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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - August 9, 2018
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
The countdown is on. With a little over one week left until the 2018-2019 school year officially begins, we are wrapping up our final preparations for another outstanding year at Willow Springs.
As I have done in the past, I would like to increase my communication with students through email, Twitter, and Facebook. Traditionally I have always communicated campus information to parents via email but I would also like to extend this information to students. If you would like to add an email address for your son or daughter on the
Email Express page
, I can extend my communication to him or her. One of our focus areas this year is to begin the process of helping student to understand their role in the communication between school to student/parent. Our goal is for them to develop more confidence and ownership in how they receive and respond to information. Throughout the year, we will be working on other means of communication with our students to better connect with them.
The first two weeks of school are always busy, so I wanted to share some important information about upcoming dates over the next couple of weeks. We are looking forward to having students on campus next week for Walk the Springs. Please see below for important information about upcoming dates and events.
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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WSMS CLOSED Monday, Aug 13th
The WSMS campus will be closed on Monday, August 13th, while our staff attends LISD Convocation. Normal office hours will resume on Tuesday, August 14th.
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 was sent out the last week of July. STAAR results, report cards and Fitnessgram results were included in this mail out.
Summer Reading
2018-2019 Schedules - READY AUGUST 13TH
Schedules will be posted on the
Parent Portal
beginning August 13th at 8:30am. To request a schedule change, please use the
online schedule change form
(available on or before August 15) or email. All changes are subject to availability.
2018-2019 School Supply Lists
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.
Cross Country Parent Meeting Tuesday, August 14
The XC parent meeting will be in the Willow Springs cafeteria on Tuesday, August 14 at 7:00 p.m. Information regarding the season and meet schedule as well as any questions answered regarding cross country and middle school athletics
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 & 8th 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.
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.
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.
Principal's Coffee - Friday, September 7th
I would like to invite you to our upcoming Principal's Coffee, on Friday, September 7th 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.
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.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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Parent Drop and Pick Up
Please be patient with the parent drop off and pick up process during Walk the Springs and the first week of school, traffic will move very slowly. Traditionally by the second week, everyone has a better understanding of the process and it will flow much smoother. Please
Carpool Procedures
Before School:
Cars will enter the campus through the east entrance off Bethany/West Lucas Road (the entrance closest to the stop light at Country Club/1378). Once vehicles are on campus, all traffic moves one way through two lanes that wind around to the courtyard located in the back of building. Please pull forward to unload 8-10 cars at a time at the courtyard. Students can unload from either of the two carpool lanes. Please drive slowly and pay close attention to our students who might be crossing
After School:
Cars will enter the campus through the east entrance off Bethany/West Lucas Road (the entrance closest to the stop light at Country Club/1378). Once vehicles are on campus, all traffic moves one way through two lanes that wind around to the courtyard located in the back of building. At the courtyard they split: one moves toward the tennis courts and around the back parking lot; the other moves along the back of the building. Both lanes converge at the student pick up location at the grass area on the west side of the building. Please pull forward to load 10-15 cars at a time along the grass field. Students can walk to their vehicles in both lanes using the cross walks. Once students are in their vehicles, parents can exit the carpool line through an exterior lane. Please drive slowly and pay close attention to our students who might be crossing.
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.
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.
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)
Donna Holden (Administrative Assistant)
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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.
- 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
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.
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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.
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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:
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Paid Parking Options (Parking Maps on Athletic Web Site) - not required
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Black Lot - $15 per game per space
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Red Lot - $10 per game per space
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Tailgate Lot - $35 per game / per space (maximum 2 spaces)
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Offsite Parking Shuttle Service - Free
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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].
New! Lovejoy Ice Hockey Registration
The Lovejoy Ice Hockey Club is forming teams for this upcoming season. Any 7th - 12th grade hockey players who would like to join the team are encouraged to reach out to
[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
Hurry, as rosters are filling quickly!
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