Principally Speaking

September 26, 2025

”And you're miles and miles from your nice warm bed.”
— You’ve Got a Friend in Me, Randy Newman

Our fifth graders traded their cozy beds for sleeping bags this week, heading off to Camp Champions for three days and two nights of adventure. From the bus ride to the cabins, they came home with stories, friendships, and memories that will last a lifetime. None of this would have been possible without our amazing parent chaperones—thank you for giving up your own routines (and your own warm beds!) to keep watch and make the trip both safe and special. To our fifth grade teachers, you truly deserve a merit badge of your own. May this weekend bring you all the long showers, cool AC, and deep sleep you’ve earned!

Back on campus, our kindergartners were hard at work Digging with Dudes. The laughter, teamwork, and pride in those classrooms reminded us how much students thrive when family and school camp out together in support of their learning.

Looking ahead, we’ll continue offering opportunities that stretch our students’ minds. On Tuesday, September 30, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the CL&L, families are invited to our Advanced Academics & Gifted & Talented Information Night. This evening will guide parents in the process of requesting GT testing for DSISD students. The referral window opens October 1 and runs through November 14, and the DSISD Gifted and Talented website will provide the referral link and details.

Rest up, Tigers—you’ve earned your weekend!  See you tonight at the game!

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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September 19, 2025

“Nights are warm and the days are young.”
Golden Years – David Bowie

That line perfectly fits this season at SSE—full of energy, creativity, and community spirit. From special presentations and art contests to Homecoming celebrations, our Tigers are shining bright.  We are so proud of our students for their excellent audience behavior. In addition to our Friday assembly, this week we welcomed an author and enjoyed several special presentations across grade levels. In every instance, our Tigers were gracious hosts, respectful participants, and made us proud.

PTA Reflections: “I Belong!”

Thiis week students were introduced to the National PTA Reflections arts contest—and now it’s their turn to create! This year’s theme is “I Belong!”, and students of all ages and abilities (PK–5) are encouraged to participate.  Students can respond through: Music Composition, Visual Arts, Photography, Literature, Film Production, and Dance Choreography.  Entries have the opportunity to advance from campus to district, state, and even national recognition!

How to enter:

  1. Learn more by visiting our SSE PTA

  2. Pick a category.

  3. Create an original work inspired by I Belong!

  4. Submit your entry form and project to the front office by November 7.

Questions? Email enrichments@ssespta.org.

Homecoming Theme Days: “Dripping Golden Hour”

The spirit of Homecoming is all around us—parade, carnival, pep rally, and Friday night lights. Our kids are talking, our halls are buzzing, and SSE is ready to celebrate in true Tiger fashion! We’re excited to partner with DSHS Student Council and invite our Tigers to join in the district-wide theme days:

  • Monday: Sunrise & Slippers (wear PJs)

  • Tuesday: Golden Music Icons (band/artist shirt)

  • Wednesday: Sunrise to Sunset (lower grades in pastels, upper grades in darker colors

  • Thursday: Golden Eras (70s/80s throwback)

  • Friday: Maroon Out!

Advanced Academics & GT Information Night

Families are invited to attend an Advanced Academics and Gifted & Talented Parent Information Night on Tuesday, September 30, from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the CL&L. The session will guide parents in requesting GT testing for DSISD students.  The referral window runs from October 1–November 14, 2025, and starting October 1, you can visit the DSISD Gifted and Talented website for more details and the referral link.

Thank You, Volunteers & PTA

A huge thank you to our volunteers who assisted during student photos this week. You helped keep everything organized and on schedule—we truly appreciate your time and support!

And a special shout-out to our amazing PTA for the surprise bagels and coffee this morning. What a thoughtful way to start the day and head into the weekend—we are so fortunate for your continued support!

Important Dates

  • Sept 24–26 – 5th Grade Camp Champions

  • Sept 24 – Homecoming Parade, Pep Rally & Carnival

  • Sept 26 – Kinder Digging with Dudes

  • Oct 10 – Student Holiday / Grading Period Ends

  • Oct 13 – DSISD Holiday

Have a great weekend!

