A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - August 4, 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
 
 
We are officially 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 2017-2018 school year.

I would also like to invite all students to Walk the Springs on Friday, August 18th from 8:55 - 11:55 AM.  This is a great day to see your friends, find your classes, and meet your teachers. 

Please see below for more information.



If you would like to update your district/campus email preferences or change your email address, please click on the Update Profile link at the footer of this email. You will receive an email from Constant Contact which will allow you to update your information and campus news preferences. 
 
    
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 West Lucas Rd, Lucas 75002
Office: 469-742-8417
Mobile: 214-293-9938
@WSMSLovejoyISD
#wsmslovejoy


2017-2018 Back-to-School Timeline
For important dates about back to school activities please  click here .


New Student and Parent Orientation - Thursday, August 10
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. During this time there will be an informational parent meeting.


Schedules and Schedule Changes - Wednesday, August 16
Schedules will be posted on the Parent Portal beginning August 16. To request a schedule change, please use the  online schedule change form  or email. All changes are subject to availability.

Kay Bordelon (Li-Z)

Kathy Stone (A-Le)


Walk the Springs - Friday, August 18
"Walk the Springs" is Friday, August 18 from 8:55 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. 

Buses will run routes according to the regular school year schedule. See below for more bus information.


School Picture Day - Friday, August 25
Students will be taking pictures for the Willow Springs yearbook and their student ID's on Friday, August 25.  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 3.


Principal's Coffee - Tuesday, August 29
I would like to invite you to our upcoming Principal's Coffee, on Tuesday, August 29 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. During the discussion, I will provide information about the overall 7th and 8th grade experience at Willow Springs and answer any questions you may have. Attending parents are encouraged to park in the front parking lot to enter and sign-in through the front office. Additional meetings will be held September 26 and October 31.


Middle School FAQs - Tuesday, September 5
This parent presentation is geared toward incoming 7 th grade parents that want to learn more about the overall student experience at Willow Springs.  We will be discussing how to maximize academic performance in middle school as well as how to managing the social side of adolescence.  Counselors and administrators will present on campus programs and systems designed to support students academically and emotionally.  Please join us in the WSMS cafeteria from 5:30 - 6:15 PM.
 

Open House 7th/8th Grade - Tuesday, September 5
Our 7th/8th grade Open House will be Tuesday, September 5 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. 



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?
If your student will not be returning to WSMS or Lovejoy High School this fall, please email Carol Vik with your student's name and where they will be attending school.


WSMS Career Day Sign Up
WSMS will host its 3 rd annual Career Day on Wednesday, November 1 st .  We hope you can join us to share your experience and expertise with WSMS students.  The Career Day sign up form may be found by clicking here .


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 updated shot record to our school nurse, Gretchen Young, before August 18. 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)
-       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 2017-2018 bus route information can be retrieved from the district's website prior to the beginning of the school year.

The third week of August , when bus routes have been finalized, go to the  LISD home page and look for the 'Quick Links' heading on the right side of the page. Then click on 'Bus Routes,' listed underneath. You may also access the routes from the home page by selecting Departments / Transportation / Bus Routes.

When the new screen appears, type in your child's street address and select 'Search'. Route information will appear, including the stop location and times, along with a map. Route information is available only for those students who have requested transportation.

If you would like your child to ride the bus this year and have not already made the request through PowerSchool or need to make changes to your request for bus service (using instructions that were emailed at the end of last year), please make those changes in PowerSchool or alternatively contact the Transportation Department directly.

Questions or concerns?

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

Brianna Aviles (Administrative Assistant)
469-742-8009 or [email protected]

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


Athletics

WSMS Football
It is almost time for some WSMS Football! This year we will be handing out equipment the first day of school during the athletic period.

When buying cleats or other accessories please make sure that they are our school colors, red, black, silver or white.

Please direct questions regarding 8th grade football to Jerry Quinton and 7th grade to Brad Fuller .

For a copy of the football schedule, please go here .


WSMS Volleyball
I wanted to remind everyone about the upcoming Back to School Camp August 14th-16th hosted by the Lovejoy booster club. This camp is a must for all girls preparing for Junior High Tryouts.
8th graders 12:00-2:00
7th graders 2:00-4:00
@ Lovejoy High School
Please go here for the flier for you to fill out and bring with you to camp. You can also go online at  www.lojovb.org and pre-register to confirm your daughter's spot at the camp. If you register online please make sure to bring a release form with you to the first day of camp.
We are looking forward to seeing at camp. Get online and get registered!

Jason Nicholson
Lovejoy High School
Head Volleyball Coach
CELL: 817-713-4253
Lovejoy Leopards


Physical Packets and Emergency Cards
Online athletic forms are online and ready to be completed for the 2017-2018 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 Jonathan Stinson.

Cell: 210-563-4679

The 2017-2018 physical packets are now available for players to pick up. The packets this year are florescent orange. Players may get one at the front office of WSMS. If you have any questions about the required paperwork please let me know.



WSMS PTA


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 2017-2018 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 Gina Ellis if you have any questions.


2017 Varsity Football Season Ticket Sales
Saturday, August 5, 2017
10:30 a.m. at Lovejoy Elementary Gym, 256 Country Club Rd., Allen, TX
·         For the 2017 varsity football season, we currently have approximately 239 season tickets available for sale.
·         All remaining season tickets will be available for sale on a first-come, first-serve basis.
·         A total of 6 tickets per household may be purchased.  Address to be verified via driver's license.
·         Cost:  $33 per season ticket for 6 home games.
$5 + $5 + $5 + $5 + $5 + $8 = $33
$33 for 1 season ticket, $66 for 2, $99 for 3, $132 for 4, $165 for 5, $198 for 6.
·         Checks or cash only please for sales on August 5.   Please make checks payable to Lovejoy Football Season Tickets.
·         Each season ticket includes an $8 general admission ticket to the Tom Landry Classic on September 2, 2017 at Allen Eagle Stadium.  This is one of our home games.
·         Patrons must be 16 years of age or older to hold a spot in line.  Age to be verified via driver's license.
·         Said tickets may not be transferred to another party.  Once surrendered, said tickets return to Lovejoy for resale.
·         If you are not able to attend this event, you may assign a proxy to attend for you using this 2017 Proxy Form .  The proxy assignee may not purchase other tickets during the sale of the 2017 season tickets.  Proxy Forms must be submitted to the LISD Athletic Office no later than August 1, 2017.

For more information please visit  http://lovejoyathletics.com/varsity_football_tickets or contact [email protected].