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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - March 28, 2019
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
We officially have nine weeks of school left. The spring is traditionally a very busy time for students, teachers, and families. With state testing, competitions, and award ceremonies, as well as extra-curricular activities both in and out of school, students can get pulled in a lot of different directions. This is also a time when students get a little restless as we wrap up the year. Please continue to partner with our teachers and staff in supporting our students to complete assignments and projects on time, and prepare for tests. Thank you for your continued support.
Have a great weekend.
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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.
LJVA Crossover Event at LHS - April 2
Join us for the opening of the Willow and Sloan Crossover show located at the Lovejoy High School Art Gallery on Tuesday April 2nd from 6-7:30pm. This collection of selected work from Willow Springs and Sloan Creek is an exploration of media, technique and personal voice. Enjoy a wide variety of artwork with a focus on process and the student voice of each unique artist. Light Refreshments available at opening.
If you cannot make it to the opening reception feel free to view the show during school hours until April 30th. The list of selected artists will be posted tomorrow.
Thank you for your support of the Arts!
I can't wait to see you there!
WSMS PTA Presents - College Readiness with Randy Trevino - April 2
Please mark your calendars for our final parent presentation for 2018-2019 PTA Programs:
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Tuesday, April 2nd, at 10:30am, College Readiness with Randy Trevino, Co-Director of College Counseling at Lovejoy High School.
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What we will discuss: College Planning, College Visits, Naviance, Rigor, SAT/ACT and Holistic Review.
Note: Our PTA general meeting begins at 10:00am. We will also make it available thru Facebook Face-time.
For past speaker facetime videoing and handouts, check out the link:
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 2 weeks away, but we still need students to compete! If your student is interested in
Art, 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 began 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
WSMS Book Fair -- Book Fiesta!
Our Book
Fiesta
Fair is just 2 weeks away --
April 15-18
! Our students always get excited about the homeroom competitions, but we are equally excited to get some great books in their hands before the long summer break. Students will be able to earn points for their class to win a
DONUT PARTY
by purchasing books for themselves and their teachers. There will also be fun trivia questions for students to answer to earn more points for their class. Along with many fun books at various reading levels, we will also have the
summer read choices for rising 7th-9th graders.
The list this year appears to be the best yet!
Custodian and Cafeteria Staff Appreciation Week
Willow Springs Middle School is fortunate to have a Custodial Staff committed to providing a clean, beautiful, healthy environment for our students and staff. Our hard-working custodians clean our halls, restrooms, cafeteria, and classrooms every day to provide our students with the best learning environment possible. WSMS Cafeteria Staff are here bright and early every day to prepare delicious, appetizing meals for students and staff. Our students often comment that the WSMS cafeteria is the best! We want to recognize these dedicated staff members. Please join us in honoring our Custodians and Cafeteria Staff during the week of April 29 - May 3. Students will help clean the cafeteria during this week and help with trash collection throughout the week. The WSMS PTA will be providing Treat Bags for staff to thank them for their outstanding service. If you would like to contribute, please bring donations to the front office by April 19th.
Click here
for the sign-up of donations needed.
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.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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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.
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.
Congratulations to the Willow Springs Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble! Both bands received the UIL Sweepstakes Award, earning 1st division Superior ratings from all six judges. This is the highest honor you can receive at UIL Music Contest. Ms. Abbott, Ms. Ball and all the Lovejoy Band Directors are so proud of our students. Willow Springs Band members are talented, dedicated and tenacious! #lovejoyproud
Student Attendance
One of our continuing 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 nine 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 after 10:00 AM. As you begin to plan out of town trips this spring, 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.
Congratulations to all of our students who achieved this.
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
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WSMS Girls Soccer
Playing in their first game together, the 7th grade team beat Rockwall Williams 6-1 on Tuesday Night. Cambry Patrick scored a first half hat trick in the win. Taylor Person had a hat trick of her own in the second half. Kailey Littlefield provided three assists with some great work out wide and pin point crossing. Gracyn Thompson and Natalie Knight recorded an assist each after some sharp play in midfield.
The 8th grade team beat Rockwall Williams 2-0. Both goals were scored in the first half by Callan Snider. Assists were provided by Emma Smith with through balls that sent Callan on a breakaway. The girls tried to extend their lead in the second half but couldn't find the back of the net. Sydney Bardwell and AnnaLysa Ritchie were in goal to preserve the clean sheet. The entire team did an awesome job keeping Williams from posing an attacking threat.
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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 - Summer Sewing Camp - June and July Offerings
Join the 12th year of summer sewing fun at a new location: Lovejoy High School! Sewing Basics 101 teaches machine and tool basics while making a pillowcase and PJ's. Sewing Skill Builder 201 will continue developing your sewing skills with an individualized project. Sessions are available for two weeks in June and one week in July. You may choose one, two or three sessions! Spots fill quickly. Email [email protected] to reserve your spot. Click SEWING for details about the camp as well as details about a special project option: T-shirt quilt.
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.
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