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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - May 10, 2018
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Dear Parents and Guardians,
Next week will be a busy week for our students and staff at WSMS. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week will be STAAR testing days for all of our students. Our teachers and students have done an excellent job preparing for these assessments, I am confident that they will do well. Please see below for more info about the STAAR schedule for next week.
Students will be testing from 9:00 am to 2:15 pm on Monday--Thursday. As always, it is recommended that students get a good 8 hours of sleep and hearty breakfast in the morning before they come to school. If possible, please do not take your son or daughter out of school for doctor appointments during STAAR testing times. We ask that you not pick your student up early on these days.
During all STAAR testing days, parents will have limited access to the campus due to testing security. Parents and/or family members will not be able to deliver lunch to students, or eat lunch with students, during STAAR testing days. Thank you for your support in helping us create a great testing environment for our students.
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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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
eigth
challenge begins May 11th and will run through May 17th. The current week's challenge is:
Say hi or talk to someone you don't normally talk to every day.
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 Monday May 14th.
8th Grade Retreat to Main Event in Frisco - PAYMENT DUE TOMORROW, May 11
Congratulations to our 8th Graders for a superb year! We would like to celebrate this momentous transition to high school with them at Main Event in Frisco on
May 24, 2018
. A packet with details was sent home on Tuesday with 8th Graders. Check out details by
clicking here.
The cost is $25 per student which includes access to bowling (shoes included), billiards, a gravity ropes course, laser tag, mini golf, and shuffleboard. Additionally, students are provided a $20 fun card to use on games. Lunch vouchers are included for two slices of pizza and a drink. Any additional purchases while at Main Event would require extra money.
Payment is due by May 11 and can be made online by
clicking here
.
All forms in the above packet will need to turned in to their ELAR teacher by May 11th.
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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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 STAAR 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 May 14 - 17:
*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.
*Please help your child get a good night's sleep before testing by not allowing their cell phone in their bedroom!
*All test taking students will eat lunch in their testing rooms. Please remind your child to bring a sack lunch and water bottle!! Snacks will be provided for each student.
*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 Monday through Thursday.
*No before school tutorials Monday through Thursday.
*The CAT, Library, and Homework Hour will all be closed before and after school Monday through Thursday.
*All students (in both 7th & 8th grade) will need to bring a choice read book every day next week.
*On Wednesday, May 16 all 8th grade students will need to bring their calculator for the Science STAAR.
Scoliosis Testing - May 14
Our school Nurse, Gretchen Young, will be screening 8th grade students for possible Scoliosis, on Monday May 14th during their Fitnessgram Test. Scoliosis screening is required by House Bill 832 passed by the Texas Legislature in 1985.
Students will be required to remove their shirts for the screening. Girls WILL NEED TO WEAR one of the following under their blouse or shirt: swim suit top, bra or sports bra.
The procedure for screening is simple and quick, it requires the back to be visually examined while standing straight and bending forward. For this examination, boys and girls will be seen separately and individually examined by the WSMS nurse.
If you do not wish for your student to be screened you must have your child examined by your healthcare provider and an affidavit submitted to the nurse's office on or before May 10th. Parents will be notified of the results of the screening only if professional follow up is necessary.
If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to submit medical documentation regarding your child, please contact Gretchen by email or phone at 469-742-8420.
Final Exam Reviews - Available Next Friday, May 18th
On
Friday, May 18th,
teachers will provide students with a copy of the final exam review. In addition, an electronic copy will be posted on course websites and on the WSMS website under "Parent Resources" on Friday, May 18th.
Teachers will be going over their review in class prior to the final exam. Each review will provide vocabulary, concepts, and/or skills needed to be successful on the final. Students will be expected to take the information from the review and apply it to questions on the exam that include graphs, charts, maps, diagrams, and excerpts. These application based questions provide a foundation for the level of thinking that aligns with the higher level thinking of our state standards in middle school and high school. Rather than studying the review for 2-3 hours the night before the final exam, we encourage students to prepare for each exam by studying for approximately 15-20 minutes a day. In addition, students should refer to notes, handouts, assignments, and their textbook to support their learning and preparation. For an example of a final exam review topic and how it might be tested on the final exam in each of the core subjects, please
click here
(these questions are from the 7th grade curriculum in ELAR, math, science, and social studies).
