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Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - January 13, 2017
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
I hope everyone is having a great week. Our students have done an excellent job of transitioning into their spring semester classes. It is hard to believe that in just a few weeks, we will begin the registration process for the 2017-2018 school year. This is traditionally a busy time of year for our students, parents, and counselors. Please see information below about important dates and events for the spring semester.
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
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Club Day - Online Registration Begins Today
This spring, WSMS will host four Club Days during the school day! Teachers and staff sponsor these non-academic clubs. Students will sign-up online and commit to one club this semester. Club Day registration links will open at 4:00 pm Friday, January 13th and close 4:00 pm Tuesday, January 17th. Sign up as soon as you can as most clubs are limited in size. On Friday, students will be instructed on how to locate the complete listing of clubs and how to sign-up for clubs. For a complete listing of WSMS club descriptions,
click here
. Please contact Kathy Stone at
469-742-8423
with Club Day questions or concerns.
School Holiday - Monday, January 16
Monday, January 16 is a school holiday
Pep Rally - Friday, January 20
Friday, January 20 we are having a pep rally in our main gym. We will recognize our wrestling, and basketball athletes and PTA Reflections students. Orchestra will perform our National Anthem. We will have a One Act Play performance and band, cheerleaders and dance will also perform. Please
click here
for the bell schedule.
All parents are welcome to attend and are encouraged to park in a parking space not designated as a fire lane in the front parking lot to enter and sign-in through the front office. Overflow parking is available in the back of the school and parents may enter and sign-in through the west courtyard door.
WSMS Dance Your Heart Out Winter Dance - Friday, January 20 **Time Change**
Our Winter Dance will be Friday, January 20 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at WSMS. Prior to the dance from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m., we will hold our annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament in the WSMS main gym ($30 per team, which will also admit your student to the dance, and proceeds will go to the American Heart Association). We will have a DJ, food, and fun. Cost for the dance is $8.00 on-line and $10.00 at the door. A portion of the proceeds will go to the American Heart Association. Dance tickets may be purchased at the
Online Payment Center
,
( https://lovejoy.revtrak.net/tek9.asp?pg=products&grp=59)
Monday, January 9th through noon on Friday, January 20.
To make the Dance Your Heart Out dance a big success, we need
dance chaperones and food and drink volunteers. ( http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48A9AF2BA0F85-wsms1)
Chaperones: You haven't lived until you have had the experience of chaperoning a middle school dance. This is a rite of passage for middle school parents. Please sign up now to chaperone our dance on January 20. We need at least 12 chaperones for this event to be able to offer all the activities. Chaperoning is easy, very little work, and it's fun to watch the kids having a good time (they forget we are there). To sign up to chaperone, please
go here
. Please arrive by 4:45 pm and plan to stay until the dance concludes.**Please make sure you have completed your online volunteer clearance.**
Food/Drink Volunteers: Please take items to the WSMS office between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m by Wednesday, January 18. Please label items "Winter Dance." **All snacks need to be nut free, store bought, and individually wrapped.*
Suicide Prevention Parent Presentation - Tuesday, January 24
We will have a parent preview of our suicide prevention program after the 11a.m. general PTA
meeting on January 24 in the WSMS aux gym.
Geography Bee - Wednesday, January 25
Next week all 7th and 8th grade history classes will be taking a preliminary quiz to determine which students qualify for the National Geography Bee. The school Geography Bee will be held January 25 at 4:15 p.m. in the WSMS cafeteria. Typically, about 30 students qualify for the school bee. Students that qualify for the school bee will receive a letter the week of January 16 letting them know specific details about the school bee. Additional information about the National Geographic Bee can be found
here
.
8th Grade Yearbook Recognition Ads - Now through January 27
P
arents wishing to purchase an 8th-grade recognition advertisement for the WSMS yearbook congratulating their child for their success at WSMS may do so online through Jostens
from now
until January 27. Parents must pay online and submit the artwork
,
photos and
sentiment by going
here
.