Kindly, 

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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September 12, 2025

“When the wheels touch ground”
Wheels – Foo Fighters

PTA & Tiger Dads Update:

We had our first general PTA meeting of the year, and the turnout was incredible! Thank you to everyone who showed up to connect, share ideas, and support our school community.  Our Tiger Dads program is also off to a fantastic start with a strong push of involvement already. It’s exciting to see so many dads, stepdads, granddads, and father figures jumping in to make a difference for our Tigers.

We are grateful for the energy, time, and heart you bring to SSE — your support makes all the difference!

Bicycles & Scooters Update:

The weather is finally giving us some pleasant mornings, and we’re noticing more students riding bikes and scooters to school. This is wonderful to see! A few reminders:

  • Please walk bikes and scooters across the crosswalk for safety.

  • Keep an eye out for students when they arrive and leave.

  • To help keep sidewalks clear for walkers, encourage your child to park in the bike racks.

We know the racks fill up quickly. If no spaces are available, the rock wall area or grassy space nearby a good alternative. This will help ensure safe and clear paths for everyone.

News From DSISD:

Our district recently updated the Student Code of Conduct. Please see the official information below regarding updates to the DSISD Student Code of Conduct:

The Dripping Springs ISD Student Code of Conduct for the 2025-26 school year was approved by the Board of Trustees at the August 25th board meeting.

The DSISD Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook are complementary documents, with the Code of Conduct providing detailed policy and the Handbook providing general guidance. These documents are updated annually to provide updated policies, guidance, and clarity. Parents and students are encouraged to review the documents to understand expectations for student behavior.

Some notable changes to the 2025-26 Student Code of Conduct include the DSISD Personal Communication Device Policy and consequences, which were adopted in accordance with House Bill (HB) 1481, as well as updates to teacher removals and discipline consequences in accordance with HB 6.

The Student Handbook is a helpful resource for questions and clarification. This document covers information on topics including attendance, student IDs, and graduation requirements.

Have a great weekend!

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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September 5, 2025

"You’ll never wait so long"
Here Comes Your Man – The Pixies

The wait is over — our Tiger Dads Kickoff is here!

At Sycamore Springs Elementary, we believe that when families and schools work hand-in-hand, kids thrive. One of the best examples of this partnership is our Tiger Dads program — a chance for dads, stepdads, grandads, and uncles to bring a positive, visible presence to our campus.

Whether greeting students at drop-off, helping in classrooms, lending a hand at special events, or just being a friendly face in the hallway, Tiger Dads help create an environment where kids feel seen, supported, and celebrated. The impact is lasting: when students see the men in their lives engaged at school, it sends the clear message that school matters.

This year, our Tiger Dads leadership team has a big vision to grow the program even further. That journey starts with our Kickoff Meeting on Sunday, September 7 at 2:00 PM in the SSE Cafeteria. In just 20 minutes, you’ll hear how you can get involved — whether that’s spending a full day on campus, covering a half-day shift, or pitching in for projects and events.

If you’ve ever wondered how to make a difference at school without being there every day, this is your opportunity. Tiger Dads is about more than filling a spot on the calendar — it’s about building memories with your kids, making connections with other families, and strengthening our SSE community.

And speaking of making a difference…

Have you ever wished you could give your child’s teacher the gift of extra time? That’s exactly what our Subs R Us program is all about! Parents can step into the classroom for up to three hours while the teacher is still on campus — giving teachers the space to plan, collaborate, or tackle big tasks, while students continue learning with support.

If you’d like to get involved, join us for a quick training after the PTA General Meeting on Wednesday, September 11 at 8:00 AM. It won’t take long, and once you’re trained, you’ll be ready to jump in and make a real difference for teachers and kids alike.

Come for the PTA meeting, stay for the Subs R Us training, and leave ready to help in a whole new way. We’d love to see you there!

