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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - August 30, 2018
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
Thanks for a great second week of school. As we move into our third week of school, you will notice your student's workload will begin to increase. This is traditionally a time when after school commitments through extracurricular activities begin to pick up, as well as academic responsibilities in the classroom. During the third and fourth weeks of school, students will have their first quizzes, tests, and projects of the year. We encourage students and parents to work together with our teachers to align their academic responsibilities with their extracurricular commitments. Just a reminder that next Tuesday, September 4th (the day after Labor Day) we will host our fall open house for parents to follow their students schedules and learn more about their classes. Please see below for more details.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the LHS varsity football game Saturday night at the Tom Landry Classic in Allen. Go Leopards!
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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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.
Forms will be distributed through your students Math classl. Students should bring their completed form (with payment enclosed) on photo day. Parents can also pre-pay online by using the link and passcode below. Pre-paying students must bring their printed receipt on photo day as proof of payment and order confirmation.
Passcode: 7033F19B
School Holiday - Monday, September 3
Monday, September 3 is a student and teacher holiday in observance of Labor Day.
7th
/8th Grade Open House - Tuesday, September 4
Our 7th/8th grade Open House will be Tuesday, September 4 from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Parents will have an opportunity to walk their student's schedules and hear from all of their teachers. Student's schedules and school maps will be available in the rotunda upon arrival. We will begin at 6:30 p.m. with a brief WSMS introduction in the main gym. Parents will begin first period at 6:45 p.m. Open house
bell schedule
Leopard Fishing Club Meeting - Wednesday September 5th at 7pm in the WSMS Cafeteria
The purpose of the Leopard Fishing Club is to educate and prepare future Leopard Fishing Team anglers. Seventh and eighth grade anglers are invited to join. As a Club member you will be introduced to the art and technique of competitive bass fishing, interact with the high school fishing team, participate in fish camp and have the opportunity to fish in an intersquad tournament. If you have any questions please contact Nancy Burns 972-898-4046
Advisory Schedule - Friday, September 7th
On Friday, September 7th, we will have advisory. For a copy of the activity/advisory bell schedule for the day, please
click here
.
Chess Club Enthusiasts, Starting Monday, September 10th
Willow Springs Chess Club is starting soon. Mr. Crocker will be hosting a Chess Day in the library every Monday afternoon beginning September 10. This will be a free opportunity for students to come and play in a friendly open environment. No sign-up is required!
PTA General Meeting and Pro-Kindness/Anti-Bullying Presentation, Tuesday September 11th
The Willow Springs PTA will hold the first 2018-2019 general PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 11th at Willow Springs in the auxiliary gym beginning at 10:00am - 10:30am. Immediately following the meeting, please join us for our first PTA parent presentation of the school year,
"Hey Dude, Nice Shoes"
speaker, Carolyn Jennings Brown. Ms. Jennings Brown has been serving public schools in the state of Texas for nearly two decades. Her Anti-Bullying/ Pro-Kindness presentation, "Hey Dude, Nice Shoes has been shared all over Texas with students of all ages and their parents. During this empowering and inspiring workshop, she shares her unique experiences and stories in a passionate and honest way to educate on this sensitive topic and bridge the gap of understanding about growing up. Carolyn is an honorary lifetime member of the Texas PTA and recipient of the National PTA lifetime achievement award. We look forward to you joining us on Tuesday, September 11th and sharing in on this opportunity to hear Carolyn Jennings Brown's message of kindness and anti-bullying.
Swim & Dive Booster Club Meeting - Thursday, September 13th
Swim and Dive Booster Club will be having a meeting for WSMS swim parents. This will be held at 7pm, in the cafeteria at Sloan Creek Intermediate School.
Advocating for Yourself and Others/Bullying Prevention Presentations, September 18 & 19
According to
StopBullying.gov
, the school years most at risk for bullying are 4th through 8th grades. At WSMS, we are committed to preventing bullying behavior on our campus and teaching students to be strong advocates for themselves and others. On September 18th and September 19th, all students at WSMS will participate in an Advocacy / Bullying Prevention presentation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student's counselor:
Kathy Stone
, A-Le at
469-742-8423
or
Kay Bordelon
, Li-Z at
469-742-8424
.
ParentPortal Update Needed by Friday, September 21st
The PowerSchool ParentPortal is now open for you to complete the online Enrollment & Student Information Forms. Please
click here to access the Parent Portal. Completion of these forms is required every year for every student. Please take a few minutes to update your contact information, emergency contacts, authorized pickup, FERPA acknowledgments, Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Regarding the Release of Directory Information for School Use:
In order for your child's picture to appear in the Yearbook, you should answer "YES".