WSMS Yearbook Extended Sales - January 17 - January 27
Happy New Year! Now that we are in 2017, the last day to order a yearbook approaches this month. Order online to guarantee your child's 2017 yearbook with an extended sale
from
January 17 through January 27. Please
go here
for
details
and to place your order online,
go here
.
W
e will need to give our yearbook order number total to our publisher and need an accurate sales count
so please
do not miss this
deadline
. We cannot guarantee your child a yearbook if you miss the Jan
uary
27 order deadline.
WSMS Afterschool Coding Club - Register Now through January 29
The University of Texas at Dallas Department of Computer Science is offering an afterschool coding club at Willow Springs Middle School. The club will meet from 4:00 - 5:00 PM on Wednesday's in February, March and April.
Click here
for details and registration information.
Suicide Prevention Student Presentations - January 30 and February 1
We will present suicide prevention information to WSMS students on Monday, January 30 and Wednesday, February 1 through 7th period classes. If you have any questions or concerns about this presentation please contact WSMS counselors, Kay Bordelon at
469-742-8424
or Kathy Stone at
469-742-8423
.
Go here
for the bell schedule for January 30 and February 1.
Group Photos and Retakes - Tuesday, January 31
Group photos day is Tuesday, January 31 with retakes for students that are new or missed portrait day for the yearbook. Please have your child dress in the appropriate attire recommended by their teacher for group photos or for portraits individually.
Parent Meeting for WSMS Track and Field - Tuesday, January 31
There will be a parent meeting for the WSMS TRACK AND FIELD team (both boys and girls) on Tuesday, January 31st from 6:30-7:30 in the Willow Springs Gymnasium. If your child is interested in participating in Track and Field this spring, it is very important that you attend this meeting. Please email Coach Carly Littlefield
[email protected]
with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!
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Campus Information and Reminders
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As with everything we do at WSMS, student safety is our number one priority. Although it is not "tornado season," you never know what the weather is going to bring in North Texas. We look forward to partnering with you in maximizing student safety should severe weather come again. Here are a few items to keep in mind:
·
Although we will never deny a parent the right to pick up his/her student during a tornado drill, we will have a better procedure and check out location in the Fine Arts wing. This means we will not have anyone located in the front office, so please enter through the doors on the north side of the building if you feel the need to pick up your student. Once you are in the building, you will be asked to wait in the Orchestra Ensemble Room while we locate and check out your child in a timely manner.
·
If a parent is checking out a student while tornado sirens are going off, for your own safety and the safety of your student, both will be asked to remain in the building in one of our safe locations. You are welcome and encouraged to sit with your student.
·
We will allow students, and even encourage them, to text their parents once they are in a safe location. After the text is sent, we will ask them to turn off their cell phones to protect communication lines that may need to be used by law enforcement and school personnel. We will be in constant contact with district personnel about updates in weather and district level procedures.
·
All campuses, including WSMS, have a storm tracking device that is on 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide accurate information about storms in our area. This, along with constant communication with central office, will determine when we will move into a tornado drill due to severe weather.
2017-2018 Registration Meetings Timeline
It is that time of year to begin the process of registering current 6th, 7th, and 8th graders for the upcoming school year at WSMS and LHS! Counselors will begin speaking to students in late January (for current 8th graders) and in late February (for current 6th and 7th graders) about elective classes, core class selections, how to register online, and what to expect in the new school year. Please
click here
for the complete list of
student and parent registration presentations. Contact the Student Support Center at 469-742-8422
( tel:
if you have any questions about these dates.
PTA Reflections
A huge thanks to all PTA Reflection participants! Our students did an excellent job on their entries and should be very proud of their work.
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE - Award of Excellence students move on to State!
