A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - August 2, 2018

 
 
 
 
 
 


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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,

We are officially a little over two weeks away from the first day of school!  Traditionally, August is the time of year when middle school students (and their parents) begin to look forward to the start of school.  As much as they hate to admit it, our students look forward to getting back into the swing of learning, and cannot wait to see their friends and meet their teachers.  Our teachers and staff have had a great summer and are getting excited to kick off the 2018-2019 school year.

I would also like to invite students to Walk the Springs August 17th  from 8:50--11:55 AM. This will be a time for students to run their schedules and meet their teachers.  Walk the Springs is a student only event but prior to Walk the Springs, 7th grade students and parents can walk the campus and find their classes on August 15th from 4:30--6:30 PM.  Please see the back to school timeline below for more information about back to school events.

    
Sincerely,

Kent Messer
Principal
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 West Lucas Rd, Lucas 75002
Office: 469-742-8417
Mobile: 214-293-9938
@WSMSLovejoyISD
#wsmslovejoy

 
New Start TIme for WSMS
As you are aware, WSMS will be adding 5 minutes on our bell schedule this year to meet the new state attendance time requirements.  With the addition of these five minutes, the new WSMS start time will now be 8:50 AM.  School will dismiss at our regular time of 4:00 PM. Click here for the new bell schedule.


2018-2019 Back-to-School Timeline
For important dates about back to school activities please click here.


Summer Mailer
Our summer mail will be sent home in the next few days. STAAR results, report cards and Fitnessgram results will be included in this mail out.  


Summer Reading
The WSMS Summer reading lists may be found by clicking here.


2018-2019 School Supply Lists
Please click here for the school supply list.

Students may begin bringing school supplies to school at Walk the Springs or during the first week of school. We will have collection boxes in the halls for community supplies like tissues, hand sanitizer and paper towels. Teachers will begin collecting class supplies during Walk the Springs and the first week of school.


New Student and Parent Orientation - Thursday, August 9
This program is for all new families to Lovejoy ISD. Students will have the opportunity to meet other new students to WSMS, as well as tour the school to familiarize themselves with their class schedule from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at WSMS. During this time there will be an informational parent meeting.


7th Grade Welcome to Willow - Wednesday, August 15
"Welcome to Willow" is Wednesday, August 15 from 4:30 - 5:15 or 5:30 - 6:15.  All 7th graders and their parents are invited to come preview their schedule and attend a brief Middle School FAQ presentation.  Presentations will be offered at the aforementioned times.


Walk the Springs - Friday, August 17
"Walk the Springs" is Friday, August 17 from 8:50 a.m. -11:55 a.m. for all 7th and 8th graders. This event helps to ensure that the first day of school goes smoothly by providing the students with an opportunity to walk through their schedules, find their classrooms, meet their teachers, and reunite with their friends. Traditionally, this is a day designed for students only.


Summer Hours
Regular business hours of 8am - 5pm, will resume on August 6th.

If you have any questions or need additional information over the summer, please do not hesitate to email or call the school, or call me on my cell phone at 214-293-9938 at any time.  


School Picture Day - Friday, August 31
Students will be taking pictures for the Willow Springs yearbook and their student ID's on Friday, August 31.  Please assist your student in dressing appropriately to ensure they follow LISD dress code.  Students out of LISD dress code will be provided a school shirt to wear during their ID photo and will have the option to retake their yearbook photo on Tuesday, October 2.  

Campus Information and Reminders
Student Spirit Shirts!
As part of the WSMS student experience, we would like to offer a spirit shirt for all 7th and 8th grade students.  These will be shirts that students can wear to school, pep rallies, athletic events, and field trips. During campus field trips and community service events, we will ask students to wear their spirit shirt to identify them as a WSMS student.  Spirit shirts may purchased by clicking here.  



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 with your student's name and where they will be attending school.