IMPORTANT
- Students and parents have a separate login/password for PowerSchool. Students should never have access to ParentPortal or use their parent login. If students were to access the ParentPortal on a school or public computer and not log out, family demographics as well as sibling's grades would be open for others to access. If you have any questions, you may contact Carol Vik at 469-742-8415.
Principal's Coffee - Friday, September 21st
DATE CHANGE
I would like to invite you to our upcoming Principal's Coffee, on Friday, September 21st at 9:00 a.m. 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.
For our first principals coffee, Dr. Ray Levy will be our guest speaker. Dr. Levy is clinical psychology who has extensive experience in working with and supporting middle school students and their families. His topic for this presentation will focus how to better understand middle school students. This presentation will share parenting strategies to best support your middle school student through the emotional, physical, and intellectual changes of adolescence.
Career Day at WSMS!
How old were you when you decided what you wanted to be when you grew up? What do you love about your career? What do you dislike? Do you enjoy sharing your experiences in your chosen career? If the answer to the last question is YES, we want to invite you to share your career with WSMS students. On Friday, November 2nd from 9:30am to 12:50pm, WSMS will hold our 4
th
annual Career Exploration Day. This event is designed to provide students exposure to a wide variety of careers. Face-to-face conversations and hands on investigation gives students the opportunity to consider careers in fields otherwise unknown. We are looking for professionals in the following fields. This list is not exhaustive!
Advertising / Marketing
Agriculture
Architecture
The Arts - music, dance, theatre, visual arts
Automotive
Business
Computer Science
Construction
Culinary Arts
Data Science
Education
Engineering
Fashion
Government
IT
Journalism
Law
Media
Medical
Military
Nutrition
Research
Retail
Security
Science
Sports
Technology
Transportation
Veterinary
If you are interested in helping, please fill out the Career Exploration Presenter form here. We look forward to seeing you on November 2nd!
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Campus Information and Reminders
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Cell Phone Use-Carpool Lanes
We have observed parents on their cell phones during carpool pick up and drop off. Please remember that it is now a state law that drivers are not to be on their cell phones in school zones. For the safety of our students, and other drivers, please do not use your cell phone during carpool drop off or pick up. Thank you for your cooperation and support of our student's safety.
Please assist in supporting your son or daughter with appropriate dress for school. 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. The LISD dress code was created by the LISD administration and can be found in the student handbooks for each campus. For more information about the LISD Dress Code, please
Our first "No Tech Tuesday" was a big success. Our students did an excellent job of staying off their electronic devices for one 30 minute lunch period on the second day of school. During lunch times we are asking all students and staff to put away all electronic devices and interact with the classmates at their lunch tables.
This will take place every Tuesday throughout the school year.
One of our focus areas for this year is to increase our student and teacher daily attendance on campus. Research shows that the more students are in class with their teacher, the more they will learn over the course of the school year. The more students learn, the more success and confidence they will have in middle school. To promote this, we will be recognizing students and staff who have perfect attendance during each six weeks. Please assist us by working with your son or daughter to ensure they are getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and are taking care of themselves overall.
In addition, our new state accountability system uses student attendance as criteria for evaluating the performance of schools. We also receive state funding based on our "Average Daily Attendance" of students that are present during 2
nd
period, which ends at 10:30 AM. As you begin to plan out of town trips around Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break, please consider keeping your children in school through the Friday before each break. Let's work together to encourage our students to be in class every day.
ParentPortal Update Needed
The PowerSchool ParentPortal is now open for you to complete the online Enrollment & Student Information Forms. Please
click here
to access the
Parent Portal
. Completion of these forms is required every year for every student. Please take a few minutes to update your contact information, emergency contacts, authorized pickup, FERPA acknowledgments, Student Code of Conduct, Student Handbook, etc.
PLEASE NOTE: Regarding the Release of Directory Information for School Use:
In order for your child's picture to appear in the Yearbook, you should answer "YES".
IMPORTANT
- Students and parents have a separate login/password for PowerSchool. Students should never have access to ParentPortal or use their parent login. If students were to access the ParentPortal on a school or public computer and not log out, family demographics as well as sibling's grades would be open for others to access. If you have any questions, you may contact Carol Vik at 469-742-8415.
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
. 7th grade shirts will be gray and 8th grade shirts will be red. We anticipate that s
hirts purchased online through 8/29 will be distributed the week of September 11 through the school store. A limited number of shirts may be available for sale. We will place another order based on our online purchases.
WSMS School Store
The WSMS Store will be open every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Stop by to get your school spirit gear!
If you are interested in volunteering in the school store this year, please email
[email protected]
.
