A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - March 21, 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 









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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
 
I hope everyone had a safe and relaxing Spring Break--the weather is finally beginning to feel like spring.  It is hard to believe that we are heading into the final grading period of the school year.
These next 10 weeks will be very busy with STAAR testing, awards ceremonies, and final exams.  Our first round of STAAR testing will be the week of April 8th. Please see below for more info.  
Have a great weekend.

 



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

Upcoming Student Holidays
April 19th is a designated bad weather day.  It will be a student and teacher holiday if we do not have a school closing due to bad weather between now and then.


WSMS Color Guard Performance - Tonight!
On March 9th, the WSMS Color Guard program traveled to Mansfield, TX, to compete at the North Texas Color Guard Association's Cadet Class State Championships!  The teams put on a great show against some very competitive middle school teams from across DFW. Our 7th grade team came in 7th place, and our 8th grade team came home with the Silver Medal! The WSMS Color Guards did an amazing job all season and represented WSMS with pride and class. I am so proud of them!

The WSMS Color Guard will be performing TONIGHT at the 3rd Annual Lovejoy ISD Winter Guard Showcase at the LHS Gym at 7:00 pm.  Admission is free to watch, so come out and see what the team is all about!


 
WSMS Cheer Tryouts - March 20 - 22
Students who are trying out for 7th or 8th grade cheer will meet in the main gym at WSMS from 4:30-6:00 pm March 20th and 21st to practice and prepare for tryouts which will be held on March 22nd from 4:30-9:00 pm in the WSMS Main Gym. Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about the WSMS cheer program or if you missed the informational parent meeting on February 12th.


LHS Softball Presents WSMS and SCIS Night - March 22
The Lady Leopards Softball Team invites SCIS and WSMS students to their game on Friday, March 22nd.  The team will play Sherman with a 5:15 PM start for JV and a 7:00 PM start for Varsity. Admission is free and students who attend the game will receive free burgers, hot dogs and chips. Additionally WSMS and SCIS students will receive a free varsity poster.  Help fill the stands and cheer the Lady Leopards on to victory!


STAAR Testing Days - Electronics & Snacks
On STAAR testing days, we are requesting students who will be testing do not bring electronics to campus. Cell phones, tablets, laptops, eReaders, electronic watches, or other electronic devices will not be allowed in testing rooms. If students forget and bring their devices to school, they will be asked to sign a release and place their electronics in a plastic bin that will be removed from the testing room. Any electronics brought to school on testing days will be returned once testing is complete. Students will not be allowed to place electronics in lockers on testing days.

Additional Information For STAAR Tests April 9 & 10:
  • Students will have 4 hours to complete the test.
  • If a student arrives past 9:15, then they will NOT be allowed to take the test, and the student will have to make the test up on a different day.
  • If students are absent from the test, they will have the opportunity to take the test on a different day as long as it is within the testing window.
  • All test taking students will need to bring an appropriate snack, a sack lunch, and a bottle of water.
  • Appropriate snacks are quick, easy, and nutritious. Snacks should not require utensils, shouldn't be sticky or full of sugar. (Examples of appropriate snacks are: protein bars, string cheese, crackers, goldfish, cheerios, etc).
  • All test taking students will eat lunch in their testing rooms.
  • Due to security on testing days, parents will not be allowed to eat lunch with their children if testing. In addition, parents will not be able to deliver lunch to their student on STAAR testing days.
  • No morning athletics on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 & 10.
  • No before school tutorials on Tuesday and Wednesday, April 9 & 10.
  • The CAT, Library, and Homework Hour will all be closed before and after school on April 9 & 10.


Save the Date: STAAR Testing This Spring

Academic UIL
Competition is 3 weeks away, but we still need students to compete!  If your student is interested in Art, Dictionary Skills, Social Studies, Spelling, or Music Memory , please have them speak with or email the coach of the event in which he/she is interested.  Remember, s tudents may compete in as many events as they would like as long as the events they enter compete at different times during the competition day. (Please see the conflict schedule to help determine which events work best for your student.) Times and locations of tryouts can be accessed by clicking here . Team practices will begin the week of February 25th . If you have any questions, please contact Laura Rogers at [email protected] or the coach of the event your student is interested in.


