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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - September 8, 2017
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
We have had another great week at WSMS and enjoyed seeing everyone at Open House last Tuesday night. Our students and teachers are settling into the school year and working hard both in and out of the classroom. It is great to see their commitment and dedication in all that they do.
Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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LISD Academic Calendar - Revised 8-23-17
Our April early release is now April 18. This was previously April 11; however, due to state testing on April 11, the District has moved its April 11 early release to April 18. For a copy of the updated calendar, please
click here.
Three Week Progress Reports
Tomorrow is the end of the first
3-week
grading period. All WSMS students will be given a three-week progress report on Tuesday, September 12th in their 7th period class.
Nine Week Report Cards
In an effort to "go green," we will not be mailing home report cards for the 2017- 2018 school year. Your student(s) will still receive a hard copy of their report card each nine weeks through their 7th period class. The report card will be printed on yellow paper for students to take home.
If you prefer to have a hard copy of your student's grade report mailed home each three or nine weeks, please contact
please contact
Carol Vik
.
Football Parent Meeting - Monday, September 11
There will be a team parent meeting for both 7th and 8th grade footballers on Monday, September 11 at 5:15 p.m. in the WSMS auxiliary gym. The meeting will outline key expectations, game day procedures, team meals, and questions.
PTA General Meeting and Cyber Etiquette Presentation, Tuesday, September 12
The Willow Springs PTA will hold the first general PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 12th at Willow Springs in the auxiliary gym beginning at 10:00 -10:30 a.m. Following the meeting, p
lease join us for our first PTA parent presentation of the school year. Our guest speaker will be Sarah Pierson, a Community Educator with the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center. Sarah has an excellent presentation that will help educate you on the five risks our children face online and equip you to protect your children online. Sometimes middle school students struggle in managing their personal profile and presence online so this will be a great opportunity to learn more about the dangers they face. We look forward to seeing you at 10:30 in the auxiliary gym on Tuesday, September 12th.
ParentPortal Update Needed by Friday, September 15
The PowerSchool ParentPortal is 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.
Advisory Schedule - Friday, September 15
On Friday, September 15, we will have advisory. For a copy of the activity bell schedule for the day, please
go here
.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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Safety Corner
For security purposes, we will be locking all exterior doors to Willow Springs at 8:55 AM. This means that students that arrive after 8:55 AM will not be able to enter the building through the courtyard; they will need to enter at the front of the school and obtain a late pass from the front desk. If you drop your student off in the morning, please assist us in getting your son or daughter in the building prior to 8:55 AM. During the school day, teachers and students have been asked not to open exterior doors for anyone. This means they are not to open doors for parents, teachers, coaches, custodians, etc., even principals. All parents and/or visitors should enter the building through the front door. All campus or district personnel are expected to use their access badge or keys to enter the building. Thank you for assisting us in keeping Willow Springs safe and secure during the school day.
Google Classroom Email Summaries for Parents/ Guardians
In the next few days, you will receive an invitation to subscribe to summaries from your student's Google Classroom classes if your email address is in PowerSchool. As a parent/ guardian, you may receive email summaries showing your student's progress in Google Classroom. You may choose daily or weekly emails, and unsubscribe or remove yourself from Google Classroom anytime. Guardian summaries include missing work, upcoming work, and class activity. As a parent/ guardian, you must receive and accept an email invitation before you receive email summaries. Following is a sample of the email invitation you may receive:
For additional information regarding Google Classroom email summaries for guardians, please
click here
. If you have questions, please contact the Library Media Specialist for your campus:
Lovejoy High School -
Emma McDonald
Willow Springs Middle School -
Beth Lowry
Sloan Creek Intermediate School -
Naomi Emory
Bullying Prevention Presentations
On Thursday and Friday of this week, all students attended Advocating for Self & Others / Bullying Prevention presentations with the counselors. The counselors split the boys and girls for this presentation by design to specifically talk about the inner-workings of "boy-world" and "girl world". Take time to talk to your child about what they learned from the presentation. Ask your child what their "one-liner or roll with it" is if they are ever teased and talk to your child about the importance of advocacy and the appropriate way to report concerns. Please
go here
for the girls presentation and
here
for the boys presentation.
