A Message from the Principal
 
Willow Springs Middle School Principal Newsletter - April 27, 2017

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
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Dear WSMS Parents and Guardians,
 
 
Our cafeteria has been transformed into a Shakespearian game board for our theatre programs performance of Shakespeare Murder Mystery Dinner .  The first performance is tonight. Congratulations to Mrs. DiPasquale and her theatre students for an outstanding performance.  
 
The show begins tonight at 7:00 p.m. All three shows are sold out.  Over the next two weeks, we will have other outstanding performances from our band, choir, and orchestra programs. This will be a great opportunity to see some of our talented students in their respected fine arts programs.  Please see below for more information.  Have a great weekend.  
 
    
Sincerely,
Kent Messer
Principal
Willow Springs Middle School
1101 West Lucas Rd, Lucas 75002
Office: 469-742-8417
Mobile: 214-293-9938
@WSMSLovejoyISD
#wsmslovejoy


STAAR Algebra I EOCs - May 1 through May 4
Monday May 1st through Thursday May 4th, WSMS Algebra students will take the STAAR End-of-Course exam for Algebra I. Passing this EOC is necessary for high school graduation. The Algebra I EOC is a 4-hour online test. Algebra teachers have communicated with students the day they will take this test next week. On testing day, students need to remember the following:
 
If students are absent from the test, they will have the opportunity to take the test on a different day as long as it is within the testing window
 
On testing day, students need to leave electronics at home
All test-taking students will eat lunch in their testing rooms and will need to bring a sack lunch from home!
Students may bring a water bottle, marked with their name, with water only. A small snack will be provided
Due to security on testing days, parents will not be allowed to eat lunch with their children or deliver lunch
CAT will be closed on Wednesday May 3rd in the morning only
Students will need to bring a book to read after testing (no electronic books)
 
If you have any concerns or questions about this test, please contact Kay Bordelon.
Orchestra Performance- Monday, May 1
The WSMS orchestra spring concert will be on Monday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m. at Lovejoy High School.


Cross Country Summer Workout Meeting - Tuesday, May 2
There will be a Lovejoy High School XC athletes for summer training orientation/Taos Camps meeting for all incoming freshmen and returning runners to the XC team on Tuesday May 3 at 7:00 p.m. in the Lovejoy High School Lecture Hall.
 
 
Volleyball Parent Meeting - Wednesday, May 3
If you have a daughter that is interested in trying out for volleyball for the fall of 2017 your attendance is requested at the spring volleyball meeting in the cafeteria at Lovejoy High School at 6:00 p.m. The meeting will cover important dates and details of the 2017 volleyball season. We will also be covering booster club specifics, about Ad sales and support roles for all teams. If you have any questions or concerns regarding volleyball feel free to email Coach Nicholson. The cafeteria is located just inside the high school main entrance.


8th Grade Retreat to Main Event in Frisco - Payment Due Friday, May 5
Congratulations to our 8th Graders for a superb year! We would like to celebrate this momentous transition to high school with them at Main Event in Frisco on May 17, 2017. A packet with details was sent home with 8th Graders. Check out details by clicking here . The cost is $30 per student which includes access to bowling (shoes included), billiards, a gravity ropes course, laser tag, mini golf, and shuffleboard. Additionally, students are provided a $20 fun card to use on games. Lunch vouchers are included for two slices of pizza and a drink. Any additional purchases while at Main Event would require extra money.
 
Payment is due by May 5 and may be made online by clicking here .


Band Performance - Friday, May 5
The WSMS band will have a concert on Friday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Lovejoy High School auditorium.
 
 
Willow Springs Cheerleaders - Uniform Payments due Monday, May 8
The first payment for cheer uniforms are due May 8th. Cheer physicals are due by May 15. Camp payments are due by July 1st. Payments may be made at the Online Payment Center located here.


Upcoming STAAR Testing Schedule
STAAR tests for all of our students are below. Please keep the STAAR testing dates in mind while scheduling doctor appointments and orthodontics appointments. If a student is pulled out of school once he/she has begun their STAAR exam, the state requires it be graded "as is". If you have questions or concerns regarding any conflicts you may have with the STAAR testing dates, please contact Kathy Stone .

