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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - August 22, 2019
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
The 2019-2020 school year is off to a great start at Willow Springs! As I visited classrooms this week, I noticed less apprehension as students gained more confidence in the schedules and routines of our building.
I wanted to give you some information about our office hours and when the building will be open before and after school. Our office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. The front doors of the school will be unlocked at the same time as our front office at 8:00 AM. Prior to 8:00, we will not have anyone in the front office. If your son or daughter needs to enter the school prior to 8:00 AM, the courtyard doors next to the cafeteria will be opened at 6:30 AM.
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Leopard Fishing Club Meeting - Wednesday, August 28
Join Leopard Fishing
Wednesday, Aug 28 at 6:30pm - 7:00pm
WSMS Cafe
The purpose of the club is to prepare future High School Leopard Fishing Team anglers. Sixth through eighth grade anglers are invited to join. As a Club member you will be introduced to competitive bass fishing, interact with high school fishing team members, participate in fish camp and have the opportunity to fish in an intersquad tournament.
School Picture Day - Friday, August 30
Smile! Students will be taking pictures for the Willow Springs yearbook and their student ID's on Friday, August 30. 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 Friday, October 4.
Forms will be distributed through your students Math class. Students should bring their completed form (with payment enclosed) on photo day. Parents can also pre-pay online by using the link and passcode below. Pre-paying students must bring their printed receipt on photo day as proof of payment and order confirmation.
Passcode: 7033F20
School Holiday - Monday, September 2
Monday, September 2 is a student and teacher holiday in observance of Labor Day.
7th
/8th Grade Open House - Tuesday, September 3
Our 7th/8th grade Open House will be Tuesday, September 3 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.
DATE CHANGE - Principal's Coffee - Wednesda, September 11
I would like to invite you to our first Principal's Coffee of the school year, on Wednesday, September 11th 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.
Willow Springs Yearbooks - Early Deadline ends Friday, September 13
The deadline to receive 4 free icons on the yearbook cover is Friday 9-13. Any yearbook ordered with personalization by Friday 9-13 receives 4 cover icons for free. Purchase now for the low cost of $40.
The free cover icon offer ends on Friday 9-13. Note, you do have to purchase personalization in order to receive the 4 free icons.
ParentPortal Update Needed by Friday, September 20
The PowerSchool ParentPortal is now open for you to complete the online Enrollment & Student Information Forms. Please
click here
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, FERPA Acknowledgments, General Waivers, and other information.
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.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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What is Advisory?
This year our advisory period will serve as our homeroom. In the past, we have always allocated time for homeroom by connecting it to our 2nd period class--usually an additional 25 minutes. What we found was that this time was rushed when we were implementing campus wide initiatives in leadership and character development, as well as the pledges and announcements. This year, we lengthened this period by 10 minutes to give us more time to better support middle school students socially, emotionally, and academically. Instead of adding additional time to a class, we have created a separate section for advisory.
All students will see "Advisory 7" for 7th graders or "Advisory 8" for 8th graders on their schedule in between their 6th and 7th period classes. Advisory will serve to give students:
- Homeroom Time
- Time for the Pledges/Moment of Silence
- Announcements
- DEAR, Drop Everything and Read (15 minutes, 4 days a week)
- Weekly Character Lessons
- Grade Accountability and Retesting time (if needed)
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact your child's counselor: Kathy Stone, last names A-Le, and Kay Bordelon, last names Li-Z.
Cell Phones
If you read Dr. Goddard's email earlier this week, you are aware that the district has adopted a new cell phone policy in grades 5-8. For the 2019-2020 school year, WSMS students will be allowed to use their cell phones on campus before and after school. Between 8:45 and 4:00, students will be expected to turn off their cell phone and keep it in their backpacks.
What will happen if my son/daughter has their cell phone out during the school day?
The cell phone will be collected by teacher or staff member and placed in the front office. Parents will be notified and parents will be expected to pick up the cell phone from the front office. If a student continues to have his or her cell phone out during the school day, the school will assign and before or after school detention. If the behavior continues, a Friday Night School will be assigned and the student could lose technology access on campus.
