The Viking View

"Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period."

Credit: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html

“No one can whistle a symphony. It takes a whole orchestra to play it.” - H.E. Luccock

• Our Annual Fundraiser kicks off on Monday September 12th - Donate Today!
• Mark your calendars for the Kickball Tournament on September 23rd.
• Vanderventer Yard signs are available on our website.
• We are in need of volunteers for A team games, please reach out to Maria Blois to join our amazing concessions team!
• Join the PTA - be a part of the symphony ❤.

PRE-ORDER MEAL TICKET(S)

We’ll be grilling beef/veggie hot dogs at the tournament! Pre-order your meal ticket(s) now or purchase during lunch on 9/14, 9/15, 9/16, or 9/21 (cash only). All meals come with a hot dog, chips and drink. *Pre-orders ensure we buy and prepare exactly what we need.

KICKBALL TOURNAMENT PLAYER INFORMATION

Each team must have 5 boys, 5 girls, and 1 teacher/staff player. All student players must be in the same grade level. When your team is formed, see Coach Siess for a registration packet. The team captain will be responsible for completing the registration form, understanding the tournament rules and collecting participation waivers for each player. The team captain will return the completed packet to the registration table during lunch on Wednesday, 9/14, Thursday, 9/15, or Friday, 9/16.

BACK 2 SCHOOL FUNDRAISER

The Kickball Tournament will celebrate the end of our school-wide fundraising campaign that will begin Monday, September 12th through Friday, September 23rd. Family donation information was sent home with students on Friday, September 9th. We’re still looking for fun prizes and raffle items middle schoolers will love! If your business is interested, please see our Sponsorship Opportunities or contact Rebecca Lucas at vmsfundraising@gmail.com.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY VANDEVENTER PTA

Join VMS PTA

www.vandevikings.my-pta.org

www.facebook.com/vandeventerpta

8 Period Day

Advisory Schedule

• STUCO Officer Elections

College Week Begins

• Gearing Towards Greatness! Wear Your Favorite College Gear!

School-Wide Fundraiser Begins

• September 12th-September 23rd
• See Fundraiser Packet/Donation Envelope for Details

Fall Play Rehearsals

• 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

• Liberty High School
• 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.

Tuesday, September 13th

8 Period Day

Viking Time

• Priority Day - ILA
• STUCO Officer Meeting (C101) @ 1:31 p.m.

College Week

• Work Hard, Dream Big! Wear Pajamas to School

School-Wide Fundraiser

• September 12th-September 23rd
• See Fundraiser Packet/Donation Envelope for Details

Fall Play Rehearsals

• 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

7 FB Fowler MS vs. VMS @ Liberty HS

• Yeehaw Your Way Through the Field: Show Your Country Side
• 5:30 p.m./7 p.m.

Wednesday, September 14th

Block Schedule (Periods 1,3,5,7)

Viking Time

• Priority Day - Social Studies

College Week

• Model Success: Dress Like Your Favorite Teacher

School-Wide Fundraiser

• September 12th-September 23rd
• See Fundraiser Packet/Donation Envelope for Details

Fall Team Pictures

• Cheer @ 7:20 a.m.
• Football @ 7:45 a.m.
• Volleyball @ 7th & 8th Periods

Kickball Registration

• Team Captains Return Registration Packet
• Purchase/Pick-Up Meal Tickets
• A/B/C Lunch

8 VB VMS vs. Cobb MS @ Cobb MS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Thursday, September 15th

Block Schedule (Periods 2,4,6,8) w/ Advisory

Viking Time

• Priority Day - Math

Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

• September 15th-October 15th

College Week

• College is Meant to be Celebrated: Dress in Favorite Holiday Attire

School-Wide Fundraiser

• September 12th-September 23rd
• See Fundraiser Packet/Donation Envelope for Details

Kickball Registration

• Team Captains Return Registration Packer
• Purchase/Pick-Up Meal Tickets
• A/B/C Lunch

Fall Play Auditions

• Stage
• 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

7 VB Cobb MS vs. VMS @ VMS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 16th

8 Period Day

Viking Time

• Priority Day - Science

• One Goal, One Team! Wear Your Favorite Team Jersey or Viking Gear!