Competition Details
When: April 12-13, 2019
Where: Coppell MS North
120 Natches Trace
Coppell, TX 75019



National Junior Honor Society Applications for Current WSMS 7th graders
7th grade students eligible to apply for National Junior Honor Society will be notified by letter during the last week of April. Student eligibility will be based on the cumulative GPA of 94.0 for the first three grading periods of the 2018-2019 school year. Upon receiving this letter, students will be allowed to pick up an application for NJHS in the front office at WSMS. All applications will be due by 4:30 on May 17th . This is a firm deadline. Students will receive acceptance letters in August during the first week of school. The induction ceremony will be held during the first six weeks of the 2019-2020 school year. More information regarding specific eligibility requirements for NJHS will be coming at a later date.



Campus Information and Reminders
Safety Corner--Reminder on Carpool Pick-Up Procedures
As we head into spring, we will have fewer and fewer after school activities.  This means that we will have more students getting pickup in the carpool lanes after school.  In an effort to keep our students safe and help our carpool run efficiently, please see below for a few reminders on carpool pick up.  

  • Please remember to always pull forward in the carpool lane.
  • If your student is not ready for pick up when you arrive, please continue to pull forward rather than stopping and waiting in the carpool lane.  You may also pull into the back parking lot and park in a parking spot until they are ready for pick up.
  • It is important that we keep the carpool line moving so we limit back-up traffic on to West Lucas Rd.
  • Please do not honk to get your students attention.  This distracts other drivers and students as they are getting to their vehicles.   
  • Please do not use your cell phone in the carpool line.
  • We have staff members to assist students at the cross walks and moving toward vehicles.
  • If you are in a hurry, please arrive in carpool after 4:10.  Traffic moves slowly between 4:00--4:10 and then picks up as more students exit the building and load into cars.   

Drug Dogs on Campus
We will have a drug dog on campus for an unannounced visit once a month for the remainder of the school year.  When classrooms are selected to be searched, all students will need to exit the room leaving their backpacks and other belongings.  The drug dog, the handler, and an administrator will enter the room to conduct the search. At the conclusion of the search, students and the teacher can re-enter the room.  


WSMS School Report Card (SRC) From the Texas Education Agency
I wanted to make you aware that the 2017-18 School Report Card (SRC) from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is available on the district website under "Quick Links" and then under "Required Postings" or by clicking here.

The same reports can be accessed on our campus website under the "About" tab and then selecting TEA School Campus Report Cards.

The SRC provides information on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), as well as information student enrollment, class size averages, and financial expenditures.

As you may recall, districts do not receive a SRC but the STAAR performance at each campus contributed to Lovejoy ISD being one of only four districts of the 1227 districts and charter schools in Texas to receive the highest rating on the state accountability system with an overall grade of "A" with a scale score of 97 out of 100 possible points.

Please contact me at [email protected] or 214-293-9938 if you have any questions concerning our School Report Card from the Texas Education Agency.  Thank you for your continued support of WSMS.


Lovejoy School Stores Announce Sale
The Lovejoy High School and Willow Springs Middle School stores will host a sale beginning on March 18. The entire stores will offer items at 50% off. Some exclusions may apply.

Lovejoy High School School Store Hours
8:30 AM - 4:15 PM
Willow Springs Middle School Store Hours
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday
During Lunch



Lovejoy ISD App
The Lovejoy ISD App is available for download on both Apple and Android devices.  To download the app for Apple devices, please click here .  To download the app for Android devices, please click here .  



Twitter and Facebook
Are you following the district on Twitter ?  Have you liked us on Facebook ?  Join us on social media for news and announcements.


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.  


LISD Calendar
Please go here for LISD calendars.



Athletics

WSMS Track and Field
The Willow Springs Track and Field teams competed in their first meet of the season in Rockwall.