Developing Student Ownership in Learning
One of our goals is to work with students to build ownership and responsibility in their own learning. Consider having your student make first contact with his/her teachers by emailing them about assignments and/or tests. For example, if your student has not completed a homework assignment or a test, please encourage your student to do the following:
-Go to the Google Classroom to print off and complete the assignment and/or any test
preparation materials
-Email their teacher and ask questions about the assignment or missing work
-Talk to their teacher about the missing assignment or test
-Know how and where to turn in the assignment or complete the test
UT Dallas Offers After School Coding Clubs - September through December
The University of Texas at Dallas Department of Computer Science is offering After School Coding Clubs for 5th - 9th graders at Willow Springs Middle School.
Click here for detailed information.
Bringing Your Student Lunch
As a reminder, parents can bring a lunch of their choice to their own son or daughter but are prohibited under the Texas Administrative Code to bring lunch for other students. For example, we have had parents bring Chick-fil-a for their son and three of his friends. This is a violation of the Texas Administrative Code. In addition, if a parent brings food for other students, the parents of the other student may object to their child being provided a lunch from an outside restaurant due to diet or medical concerns of their child.
In the future, if a parent brings lunch for more than one student, we will inform the parent that WSMS and LISD are only permitted to allow parents to deliver food for their own student. Thank you for your cooperation in supporting the nutrition and safety of our students.
Student Spirit Shirts
- Wear them to our first home game on 9/15 and Leopard Friday, 9/22!!
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 shirts 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.
Willow Springs Yearbooks
Trivia Fact FYI - Did you know that the spots on a leopard are called rosettes? Orders are now being accepted for your child to BE SPOTTED in this year's Willow Springs Rosette yearbook
Parents and guardians can order their child's 2017-2018 Willow Springs award-winning yearbook, Rosette. Yearbook orders are available to purchase online only, for $40.00, by electronic check, Pay Pal, debit, or credit card. To guarantee that your child is spotted in the Rosette yearbook, order now, as the price will go up.
For more ordering information, please click here. For more information, please
click here
.
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Athletic Drop Off Before School
We know that mornings can be hectic, please help us with athletic drop-off in the morning by pulling forward as far as you can to keep the flow of traffic moving. Our goal is to unload 6-8 cars at a time in the courtyard, rather than just one. As you approach the courtyard, please continue to pull forward to the end of the metal awning to unload. This will allow cars behind you to move forward and unload 6-8 at time. Also, please remember that there are two drop off lanes in the morning to enable a steady flow of traffic. Thank you for your assistance with this to ensure everyone has a safe and smooth drop off.
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Volunteer Opportunities!
We have another great opportunity for you to help at WSMS! Next Wednesday, September 13th the PALS will be hosting a new student luncheon from 11:30-1:00pm. We have created a sign-up genius for donated items needed to help make the luncheon a success for the new students of Willow Springs! Please sign-up directly in sign-up genius
go here
or through the
PT-Ave September calendar
, this sign up can be found on September 13th.
School Spirit Store
The Spirit Store is now open every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 11:00 to 1:15 during the students lunch times. Volunteers are needed to assist students with any purchases they may have.
To sign up to help in the Spirit Store please access our
calendar here
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
.
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Donor Signs
Soon, #WeLoveLovejoy 2017 Donor signs will be showing up in yards all over the district. As a way of saying thank you, the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools gives each donor, a yard sign once a donation has been made to the campaign. If you have made a donation to Annual Appeal we will be bringing your sign to you soon.
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Brandy Carll, Annual Appeal chair, delivers a sign to Kasey Havens.
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North Texas Giving Day
The Foundation for Lovejoy School's Annual Appeal, #WeLoveLovejoy, is underway. Our goal is to receive donations from 650 donors totaling $200,000. The Foundation Board of Directors asks you to join them in giving to the Foundation on North Texas Giving Day, Thursday, September 14th, from 6:00 AM - midnight.
New This Year: Scheduled Giving
If you are unable to give on September 14th, you may schedule your gift between September 7th and 13th.
Visit
Northtexasgivingday.org
for additional information, to schedule your gift, and to donate. Every gift is valuable to the mission of enhancing education in Lovejoy.
Lovejoy Orchestra Fundraiser - Monday, September 11
Please join the Lovejoy Orchestra for a spirit night at Chipotle:
Monday, September 11
Chipotle
103 Central Expressway North, Allen
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Let the cashier know you are supporting Lovejoy Orchestra and 50% of your purchase price will be donated to the Orchestra. The Lovejoy Orchestra program appreciates the support of the community.