End of the Year Award Ceremonies
7th Grade Student Award Ceremonies - Monday, May 21
(DATE Changed to accommodate a conflict with 9th grade awards ceremony at LHS)
This year our 7th grade student award ceremony will be on Monday, May 21 9:30 - 11:00 in the WSMS main gym. During this award ceremony, a select number of students will be receiving a teacher award from one of their teachers. Parents will be notified in advance if their child will be receiving an award. We will also recognize students who have received perfect attendance for the entire school year and students who participated in the Lighthouse Leaders program.
8th Grade Student Award Ceremonies - Friday, May 25
The 8
th
grade student award ceremony will be on Friday, May 25 from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. in LHS auditorium. Detailed information was emailed to all 8th grade parents.
WSMS Choir Pop Show "The Greatest Show" Performance- Monday, May 21
The WSMS Pop Show Choir Performance of The Greatest Pop Show will be on Monday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m. at Lovejoy High School auditorium. Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 7th. Tickets are $5.00 (with a $2.00 online fee) All seats are reserved seating this year. Get your tickets early.
8th Grade Panoramic Picture - Monday, May 22
The WSMS 8th grade class of 2018 will be taken on Tuesday, May 22. Panoramic pictures will be on sale during all lunches on Wednesday, May 23. Click here for ordering information.
WSMS Library Books and Fines - Due May 22
All student library materials are due back on Tuesday, May 22nd. The last day to check out books is May 18th. Students with outstanding materials/fines will not be allowed to receive their yearbooks until the library account is cleared. Lost books may be paid for through RevTrac.
https://lovejoy.revtrak.net/lisd-library#/v/lisd-library-fines-wsms
Flapjacks for Finals - Tuesday, May 29th
As a tradition at WSMS, we will be kicking off final exams with "Flapjacks for Finals" on Monday, May 29 from 8:00 a.m. - 8:55 a.m. in the cafeteria. This is the day before the first final exam. Please encourage your son or daughter to stop by the cafeteria for hot cakes before school.
Lost and Found - Donated June 1st
Please encourage your son or daughter to look through the lost and found by the library and the athletic lost and found and claim any sweatshirts, shoes, hats, etc. they may have left behind. All items not claimed by June 1st will be donated to Allen Community Outreach the week of June 4th.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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BrightBytes Parent Participation
Lovejoy ISD is partnering with BrightBytes, an educational research organization, to learn more about our students' school and home technology use and the impact it has on instruction. We are reaching out to ask you to take part in the Technology & Learning questionnaire. This is a semi-annual initiative, and your participation is essential in helping us form a more complete picture of the role technology plays in your students' learning.
Please know that all of your responses will remain anonymous to protect your privacy.
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
Winner at Town of Fairview Art Show
Congratulations to Eric Wang (8th grade) who won 1st place in his age group at the Town of Fairview Art Show Contest this past weekend. He created this beautiful acrylic paint "The Man and the Universe". We are very proud of Eric's dedication to the art!
WSMS Lacrosse
Congratulations to the WSMS lacrosse team for winning the DFWL tournament last weekend. Their road to victory included wins over Frisco, Prosper, and St. Marks. In the championship game, WSMS defeated a very talented Trinity team from Ft. Worth. Members of the WSMS Lacrosse team includes Ty Forsyth, Boden Davidson, Dillon Magee, Jack Campbell, Jackson Lambert, Tyler Doyle, Braylen Bickford, Bryan Kotecki, Sean McNeal, Kendall Carll, Tucker Ashley, Chris Dismukes, Ryder Whitlock, Davis Morgan, Tate Barr, Connor O'Dowd, Walker Sims, Braxton Aubel, Nick Spooner, Jackson Dubree.
Dress Code Policy
With the weather getting warmer over the next six weeks, please help us by making sure what your son or daughter wears to school every day is in compliance with the LISD dress code. As part of the emotional, psychological, and physical changes of adolescence, middle school students can sometimes be nervous and apprehensive about what they or other students are wearing to school. Let's work together to lower their anxiety by following the LISD Dress Code. For more information about the LISD Dress Code, please
go here.
