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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - April 25, 2019
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
Our cafeteria has been transformed into an Interactive Shakespearean Dinner Theatre as our theater program makes final preparations for their performance of WHO HATH DONE IT?, this weekend. A few tickets remain for tonights show, but we are sold out for Friday and Saturday. Congratulations to Mrs. DiPasquale and her theatre students for an outstanding performance.
Over the next two weeks, we will have other outstanding performances from our band, choir, and orchestra programs. This will be a great opportunity to see some of our talented students in their respected fine arts programs. Please see below for more information.
We ended last week with a great Pep Rally on Thursday! Thank you to Coaches, Teachers and Students for our outstanding performances in cheer, band, color guard, and PALS.
I hope you have a great weekend!
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Who Hath Done It?
Who killed Shakespeare??
Come solve the clues to find out who did it, in what location and with what medieval weapon?
IT'S SHOWTIME - WSMS presents our fourth version of WHO HATH DONE IT: a shakespeare murder mystery dinner theatre
This Thursday - Saturday; Tickets are still available for this Thursday! There are about 20 seats left! 3 course Italian Villa meal and game/show.
This is one you DON'T want to miss!
Club Day - April 26
Our next Club Day is Friday, April 26th and we will be on an activity bell schedule. For copy of the activity bell schedule, please
go here.
Students participating in the Extreme Club must wear a helmet. Students in the Food Tasters Club will need to bring a dish for the other club members to try. Additionally, students who are in the K9 and Kritters Club must have permission from Mr. Abney before bringing an animal to school. Students may leave their equipment for Guitar Club, Extreme and Remote Control Club in the front office.
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.
Leopard Fishing Team - 2019-2020 Season Kick Off Meeting; May 1st, 7:00pm WSMS Cafe
Current 8th grade students (rising Freshmen) interested in fishing with the Leopard Fishing Team please come to the 19-20 Season Kick Off meeting. At this meeting high school fishing will be explained, including tournament information, costs, requirements, and the benefits of being on the team. Participation is limited to the availability of boats. If you do not have access to a boat and are interested, come to the meeting, sometimes there are opportunities to partner with another student. If you have questions contact Nancy Burns at 972-898-4046.
Band Performance -- Friday, May 3
The WSMS Band will have a concert on Friday, May 3, at 6:30 pm in the Lovejoy High School auditorium.
STAAR Testing
STAAR tests for all of our students are below.
Please keep the STAAR testing dates in mind while scheduling doctor appointments and orthodontics appointments. If a student is pulled out of school once he/she has begun their STAAR exam, the state requires it be graded "as is". If you have questions or concerns regarding any conflicts you may have with the STAAR testing dates, please contact Kathy Stone at
[email protected].
Upcoming STAAR Tests This Spring
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Date
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Event
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Who?
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May 6 - May 10
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STAAR Algebra EOC Exam
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7
th
Grade GT Algebra
8
th
Grade Algebra
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Fri. May 10
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STAAR Drill
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All Staff
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Mon. May 13
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Grade 7 Math STAAR
Grade 8 Math STARR Retest
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All 7
th
Grade
(Except GT Math)
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Grade 7 GT Math Rotations
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7
th
Grade GT Math
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Grade 8 FitnessGram
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All 8
th
Grade
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Tues. May 14
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Grade 7 Reading STAAR
Grade 8 Reading STAAR Retest
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All 7
th
Grade
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Grade 8 Sci/SS Rotations
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All 8
th
Grade
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Wed. May 15
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Grade 7 FitnessGram
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All 7
th
Grade
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Grade 8 Science STAAR
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All 8
th
Grade
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Thurs. May 16
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Grade 7 in Classes
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All 7
th
Grade
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Grade 8 Social Studies STAAR
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All 8
th
Grade
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Scoliosis Testing
Our school Nurse, Gretchen Young, will be screening all ALL 8th grade BOY students for possible Scoliosis on Monday May 13th and ALL 7th grade GIRL students on Wednesday May 15th during their Fitnessgram Test. Scoliosis screening is required by House Bill 832 passed by the Texas Legislature in 1985.
Students will be required to remove their shirts for the screening. Girls WILL NEED TO WEAR one of the following under their blouse or shirt: swim suit top, bra or sports bra. The procedure for screening is simple and quick, it requires the back to be visually examined while standing straight and bending forward. For this examination, boys and girls will be seen separately and individually examined by the WSMS nurse.
If you do not wish for your student to be screened you must have your child examined by your healthcare provider and an affidavit submitted to the nurse's office on or before May 10th. Parents will be notified of the results of the screening only if professional follow up is necessary.
If you have any questions or concerns, or wish to submit medical documentation regarding your child, please contact Gretchen by email or phone at 469-742-8420.
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.