Have a great weekend!

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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August 29, 2025

”When suddenly it all starts to make sense”
“All Kinds of Time” - Fountains of Wayne

Thank you for coming to Parent Orientation this week!  It was wonderful to have a building full of parents here to hear from our teachers and learn more about the school year ahead. 

This morning, we held our first Friday Assembly where we set norms, celebrated students, and sang our school song together for the first time this year! We focused on what it means to be safe, responsible, and respectful in and out of SSE. One area we highlighted was the cafeteria. This week we noticed our cafeteria being left a bit messy, and lots of silverware being taken but not necessarily used. If you’d like to help reinforce this at home, a simple conversation about leaving their eating space tidy and using only the silverware needed (one spoon per meal instead of one for every item) would go a long way.

Cafeteria Reminder:
Parents are welcome to eat lunch with their child. Seating will be available in our outdoor pavilion area near the cafeteria. Lunch times will be posted on the cafeteria doors so you’ll know when your child needs to return inside to join their class.

DSISD Community Advisory Committees
Our district is seeking members to serve on various Community Advisory Committees, including the Sycamore Springs Campus Action Committee. Applications are open now through September 5th at dsisdtx.us/committees.

Upcoming Events

  • September 7 @ 2:00 pm – Tiger Dads Kick Off

  • September 11 @ 8:00 am – PTA General Meeting

  • September 11 – Subs-R-Us Training (following PTA meeting)

  • September 17–18 – Fall Pictures with Lifetouch

I hope you enjoy the long weekend ahead—may it be filled with good football, good food, and good friends!  See you next Tuesday!

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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August 22, 2025

“What if the storm ends? And leaves us nothing?”
The Lightning Strike - Snow Patrol

We’ve wrapped up our first full week of school, and it feels like we’re getting into the groove! This week brought benchmarking, the start of small groups, and classrooms buzzing with learning. Instruction is progressing quickly, and our students are already assuming leadership roles throughout the building. Next Friday marks our first Friday assembly of the year, and we can’t wait to celebrate together. Thank you for your patience as we’ve navigated some wild weather and unpredictable dismissals. Following last week’s lightning delay, we re-examined our process and made fine-tuned adjustments to ensure things run smoothly and safely.  If we experience a lightning delay at dismissal, here’s what you need to know:

Car riders, bus riders, and daycare vans will dismiss as usual.
Walkers and bikers will stay inside until either:
- Picked up by a parent/guardian, or
- Released once the 30-minute lightning delay has passed and the “all clear” is given.

Important Reminders:
Students can only be released to:
- A parent/guardian
- Someone listed as an emergency contact in Skyward
- An adult with written consent emailed to ssesattendance@dsisdtx.us

Peanut Butter Bowl – Supporting Kids in DSISD (and beat Vandegrift)

Since 2022, the Dripping With Hope weekend food program has provided meals to students right here at SSES and across DSISD. This year alone, nearly 200 students are being served every week.  We’re participating in the Peanut Butter Bowl to collect donations that directly support these students.  Your donations ensure kids in our community don’t go hungry on the weekends. Thank you for supporting this important cause!

How to help:

  • Donate 18-oz jars of peanut butter or Jif To Go PB cups in the bin at the front of the school.

  • Make a financial gift—Online donations are at https://peanutbutterbowl.com/online-donation-form/. Choose Dripping Springs Tigers in the dropdown menu, and every $2 donated = 1 jar of peanut butter.

  • We have a labeled bin in the SSES lobby for 18-oz jars of peanut butter, Jif To Go PB cups.  

Calling all Tiger Dads!  

We want to bring fathers into our school to lend a hand in classrooms and around the building. There’s nothing quite like the excitement kids feel when they see dads in the hallways, helping out, and being part of their school day. It’s a wonderful way to strengthen connections and make lasting memories for students.  Mark your calendar! Our Tiger Dads Kick-Off Meeting will be held on Saturday, September 7, at 2:00 p.m. in the SSE cafeteria. More details will be shared soon—we can’t wait to get started!