Safety Corner
As school dismisses at 4:00 every day, we are asking our students to exit the building by 4:10. If they remain in the building, we ask that they be in a classroom for tutorials, the CAT, the Library, or the Fine Arts wing for rehearsals. We will be sweeping the halls between 4:00-4:10 asking students to move to their designated location. If your student needs to remain on campus past 4:10, please encourage them to remain in tutorials, the CAT, the Library, or the Fine Arts wing until you arrive.
Not Returning to LISD Next Year?
If your student will not be returning to WSMS or Lovejoy High School in the fall, please email
Carol Vik at [email protected]
with your student's name and where they will be attending school.
Important News from Student Nutrition - Regarding Change in Student Meal Accounts
In an effort to help minimize negative balances at the end of the school year, beginning Monday, May 14th, and for the remainder of the school year, students will no longer be able to charge meals which result in the student incurring a negative meal account balance. Students may continue to use their lunch accounts as long as they have a positive meal account balance. Household with students who currently have negative balances will receive reminder emails and phone calls. Federal regulations prohibit us from rolling over negative balances to the next school year. Please arrange to remit payment for any negative lunch accounts your child may have incurred.
All positive balances will be rolled over to the next school year. If you have a graduating senior, fund may be transferred to any sibling in the school district. To request a meal account refund, please complete a refund request form, located on the Student Nutrition website. For assistance, please contact us at 469-742-8041.
The Department of Student Nutrition Services thanks you for your understanding and for allowing us to serve your student(s) this school year.
Notes from the Nurse - Medications
If your child has medicine at school, please make sure your child has exactly enough medicine to finish the school year. You are responsible for picking up any extra medicine as the school district has a policy against sending medicines home with students. At the end of this school year, any remaining medicines, including inhalers, will be thrown out. The school cannot store these for you during the summer.
Please remember, if your child is going to continue being medicated at school during the 2018-2019 school year, you will need to complete a new medication sheet at that time and bring a SMALL or travel size bottle of medicine that is not expired.
Immunizations
Early reminder to parents of students that will be 7th graders during the 2018-2019 school year:
It is a State requirement that all 7th grade students must have had 2 required updated immunizations in order to attend school. These required immunizations are, TDaP booster (Tetanus booster) and Menactra (Meningococcal).Please obtain a copy of your child's updated shots and provide it to our school nurse, Gretchen Young, BEFORE August 17, 2018. You may drop it off in person, send it through the mail to Willow Springs Middle School, 1101 West Lucas Road, Lucas, TX 75002, by email to
Gretchen Young
or fax at 469-742-8501.
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 Girls Soccer
7th grade girls won 3-0 over Royse City
8th grade girls won 3-1 over Royse City
WSMS Boys Soccer
The 7th grade team beat Royse City 3-1. Will Drescher scored a hat trick with assists coming from Hunter Reck, Connor Nowak, and George Salcedo.
The 8th grade team tied Royse City 0-0. Lee Blaylock and Declan Cunningham secured the shutout in goal. The boys pushed for the winning goal all game and came close several times but couldn't find the back of the net.
Performance Course for incoming 7th-12th
Attached is the summer brochure for the female session.
The program will start on June 18th.
1. The ladies will be the first group of the day, starting a 7 AM, and going to 8:30 AM. The program will still run 4 days a week M-Th.
2. The ladies program will be only girls 9-12th graders.
3. Incoming 7th and 8th will be from 12:00-1:30pm
The brochure has more information. We are encouraging all of our players to participate in performance course. This is a great opportunity for team building and individual development!
Please click here to register.
Sports Physicals and Cardiac Screening
The Lovejoy Sports Medicine Department is offering sports physicals and hosting "Who We Play For" for cardiac screenings. Physicals and cardiac screens are open to all 2018 - 2019 incoming 7th - 12th grade student athletes. A parent or guardian should attend the physical/screening with the student to sign permission forms.