Willow Springs Yearbooks
Do you know what the spots on leopard is called? Answer: The spots on a leopard are called rosettes. In order for your child to be spotted in this year's yearbook, parents can order their child's 2016-2017 Willow Springs award-winning yearbook, Rosette, for a cost of $40.00 online now. Yearbook orders are available to purchase online only by electronic check, Pay Pal, debit, or credit card. Order now, as the price goes up September 16 to be sure to guarantee your child is spotted in the Rosette yearbook. For more information, please
click here
.
Share Your Wisdom: Mentor a Student
You've learned life lessons and gained wisdom. Be a positive influence for teens and pre-teens in our own community.
Become a mentor!
Each year, Willow Springs administrators work with students and mentors to provide an understanding, impartial connection. Mentors share time and care, often simply listening and reflecting ideas for those young people who are facing various challenges. To learn more and/or volunteer email WSMS counselor Kathy Stone at
[email protected]
or call 469-742-8423.
Cell Phones at WSMS
As we have done in the past, students are welcome to bring their cell phones to school, but cell phones are not required. Our philosophy as a campus is to work with students on the proper use of cell phones in a school setting by maximizing cell phone potential as an informational tool. We have observed that students sometimes struggle with the use of cell phones during class when they are not being used for educational purposes. This year, we are implementing a new strategy where students will turn off their cell phones at the beginning of each class period and place them in a hanging bin at the front of the classroom. If needed for educational purposes, teachers will ask students to access their phones. This will allow them the opportunity to be less distracted by their cell phone, yet still be able to use it to support and enhance learning. Students may use their cell phones before school, during passing periods, at lunch, and after school.
Bring Your Own Device to Willow Springs
Beginning next week, 7th and 8th grade students are welcome to bring their own lap top and/or iPad to class. Students are not required to bring their lap top and/or iPad to school, this is strictly optional. In addition, they will not use these devices every day, in every class, but would have the opportunity to use them when they align with the lesson to enhance student learning. If your child would like to use their laptop or iPad at school, it will be their responsibility for care and technical support. We are looking forward to this opportunity with our WSMS students.
For a copy of the LISD technology resources acceptable use policy, please
click here.
Want to Learn More About Your Son or Daughter's Teachers?
PowerSchool App
The PowerSchool app is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You use the same PowerSchool online login. Enter the District code NJBC.
WSMS Twitter Feeds #wsmslovejoy
@WSMSLovejoyISD (Campus Event Updates)
@sscwsms (Counseling updates)
Reporting an Incident at WSMS
One of our top priorities at Willow Springs Middle School is to ensure the safety of all of our students. Our most important asset in this is the eyes and ears our students can provide us on campus. We will begin using the Safe Schools Alert System this year for students and parents to report incidents they are aware of happening. You can access the system by going to
www.lovejoyisd.net
. Under Quick Links click on "REPORT IT!" You will have four ways to submit an incident. Furthermore, you will receive an access code to follow the progression of how an incident is being handled.
Student Nutrition and Cafeteria Accounts
For information about student breakfast and lunch accounts, and our student nutrition program, and free and reduced lunch, please click here.
LISD Calendar
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:
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.
New! Back to School: Important Transportation News
Important news regarding requesting bus service, bus routes, stop locations, time, and the SafeStop School Bus Tracking App is now available.
Click here for this important news.
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Parents please check Rank One for athletic paperwork. All paperwork must be turned in for your child to participate in athletics. Remember first period athletes will need to come dressed out on Monday for a workout. They will need to pack their school clothes and change after 1st period.
Lockers rooms are unlocked from 8:30-8:45 in the morning to drop off items that need to be stored in the athletic locker and from 4 - 4:15 in the afternoon. Students are not allowed to linger in the locker rooms. All personal item need to be stored in a locked locker.
Showers are available for the morning athletes. They will need to bring a towel and shower items. The towel should be brought home weekly for washing.
https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
North Texas Giving Day
The Foundation for Lovejoy School's Annual Appeal, #WeLoveLovejoy, is underway. Our goal is to raise $200,000 with remarkable community support and 100% Lovejoy family participation. The Foundation Board of Directors asks you to join them in giving to the Foundation on North Texas Giving Day, Thursday, September 20th, from 6:00 AM - midnight.
Schedule Your Pledge to Give!
If you are unable to give on September 20th, you may schedule your gift during this year's 10 Days of Giving, from September 10th - 19th. Visit
Northtexasgivingday.org
for additional information regarding scheduling your gift, and donate. Every gift, big or small, is valuable to the mission of enhancing education in Lovejoy. Let's keep those campus thermometers rising!
Volunteer Background Application Now Available
For the safety of our students, a criminal history record is obtained annually for every person interested in volunteering at a LISD campus. Upon completion of the background check, applicants will be notified of approval to volunteer.