Academic Lockers at Willow Springs
There are often lots of questions about student lockers in middle school. Students participating in band or orchestra will have an instrument locker. Student athletes will have an athletic locker. Academic lockers are located in the academic hallways, and these lockers will be available to students during the first week of school. Academic lockers are optional at WSMS as we transition students to high school where academic lockers are not available. During the first week of school, students will be able to request lockers. WSMS staff will be in the cafeteria during lunches beginning Wednesday, August 23rd to assign lockers to students. Students may request a locker in a specific hallway. If you have any questions regarding academic lockers at WSMS, please contact your student's counselor.


LISD Calendar
Please go here for LISD calendars.


Immunizations 7th Grade Students
If you have not done so already, please send a copy of your child's updatedshot record to our school nurse, Gretchen Young, before August 17. It is a state requirement that all 7thgrade students must have had 2 required updated immunizations in order to attend school.
These required immunizations are:
  • TDaP booster (Tetanus booster)
  • Menactra (Meningococcal)
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 fax at 469-742-8501 or email our nurse Gretchen Young.


Bus Information
The 2018-2019 bus route information can be retrieved from the district's website prior to the beginning of the school year.

On August 13th, PowerSchool will be open to parents and we ask that parents review the bus transportation section to verify their 2018-19 school bus choice is accurate. Instructions on how to access the PowerSchool transportation section will be coming soon, so parents can review and/or modify bus transportation needs.

Questions or concerns?
David Dillon (Senior Director of Operations)
469-742-8028 or [email protected]

Donna Holden  (Administrative Assistant)
469-742-8009 or [email protected]

You may view the LISD Transportation Policies and Procedures by going to www.lovejoyisd.net / Departments / Operations/ Transportation.


Athletics
Back To School Athletics Information
Where/When do I report?
At the middle school level, none of our sports will begin before the first day of school.  All athletes are encouraged to attend "Walk the Springs" on Friday, August 17th. Students will have an opportunity to connect with coaches and find out more information about athletics for the first day of school.  

All Athletes will report to the main gym during their athletic period during "Walk the Springs" and on the first day of school.  During "Walk the Springs," athletes will be given an overview of what the 1st day and 1st week of school.

Once they arrive in the gym on the first day of school, athletes will be separated into the sports that they will be participating in this fall.  If students are not participating in a sport this fall, they will placed in an off-season group. As the first week of school progresses, more information on workouts for cross country, swimming, and tennis will be shared.

Do all athletes need a physical?  
Yes.  All athletes of both in-season and off-season sports must have an updated physical with all athletic paperwork completed before the first day of school.  Students who do not have a physical or athletic paperwork completed will not be able to tryout or participate in any sport or off-season until it is completed.

Where can I get the physical forms and LISD paperwork?
Athletic paperwork can be picked up in the front office at WSMS or at the Red Building.  To access the physical form and athletic paperwork electronically, please click on the link below.

https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx


Where do I turn in my physical and LISD athletic paperwork?
Athletes can bring it during Walk the Springs or the first day of school.  Parents can also return it to the front office at WSMS between 8:30--4:30, Monday-Thursday prior to the 1st day of school.

When will athletic lockers be issued?
Football and Volleyball players will be issued a locker the first day of school.  All other athletes will be issued an athletic locker the first week of school. Once lockers are issued, athletes will need to bring a towel and soap for showers.  The athletic department does not wash personal laundry so please remind your athlete to bring laundry home regularly.