What if my son/daughter needs to get in touch with a parent during the school day?
If a student needs to get in touch with a parent via text or phone call during the school day, students have the option to come to the front office to make the phone call or text. Students also have the option of using a classroom phone or office phone on campus.
Will students be able to use their cell phones during passing periods or at lunch?
Students will not be allowed to have their cell phones out during passing periods, class, or during lunch. Throughout the year, we will consider rewarding students with cell phone time during lunch based on success criteria (for example...success criteria could be award for students picking up after themselves in the cafeteria, or have a campus attendance rate of 98% percent or higher).
What if a parent needs to get in touch with their son or daughter during the school day?
We know that their will be times when a parent needs to get in touch with a student during the school day. Parents can call the front office and our front office staff will deliver the message to their son or daughter in a timely manner.
Can my son or daughter bring a his/her own laptop or iPad?
Because WSMS now has one computer available to every student (1:1), students will not be allowed to bring their own laptops or iPad's to school. If a students need to use a computer or iPad during the school day, they will have access in classrooms, the library, and the CAT.
Schedules and Schedule Changes
WSMS wants to provide your student with the best learning environment possible. We've worked to balance class sizes and take into consideration your student's elective requests. If for some reason your child would like to request a schedule change, please fill out the
Schedule Change Request Form. Our counselors will work to accommodate your requests. Requests are subject to class availability and space in the class.
Kay Bordelon (Li-Z)
Kathy Stone (A-Le)
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
click here
for the traffic flow map.
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
Bus Information
The 2019-2020 bus route information will be finalized by August 7th. On or after this date, bus stop locations and times can be retrieved from the district's website at
www.lovejoyisd.net under "Quick Links" or the "Transportation" section under Departments.
After selecting "Bus Routes 2019-2020", a new screen will appear where you enter your address in the search box and select 'Search'. Route information will appear, including the stop location and times, along with a map. Bus stop information will only display for students who have requested bus transportation through PowerSchool.
If your student is a returning student and rode the bus last year, their PowerSchool account should already be marked "yes" for bus transportation. PowerSchool transportation choices from last year will roll over to this year. When PowerSchool is open to parents, please review your Transportation "yes" or "no" choice for 2019-2020 to make sure the correct one is selected. It is extremely important that this information is correct so we know how many students will need bus service. If your student will NOT ride the bus, please make sure the transportation choice is marked "no" for the 2019-2020 year so we have an accurate count of how many will ride the buses.
If your student is new this year, and would like your child to ride the bus, this is done through PowerSchool under the "Enrollment & Student Forms" section. Detailed instructions on requesting bus service, and Transportation Policies & Procedures are available on the district's website under "Departments" and selecting Transportation.
Questions or concerns?
Donna Holden (Routing Coordinator)
David Dillon (Senior Director of Operations)
Frequently Asked Questions about Middle School
When will my son or daughter be issued an academic locker?
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 21st 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.
How will I know which lunch my student will have?
Lunch schedules have been posted on the WSMS website. Lunches are based on each students 4th period teacher. For a student lunch schedule, please
click here.
The list of school supplies states that some Core classes need a 1"binder. Can students use one binder and have sections for each class or does each class really need an individual binder?
This depends on the student. Middle school is a time when students become more independent in identifying their personal strengths and interests. Our goal in middle school is for students to use an organizational system that fits their individual needs. Some students prefer one binder for all classes, while others prefer a binder for each class. If a student is struggling with organization during the first six-nine weeks of school, we have several support systems (CAT, teachers, counselors, mentors, assistant principals, etc.) in place that will help him/her get re-organized. In addition, some teachers post upcoming assignments, projects, and tests in PowerSchool and Google Classroom so students and parents can be aware of upcoming grades.
Will assignments and tests be posted online before the test so that parents know what needs to be studied?