May 8th   
7th grade STAAR math
8th grade STAAR math retest
8th grade Fitnessgram
 
May 9th   
7th grade STAAR reading
8th grade STAAR reading retest
8th grade social studies & science rotations
 
May 10th   
8th grade STAAR Science
7th grade regular class day
 
May 11th   
8th grade STAAR Social Studies
7th grade regular class day


Scoliosis Screening - Monday, May 8
Our school Nurse, Gretchen Young, will be screening 8th grade students for possible Scoliosis, on Monday May 8th during their Fitnessgram Test. 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 4th. 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 .
 
 
7th Grade Student Award Ceremonies - Friday, May 12
This year our 7th grade student award ceremony will be on Friday, May 12 from 9:00 -10:15 a.m. in the WSMS main gym. During this award ceremony, a select number of students will be receiving a teacher award from one of their teachers. Parents will be notified in advance if their child will be receiving an award. We will also recognize students who have received perfect attendance for the entire school year at this awards ceremony.
 

WSMS Library Books and Fines - Due Monday, May 12
All library books will be due May 12. All students will need to have all books in and fines for lost books cleared by May 19 in order to pick up your yearbook.
 
 
Choir Pop Show "Sing" Performance- Monday, May 15
The WSMS Pop Show Choir Performance of music from Motown to today will be on Monday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at Lovejoy High School auditorium.
 
 
8th Grade Panoramic Picture - Monday, May 15
The WSMS 8th grade class of 2017 will be taken on Monday, May 15. Panoramic pictures will be on sale during all lunches on Tuesday, May 17. Please go here for more information.


8th Grade Student Award Ceremonies - Friday, May 19
The 8th grade student award ceremony will be on Friday, May 19 from 9:00 -11:00 a.m. in LHS auditorium. We will be sending out more detailed information by email to all 8th grade parents.


Campus Information and Reminders

A Message to Parents
We wanted to bring the following concern to your attention. There is a TV show on Netflix entitled 13 Reasons Why, based on a young adult novel by the same name. We are hearing from students and parents that WSMS students may be watching this show. The series is rated TV-MA, which means Netflix does not consider the content to be appropriate for middle school students. We found the following article to be helpful in understanding why this show may not be appropriate for our students to watch. Click here for the article. If you have any questions or concerns about this subject, please contact your student's counselor, Kay Bordelon or Kathy Stone .
 
 
Not Returning to LISD Next Year?
If your student will not be returning to WSMS or Lovejoy High School in the fall, please email Carol Vik with your student's name and where they will be attending school.
 
 
Band UIL Results
On behalf of the WSMS Band, we would like to thank you for your support during our UIL season.
This week our Wind Ensemble and Symphonic band performed for our annual UIL contest. Our s tudents did an outstanding job! Please join us in congratulating the following:

Wind Ensemble
Stage Performance - A Superior rating. Straight one ratings and impressive comments by the judges with their performance!
Sight-Reading Performance - An Excellent rating.
Overall, the band had a wonderful performance!

Symphonic Band
Stage Performance - A Superior rating (1 rating )
Sight-Reading Performance - A Superior rating (1 rating)
Overall, this means they won the sweepstakes award - the highest hono r UIL awards!! Congratulations!
 
 
Walk a Mile sock drive
Packages of new socks will be collected during the month of April. These will be donated to Caldwell Elementary students in McKinney, as part of our theme: Making a Difference through Compassion.
 
 
Fidget Spinners
WSMS teachers and staff are noticing an abundance of Fidget Spinners on campus. Spinners are hand-held fidget devices that are great for students that may need stress relief, or an object to help bring focus back to the work at hand. Unfortunately, Spinners are becoming a distraction for students. Spinners can become a distraction when they are used on top of a desk, passed back and forth, held up during class time, or are visible/distracting to other students. Please have a conversation with your student about these devices. Some school districts have banned them from campuses. We want to allow them on campus for students who may need them, but when spinners become a distraction in the classroom, teachers may need to take them up. If a student is using a spinner in such a way that is causing a distraction for other students, teachers may pick them up and hold them until the end of the day. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Kay Bordelon , or Kathy Stone .
 