Please
click here
to access the Online Volunteer Application. The online application is a secure link.
All information regarding volunteer applications received for the 2017-2018 school year has been deleted. If you submitted an application prior to August 2018, you will need to complete another application.
Thank you for your assistance with this very important matter. Your interest in serving as a volunteer is appreciated. Should you have any questions, or require assistance, please contact:
Stacey Dillon
Assistant to the Superintendent
469.742.8003
Tutoring for Students
Lovejoy teachers provide tutoring for students as the need arises. However, there are times you may decide an outside tutor would be helpful for your child. We are pleased to announce that Lovejoy ISD and Tutoring 101 formed a partnership to bring Tutoring 101 services to Lovejoy High School. Tutoring 101 will offer tutoring for K - 12 students in any subject area needed. This partnership is a revenue generating relationship for Lovejoy as we have signed a revenue sharing model. Click here:
Tutoring 101@Lovejoy High School
for additional information.
Tom Landry Classic - Saturday, September 1st
The Lovejoy Leopards will play Frisco Heritage in the Tom Landry Classic on September 1st at Allen Eagle Stadium. Proceeds from this game will go towards scholarships for students at Lovejoy High School. Come to the game and bring 5 of your friends.
Lovejoy Hockey Fundraiser
The Lovejoy Ice Hockey team will host a fundraiser on September 4th.Click here for details.
New! Girls and Boys Lacrosse Free Try-It Clinics
Lovejoy Lacrosse will host 2 girls' and boys' lacrosse try-it clinics on August 25th and September 8th from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Willow Springs Middle School. The try-it clinics and introduction to girls' and boys' lacrosse is open to Lovejoy ISD and surrounding communities.
Both try-it clinics are free and are open to all grade levels - kinder through high school. Girls and boys are welcome to attend one or both of the clinics. No registration is required. Just come on out to the field ready to have fun. There will be lacrosse equipment available to borrow.
No lacrosse experience is necessary. There will be drills for players of all skill and experience levels. The clinics will be a fun, no pressure environment where girls and boys can try lacrosse and parents can learn about the Lovejoy Lady Leopards Lacrosse program.
Lovejoy Leopards, Inc. Annual Golf Tournament, Monday, September 24th
The 10th Annual Lovejoy Leopards, Inc. (LLI) Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, September 24th at "The Dye Course" at Stonebridge Country Club. This is a new tournament venue. Registration opens at 7:00 AM. The tournament begins at 8:00 AM and the cost is $150 per player, which includes green fees, cart, gift bag and awards luncheon.
The Tournament is limited to 144 golfers. Golfers should indicate the booster club they are playing in support of and LLI will return 90% of the net after expenses to that booster club. Golfers may also purchase a Super Ticket for $50, which includes 10 raffle tickets and all games on the course. The deadline to register is September 17th. To obtain a registration form and pay online, golfers may access the LLI Golf Tournament Flyer by
clicking here
.
New! Lovejoy Senior Requests Assistance with Senior Project
A message from Lovejoy Senior, Alexandra Brungardt:
"As an incoming senior, I have selected a project that is close to my heart. There is a "Toy Closet" at the Cancer Hospital from which patients can choose an item to help during their stay. I want to stock the Closet with as many toys as possible. In order to purchase toys for the closet, donation bins will be placed at each of the schools and the red building. These bins will be collecting gently used Lovejoy Spirit Wear. Once collected, the spirit wear will be sold and the money used to buy Toys for the Closet.
The toys will be donated in memory of Walker Jack Rainey.
I can be reached at [email protected] with any comments or questions. Thank you for your generosity."
New! Chess Club for Elementary and Intermediate Students
Chess Club Enthusiasts: Lovejoy Chess Club registration is now open. The first session will be held the week of September 10th. You may click here for additional information and to register. If you have any questions, please email Miles Knight.
New! Girl Scout Troops Now Forming
New Girl Scout troops are forming for girls in K-12th grade - and you and your daughter are invited to join us to learn more about Girl Scouting. All Girl Scout activities are 100 percent girl-led and girl-focused.
Join us for information events on Saturday, September 15th from 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM at Bethany Lakes Park (731 Bethany Lake Blvd, Allen) or Monday, September 17th at 7:00 PM at Marion Elementary School (1595 Stablerun Drive, Allen) or contact us at [email protected] for additional information.
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
Hurry, as rosters are filling quickly!
10th Annual Turkey Chess Tournament, Saturday, November 3rd
Register now for Lovejoy's 10th Annual Turkey Chess Tournament. This is a five round USCF (United States Chess Federation) event that will be held at Sloan Creek Intermediate School. Click here to register.
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