INSIDE DSISD

New Attendance Zones (Effective 2025-26 School Year)

The Dripping Springs ISD Board of Trustees approved new elementary and middle school attendance zones that will go into effect beginning with the 2025-26 school year. The new attendance zones incorporate the district’s new elementary school (Elementary #6) that is currently under construction in the Headwaters neighborhood in addition to the expansion of Sycamore Springs Middle School from 850 to a 1,200 student capacity.

The new elementary attendance zones will balance campus enrollments districtwide to relieve overcrowding at Dripping Springs Elementary and Walnut Springs Elementary and add more students to the under enrolled elementary campuses on the east side of the district (Cypress Springs, Rooster Springs, Sycamore Springs). The new middle school zones will add more students to the Sycamore Springs Middle School campus as the Dripping Springs Middle School attendance zone is projected to grow.

In August 2024, DSISD formed an Attendance Zoning Committee composed of parents, staff and community members to recommend new attendance zone boundaries. DSISD also collected input through two Google surveys and six community input sessions.

Grandfathering
DSISD will establish a grandfathering process to allow certain students who are being rezoned the opportunity to continue at their legacy campus. Grandfathering guidelines will be announced by the district no later than January 31, 2025.

Steve Novickas, current Rooster Springs Elementary principal, has been named principal for Dripping Springs ISD’s Elementary #6, which will open for the 2025-26 school year.

An enthusiastic and student-centered leader, Mr. Novickas is in his sixth year as the principal of Rooster Springs Elementary. Prior to his current stint, he assisted with the opening of DSISD’s second middle school, Sycamore Springs Middle School, where he served as an assistant principal for two years.

Before arriving in Dripping Springs, Mr. Novickas spent 10 years in the Cherry Creek School District in the Denver area where he worked as the assistant principal for two elementary schools, one of which he helped to open. Before moving into campus leadership roles, he served as a teacher for seven years for Pine Ridge and Buffalo Trail Elementary.

“We are thrilled to have Mr. Novickas serve as the first principal for DSISD’s sixth elementary school,” said Superintendent Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz. “His eight years of leadership experience in Dripping Springs ISD as well as his multiple experiences with opening a school made him a frontrunner for this position and we are excited to see him build this campus from the ground up.”

Mr. Novickas received his bachelor’s degree in Education with a concentration in Physical Education from Illinois State University in 2006. He then earned a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Regis University in 2013.

Elementary #6 is currently under construction off Mira Vista Drive in the Headwaters neighborhood. The campus will serve PK-5 students and have a capacity for 850 students. New elementary and middle school attendance zones will be approved at the Dec. 16, 2024 board meeting and the campus name will be approved at the Jan. 27, 2025 meeting. DSISD will immediately begin the process of identifying the next school leader for Rooster Springs Elementary.

The DSISD Board of Trustees approved the 2025-26 Academic Calendar at last night's board meeting. To reduce the total number of instructional days during the school year, 10 minutes have been added to each school day. School times for the 2025-26 school year will be as follows.

Elementary School Times: 7:40 am - 3:05 pm

Secondary School Times: 8:50 am - 4:15 pm

Visit dsisdtx.us/calendar to download the calendar.

Students from the Dripping Springs High School Tiger Band participated in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region 18 auditions on Thursday, December 5, and Saturday, December 7, at Akins High School. A total of 35 students were selected for the region band, with 21 advancing to the Area E auditions.

Area auditions will take place Saturday, Jan. 11 at Westlake High School.

Wind Ensemble
*Keegan Ballard, Trombone
*Grace Bertram, Baritone Saxophone
*Erin Clarke, Flute
*Thomas Falls, Trumpet
*Elliott Kling, Bb Clarinet
*Alyssa Lantz, Piccolo
*Marthinus Lourens, Bassoon
*Iris Lucas, Tuba
*Gavin MacAlpine, Bb Clarinet
*Corbin Meyer, Trombone
*Evan Murphy, Percussion
*Jaden Pina, Percussion
*Kylie Smith, Flute
*Kalle Thomas, Tenor Saxophone
*Isabella Verhulst, Oboe
*Addison Waller, Bb Clarinet
*John Watson, Percussion

Symphonic Band
Elliott Brunner, Percussion
*Jackie Garcia, Percussion
Nathaniel Gibbs, Alto Saxophone
*Kaitlin Jennings, French Horn
Everett Kling, Alto Saxophone
Emily Kuhn, Bb Clarinet
Mikayla Leatherwood, French Horn
Keira McAlester, French Horn
Aiden Morton, Percussion
Kaleb Oliphant, Tuba
Lucas Parmeson, Bb Clarinet
*Yuri Seedhom, Trumpet
Ben Shaw, Percussion
Theodor Stoklosa, Trumpet
Aiden Vanwalleghem, Trumpet
Jackson Williams, Bass Trombone
Brock Woertink, Euphonium

Orchestra
*Alana Sayger, French Horn

Dripping Springs High School social studies teacher Rebecca Smart has been named a recipient of the 2024 Outstanding Teaching of the Humanities Award, which recognizes exemplary K-12 humanities teachers.

Each year, Humanities Texas selects 12 teachers for a $5,000 cash award and an additional $1,000 for their respective schools to purchase humanities-based instructional materials.

Nominees must be full-time teachers in Texas public or private schools. Teachers of English and language arts, foreign languages, history, and social studies are eligible for the award. Nominees should also have a record of active involvement in community activities and professional organizations, particularly those that promote the humanities.

Smart was named Sycamore Springs Middle School’s Teacher of the Year for the 2020-21 school year. She was also recognized as one of seven Master Teachers for the 2024 White House History Teacher Institute where she led her own sessions, served as a mentor to participants, and shared insights and strategies during the development program.

Dripping Springs Education Foundation is in the heart of their end-of-year giving campaign, and this year they've introduced a special Match Challenge! DSISD employees have pledged $27,478 to support the mission and DSEF challenges the community to match their donation. Every dollar donated will go even further to enhance education in our district! Donate Now

Gala Tickets On Sale Now!
Mark your calendars and secure your spot for the DSEF Heart of a Tiger Gala, our premier fundraising event. Tickets and tables are available online, so don’t delay, seats are limited!

Thank you for your continued support of DSEF! Together, we’re making a lasting impact!

Dripping Springs Ranch Park is hosting Western Wonderland until January 5. The event includes a trail of lights, ice skating, live performances, a holiday gift market and more!

Hours

11:00 am - 9:00 pm

Christmas Eve: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

New Year's Eve: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

New Year's Day: 11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Visit drippingspringsranchpark.com/westernwonderland for additional information.