8th Grade Retreat to Main Event in Frisco - Payment Due Friday, May 10
Congratulations to our 8th Graders for a superb year! We would like to celebrate this momentous transition to high school with them at Main Event in Frisco on May 23, 2019. A packet with details will be sent home on Tuesday with 8th Graders. Check out details by
clicking here.
The cost is $25 per student which includes access to bowling (shoes included), billiards, a gravity ropes course, laser tag, mini golf, and shuffleboard. Additionally, students are provided a $10 fun card to use on games. Lunch vouchers are included for two slices of pizza and a drink. Any additional purchases while at Main Event would require extra money.
All forms in the above packet will need to turned in to their ELAR teacher by May 10th.
Parents Night Out - May 10
Are you interested in a night out? On May 10, WSMS will host its first Parents Night Out, from 6:00 PM - 11:00 PM. This is for students in grades 1-4. WSMS National Junior Honor's Society students are hosting this event and will provide childcare (WSMS Staff will also be involved). We will have Arts & Crafts, Board Games and Open Gym (with kickball, dodgeball, soccer, and other games). A pizza dinner and snacks will be provided. Those attending should bring a sleeping bag and pillow for the movie later that evening.
Parents may begin dropping off their students at 6:00 PM. The cost is $50.00 a child. Families bringing more than one child will pay $30.00 for the 2nd child and $10.00 for the third. We are looking forward to a great night of fun for our Lovejoy students in 1st through 4th grade.
Click here
to register today!
WSMS Library Books and Fines - Due May 17
All student library materials are due back on Friday, May 17th. The last day to check out books is May 10th. Students with outstanding materials/fines will not be allowed to receive their yearbooks until the library account is cleared. Lost books may be paid for through RevTrac.
https://lovejoy.revtrak.net/lisd-library#/v/-lisd-library-fines-wsms
WSMS Choir Pop Show "A Night At The Movies" Performance- Monday, May 20th in the LHS Auditorium
Come experience some movie magic performed by the Willow Springs Choir! These singers will be performing classic songs from movies like
Footloose, Guardians of the Galaxy, Dirty Dancing,
and much more! The WSMS Pop Show will have you singing along and dancing in your seat. You don't want to miss this spectacular performance! Tickets will go on sale to the public on May 6th. Tickets are $5.00 (with a $2.00 online fee). All seats are reserved seating this year, so get your tickets early!
End of the Year Award Ceremonies, May 21 & 24
7th Grade: Tuesday, May 21 at 8am in WSMS Gym
8th Grade: Friday, May 24 at 9:00 AM in LHS Auditorium
8th Grade Retreat to Main Event in Frisco - Thursday, May 23
Congratulations to our 8th Graders for a superb year! We would like to celebrate this momentous transition to high school with them at Main Event in Frisco on May 23, 2019, A detailed packet will be sent home with 8th graders in the coming weeks.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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Safety Corner--Social Media Accounts
It has been brought to our attention by a WSMS parent that there is a hack going around on Snapchat. From what we understand, this student
was bombarded with texts and calls of mean and inappropriate messages along with friends being blocked. Please keep an eye for this sort of activity on your students and visit with your students about hacks that can happen on social media accounts. Thank you for your help in keep our students safe online.
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.
Dress Code Policy
With the weather getting warmer over the next six weeks, please help us by making sure what your son or daughter wears to school every day is in compliance with the LISD dress code. As part of the emotional, psychological, and physical changes of adolescence, middle school students can sometimes be nervous and apprehensive about what they or other students are wearing to school. Let's work together to lower their anxiety by following the LISD Dress Code. For more information about the LISD Dress Code, please
go 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.
Notes from the Nurse - Medications
If your child has medicine at school, please make sure your child has exactly enough medicine to finish the school year. You are responsible for picking up any extra medicine as the school district has a policy against sending medicines home with students. At the end of this school year, any remaining medicines, including inhalers, will be thrown out. The school cannot store these for you during the summer.
Please remember, if your child is going to continue being medicated at school during the 2019-2020 school year, you will need to complete a new medication sheet at that time and bring a SMALL or travel size bottle of medicine that is not expired.
Immunizations
Early reminder to parents of students that will be 7th graders during the 2019-2020 school year:
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) and Menactra (Meningococcal).Please obtain a copy of your child's updated shots and provide it to our school nurse, Gretchen Young, BEFORE August 16, 2019. 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 email to
Gretchen Young
or fax at 469-742-8501.
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
Tuesday and Thursday
During Lunch
through April
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 Update
The 7th grade team beat Rockwall Utley 2-0 and the last three minutes of the game were called off due to the weather. Goals were scored by Taylor Person and Cambry Patrick. Assists by Skylar Rucker and Taylor Person. The clean sheet was earned by Nicole Young and Cadence Rabalais playing in goal and Kendall Coppinger, Kiera Watson, Skylar Rucker, Marleize Basson, Lauren Dolberry, and Emily Noack playing in the back. The 7th grade team is now 5-0 on the season with one game remaining on March 7th at WSMS at 5:30.