 
Charging Lunch in the Cafeteria
This is a courtesy message from Lovejoy Student Nutrition Services to inform households of an upcoming change in charging negative charges to student meal accounts. In an effort to help minimize negative balance meal accounts at the end of the school year, starting Wednesday, May 10th students will no longer be able to charge meals that will result in a negative balance to their Student Nutrition accounts for the remainder of the school year. Students may continue to use their lunch accounts as long as they have money in their accounts. Households with students who currently have negative balances will receive reminder emails and phone calls. Federal regulations prohibit us from rolling over negative balances to the next school year. Please make arrangements to remit payment for any negative lunch accounts your child(ren) may have incurred.
 
All positive balances will be rolled over to next school year. If you have a graduating senior we can transfer funds in that account to any sibling in the school district. To request a meal account refund please complete a refund request form located on our Student Nutrition website . For assistance, please contact us at 469-742-8041 .
 
Student Nutrition Services thanks you for your understanding and for allowing us to serve your student(s) this school year.


WSMS PTA

WSMS PTA Meeting - Tuesday, May 9
Join us for a Willow Springs Middle School PTA Meeting May 9th, 2017 at 10:15 in the Portable Building at the Red Schoolhouse.
 
 
CAT Volunteers Needed
Come spend some time in the CAT to help students take an exam! It takes less than an hour to have a profound impact on a student. Time ranges between 8:55-4:00. This experience is very rewarding and the students are very appreciative. For any questions, call Kathy Hale - 469-742-8447. 
 
The following days are available, click here to choose a few.
Final exam week:
5/23 -- approximately 20 Volunteers needed
5/24- approximately 20 Volunteers needed
5/25- approximately 20 Volunteers needed
5/26 -approximately 20 Volunteers needed
 
 
WSMS PTA Volunteering Opportunities!
To find all upcoming WSMS volunteer opportunities, please access our PTAve calendar by going here.
 
Please consider helping WSMS, the staff and teachers by making weekly teacher copies, supporting our CAT with orally reading tests to students, helping in the Spirit Store and any other student activities and hospitality needs. 


District and Other News


Relay for Life - Tomorrow, April 28
The annual Relay for Life event will be held on April 28th from 6:00 PM - 12:00 PM at the Lovejoy High School Stadium. The Relay for Life Committee will be cutting ponytails for Beautiful Lengths, an organization which, partnered with the American Cancer Society, uses donated hair to create free wigs for women losing their hair due to cancer treatment. The committee is looking for selfless donors to cut their hair onstage at the event to donate to making these wigs for cancer patients. Donors may donate as little as 8 inches, but more if they please. The hair cannot have been chemically treated, have more than 5% grays, or be dyed permanently. Anyone, any age may donate.  Click here to register to donate.
 
All cancer survivors are invited to a Survivors' dinner catered by Dickey's Barbecue:
 
Friday, April 28, 2017
6:30 PM
Leopard Stadium
RSVP to: [email protected] by Thursday at 8:00 PM
   
Relay for Life Luminaries
The Relay for Life Committee is selling Luminaria, a commemorative item which will be on display during the 2017 LHS Relay for Life event. The Luminaria honors all those who have had cancer, those who have survived, and those who have sadly passed away. Luminaria are $10 each and can be ordered by clicking here. The order form and payment (made payable to the American Cancer Society) should be returned to the LHS School Store.
 