Thank you for your patience as we established our cafeteria routines and expectations. Beginning Monday, parents are welcome to join their child for lunch! We’ll have picnic tables set up on the outdoor patio near the cafeteria, providing a quieter space for you to enjoy lunch together. In the event of inclement weather, indoor options will also be available.

Speaking of lunch… We are in dire need of a Lunch Monitor to help us keep things running smoothly in the cafeteria. The position is currently posted through the district. If you are interested—or know someone who might be—please consider applying and joining our team. Your support would make a huge difference for our students!

Reminders:

I hope you have a great weekend.

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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August 15, 2025

“And I've been waiting such a long time for today…”
—Saturday in the Park, Chicago

It’s been a long time coming, but we just wrapped up our first week of the school year! Even though it was a short one with only three days, it was not short on being a busy and productive start. Classrooms were filled with relationship-building and the important work of establishing routines. Students met their essential area teachers, upper grades connected with their switch teachers, and recess schedules are already memorized. Next week, we’ll give a full five days a try—ready to dive even deeper into learning together.

We’ve had three days to practice, but Monday we start taking tardies. To help make it a great week, here are a few important reminders for arrival and dismissal:

Morning Drop-Off
Please follow our designated traffic flow (see attached map) and note there is no through traffic behind the school by the tennis courts. Stay in your car for everyone’s safety, trust the cones, and keep pulling forward as directed. Our doors open at 7:10, and we are only staffed at the back door until 7:40 a.m.—after that time, staff are inside, and students dropped off may be left unattended.

To avoid this, around 7:35 a.m., cars in the queue may be redirected to the yellow lot sidewalk to keep the line moving (depending on the traffic flow). Should you find yourself in that situation, we have two options for you:

  • Option A: Let your child out along the yellow lot curb to walk inside using the sidewalk.

  • Option B: Park in the maroon lot and walk your child to the front door.

Afternoon Pick-Up
Please use the official traffic flow—this is how we prepare students for pick-up. Skipping the line around the back of the building causes gaps, slows dismissal, and can be stressful for students after a long day. Today, we wrapped up our car riders in 14 minutes—pretty good stuff, team!

Bike Safety
We’re proud of our students riding e-bikes and bicycles for being safe and respectful this week by walking them on sidewalks. With so many pedestrians, riding in these areas is not safe. All bikes—electric or otherwise—are to be parked at the bike racks in the yellow lot. There are no racks under the front awning, so bikes cannot be parked there.

Thank you for helping us keep arrival and dismissal safe, smooth, and positive for all students. I hope you take the weekend to rest, recharge, and recover from those early mornings—we’ll see you Monday for our first full week!

I hope you all have a very safe and restful weekend. Mine will be full of soccer, but I know my kids have some sleep to catch up on—and that’s good for me! Three early mornings in a row for them have really added up.

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary

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August 12, 2025

“You better hold on tight, ‘cause it’s really moving.”
”Please Hold On While the Train Is Moving" – The Old 97’s

If the school year isn’t moving fast yet, it will be soon! Summer seemed to end in a flash—and here we are, with the first day of school tomorrow!

Our incredible SSE staff has been hard at work preparing classrooms and lessons, creating spaces where our students can learn, grow, and shine. A huge thank you to our custodial team for making sure our building is spotless, safe, and ready for the year ahead, and to our SSE PTA for absolutely spoiling us this week while preparations were underway.

It’s been wonderful meeting so many of our new-to-SSE families and reconnecting with those we haven’t seen in a few months. The past two days have been filled with joy as kids returned to the building, and we can’t wait to have everyone back together—doing what we love: helping our students learn and thrive every day.

Thank you, parents, for trusting us with your children. We are honored to partner with you in their journey this year.

Click here for a quick one-pager of Back to School reminders for SSE.

Let’s make it a fantastic first day!

Kindly,

Cody Spraberry
Proud Principal
Sycamore Springs Elementary