A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Special Edition - August 15, 2019

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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Hello WSMS Parents and Guardians,
 
We are looking forward to having students back on campus tomorrow for Walk the Springs .  Please see below for more information about this event.  See you tomorrow.




Sincerely,

Kent Messer
Principal
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 W. Lucas Rd., Lucas 75002
Office: 469-742-8417
Mobile: 214-293-9938
@WSMSLovejoyISD
#wsmslovejoy

Walk The Springs

Walk the Springs, Tomorrow, August 16, 8:50 a.m.-11:50 a.m. 
  • Students will walk their schedule, spending approximately 17 minutes in each class. This will be an opportunity for them to meet their classmates and teacher before the first day of school. 
     
  • This is not a come and go event. Students who attend Walk the Springs will stay for the duration.  
  • As students arrive in the morning, they report to the location below to pick up an updated schedule.   
7th Grade: Cafeteria

8th Grade: Main Gym

  • Students can bring school supplies to Walk the Springs .  We will have boxes in the halls to collect boxes of tissue, disinfectant wipes, and paper towels. Teachers will begin collecting class supplies during Walk the Springs and the first week of school. 
  • Students will not eat lunch but all students will learn which learn which lunch period they will have for the year. 
  • Parents may drop their students off through the carpool line, or students may ride the bus.
     
  • Buses will run routes according to the regular school year schedule. Busing information is posted on the district's transportation website . If you are unable to locate your child's information or if you need additional information, please email Donna Holden or call her at 469-742-8009 or email David Dillon or call him at 469-742-8028.
  • Student drop off in the morning will be in the WSMS courtyard.  Parent pick up will be on the west side of the building. Please click here for the traffic flow map. 
  • Traditionally, Walk the Springs is a day designed for students only, to become familiar with their schedule and to make the 1st day of school go smoothly.   If parents would like to walk their students schedule with their students, they are welcome to come to campus Friday (tomorrow) afternoon between 3:30--5:00.  

Campus Information & Reminders
Updated Class Schedules
In an effort to balance class sizes and to provide each student with the optimum learning environment, we have had several schedule adjustments that may have impacted your son or daughter's schedule by changing a teacher and/or class period.    PowerSchool Parent Portal  is open, and you may view the most up-to-date version of your student's schedule. However, some of these changes will be made early tomorrow morning. If you submitted a schedule change request, our counselors are continuing to work on those changes. Each student will receive a new schedule at Walk the Springs .  As students come in the building Friday morning, 7th graders will report to the cafeteria to pick up their updated schedule, 8th graders will report to the main gym to pick up their updated class schedule. Students will again receive a copy of their schedule Monday morning. We thank you for your flexibility as we work to create the best possible schedules for all students.


School Supplies at Willow Springs
2019-2020 School Supply lists may be found here .  Students may begin bringing school supplies to school at Walk the Springs or during the first week of school. We will have boxes in the halls to collect boxes of tissue, disinfectant wipes, and paper towels. Teachers will begin collecting class supplies during Walk the Springs and the first week of school. 


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, it 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.

Drop Off:
If you are in a hurry in the morning, we encourage you to drop off your student before 8:30 a.m. during the first week of school.  Student drop off is located in the back of the school in the courtyard. Please be courteous and pull forward as far as you can to keep the flow of traffic moving.  Morning drop off traffic will move slowly during the first week, please be patient with us during this process. As the year progresses, the morning drop off flow will improve every day.

 Pick Up:
If you are in a hurry and need to pick up your child on time, we encourage you to arrive in the pick-up line before 3:45 p.m.  Parent pick up is located on the west side of the school. At 4:00 p.m., students will be dismissed from school and will begin loading into cars.  The parent pick up line will move slowly, but does begin to clear out every day around 4:15 p.m. If you would rather not wait in the slow moving line, we encourage you to pick your son/daughter up after 4:15 p.m. (this may be later during the first week of school).  

