Viking View

Monday, October 5

Regular 8 Period Day Schedule

Advisory Schedule

8 Football Scoggins vs. VMS @ Liberty HS

• 6:00 p.m. (only one game)

Tuesday, October 6

Regular 8 Period Day Schedule

Viking Time Schedule: Week 2/5th Period

Lockdown Drill (3rd Period)

7 Football Scoggins vs. VMS @ Liberty HS

• 6:00 p.m. (only one game)

Wednesday, October 7

Modified Block Schedule

• Period 1, 3, 5, 7

Viking Time Schedule: Week 2/6th Period

8 Volleyball VMS vs. Lawler @ Lawler

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 8

Students & Staff Wear PINK

Modified Block Schedule

• Period 2, 4, 6, 8

Viking Time Schedule: Week 2/7th Period

7 Volleyball VMS vs. Lawler @ VMS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Friday, October 9

Regular 8 Period Day Schedule

Viking Time Schedule: Week 2/8th Period

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awareness of the disease and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure. The campaign also offers information and support to those affected by breast cancer.

Every Thursday, students who participate will be entered in a drawing to receive courtyard seating on Friday of the same week. We will draw the names of three students each lunch and they will be able to ask two friends to join them on Friday. Social distancing will be enforced in the courtyard.

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th. The celebration begins in the middle rather than the start of September because it coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate theirs on September 15th, followed by Mexico on September 16th, Chile on September 18th and Belize on September 21st. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates U.S. Latinos, their culture and their history.

For questions/concerns related to athletics, please reach out to the appropriate athletic coordinator.

Girls' Athletics

Coach Jaime Siess @ SiessJ@friscoisd.org

Boys' Athletics

Coach Andrew Casares @ Casaresa@friscoisd.org

1. Spectators are not allowed to bring food or drink into either of the gyms. To minimize gatherings and to ensure social distancing protocols, concession sales will not be permitted this year. Bottles of water are allowed in the gym.
   
2. Gate workers will ensure compliance to social distancing guidelines and face covering requirements for spectators.
3. There will be 100% online ticket sales through Ticket Spicket. There will be no cash sales at the gate. Gate workers will verify virtual ticket purchases.
4. Protocols for identifying family members are being developed and will be in place before the first game so that family members may sit together in the stands.
5. Seats will be marked and appropriately distanced 6 feet apart for spectators to ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines.
6. There are NO STUDENT SECTIONS at any middle school games this season.
7. Athletes' conduct should promote sportsmanship and reflect their team in a positive and respectful manner. Conversations should be appropriate and profanity is prohibited.
8. Athletes will leave with their parent immediately following their game. Coaches will wait with athletes after the last game of the night.
9. Games will not start earlier than scheduled time, so that parents won’t feel the need to arrive too early. The expectation for parents is to arrive shortly before the game and leave immediately after the game.
10. Announcements will be made at the end of each game asking parents to leave the gym to allow space for other parents.
11. There will be a separate entrance and exit in gyms for event spectators to minimize contact between spectators.

1. Administrators on duty will ensure compliance to social distancing guidelines and face covering requirements for spectators.
2. There will be 100% online ticket sales through Ticket Spicket. There will be no cash sales at the gate. Gate workers will verify virtual ticket purchases.
3. There are NO STUDENT SECTIONS at any middle school games this season.
   
4. Athletes' conduct should promote sportsmanship and reflect their team in a positive and respectful manner. Conversations should be appropriate and profanity is prohibited.
5. Athletes will be able to ride the bus back to school or leave with their parent immediately following their game. Coaches will wait with athletes at campus until the last athlete is picked up.
6. Games will not start earlier than scheduled time, so that parents won’t feel the need to arrive too early. The expectation is for parents to arrive shortly before the game and leave immediately after the game.

In order to ensure that we are able to provide interventions and enrichment opportunities to our students, while maintaining COVID safety protocols, we have revamped our Viking Time procedures. Students received this information during Advisory on Monday, September 28th. See below for details.

Purpose of Viking Time:

The primary purpose of Viking Time is to increase student achievement through targeted instructional practices within the school day. The primary focus will be on interventions for students who need assistance mastering Power Standards.

Viking Time Schedule

During the scheduled time, students will attend their assigned advisory class or their class schedule over a two week period.

Week 1

• Monday - Advisory

• Tuesday - 1st Period

• Wednesday - 2nd Period

• Thursday - 3rd Period

• Friday - 4th Period

Week 2

• Monday - Advisory

• Tuesday - 5th Period

• Wednesday - 6th Period

• Thursday - 7th Period

• Friday - 8th Period

Virtual Academy

Teachers strategically select students to attend their Viking Time sessions in order to re-teach concepts so that students can master objectives, remain on track in class, and ultimately, meet their full academic potential. While teachers should have a Viking Time focus more often than not, Viking Time can also serve as “regular” tutorial sessions and/or study hall. Virtual Academy students are required to check in with their Viking Time Teacher.

Face to Face

Students will go to their regularly scheduled period for that Viking Time. Small groups should be pulled for intervention/reteaching. Teachers can provide extension opportunities for other students, or utilize it as a study hall.

Curricular Clubs:

Reach out to the sponsors for virtual and/or F2F meeting dates/times.