Music Composition
* Middle School (6-8) - Mitch Laman
Photography
* Middle School (6-8) - Jack Gaines
Literature
* Middle School (6-8) - Carter Satterwhite
AWARD OF MERIT
Visual Arts
* Middle School (6-8) - Jack Gaines
Literature
* Middle School (6-8) - Geneva Miller
* Middle School (6-8) - Grace Cowan
* Middle School (6-8) - Bryce Silliman
HONORABLE MENTION
Literature
* Middle School (6-8) - Taylor Crosby
* Middle School (6-8) - Juliet Cano
Student Attendance
One of our focus areas for this year is to increase our student and teacher daily attendance on campus. Research shows that the more students are in class with their teacher, the more they will learn over the course of the school year. The more students learn, the more success and confidence they will have in middle school. To promote this, we will be recognizing students and staff who have perfect attendance during each six weeks. Please assist us by working with your son or daughter to ensure they are getting enough rest, eating a healthy diet, and are taking care of themselves overall. In addition, our new state accountability system uses student attendance as criteria for evaluating the performance of schools. We also receive state funding based on our "Average Daily Attendance" of students that are present after 10:00 AM. As you begin to plan out of town trips this spring, please consider keeping your children in school through the Friday before each break. Let's work together to encourage our students to be in class every day.
2rd Nine-Weeks Student Perfect Attendance
First Semester Student Perfect Attendance
Academic UIL
Academic UIL contest is approaching! Coaches are in the process of selecting teams, and it is not too late to tryout. All students in grades 7 and 8 are eligible to try-out for a team. Students may compete in as many events as they would like as long as the events they enter compete at different times during the competition day.
Please see the coach of any event you are interested in and remember that you can compete in multiple events. There is something for everyone!
Important note:
The contest is March 24 and 25, 2017. However, the contest location has changed to Coppell Middle School North, 120 Natches Trace, Coppell, TX 75019.
Please click here for the Academic UIL contest descriptions, coaches, and tryout times.
Mom, Mr. Messer was my substitute?
Over the course of this year, the Willow Springs administrative team has made it a priority to be in classrooms connecting with students and staff throughout the learning process. When a teacher needs to be absent, our admin team has had the privilege of getting back into the classroom to teach lessons in all subject areas. This opportunity has allowed us to better implement the curriculum, support our teachers with their lessons, and get to know and understand our students in a classroom setting. Being in the classroom has been a positive experience for our teachers and students that we plan to continue this spring.
Texas PTA Honorary Life Membership Award - Nominations
due Friday
,
February 3
It's time to nominate someone for the Texas PTA Honorary Life Membership Award! This high honor recognizes those who show outstanding service
to children.
You all know someone special-teachers whose efforts show it is more than a job; parents who always help make the Willow Springs experience special; volunteers who spend extra time helping students; community members who support WSMS.
The PTA wishes to honor and thank them for all they do. Please complete a nomination form for the PTA Honorary Life Membership Award.
Please return completed forms i
n a sealed envelope to the WSMS office
(Attn: Kathy Pickens) or email your nomination to
[email protected]
-
Kathy Pickens VP, Membership
[email protected]
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Inclement Weather
School closures will be determined based on safety. In the event of a school closure, notifications will be announced on the district's website, Facebook, and Twitter pages. We will also announce any closure through the media and by phone. Links to our social media accounts are shown below:
Lovejoy ISD App
The Lovejoy ISD App is available for download on both Apple and Android devices. To download the app for Apple devices, please
click here
. To download the app for Android devices, please
click here
.
Lovejoy ISD Twitter and Facebook
Are
you following the district on Twitter? Have you liked us on Facebook? Join us on social media for news and announcements.
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Foundation for Lovejoy Schools
Denim and Diamonds 2017 - Southern Soiree
Preparations for the Foundation for Lovejoy School's Denim & Diamonds Gala and Auction are underway and we need your help to make this event a success.
Ways you can help: donate to the silent auction, donate a bottle of wine, sponsor the event, put a business ad in the event program.