Front Parking Lot:
Please do not pick up your son or daughter in the front parking lot after school. This disrupts our bus traffic and is a safety concern for students. We will be coning off the front parking lot between 4:00 pm and 4:15 pm everyday. Traffic in the front parking lot will be released to exit the campus as soon as buses depart and the flow of traffic in our carpool lane slows.

As a reminder, Texas law prohibits the use of cell phones while operating a moving vehicle in all school zones and on school property.  Thank you for providing a safe drop off and pick up for our students.


Frequently Asked Questions About Middle School
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.


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.  
  • Math --Every day--students are provided approximately 30 minutes in class
     
  • 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.  



Athletics FAQs

When are athletic periods this year?
This year, all 8th grade students will have 1st period athletics and all 7th grade students will have 7th period athletics.  

 
Where/When do I report?
At the middle school level, none of our sports will begin before the first day of school.  All athletes are encouraged to attend "Walk the Springs" on Friday, August 15th. Students will have an opportunity to connect with coaches and find out more information about athletics for the first day of school. 

All Athletes will report to the main gym during their athletic period during "Walk the Springs" and on the first day of school.  During "Walk the Springs," athletes will be given an overview of what the 1st day and 1st week of school will look like.

Once they arrive in the gym on the first day of school, athletes will be separated into the sports that they will be participating in this fall.  If students are not participating in a sport this fall, they will be placed in an off-season group. As the first week of school progresses, more information on workouts for cross country, swimming, and tennis will be shared. 


Do all athletes need a physical?  
Yes.  All athletes of both in-season and off-season sports must have an updated physical with all athletic paperwork completed before the first day of school.  Students who do not have a physical or athletic paperwork completed will not be able to tryout or participate in any sport or off-season until it is completed.


Where can I get the physical forms and LISD paperwork?
Athletic paperwork can be picked up in the front office at WSMS or at the Red Building.  To access the physical form and athletic paperwork electronically, please click on the link below.

https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx 


Where do I turn in my physical and LISD athletic paperwork?
Athletes can turn in all physical and LISD forms during "Walk the Springs" or the first day of school.  Parents can also return it to the front office at WSMS between 8:30--4:30, Monday-Thursday prior to the 1st day of school.


When will athletic lockers be issued?
Football and Volleyball players will be issued a locker the first day of school.  All other athletes will be issued an athletic locker the first week of school. Once lockers are issued, athletes will need to bring a towel and soap for showers.  The athletic department does not wash personal laundry so please remind your athlete to bring laundry home regularly.


What if my son/daughter is not going to participate in a fall sport (Volleyball, Football, Cross Country, Tennis, or Swimming)?
All Athletes will report to the main gym during their athletic period during "Walk the Springs" and on the first day of school.  During "Walk the Springs," athletes will be given an overview of what the 1st day and 1st week of school.

Once they arrive in the gym on the first day of school,  students not participating in a sport this fall will be placed in an off-season group.  All students participating in off-season will be expected to report to off-season every day at the beginning of their athletic period.  Attendance will be taken daily. Off-season location for the fall will be communicated during the 1st day of school.


When do Volleyball tryouts begin?
  • Tryouts for volleyball begin the first day of school, August 19th.  All 7th and 8th grade girls interested in playing volleyball should report to the main gym at the tryout time below
  • 8th Grade Tryouts - Monday 8/19 - Friday 8/23;  7:30 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. in the WSMS Gym  
  • 7th Grade Tryouts - Monday 8/19 - Friday 8/23;  3:25 - 4:45 p.m.  in the WSMS Gym  
  • It is a requirement that each girl have a physical turned in along with signing all of the electronic forms before being allowed to participate in tryouts.  Please get physical paperwork turned in and click on this link to fill out the online forms: Lovejoy ISD Athletic Paperwork is now online HERE .
 