HELP for Houston
Special thanks to Inga Van Wagoner for leading the HELP for Houston drive which yielded over $50,000 in donations. Special thanks also goes to the Lovejoy community for your overwhelming support and generosity. You may click here for detailed information regarding the successful drive, and for photos.
Visual Arts
Water
Exhibition and Fundraiser for Harvey Relief
Lovejoy Visual Art Gallery - Lovejoy High School
Opening reception and Silent Auction: Thursday, September 14th, 6-8pm
Lovejoy Visual Art AP Studio students are hosting a charity exhibition and fundraiser to benefit those affected by Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding of the Houston area. The exhibit will feature over 30 pieces created by AP Studio artists as a response to the need of the many who have been affected by this downpour. All work in the exhibit will be sold through silent auction to benefit charitable organizations specified by each artist. Join us in this celebration of hope and giving
Girl Scouts Meetings - September 12 and 17
At Girl Scouts, the next opportunity to stand up, speak up, and take the lead is never far away. With us, you will discover the G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-Taker, Leader)™ in you, and watch her shine, again and again. Would you like to learn more about Girl Scouts? Join us for our information events:
Tuesday, September 12
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Greenville Oaks Church of Christ
703 S. Greenville Avenue
Or
Saturday, September 17
12:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Watters Creek
970 Garden Park Drive
Leopard Friday - September 22
The Lovejoy Independent School District will host a free community event on September 22nd from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Leopard Friday.
On Leopard Friday, the Courtyard at Lovejoy High School will be transformed into a showcase of our students, clubs, community, and organizations. There will be something for everyone, regardless of age.
A BBQ dinner will be catered by Sonny Bryan's. Tickets may be purchased via the
Online Payment Center, or at the LHS school store. The ticket order deadline is September 20, 2017.
Evening with the Majestics - Friday, October 13, 2017
The annual Evening with the Majestics will be Friday, October 13th. All Lovejoy ISD students in grades K-6 are invited to join the Majestics as we celebrate Homecoming. "Mini Majestics" (grades K-4) and "Majestics in Training" (grades 5-6) will perform the pre-game Fight Song in the Victory Lines on the field, and will then sit with the Majestics and participate in "stand routines" in the bleachers.
Click here to complete the registration form and be a part of the Homecoming tradition.
Lovejoy Homecoming "Black Out" Shirt Order Form - Deadline is Friday, September 29
Lovejoy Homecoming is Friday, October 13th. Be a part of the Homecoming tradition by wearing the "Black Out" spirit shirt. The deadline for orders is Friday, September 29th.
Click here
to print your order form. T-shirts are $10 each.
Additionally, "Black Out" spirit shirts will also be available during lunches at WSMS and LHS from 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM during Homecoming week.
Gifted and Talented Referrals for 2017-2018
The referral window for gifted and talented services is now open.
Click here
for referral forms which are located online in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The window will close September 8, 2017.
Testing is scheduled for Saturday, September 16 and 23 for students in grades 1-12. Kindergarten students will be tested at a later date.
A brief information session will review the gifted and talented referral process and services offered in Lovejoy.
Lovejoy ISD Administration Building
Board Room
August 29, 2017
9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 4:30 PM, or 6:00 PM (Session Information Repeats)
If you are unable to attend and would like more information, a slideshow presentation will be available on the
gifted and talented webpage
after the August 29 presentation.
For questions regarding referrals, please contact Kari Lockhart (469.742.8015) or
Brie Smith (469.742.8032).
Lovejoy Running Club - Tuesday, September 12
You are invited to attend the organizational meeting for the newly forming Lovejoy Running Club. The first meeting will be held at 7:00 PM, Tuesday September 12th, in the Lovejoy High School Library.
We will be meeting to discuss the formation, purpose, and workout schedules for the running club, which will be open to adults and children of all ages and levels of fitness, who are interested in participating in group runs/ walks on Tuesday/ Thursday evenings at 6:00 PM. Training assistance and guidance will be provided with the goal of preparing members for participation in road races throughout the year.
Our first organized run/ walk will be Tuesday September 19th at Celebration Park. We will meet by the southeast parking lot closest to the duck pond.
If you have questions, please email
Greg Christensen
. We look forward to seeing you.
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