Saturday, July 21, 2018
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 W. Lucas Road, Lucas, TX 75002
$20 per student for physicals
(Please make check payable to Lovejoy Athletics)
$15 per student for cardiac screen
(Please make check payable to Who We Play For)
Please
click here
to RSVP for each student registering for a physical and/or cardiac screen. Space is limited and registration will close when capacity is full.
Payment and consent forms are due at Willow Springs Middle School on Saturday, July 21st. Only cash or checks will be accepted. Payment may not be made by credit/debit card.
Click here for additional information.
Varsity Tryout Information (8th grade parents) - 2018 - Team Tennis Season Information
First off, please mark your calendars for the 2018 varsity tryouts. We will have varsity tryouts August 6-9 - Monday-Thursday in the morning. Coach Cherry will send out specific times as the time get closer. Most likely 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. for the girls and 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. for the boys. Just like last year, Coach Cherry will invite 16 girls and 32 boys. The top 16 girls and top 16 boys will be in 8th period.
If you have any questions please contact Adam Cherry. His cell is (806)330-0188.
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Denim and Diamonds 2019
Planning for Denim and Diamonds 2019, which will be Saturday, February 2nd at the Marriott Legacy Town Center in Plano, is now underway. The Foundation is gathering ideas and working on some new, fun and exciting things for next year's event.
The Foundation is requesting your input and help. If you are interested in learning more about the different areas in which you may serve or just want to provide feedback, this is an opportunity for you.
Please join us for a lite lunch on May 10th at Rick's Chophouse in McKinney at 11:30 AM.
This will be a great time to talk about Denim and Diamonds, answer questions, listen to ideas, and plan for next year.
Summer Enrichment Camps
Online registration is now open for Summer Enrichment camps. Click here
for a complete listing of camp offerings and additional information.
Treasured Vessels Foundation - May 10th
The Treasured Vessels Foundation (TVF) is a local, non-profit which assists adolescent girls who have been recovered from domestic sex trafficking. TVF is building a secure community of tiny homes which will provide 24/7 therapeutic programing, with an emphasis in trauma-specific care. The program provides the tools these children need to develop a vision for a new, healthy, happy, and independent life.
You are invited to partner with TVF on May 10th at Tupps Brewery for a benefit concert featuring Emerald City Band and Lovejoy band "Friday Night School". You may purchase tickets at the box office or through Ticketmaster. Click here for additional information.
Lovejoy Country Run - May 12th
Join us for the 12th Annual Running with the Leopards Country Run on Saturday, May 12th at Lovejoy High School. The 1k Fun Run will begin at 7:30 AM and the 5k Run will begin at 8:00 AM at Leopard Stadium. The Country Run is coordinated by Lovejoy Leopards, Inc. (LLI) and benefits the Lovejoy athletic booster clubs. Please
click here
to register. If your business is interested in sponsoring the Country Run, please
click here
for the sponsorship form.
Advocacy 101 - May 16
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.
Lovejoy High Summer Musical Theatre Camp
The Lovejoy High School Theatre Department will produce Disney's The Jungle Book - KIDS this summer.
Students will work together to produce and perform Disney's The Jungle Book- Kids. Students will develop confidence, sharpen their musical and theatrical skills, and create wonderful memories along the way. Directed by Jessica Brewster, LHS Head Theatre Director, and musically directed by Anne Tracy, Puster Elementary Music Specialist, this show will be sure to be an unforgettable experience.
There are three camp opportunities available, which will run simultaneously:
● Lovejoy HS Summer Musical Theatre Camp
- for students completing 3rd grade through 6th grade who want to perform on stage.
● Lovejoy HS Summer Technical Theatre Camp
- for students completing 3rd grade through 6th grade who want to work behind the scenes.
● Lovejoy HS Summer Musical Theatre Intern Camp
- for students completing 7th grade through 8th grade who want to work with the LHS Theatre staff to produce the show.
You may
click here
for additional information and for registration.
Swim Camps
Metroplex Aquatics will host summer camps:
June 4th - June 22nd
June 25th - July 13th
July 16th - August 3rd
The camps are open to all levels of swimmers who are able to swim 1 length of the pool without stopping or holding on to the lane rope. For additional information, please click here.
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