Through our online database Google Classroom, teachers will post lesson plans and assignments for students and parents to view on a weekly basis. For the first three weeks of school, teachers will be communicating with students in class about upcoming assignments and tests as well as communicating with parents through weekly emails as well as through Google Classroom. Teachers will be posting assignments, handouts, test reviews, projects, etc. on Google Classroom throughout the year. This will be an excellent database for students and parents to access information for time management and organization. In addition, all tests and projects are posted on our CAT website at the beginning of each nine week grading period. This will allow students and parents to view when tests and projects will take place each week.
How will planners be used? Will planners be distributed by school or do students use their own planner/organization system?
Planners are not required at Willow Springs, but are encouraged. Middle school is a time when students become more independent in identifying their personal strengths and interests. Our goal in middle school is for students to use an organizational system that fits their individual needs. Some students use planners to write down assignments every day, while others use cell phones to input assignments into their calendar or take pictures of assignments posted in class.
How will information from teachers come home? Will there be a "Thursday" Folder in which all communication comes home?
Since students have seven or eight different teachers in middle school, we do not use a "Thursday Folder." As we begin to prepare students for high school and beyond, teachers will be sending information home through the students, as well as weekly emails that will provide information about upcoming lessons during the first three weeks of school. Once students are trained in Google Classroom, teachers will be posting lessons, assignments, and quizzes online. The principal's weekly email/newsletter is also an excellent resource for getting information about campus activities.
Will teachers inform parents if a student needs to come in for before or after school tutorials?
Tutorials can be scheduled by the teacher, parent, or student. We like to partner with parents through this process to ensure students are getting the support they need. Teachers are consistently collecting data on student progress and will inform the student and contact the parent if extra learning time is needed through tutorials. Parents can also contact the teacher if they would like their student to attend tutorials.
My son/daughter is in athletics. How do I know if the sport my son/daughter is participating in will begin tryouts the first day of school?
Please see Athletics section below.
What kind of homework should I expect in middle school.
Both 7th and 8th grade students should expect homework in middle school. Although most students will be provided time in class to complete classwork/homework, some of this work may trickle home. Please see below for anticipated homework loads by subject.
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English
--Every day (& 20 minutes of reading from their Choice Read book every night)
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Social Studies
--Occasional homework/projects. Projects will be given 2-3 class periods to complete. Review/study notes & handouts from class.
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Science
--Lab based instruction done in class--Each unit will include vocabulary and mastery questions that will be completed at home.
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Electives
--Occasional homework, practice, field activities, etc.
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All Classes
--Completion of test reviews and studying for tests
If your son or daughter is spending more than 90 minutes a night on homework, it is recommended that you contact your students teachers, counselor, and/or assistant principal.
One of the biggest challenges for middle school students is balancing extra-curricular activities both in and out of school with academic expectations--especially during the 1st nine weeks of school. Please encourage your son or daughter to access resources that are available to them through teacher tutorial times, CAT, Google Classroom, PowerSchool, etc., to stay on top of their classwork.
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
.
WSMS Career Day Sign Up
WSMS will host its 5th annual Career Day on Wednesday, November 6th. We hope you can join us to share your experience and expertise with WSMS students. The Career Day sign up form can be found
here
.
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
updated
shot record to our school nurse, Gretchen Young, before September 6th. 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:
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
.
Want to Learn More About Your Son or Daughter's Teachers?
PowerSchool App
The PowerSchool app is now available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. You use the same PowerSchool online login. Enter the District code NJBC.
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.
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Parents please check Rank one for athletic paperwork. All paperwork must be turned in for your child to participate in athletics. Remember first period athletes will need to come dressed out on Monday for a workout. They will need to pack their school clothes and change after 1st period.
Lockers rooms are unlocked from 8:30-8:45 in the morning to drop off items that need to be stored in the athletic locker and from 4 - 4:15 in the afternoon. Students are not allowed to linger in the locker rooms. All personal item need to be stored in a locked locker.
Showers are available for the morning athletes. They will need to bring a towel and shower items. The towel should be brought home weekly for washing.
https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx
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