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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - August 29, 2019
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
Thanks for a great second week of school. As we move into our third week of school, you will notice your student's workload will begin to increase. This is traditionally a time when after school commitments through extracurricular activities begin to pick up, as well as academic responsibilities in the classroom. During the third and fourth weeks of school, students will have their first quizzes, tests, and projects of the year. We encourage students and parents to work together with our teachers to align their academic responsibilities with their extracurricular commitments. Just a reminder that next Tuesday, September 3rd (the day after Labor Day) we will host our fall open house for parents to follow their students' schedules and learn more about their classes. Please see below for more details.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the LHS varsity football game Saturday night at the Tom Landry Classic in Allen. Go Leopards!
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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. Open house
bell schedule.
Immunizations 7th Grade Students - Must Be Received by Friday, September 6
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 Friday, 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
.
PTA General Meeting and "Keeping Our Kids Safe Online" Presentation, Tuesday September 10th
The Willow Springs PTA will hold the first 2019-2020 general PTA meeting on Tuesday, September 10th at Willow Springs in the band hall beginning at 9:00 am. Immediately following our meeting we will have a Membership meeting and then a parent presentation from Summar Thomas-Mosby from the Collin County Children's Advocacy Center. Please plan to stay for both meetings, we have quit a bit of business to attend to and will need quorum. I hope you will also stay for the parent presentation, it will be like that from Sarah Pierson so you may have heard it before but still worth it!
What you will learn:
●Inform parents and caregivers on how to protect children as they navigate the digital world
●Cover the four biggest risks for children online and the conversations you need to be having with them
●Recommendation given on how you may utilize technology to better protect your children
Chess Club Enthusiasts, Starting Tuesday, September 10th
Willow Springs Chess Club is starting soon. Mr. Crocker will be hosting Chess Club in room C602 every Tuesday morning beginning September 10. This will be a free opportunity for students to come and play in a friendly open environment. No sign-up is required!
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.
Early Dismissal, Friday September 13
School will be dismissed at 12:50pm. Please
click here
for a copy of the bell schedule.
Advocating for Yourself and Others/Bullying Prevention Presentations, September 17 & 19
According to
StopBullying.gov
, the school years most at risk for bullying are 4th through 8th grades. At WSMS, we are committed to preventing bullying behavior on our campus and teaching students to be strong advocates for themselves and others. On September 17th and September 19th, all students at WSMS will participate in an Advocacy / Bullying Prevention presentation. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact your student's counselor:
Kathy Stone
, A-Le at
469-742-8423
or
Kay Bordelon
, Li-Z at
469-742-8424
.
Swim & Dive Booster Club Meeting - Wednesday, September 18
Swim and Dive Booster Club will be having a meeting for WSMS swim parents. This will be held at 7pm, in the cafeteria at Sloan Creek Intermediate School.
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.
Student Spirit Shirts! - DEADLINE to order is near!
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.
SAVE THE DATE - 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
.
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Campus Information and Reminders
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Safety Corner
Tomorrow, Friday August 30, we will have our first lockdown drill of the school year.
For security purposes, we will be locking all exterior doors to Willow Springs at 8:50 AM.
We have asked students and staff not to open exterior doors for any visitors. All visitors should enter the building through the main office located at the front of school. This also means that students that arrive after 8:50 AM will not be able to enter the building through the courtyard or any other exterior door; 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 8:50 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.
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 their Google calendars and Google Drives 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.
-
English
--Every day (& 20 minutes of reading from their Choice Read book every night)
-
Social Studies
--Occasional homework/projects. Projects will be given 2-3 class periods to complete. Review/study notes & handouts from class.
-
Science
--Lab based instruction done in class--Each unit will include vocabulary and mastery questions that will be completed at home.
-
Electives
--Occasional homework, practice, field activities, etc.
-
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 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
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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Community News
We are pleased to announce the
Lovejoy ISD Community News Page
. This new addition to the Lovejoy ISD Webpage will share news from our schools, programs, booster clubs, student organizations, Foundation for Lovejoy Schools, community, and more. Check back often for up-to-date news on events and activities.
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STAY CONNECTED
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