When do Volleyball tryouts begin?
  • All girls interested in playing volleyball this fall will report to the main gym on the first day of school.
  • Once volleyball players arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork and be assigned a locker (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history). If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.  
  • Tryouts will officially begin on Tuesday, August 21 (2nd day of school),and will go through Thursday, August 23.
  • Students who do not make the volleyball team will have the option of moving to PE or off-season to receive their PE credit in middle school.  
  • Volleyball Coaches will be sending out more information on the WSMS volleyball schedule.
When does Football practice begin? Does Football have tryouts?
  • There are no tryouts for middle school football.  
  • Practice will begin the 1st day of school.   Helmets will be issued the 1st day of school and additional equipment will be issued throughout the 1st week.
  • 7th Grade will practice during first period only on the 20th with players needing impact testing coming back after school at 4:10 to be tested. All 7th grade players should report to the main gym at 8:45.
  • 8th grade will practice until 5pm on the 20th with them also taking any necessary impact testing. All 8th grade players should report the main gym at the beginning of 8th period.
  • Once football players arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork and be assigned a locker (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history). If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list. Please note that it is crucial to make sure all online paperwork and physical are complete by August 20th as we have just enough days to satisfy the UIL requirements prior to our first game. https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx 
  • If your son misses practice for any reason August 20-September 4 they will not be able to play in our first game September 5--per UIL rule.
  • Football coaches will be sending out more information on the WSMS football schedule.
When will Tennis begin?
  • On the first day of school, all students interested in participating in Tennis will report to the main gym. Once tennis players arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history). If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.
  • All tennis players will be given a locker during the 1st week of school.
  • Beginning the second day of school, Tuesday, August 21, all students interested in playing tennis will meet in the cafeteria at 8:50 AM.
  • Tryouts will take place the second week of school 8/27-8/31 at 7:45 AM at the Lovejoy High School Tennis Courts. All tennis players will need to be dropped off at the LHS tennis courts by 7:45. At the conclusion of workouts, buses will take students back to WSMS to shower and get ready for first period.
  • Teams will consist of 10-12 boys per grade and 10-12 girls per grade. The tryouts will be a tournament format and players will play one set to 6 with no ad scoring. The results of the tryouts will be posted outside of the locker rooms on Friday 8/31. If your son or daughter does not make the team in the fall, they will go to off season for the fall or have the option to go to PE to achieve their PE requirement in middle school.
  • Students who make the team in the fall are not guaranteed a spot in the spring. There will be another tryout in the spring for students who play multiple sports with more info to come at a later date. The official season starts in March.
  • WSMS tennis coaches will be sending out more information on the WSMS tennis schedule.
When will Cross Country begin?
  • On the first day of school, all students interested in participating in running cross country will report to the main gym. Once runners arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history). If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.
  • Cross Country workouts will officially begin Tuesday, August 21st (2nd day of school). All cross country athletes will report to the trophy case just outside the main gym at 8:00 AM on Tuesday, August 21st.  
  • All cross country runners will be given a locker during the 1st week of school.
  • Cross Country Coaches will be sending out more information about the upcoming season and parents are encouraged to attend the WSMS Cross Country meeting on Tuesday, August 14th at 7:00 PM in the WSMS cafeteria.
When will swimming begin?
  • On the first day of school, all students interested in participating in Swimming will report to the main gym. Once swimmers arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history). If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.
  • All swimmers will receive information about the first week of school on Monday, August 20th. Swimming workouts will officially begin the second week of school on Monday, August 27th.  
  • All students to report to the cafeteria during their athletic period beginning on Tuesday, August 21st. Once workouts begin on Monday, August 27th, students will ride the bus to the Sloan Creek Intermediate pool at the beginning of their athletic period. Parents will pick up swimmers at SCIS at the conclusion of their workout.
  • All swimmers will be assigned a locker at Sloan Creek Intermediate School, which is the location of our district swimming pool.   Swimming lockers will be distributed the 2nd week of school.
  • WSMS swimming coaches will be sending out more information about the swimming program during the 1st two weeks of school.

Physical Packets and Emergency Cards
Online athletic forms are online and ready to be completed for the 2018-2019 school year. Please go to https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx set up your account, and fill out the forms.

Any and all online paperwork questions should be directed to Stevie Olivares.


The 2018-2019 physical forms are now available for players to pick up. The forms this year are fluorescent green. Players may get one at the front office of WSMS. If you have any questions about the required paperwork please let me know.