 
When does Football practice begin?  Does Football have tryouts?
  • There are no tryouts for middle school football.  
  • Practice will begin the 1st day of school.   Helmets will be issued the 1st day of school and additional equipment will be issued throughout the 1st week.
  • 8th Grade will practice during first period only on the 19th with players needing impact testing coming back after school at 4:10 to be tested.  All 8th grade players should report to the main gym at 8:45.
  • 7th grade will practice until the end of 7 th period on the 19th with them also taking any necessary impact testing at 4:10.  All 7th grade players should report the main gym at the beginning of 7th period.
  • Once football players arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork and be assigned a locker (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history).  If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list. Please note that it is crucial to make sure all online paperwork and physical are complete by August 19th as we have just enough days to satisfy the UIL requirements prior to our first game. https://lovejoyisd.rankonesport.com/New/Home.aspx  
  • If your son misses practice for any reason August 19-September 3 they will not be able to play in our first game September 4--per UIL rule.
  • Football coaches will be sending out more information on the WSMS football schedule.
     
When will Tennis begin:
  • On the first day of school, all students interested in participating in Tennis will report to the main gym.  Once tennis players arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history).  If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.  
  • All tennis players will be given a locker during the 1st week of school. 
     
    Beginning the second day of school, Tuesday, August 20, all students interested in playing tennis will meet in the cafeteria at 8:50 AM.  
  • Tryouts will take place the second week of school 8/26-8/30 at 7:45 AM at the Lovejoy High School Tennis Courts.  All tennis players will need to be dropped off at the LHS tennis courts by 7:45. At the conclusion of workouts, buses will take students back to WSMS to shower and get ready for first period. 
  • There is no certain amount of players that we will keep on the team. We will base it on form, match play score, and attitude. The tryouts will be a tournament format and players will play one set to 6 with no ad scoring. The results of the tryouts will be posted outside of the locker rooms on Friday 8/30. If your son or daughter does not make the team in the fall, they will go to off season for the fall or have the option to go to PE to achieve their PE requirement in middle school.  
  • Students who make the team in the fall are not guaranteed a spot in the spring. There will be another tryout in the spring for students who play multiple sports with more info to come at a later date. The official season starts in March. 
  • If your son or daughter does not make the team in the fall, they will go to off season for the fall or have the option to go to PE. There will be another tryout in the spring for students who play multiple sports with more info to come at a later date.
  • WSMS tennis coaches will be sending out more information on the WSMS tennis schedule.
     
When will Cross Country begin?
  • On the first day of school, all students interested in participating in running cross country will report to the main gym.  Once runners arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history).  If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.
  • Cross Country workouts will officially begin Tuesday, August 20th (2nd day of school).  All cross country athletes will report to the trophy case just outside the main gym at 8:00  AM on Tuesday, August 20th.
  • All cross country runners will be given a locker during the 1st week of school.
  • Cross Country Coaches will be sending out more information about the upcoming season and parents are encouraged to attend the WSMS Cross Country meeting with Coach Littlefield and Coach Kelly. The meeting date has not been set at this time, but we will get that info out soon. 
 
When will swimming begin? 
  • On the first day of school, all students interested in participating in Swimming will report to the main gym.  Once swimmers arrive on the 1st day, they will turn in all of their paperwork (this paperwork is the completed physical form and other info about emergency contact and medical history).  If athletes have already turned in paperwork, they will be checked off of a master list.  
  • All swimmers will receive information about the first week of school on Monday, August 19th.  Swimming workouts will officially begin the second week of school on Monday, August 26th.   
  • All students to report to the cafeteria during their athletic period beginning on Tuesday, August 2oth.  Once workouts begin on Monday, August 26th, students will ride the bus to the Sloan Creek Intermediate pool at the beginning of their athletic period.  Parents will pick up swimmers at SCIS at the conclusion of their workout.  
  • All swimmers will be assigned a locker at Sloan Creek Intermediate School, which is the location of our district swimming pool.   Swimming lockers will be distributed the 2nd week of school.  
  • WSMS swimming coaches will be sending out more information about the swimming program during the 1st two weeks of school.