For questions, please contact:
 
Carolyn Murad: [email protected]
Katie Sawyers: [email protected]
Brady Duke: [email protected]
 
 
 
Lovejoy ISD Pre-Kindergarten
Kevin Parker, Principal of Puster Elementary School, "shoots hoops" with incoming Pre-Kindergarten student, Crew Thomas.
Lovejoy ISD is accepting applications for tuition-based Pre-Kindergarten. This comprehensive program will be staffed by credentialed teachers and housed on the Puster Elementary School campus. This program will offer enhancements in music, fitness, art, library, science, technology, engineering, and math. We are enthusiastic to provide a Lovejoy education for community members looking for a rich learning experience which will provide a firm foundation for kindergarten and beyond.
 
To apply, please click here . To schedule a tour of the Pre-Kindergarten program, please contact Stacey Dillon at 469.742.8003.
 

Summer Enrichment Camps



The Summer Enrichment Camps have been finalized, and we are excited to offer opportunities for Pre-K through 12th grade. You will find everything from dodge ball to robotics, and cooking to coding.
Summer Enrichment Camps will be offered in three sessions:
 
Session I: June 12-16
Session II: June 19-23
Session III: July 10-14
 
Click here to see all of the exciting summer enrichment camp offerings. Registration is open.
 
With a few exceptions (athletic camps and Lovejoy theatre camp), information for all enrichment camps is available through this link. If there is a need to register through the camp provider, the link will be provided with the session description for each session (e.g., PSAT Prep from Princeton Review).
Please review the enrichment camps and consider one or more of these excellent opportunities for your children this summer.
 
 
Lovejoy ISD Athletic Summer Camps and Performance Course


Registration is now open for Lovejoy ISD Athletic Summer Camps. Click here for details.
 
Lovejoy Athletics is pleased to announce its partnership with Geno Pierce's Performance Course for the 2017-2018 school year. Performance Course brings with it a proven track record of championship success. Performance Course offers many different courses from high-intensity to foundational programs. There is something for everyone. Click here for details and registration links.
 
 
Denim and Diamonds - Last Chance Auction Now Open through May 3
The last chance auction is now open. There are a few items still available from Denim and Diamonds. The auction will close on Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at 10:00 PM. The auction may be found by clicking here. Click on "Start Bidding" to create your account.
 
 
Lovejoy Country Run - Saturday, May 6
Lovejoy Leopards, Inc. invites you to join them for a morning run or walk in the country surrounding Lovejoy High School. The 1K Fun Run will begin at 7:30 AM, followed by the 5K at 8:00 AM. The certified 5K course is a fast course or, if you prefer, you may choose the 1K Fun Run. Races will be chip-timed by Race Chip Timing.
 
After running, enjoy a pancake breakfast which is included in the race entry fee. Non-race participants may buy tickets at the door ($7 for adults, $5 children ages 6-12, and children 5 years and younger eat free) for breakfast.
 




Lovejoy AP Studio Art Show - Saturday, May 13


The Lovejoy AP Studio Art Show will be held on May 13th from 6:00 - 9:00 PM at the Villages of Fairview. This is always a great show. We hope to see you there.


Sports Physicals and Cardiac Screenings - Saturday, July 22


Saturday, July 22, 2017
Willow Springs Middle School
$20 for physicals, payable to Lovejoy Athletics
$15 for cardiac screen, payable to WHO WE PLAY FOR
 

The Lovejoy Sports Medicine Department is offering sports physicals and hosting WHO WE PLAY FOR for cardiac screenings. Physicals and cardiac screens are open to all 2017-18 incoming 7th - 12th grade student-athletes. A parent or guardian should attend with the student to sign permission forms.

The physical examination consists of the parent or guardian completing a medical history followed by a thorough medical and orthopedic assessment by a host of qualified nurses, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and physicians.

Please RSVP for each student attending physicals and/or cardiac screenings by clicking here. Payment is due at WSMS on July 22nd. Payment must be made by checks or cash as no credit cards will be accepted.

Lovejoy ISD requires every 7th - 12th grade student-athlete receive an annual physical prior to participation in sports.

The cardiac screen is not required for participation in athletics at Lovejoy ISD but it is highly recommended. WHO WE PLAY FOR recommends testing at least once during high school.

This is a fundraising event for our Sports Medicine Department. We appreciate your support.

Additional information regarding sports physicals may be found by clicking here.