7th grade girls were Team Champions scoring 169 points
8th grade girls were Team Runner-up scoring 153 points
7th grade boys were 3rd overall scoring 123 points
8th grade boys were Team Runner-up scoring 135 points

7th Grade Girls Gold medal/Blue Ribbon kids from the meet:
Sara Morefield - 2400 meter run
Kailey Littlefield - 800 meter run/1600 meter run/4x4
Lauren Dolberry - 300 hurdles
Jessica McKintosh - High Jump
4x400 meter relay - Cambry Patrick, Annabelle Clay, Kamryn Messick, Kailey Littlefield

7th Grade Girls Silver medal/Red Ribbon kids from the meet:
Lauren Dolberry - 100 hurdles
Cambry Patrick - 400 meter dash
Sara Morefield - 1600 meter run
Kendell Coppinger - HJ/4x2
Eva Underwood - Pole Vault
4x200 meter relay - Marleize Basson, Kamryn Messick, Brielle Schoelle, Kendell Coppinger

8th Grade Girls Gold medal/Blue Ribbon kids from the meet:
Amy Morefield - 2400 meter run/4x4
Chloe Schaeffer - 800 meter run/4x4
Bella Landrum - 400 meter dash/4x4
Emma Smith - 200 meter dash
4x400 meter relay - Bella Landrum, Chloe Schaeffer, Callan Snider, Amy Morefield

8th Grade Girls Silver medal/Red Ribbon kids from the meet:
Callan Snider - 800 meter run/4x4
Morgan Streeter - 300 meter hurdles
Margo Friloux - High Jump
4x100 meter relay - Emma Smith, Morgan Streeter, Taylor Murphy, Bella Landrum




WSMS PTA

WSMS PTA General Meeting and Parent Program - Tuesday, April 2
Please join us for a special meeting with Randy Trevino, College & Career Counselor at LHS, "College Prep Planning".  This presentation is designed for parents to help them guide their college-bound students through all 4 years of high school.  Mr. Trevino will cover topics such as: College Planning, Searches, and Naviance, SAT/ACT Updates and Information, Holistic Review, Avoiding Student Burnout, Published vs. Unpublished Class Rank, and Options for Students with Special Needs.  The General PTA meeting will begin at 9:45am in the WSMS Auxiliary Gym. Mr. Trevino's presentation will begin immediately after the meeting.

Volunteers Needed!
The Book Fair is coming to WSMS, the library could use volunteers for hour and half shifts starting at 8am through 1:30 on April 15-18, if you can help, please sign- up on the sign-up link:

The school store can you use your help during the lunch hours on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays.  To sign-up please use the sign-up genius link: WSMS School Store Volunteers


How To Succeed in College
This session features a panel of professors who will share research evidence and personal experiences about keys to success in college. Topics will include tips on note-taking and studying, as well as guidelines for talking to professors and teaching assistants. Sessions start at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 p.m. in the Lovejoy High School lecture hall.  All LISD students and parents are welcome to attend.




Sincerely-
Kasey Havens
WSMS PTA President 2018-2019
214-534-6200




District and Other News

Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Denim & Diamonds - The Party!
Thank you to everyone who made the 2019 Denim & Diamonds a fun and successful party. Sponsors, donors, auction bidders, LISD staff and volunteers all came together to make it happen. $322,000 was raised to support education in LISD. The new format was a big hit, so we will make some tweaks and do it again next year. Mark your calendars - February 22, 2020.


Ladies Night Out
Tickets went on sale on March 5 at 10:00 AM. Click here for the reservation page and here for the Foundation's website.







NEW! - Lovejoy Hockey
Lovejoy Hockey is looking to grow. All interested players who are currently in grades 6 and up are encouraged to reach out so we can share information regarding the upcoming spring and fall seasons. Spring registration is right around the corner! Contact the board at [email protected].






Hop Into Spring Chess Tournament - March 30
This annual Lovejoy Tournament continues to be a hit around the metroplex.  Come join your fellow chess players on March 30 at Sloan Creek for a wonderful day of chess play. This five round tournament awards the top three players in each section a trophy and fourth place receives a chocolate bunny. Gather up a team from your school and compete together.  Registration is going on now. Please visit North Texas Chess Academy's website to register.