School-Wide Fundraiser

• September 12th-September 23rd
• See Fundraiser Packet/Donation Envelope for Details

Kickball Registration

• Team Captains Return Registration Packer
• Purchase/Pick-Up Meal Tickets
• A/B/C Lunch

• Email Coach Siess or VB Coach for Details

Saturday, September 17th

Constitution/Citizenship Day

Volleyball Invitational Tournament

• Email Coach Siess or VB Coach for Details

September

19 8FB Trent MS vs. VMS @ Liberty HS

19 Fall Play Rehearsal

19 Ethos Village Workshop

20 8FB Trent vs. VMS @ Liberty HS

20 Thespian Club Meeting

21 8VB VMS vs. Maus MS @ Maus MS

22 7VB Maus MS vs. VMS @ VMS

22 Fall Play Rehearsal

22 Band Party

22 Orchestra Movie Night

23 UIL Eligibility Check

23 Kickball Tournament

24 Orchestra Boot Camp

Canvas is a Learning Management System (LMS) used in Frisco ISD. Secondary teachers use Canvas for communication, assignments, discussion boards, quizzes and more. Parents may see some grades in this system, but this is not the authoritative source for grades. Official grades are available in Home Access Center.

Student Resources

• Generating a Pairing Code for Your Parent

• Canvas Overview for Students

• Canvas Student App

• Notification Preferences

• Additional Resources for Students

Parent Resources

• Setting Up Observer Role and Pairing to Students

• Canvas Overview for Observers

• Canvas Parent App Overview

• Notification Preferences

• Additional Resources for Observers

Beginning Tuesday, September 6th, parents/guardians will be allowed to eat lunch with their student(s); however, we are asking parents to notify the administration as least 24 hours in advance by completing this form. There will be a 2 visitor/family maximum per lunch per day on a first come first serve basis. Campus office staff will provide an email confirmation to the requestor if the lunch reservation is approved. The requestor MUST receive this email confirmation to redeem the reservation on the date/time requested.

• All lunch visitors must have a completed and approved background check. Please allow 3-5 business days for this process. Click here for more information.
• Lunch visitors must check-in through the front office and receive a visitor badge. All visitors must receive a visitor’s badge upon arrival.
• Students and/or parents should only bring enough food for themselves (no large quantities to feed other students is allowed). The Texas Nutrition Policy does not allow sharing food.
• If the person visiting a student during lunch is not a parent/guardian, the identity of that person must be established, and he or she must be identified as either a visitor (with prior written, confirmed, parent/guardian permission) or emergency contact person on a student’s registration card/eSchool account.

Additional Cafe Information

• Microwaves will be available in the cafeteria for student use.
• Students may receive parent/guardian lunch drop-offs via the grade level coolers outside the cafeteria entrance. Food drop off services are not allowed - NO EXCEPTIONS (i.e. DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc).
  

For more information about school meals, visit Frisco ISD Child Nutrition Link.

Please help ease the carpool congestion by following the guidelines provided in the diagrams below. Your cooperation is appreciated.

Additional suggestions:

1. Alter pick-up time later when there are less vehicles in the carpool lane

2. Rideshare with a friend or neighbor

1. School dress code applies at all school events.
2. Students should remain in the stands to watch the games and limit their trips to the concession and restroom areas to halftime and between games. Students are not allowed to loiter/hang out around the concession and restroom area at any time.
3. Students and other spectators are not to bring food or drink into either of the gyms (volleyball/basketball). Bottles of water are allowed in the gym.
4. Once students leave the game, they are not allowed to return.
5. Students’ conduct should promote sportsmanship and reflect their team in a positive and respectful manner. Conversations should be appropriate, and profanity is prohibited.
6. Students should not have the following items or similar items with them: football, soccer ball, tennis ball, skateboard, scooter, etc. Please leave items such as these in the car or at home. These items will be confiscated if brought to the stadium/gym.
7. Students must be picked up no later than 15 minutes after the conclusion of the game to attend future extracurricular events. Students are encouraged to call their parent/guardian at the beginning of the last quarter/last set rather than waiting until the game is over. Administrators will wait with students until they are picked up to ensure student safety, so please ensure that your student has a ride immediately following the game.
8. Students not meeting these expectations may be asked to sit with their parents (if parents are present), or to call their parents to pick them up. Students may also not be allowed to return for future extracurricular events.

Frisco ISD parents have access to the curriculum outline and pacing guides used Districtwide for each core course. The curriculum outlines are created and revised each year by District educators and are rooted in the statewide curriculum standards provided by the Texas Education Agency, called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS.) Access the curriculum and pacing page

Frisco ISD teachers offer weekly online tutorials in the evenings, saving parents time and money that might otherwise be spent on outside tutors. The tutorials are facilitated by District teachers who have worked with the Teaching and Learning Department to ensure alignment between what happens in the classroom and what is covered in online tutorials.

Find the full list of subjects and tutorial dates/times here.