WSMS Students Summer Success 
Kent Iyoki - National Fencing Champion
Kent Iyoki, a rising 7th grade student to WSMS, finished his fencing season over the summer with incredible results.
In June, Kent Iyoki participated in the 2018 USA Fencing National Championships which is the biggest national fencing competitions in the US.and was held in St. Louis, MO from June 28th to July 7th.  
On July 6th, Kent participated for the Men's Epee (Y12 classification) and won the first place out of 181 qualified fencers. He became a national champion and brought a national champion gold medal and trophy home.
It was the season's final tournament, so he finished his fencing season with maintaining his national #1 ranking and earned the annual champion title, too.
We are so proud of Kent's success this summer and look forward to having on campus at WSMS this fall.  






Aidan Smith
Aidan Smith, a rising 8th grader at Willow Springs, competed in the Triple Crown Baseball Club Nationals tournament in East Cobb, Georgia this past week. Aidan plays centerfield and shortstop for the 13U Dallas Patriots Sherard team, which earned the national runner up title on Saturday. Highlights of the tournament for Aidan included his grand slam in the quarterfinal game to stay alive and ultimately help send his team to the championship game that was televised on ESPN. This game is available for replay online via ESPN 3.

Aidan Smith is pictured below with his super fan and rising 7th grade sister, Madeline Smith.



WSMS PTA

WSMS PTA 2018-2019
For WSMS PTA membership information please go here . For a donation form please go here and to see our WSMS PTA volunteer opportunities please go here .


District and Other News

Volunteer Applications Available 
The Online Volunteer Application for the 2018-2019 school year is now available. Please 
click here access the application. Upon completion of the form, please be sure to click "Submit Application" located at the bottom of the page. You will receive a confirmation email that your application has been received. The online application is a secure link.
 
For the safety of our students, a criminal history record is obtained annually for every person interested in volunteering at an LISD campus.
  
Your interest in serving as a volunteer is appreciated. Please email Stacey Dillon if you have any questions.


2018 Varsity Football Season Ticket Sales
Season tickets are available while supplies last. This week, July 23rd - 26th, we are offering an additional Early Bird window which will allow you to save $5 per seat/per game off the regular price.
Early Bird II Special
July 23rd - 26th, 2018
9:00 - 11:00 AM and 1:00 - 4:00 PM
$25 per seat /per game (maximum six tickets per family)

Leopard Season Tickets (Final Option, If Available)
August 20th - 23rd, 2018
9:00 - 11:00 AM and 1:00 - 4:00 PM
$30 per seat / per game (maximum of six tickets per family)

You are invited to purchase your 2018 Lovejoy Leopard Varsity Football Season Tickets through the Lovejoy ISD Athletic Department:

Lovejoy ISD Athletic Department
259 Country Club Road (Portable 4B)
Allen, Texas 75002
Phone: 469-742-8068 (Robin Bass)

Checks may be made payable to: Lovejoy FB Season Tickets. Checks must be received in the Athletic Office on the date of sale. Cash and credit cards will also be accepted.

There are a few new options available for season ticket holders:  
  • Paid Parking Options (Parking Maps on Athletic Web Site) - not required
  • Black Lot - $15 per game per space
  • Red Lot - $10 per game per space
  • Tailgate Lot - $35 per game / per space (maximum 2 spaces)
  • Offsite Parking Shuttle Service - Free
  • Stadium Seat Rental - $15 per game / per seat. (Seats will be set up for you prior to game and picked up after game for storage) - not required
For more information please contact the Athletic office at 469-742-8068 or email Robin Bass at   [email protected].


Lovejoy Lacrosse - Boys' and Girls' Teams Registration Now Open
Registration is now open for the boys' and girls' 2018 Fall season of Lovejoy Lacrosse.  Join the most exciting, fastest-growing sport in the country.

Register now for Boys: Grades Kindergarten through 8th Grade
Register now for Girls: Grades Kindergarten through High School

Visit www.lovejoylacrosse.com  for information regarding the program and the upcoming Fall season.

Hurry, as rosters are filling quickly!