The 8th grade game was canceled due to the weather. The 8th graders will play their last game as middle schoolers on March 7th at WSMS at 6:50. Come on out and support the girls!!
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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.
Lovejoy Students Seeking Assistance With Birthday Party Project
United Sound Club
We are so excited to tell you about an opportunity for our students! The Lovejoy High School Orchestra is extending an invitation to selected special education students to join the United Sound Club. Members of the club will have the opportunity to learn an instrument with the help of peer mentors, and to perform with the Lovejoy High School Orchestra. This is an amazing opportunity for our students! We would love for you to join our amazing crew. For more information please contact us,
Mary Winkler
or
Tracey Snyder
.
Hart Elementary Silent Auction
Lovejoy Gifted Association Presents iCode Event - May 5
LHS Jazz Ensemble - May 6
The Lovejoy High School Jazz Ensemble welcomes two guests - The Texas Instruments Jazz Band and Sal Lozano. The concert will be held Monday, May 6 at 7:00 PM at the Lovejoy High School Auditorium. Proceeds benefit the Lovejoy Band Boosters. Click
here
for more informtion.
Special guest Sal Lozano is based in Los Angeles. He is a member of the Grammy Award Winning Big Phat Band. Sal has recorded with many artists including Paul McCartney, Natalie Cole, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Lady Gaga, Stevie Wonder, Lalo Schifrin, Brian McKnight, Michael Buble, Keely Smith, Barbra Streisand, Joey DeFrancesco, and Maynard Ferguson.
The Jazz Ensemble at Lovejoy High School is one facet of the Lovejoy High School Band Program and meets each day during the academic school day. Recent successes of the ensemble and its members have included multiple All-Region and All-State awards and the band was also most recently named an Outstanding Ensemble at the 2017 and 2018 Collin Jazz Festival.
The Texas Instruments Jazz Band is a full 18-piece big band organized through the Texins Association (Dallas, Texas) of Texas Instruments. The group formed in the summer of 1986, sparked by an ad placed in a TI company newspaper. The band quickly reached a sustainable level and has remained active since it's inception. The group has performed at The Meyerson Symphony Center, the Texas Jazz Festival, the Cancun Jazz Festival, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. The band has hosted dozens of great guest artists including Clark Terry, Phil Woods, and John Pizzarelli.
WSMS & LHS Dance Department - May 7
You are invited to join the WSMS and LHS Dance departments as they present their final showcase on Tuesday, May 7 at 7:00 PM in the LHS auditorium. From contemporary, hip hop, and jazz - these students have been working hard putting together choreography and perfecting dance pieces. Admission is free.
Lovejoy Country Run - May 11
Join us for the 13th Annual Lovejoy Country Run on Saturday, May 11 at Lovejoy High School. This event benefits the Lovejoy athletic teams of LLI (Lovejoy Leopards, Inc.).
The 1K Fun Run starts at 7:30 AM and will take participants around the Lovejoy High School track. The 5k will take place on a certified course beginning at 8:00 AM. The 5K will start in the LHS courtyard, to Estates Parkway, down Rock Ridge Road, with the finish at the LHS courtyard. This is a great family event which will be followed by a delicious pancake breakfast hosted and served by the LLI booster clubs with generous donations by local businesses. Register today for some family fun and support our Lovejoy Athletic programs.
Click here
to register to participate in "Running with the Leopards" and to support your Lovejoy Leopard Athletes.
Lovejoy High School Recycling Event - May 11
Lovejoy High School, in partnership with Renewed Solutions, invites you to clean out your closets and file cabinets to participate in an electronics recycling and paper shredding event on Saturday, May 11 from 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM in the front parking lot of the high school.
Click here
for more details.
Lovejoy Summer Musical Theatre Camps - July 9-20
We are excited to announce our 2019 musical: Seussical KIDS!
Acting, choreography, lighting, costuming, set building, and painting are just some of the fun activities taking place in Lovejoy's Summer Musical Theatre Camps: Musical Theatre, Technical Theatre, and Intern Camp.
Students will work together to produce and perform Seussical KIDS. Students who attend will develop confidence, sharpen their musical and theatrical skills, and create wonderful memories along the way. Directed by Jessica Brewster, LHS Head Theatre Director, and musically directed by Anne Tracy, LHS Puster Elementary Music Specialist, this show is sure to be an unforgettable experience.
Please read the detailed handouts for more information and a link to register your child. If you have any questions please contact
[email protected]
.
Grades 3-6 Camp Flier, Click
here
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Musical Theatre Camp (35 student performers)
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Technical Theatre Camp (7-10 technicians)
Grades 7-8 Intern Camp, Click
here
·
Musical Theatre Intern Camp (assist student performers develop their musical and theatrical skills)
Online registration can be accessed from the flyers or with these links:
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].
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