NEW! WSMS Robotic State Update
Last Saturday, April 17th, Willow Springs Robotics teams competed at the State level in a battle for a place at Vex World in May. Each match consists of one minute of autonomous program (robot on auto pilot) and one minute of driver control. Early in the day, team 1082M, Black Lightning, rose to first place. They kept the first place spot all day until at 3:00 pm when 1082M was bumped to second place. While it was a disappointment initially, growing to win a spot at State within the first year of competition for this group of roboticists is amazing. To have a team within touching distance of a spot at Worlds in their first year of competition is incredible. We are sending up to the high school the most experienced and prepared robotics students in the history of the program. We are building something great.
UPDATED! Service Learning Reminders - this Thursday and Friday
It's here! This Thursday and Friday, our students will participate through their science classes in the 2021 Leopards by Nature Service Learning Event. We have a lot to do together to beautify our campus, enhance outdoor spaces and demonstrate how our science lessons come to life in the garden (We're even making periodic table element paver stones using the 17 essential elements for plant life!). Thanks to all the parents and grandparents who have volunteered to help or donate items.
You're still welcome to volunteer & we need to borrow more wheelbarrows! Please click here for the sign up link.
T-shirts will be sent home with your student today. If you didn't order a t-shirt, please wear a Lovejoy or WSMS t-shirt. Please have your student wear closed-toed shoes.
There's rain in the forecast for Friday, but we'll make a determination about Friday on Thursday and communicate if there are any changes.
Service Learning Volunteers – PLEASE READ THOROUGHLY
Thank you for signing up to help with the Spring 2021 Leopards by Nature event at Willow Springs. Please see the video link below for an overview of what we're going to accomplish at various worksites around campus on Thursday and Friday.
- Plan to arrive about 10 minutes before your shift, so you can check in inside the front office with Brandi then get your worksite assignment.
- You will receive a badge that includes your name and mobile numbers in case you need immediate help during your shift.
- If you have work gloves, please bring them. If not, we'll probably have a few extra pairs that students aren't using.
- Wear comfortable closed-toed shoes AND school appropriate clothing.
- We will have water stations outside to refill water bottles, etc. Please bring your own water bottle.
- We will assign volunteers to worksites and groups of students with science teachers close by. You'll receive a worksite punch list/checklist to follow for steps and jobs at each place. We will be close by to help answer questions and guide everyone.
- We will also have students build about 10 new benches and restrain some existing outdoor benches.
- They will also be making periodic table element paver stones representing the essential elements necessary for plant life. We have a special volunteer Laura Ward, who is helping students with this task.
REMINDER! Scoliosis Testing
Our school Nurse, Gretchen Young, will be screening all ALL 7th grade GIRL students for possible Scoliosis on Thursday, May 6th and ALL 8th grade BOY students on Tuesday, May 11th. 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.
REMINDER! Not Returning to LISD Next Year?
If your student will not be returning to WSMS or Lovejoy High School for the 2021-2022 school year, please email Carol Vik with your student’s name, as well as complete and return this form.
REMINDER! Note From The Nurse
Regarding 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 2021-2022 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 2021-2022 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 9th, 2021. 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.
