A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - September 22, 2020

 
 
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,

This week provides another opportunity to create some normalcy in school as our middle school volleyball and football teams begin their seasons.  In order to control our environment as best we can, we are requiring attendees to pre-purchase tickets.  The link to do this for the home football game tonight can be found here.  All middle school football games will be played at the high school this year in order to increase capacity.

As flexible as virtual classes have allowed us to be with our instruction, once you commit to face to face learning, this does not allow students to miss a day of classes for any reason and request a zoom link to live stream classes in order to be counted present.  This question is being asked more often of teachers as students are experiencing illnesses not related to COVID.  

Our car line has become pretty efficient in my opinion.  We average approximately 18 minutes from when the dismissal bell rings at 4:00 PM to when the last car exits the parking lot.  It may seem like it takes longer but dismissing approximately 450 students in 18 minutes is pretty efficient.  There are some minor adjustments we will make on our end to continue to improve that time.  

Have a great week!



Respectfully,



Kevin




Kevin Parker
Principal
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 West Lucas Rd, Lucas 75002
Office: 469-742-8417
Mobile: 469-667-2280
@WSMSLovejoyISD
#wsmslovejoy



New Information
REMINDER! Learning Option Quarter 2 Change Request - September 14th - September 28th
The PowerSchool Parent Portal will open from September 14th to September 28th to request a change in your student's Learning Environment for Quarter 2. You will only need to make a change if you want a different Learning Environment than your student currently has. Please note that making changes may result in a schedule and/or teacher change for the second quarter.


REMINDER! WSMS School Picture Day - Friday, September 25th
Smile! Students will be taking pictures for the Willow Springs yearbook and their student ID's on Friday, September 25th.  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, November 6th.  Click here  to access the flier with ordering information.


NEW! WSMS Mentoring Program
Willow Springs Middle School is looking for positive adult role models to mentor students in our Mentoring Program. The ideal candidate is willing to share knowledge, skills, and possesses humanitarian qualities. Other merits for a mentor are commitment to community, openness to diversity, the desire to positively impact our youth, and an opportunity to guide and teach.  The WSMS Mentoring Program promotes the well-being of the mentee by providing a role model that can support the student academically, socially, emotionally, and in general.

Interested volunteers please contact Kathy Stone at Kathy_stone@lovejoyisd.net


NEW! WSMS Dress Code
Ms. May reminded students this week of our dress code through a video.  You can view this video here.


NEW! Early Release and School Holiday
Please make note of the following dates on your calendar.  

October 2nd is an Early Release Day.  Students will be dismissed at 12:45pm.

October 9th - 12th is our Fall Break


NEW! Upcoming - Bullying Prevention Presentations to all WSMS students
All WSMS students will have the opportunity to hear Bullying Prevention Presentations the week of October 13-16. Presentations will be given by the WSMS Counselors during History classes. At the middle school level, bullying can be perceived as being different for every individual.  Our goal is to help students to understand that it is not always the intent of the action/comment, but how it was received.  In addition, all students need to look out for each other and report any incidents where students or staff are not treated fair and respectful.  As Leopards, we are all in this together.  Please spend some time discussing bullying with your son or daughter.  


NEW! College Board PSAT 8 - Thursday, October 22
On Thursday, October 22nd, WSMS 8th graders will take the College Board's digital PSAT 8 test. This assessment is an opportunity for students, parents, and teachers to assess a student's math, writing, and reading skills needed to be college-ready. For more information on the College Board's PSAT 8/9 test, you can visit this website. The PSAT 8/9 assessment will begin promptly at 9am on Thursday, October 22nd and will last approximately 3.5 hours. 8th graders may want to bring a bottle of water for testing. This will be an online test, and WSMS counselors will review scores with students in the spring. 


NEW! WSMS Career Day ~ SAVE THE DATE, February 11, 2021, 9:15 - 12:50pm
Come share your professional expertise with Willow Springs students!  Each Career Day presenter will meet with groups of students in 20-30 minute presentations, sharing educational requirements, salary and travel expectations, future prospects, and what a "day in the life" is like in this career field. Click here to access the Career Day Sign Up form.



No Pass - No Play: Six Week Progress Report Grades
Friday, September 25th, will be the last day for six week progress reports.  Although we are on a nine week grading system, UIL requires all schools to check eligibility after the first six weeks and again at the end of the first grading period if it exceeds six weeks.  Based on our district academic calendar, we will have two eight week grading periods in the fall.  Our first grading period will end on Thursday, October 8th.  For a copy of the UIL eligibility calendar, please  click here.


Attention 8TH GRADE PARENTS - Deadline for recognition ads, November 13th
 8th grade yearbook recognition ads are also now on sale! The deadline is Friday 11-13. You can purchase and create your senior recognition ad online via the link below as well. Note all 8th grade recognition ads must be paid for and created online by Friday 11-13.
 


Campus Information and Reminders
Pictures needed for the WSMS Yearbook
Thank you for emailing photos to Beverly Zetsche, the yearbook adviser. We now have an easier system for you. Please use the link to upload pictures for consideration in the 2021 yearbook! Use the link below:
 
 https://images.jostens.com/415469204

 
ParentPortal Update Needed
The PowerSchool ParentPortal is now open for you to complete the online Enrollment & Student Information Forms. Please click here to access the Parent Portal. Parents will access the enrollment forms in their PowerSchool Parent Portal - left navigation panel - "Enrollment & Student Forms." Completion of these forms is required every year for every student. Please take a few minutes to update your contact information and other forms.


Bus Information
For up to date information on Bus Eligibility Guidelines, Campus Eligibility Maps and Transportation Policies & Procedures, please visit the LISD Transportation website by clicking here.


Athletics
Tickets for WSMS Sporting Events
This week our middle school volleyball and football teams begin their seasons.  In order to control our environment as best we can, we are requiring attendees to pre-purchase tickets.  The link to do this for the home football game tonight can be found here.  All middle school football games will be played at the high school this year in order to increase capacity. 


WSMS PTO


Review our WSMS checklist to make sure you've covered all your bases! We have you covered with active links to sign up for yearbook photos, order yearbooks, join PTO, make a donation, renew your Kroger Card rebates and more. 
 
Also, don't forget that PTO members can access the online directory here: https://ptowsms.membershiptoolkit.com/directory.
 
**NEW** Finally, check out the new Calm Room on our web site, a collection of resources to help calm your mood or mentally transport you to a different place (thanks to the LHS PTSO for sharing): https://willowspringsmspto.wixsite.com/willowspringspto/events-news-1.


Christy Payne
WSMS PTO President
2020-2021





District and Other News


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