Frisco ISD is the largest school district in North Texas to receive an ‘A’ accountability rating from TEA and our campus received an ‘A’ rating after examining our campus STAAR/EOC results from this past school year. They looked at student achievement, school progress and how we are closing achievement gaps among various student groups.

The District recognizes that the success of our schools isn’t tied to this rating and is instead measured by our ability to grow strong future-ready learners.

Access our Future-Ready Profile page on our school website for a more holistic view of our campus. If you want to learn more about the rating and to find resources to dig deeper on the topic, click here.

All absences, both excused and unexcused, count toward the state’s compulsory attendance law. When a student's attendance drops below 90 percent but remains at least at 75 percent of the days the class is offered, the student may earn credit for the class or a final grade by completing a plan approved by the principal. All absences can easily be submitted in the form at the top of our campus website. Learn more about the attendance policy.

For the 2022-2023 school year, students with a positive COVID test will receive up to five excused absences per occurrence. Parents must submit a picture or copy of a positive COVID test with a date/time indicated. For home tests, take a picture of the positive test next to a digital Alexa or similar device or with another cell phone displaying the date/time. Students quarantined without a positive COVID test may be excused with a parent note for each day absent, but these parent notes will count toward the eight parent notes allowed by Frisco ISD. All absences will be considered when working through 90% attendance for credit and should be submitted in the form at the top of our campus website.

As a reminder, please keep your student home if he/she is not feeling well. Students who report to the nurse with a fever at or above 100.0 will be sent home and are required to remain at home until they have been fever free for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Frisco ISD utilizes the School Messenger text messaging service on a limited basis to communicate timely information such as school closures/delays or campus emergencies. Not sure if you are signed up? Opt in by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. This system is maintained separately from Remind, which many teachers and coaches use to text message students and parents.

This fall, parents are invited to learn the "why” behind evolving District practices related to secondary instruction, assessment and grading through a four-session book study. Middle and high schools are at various stages of implementing standards-based practices with full implementation planned for the 2023-24 school year.

• Learn more about the approach. Through standards-based practices, students, parents and teachers will have a better idea of where each child stands in their learning and can more precisely respond to needs. Learn more benefits.
  
• Students benefit when parents and teachers are on the same page and work together to support them. Access standards-based practices FAQs.
  
• FISD parents are invited to sign up for our book study now through August 12 to read Grading from the Inside Out by Tom Schimmer with parents across FISD.
  

FISD Board Policy requires that each volunteer, chaperone, and/or mentor undergo a background check before working with students. Frisco ISD uses VOLY, a volunteer management system, to complete background checks and to post volunteer opportunities. To work with students on campus, you will need to create a VOLY account by visiting https://friscoisd.voly.org.

You will be prompted to complete the background check during your VOLY account creation process. Keep an eye on your inbox for your background check approval (the process can take up to 3-5 business days). VOLY will send you customized e-mails with opportunities that may interest you for volunteering. Volunteers must complete a background check once every year.

If you need help, email volunteer@friscoisd.org, call 469-633-6860 or complete a ticket through the VOLY support system.

Ms. Taylor began her career in education in 1997 with Irving ISD after receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. After several years as a teacher and coach, she obtained her master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas and continued in Irving as a middle school assistant principal. In 2006, she transitioned to Dallas ISD where she worked in various leadership roles until moving to the Frisco area five years ago. This is Ms. Taylor's fourth year as the Viking principal, and she looks forward to another great school year!

Elizabeth Murray grew up in Port Arthur, Texas. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas A&M University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Lamar University. She started her teaching career in 2006 as a 6th grade math teacher at Clark Middle School and then spent the next 14 years teaching all grade levels of math at Fowler Middle School. During the 2021-2022 school year, she was selected as an Administrative Intern for Staley Middle School. Mrs. Murray will be join Vandeventer Middle School this year and she is so excited to be a Viking!

Marla Smith got her start in marketing and public relations, but found her true calling in education with the Dallas ISD in 2002. She taught RLA for 10 years and was a master teacher before transitioning to Central Office and School Leadership for another 7 years. Mrs. Smith earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Howard Payne University and her Masters degree in Education Technology from Lamar University. She has a husband and two teenagers. Mrs. Smith is excited to begin her fourth year at Vandeventer Middle School.

Email: vandeventer@friscoisd.org
Website: https://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/middle-school/vandeventer/home
Location: 6075 Independence Parkway, Frisco, TX, USA
Phone: 469-633-4350
Facebook: facebook.com/VandeventerMiddleSchool
Twitter: @VandeventerMS