Click here
for additional details.
Lovejoy High School Performing Arts Presents Fiddler on the Roof - January 19 - 21
A classic, timeless journey of love, loss, faith, and family.
The tradition of great musicals continues at Lovejoy High School with this year's musical, Fiddler on the Roof, January 19th through 21st at 7:00 PM.
Set in the small Russian town of Anatevka in 1905, Fiddler on the Roof tells a story of faith, family, and tradition. Tevye (played by senior, Trace Glorioso) tries to preserve his family's traditions in a changing world. He is forced to choose between maintaining his Jewish culture and the happiness of his three eldest daughters, Tzeitel (sophomore, Adelyn Maruca), Hodel (senior, Zoe Kahana), and Chava (junior, Renae Haas).
From laughter-inducing lines to memorable music, Fiddler on the Roof is a show for everyone, featuring characters audiences will fall in love with, such as the local matchmaker, Yente (senior, Abby Yaegar), the village butcher, Lazar Wolfe (junior, Vinny Horlock), and the poor lovestruck tailor, Motel (junior, Ryan Hyde).
The show offers iconic and beloved songs such as "Matchmaker, Matchmaker," "Tradition," and "The Dream," making it a perfect mix of audience-pleasing humor and heart.
Tickets are $16 for adults and $12 for students, faculty and seniors.
Click here
to purchase tickets online. The physical box office, located in front of the LHS auditorium, will be open the week of the show, January 16th through 20th.
Fiddler on the Roof is a heartfelt, moving play you and your loved ones will enjoy.
Center for Children and Families Forum at UTS - January 20
Out of School Time: Expanding Learning Opportunities, Reducing Achievement Gaps
This year's Forum features Dr. Deborah Vandell, professor of education at The University of California Irvine. Dr. Vandell is an internationally-recognized, leading scholar on the effects of afterschool programs on children's social, behavioral, and academic outcomes. Her research includes strategies for improving the quality and availability of afterschool programs and youth engagement.
For more information, click here.
Mini Majestic Dance Camp - January 28
The annual Mini Majestic Dance Camp will be held on Saturday, January 28th from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM. Lovejoy ISD girls K-6 are invited to join the Majestic Dance Team to learn a fun routine and perform at a "Show-Off" for parents and friends. The "Show-Off" will be held in the Lovejoy High School auditorium at 1:00PM on January 28th. The deadline for registration is January 24th. Please go to www.majesticsdance.org for additional details and registration information.
Gifted and Talented Referrals for 2017-2018
The referral window for gifted and talented services is now open. Click here for referral forms which are located online in the PowerSchool Parent Portal. The window will close March 31, 2017.
Testing will be Saturday April 8, 22, or 29 for students in grades 1-12. Kindergarten students will be tested during the school day.
For questions regarding students in Kindergarten through 4th grade, please email
Caroline Garcia
or call
469.742.8310
.
For questions regarding students in 5th through 12th grades, please email
Brie Smith
or call
469.742.8032
.
After Christmas Toy Drive
The Work-Based Learning Program at Lovejoy High School is sponsoring their Annual After Christmas Toy drive for Little Leopards. Donations of gently used toys for children birth to 5 years old are appreciated. Following is a list of After Christmas Toy Drive needs:
Legos
K'Nex
Littlest Pet Shop Houses and Animals
Doll Houses
Board Games
Dress Up Clothes and Hats
Baby Dolls
Outdoor Ride-on Toys for Toddlers
Outdoor Weatherproof Toys for Preschoolers
Arts and Crafts Items
Play-Doh and Play-Doh Toys
Plastic Animals and Dinosaurs
Board Books or Waterproof Baby Books
Anything "Little People"
Infant Mobiles or Toys which will Attach to a Crib
No Stuffed Animals, Please
Toys may be delivered to any Lovejoy campus or the Administration Building. Thank you for remembering our youngest Leopards.
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