eat lunch with their children if testing. In addition, parents will not be able to deliver lunch to their student on STAAR testing days.
- No morning athletics on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10 & 11.
- No before school tutorials on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 10 & 11.
- The CAT, library and Homework Hour will all be closed before and after school on Tuesday, April 10 & 11.
Save the Date - WSMS presents Charlotte's Web by E.B. White
April 26, 27 & 28 at Willow Springs at 7 pm AND a matinée at 2 pm on Sat 4/28
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Charlotte's Web, the beloved and classic story of the rare friendship between a pig and a spider is present by students grades 6-8.
Tickets can be purchased at the door or the week of the show at the school store/theatre. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children.
This show is a great family outing - Seating is not assigned. There will be VIP seating for our younger audience members in the lowest area closest to the stage.
There will be county fair style concessions including cotton candy!
National Junior Honor Society Applications for Current WSMS 7th graders
7th grade students eligible to apply for National Junior Honor Society will be notified by letter during the last week of April. Student eligibility will be based on the cumulative GPA of 94.0 for the first three grading periods of the 2017-2018 school year. Upon receiving this letter, students will be allowed to pick up an application for NJHS in the front office at WSMS. All applications will be due by 4:30 on May 18th. This is a firm deadline. Students will receive acceptance letters in August during the first week of school. The induction ceremony will be held during the first six weeks of the 2018-2019 school year. More information regarding specific eligibility requirements for NJHS will be coming at a later date.
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].
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WSMS Track and Field
The WSMS track teams competed last Thursday, March 22nd.
7th grade girls were 3rd place as a team
7th grade boys were 2nd place as a team
8th grade girls were 2nd place as a team
8th grade boys were 2nd place as a team
2018 Texas Student-Athlete of the Year Award Nominees
We have two LHS student-athletes who have been nominated for the 2Words, Student-Athlete of the Year. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Senior Bradley Davis was nominated for organizing a fun run called Running Over Depression. His efforts raised thousands of dollars to help raise awareness about depression. Bradley is also a captain on the cross-country and has won back to back state titles in Cross Country.
Senior Meredith Ehlmann spearheads Relay for Life, a massive fundraiser to help fight cancer. Meredith is a three-year letterman on the girls' basketball team and is the Historian for the National Honor Society.
Please pass along this information to your email and social media groups.
Go click here to vote for Bradley Davis and Meredith Elhmann. Voting takes about 10 seconds. It looks as if you can vote as many times as you like. Voting closes on March 30th at 5pm.
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools would like to thank everyone who participated in the 2018 Online Auction. The auction raised over $30,000. Thanks to your support, these funds will be used towards the mission of providing innovative classroom grants to benefit the students of Lovejoy ISD.
If you did not get a chance to purchase a ticket to the K-4 Spring Fling Beach Bash Socials, it is not too late. There will be a sign-up sheet at each campus office for you to purchase a ticket for your student to attend their grade-level party.
The success of this auction would not have been possible without the staff of Lovejoy. The campuses and teachers so graciously donated over 200 experiences for your students and your family.
Denim and Diamonds - Lone Starry Night - April 7th
Through your generosity and support, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools awarded grants totaling $451,100 to teachers for use in their classrooms this year. The Foundation is funded primarily from Annual Appeal and the Denim and Diamonds (D&D) Gala and Auction. The Foundation's goal this year is to cover D&D costs with sponsorships prior to the night of the event so all monies spent at the event go directly to fund classroom grants.
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools will host its 12th annual Denim and Diamonds Gala and Auction on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the Marriott at Legacy Town Center in Plano. This year's theme is a Lone Starry Night. Foundation for Lovejoy Schools Chair, Carrie McClure and Co-Chair, Aimee Peay welcome you to a night featuring dinner, entertainment and live auctions.
The Foundation for Lovejoy Schools will host a raffle for three great prizes, which includes:
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$2500 VISA gift card - donated by Owens Realtors
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EZ Go Golf cart - Completely Remodeled and Refurbished Model 2014 TXT-PDS with 2014 upbody with flip seating, new batteries, tires and LED head/tail lights. New factory-painted, flame-red body. EC Custom Carts - value $5,000
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Arcade Game Table - Designed like original arcade table from the 80s. Table can be customized, featuring officially licensed graphics of favorite College, Pro Team, etc. - value $4,400
Raffle tickets are $100. Only 500 tickets will be sold. A drawing will be held for each item, giving each ticket a chance to win one of these prizes. The winners will be drawn at the Denim and Diamonds Gala. You do not need to be present to win.
Click here
for additional information. You may purchase tickets from any Foundation director, via the Foundation's website, or at the LISD administration building. See the Foundation website for a list of directors or
click here
to purchase tickets online.
Tickets for the Gala are currently on sale for $135 each. The ticket price will increase to $150 beginning Friday, March 9th. This year, we will seat guests at tables of 12. For additional information, visit FoundationForLovejoySchools.org or contact Cindy Booker at [email protected] or at 469.742.8043.
Click here
to purchase tickets to the gala.
Ticket sales end on Friday, March 23rd.
Summer Enrichment Camps
Online registration is now open for Summer Enrichment camps. Click here
for a complete listing of camp offerings and additional information.
Gifted and Talented Referrals for 2018-2019
The referral window for gifted and talented services opens February 1st for students in grades 1-12. The window will remain open through March 31, 2018.
Click here
for the referral forms located online in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. All referrals must be completed in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. A line is included to type the name of the individual referring the student (parent, teacher, other educator, or student).
Testing is scheduled for Saturday, April 14th and 28th.
For questions regarding referrals, please contact Kari Lockhart (469.742.8015) or
Brie Smith
(469.742.8032).
Relay for Life: April 6th
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
.
National Geographic Explorer Alizé Carrère - April 18th
On Wednesday, April 18th, LISD will be hosting Alize Carrere in the Sloan Creek Intermediate School cafeteria. Alize is a world-traveling scientist, writer, photographer, and National Geographic Young Explorer. Raised in a treehouse in Ithaca, New York, she now travels the world to illuminate humans and animals in their amazing adaptability to environmental change. This will be a great presentation for both parents and students to attend. Especially students who have a passion for science and engineering. We look forward to seeing you there.
Firefighters Pancake Breakfast - April 21st
Town of Fairview Art Show - Call for Artist Entries
The 2018 Fairview Art Show will be held April 28th and 29th in Fairview Town Center. The show will be open for public viewing from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM both days, with an artist reception and award show on Sunday.
Artwork will be judged by a featured juror and will include the following categories: adult artwork, adult photography, student photography, and four student artwork divisions (Early Elementary, Intermediate, Middle, and High School). The show will feature medals and cash prizes up to $2,000.
Entry packets are due by April 11th. Click
here
for full details.
Sewing Camp
Join the fun at Summer Sewing Camps to be held at Willow Springs Middle School. Sewing Basics 101 teaches machine and tool basics while making a pillowcase and PJs. Sewing Skills Builder 201 continues to develop your skills with your choice of an individualized project.
Choose 1, 2 or all 3 sessions, which will take place in June and July. To reserve your spot, email [email protected]. Hurry, as sessions will fill quickly.
Click here
for additional information and to learn more about the special 3rd week option: a t-shirt quilt.
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