National Junior Honor Society - Sponsor Kim Shea

Art Club - Sponsor Leanne Rainey

Academic Pentathlon - Sponsors Kristen Roberts & Jamie Buzan

STUCO - Allison Hillman

Vikings Read Book Club - Amy Hon

Non-Curricular Clubs:

Students may provide information related to their non-curricular club to their peers via student created posters, word-of-mouth, and student announcements.

Art Club is open to ALL students at Vandeventer Middle School. We will meet in the cafeteria one Wednesday per month (please see dates below). We will complete a fun project each time we meet! There is a one-time, non-refundable fee of $15.00 for each student who chooses to participate in Art Club. This fee can be paid through the student's Online School Fees account and it covers the cost of materials and supplies used for Art Club projects throughout the year.

Art Club is an OPTIONAL extracurricular activity that any VMS student can take part in. Students who participate will be asked to sign-in upon arrival and follow social distancing

protocols. Masks required!

Wednesday, October 21st (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, November 18th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, December 16th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, January 13th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, February 17th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

Wednesday, March 17th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

*Wednesday, April 14th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

**Wednesday, May 12th (3:45-4:30 p.m.)

(Dates subject to change if the need arises)

*April Art Club Date may be cancelled or postponed due to STAAR testing dates

**May Art Club date may be cancelled or postponed due to STAAR testing dates

Prior year meal benefits are about to expire! Every year families are given 30 days to re-apply for meal benefits for the current school year. During these 30 days, students continue to receive meals based on their prior year status. Starting September 30th, students eating on their prior year meal status will be changed to paid. Avoid unnecessary negative meal account balances and apply today for Meal Benefits!

Picture day for our face-to-face students is scheduled for Monday, October 26th through social studies classes.

For our virtual academy students, picture day will be scheduled after school from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. by grade level. Logistical information, including a sign-up/reservation form, is forthcoming!

Virtual Academy Picture Day Schedule:

6th Grade - Monday, October 26th

7th Grade - Tuesday, October 27th

8th Grade - Wednesday, October 28th

The Academic Partnership and Community Partnership teams are working on gathering information about virtual service opportunities for students. Click here to view a list of cooperating agencies willing to provide virtual service opportunities.

Vandeventer Middle School is partnering with World Wear Project (a for-profit, social impact business based in Dallas) to turn excess shoes, clothing and toys into funds that will be used for PTA programs benefiting students, staff and parents.

Some examples of past and current programs are: Back to School Events, Reflections (Arts in Education), Multicultural Night, All Pro Dads Club, Healthy Lifestyles, SAGE, Teacher Appreciation, Career Day Luncheon, Veterans Day Luncheon, Teachers Grants, and the Fall & Spring student assemblies.

The bin is placed in the parking spot closest to Independence Parkway on the cafeteria side of school. Drop off your used items in the bin and start funding our PTA programs today!

Isbell Elementary School has extra 2019-2020 yearbooks on sale for $25.00! To purchase, please stop by the school's front office and place $25.00 cash in an envelope with your student's name. Isbell will provide a yearbook at the time of purchase.

Students and parents will be able to access teacher lesson plans via our campus website by clicking this Vandeventer Website link. Once you have accessed the website, please follow these instructions:

• Find the news section on our campus website
• Click on the eLearning 2.0 button
• Find the teachers and click their name
• Follow the teacher's instructions for synchronous and asynchronous learning

Lesson plans will be posted on our campus website by 8:00 a.m. every Monday morning during 5-day work weeks. During holiday/professional development weeks availability to lesson plans dates/times may vary.

If you have trouble locating the teacher lesson plans, please reach out to your teacher. Teacher emails can be located on the Vandeventer Staff Page.

The modified block schedule began on Wednesday, September 16th. You may view the modified block schedule via the link below, or in the Quick Links referenced above.

So, what does this mean? Students will follow a regular 8-period day schedule on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays. Students will attend periods 1,3,5,7 on Wednesdays, and students will attend periods 2,4,6,8 on Thursdays.

All middle school campuses will follow the same schedule for the 2020-2021 school year. he modified block schedule pertain to VA and F2F students.

Modified Block Schedule

Regular school attendance is essential for a student to make the most of his or her education, to benefit from teacher-led and school activities, to build each day’s learning on the previous day’s, and to grow as an individual. Absences from class may result in serious disruption of a student’s mastery of the instructional materials; therefore, the student and parent should make every effort to avoid unnecessary absences.

Missed Work Due To Absences:

It is a good idea to email your child’s teachers if they are out multiple days to get any work that can be done at home if possible. Students are responsible for collecting make-up work the first day they return to the class(es) that were missed. After receiving their make-up work, students will turn in their work as follows: one day of absence, one day (next class period) to make up work; two days absence, two days (class periods) to make up work; three days or more absent, three days (class periods) to make up work.

Truancy Prevention:

When a student between ages 6 and 19 incurs unexcused absences:

• On the 3rd unexcused absence: The school administrators will notify a student’s parent (including a letter), as required by law, to remind the parent that it is the parent’s duty to monitor the student’s attendance and to require the student to come to school. A student attendance behavior intervention plan will be initiated.

• On the 5th unexcused absence: The school administrators will notify a student’s parent (including a letter), as required by law, to remind the parent that it is the parent’s duty to monitor the student’s attendance and to require the student to come to school. The student attendance behavior intervention plan will be updated.

• On the 7th unexcused absence: The school administrators will meet with both the student and parents to review attendance concerns and update the student attendance behavior intervention plan. The district Truancy Prevention Facilitator will be notified and students and parents will be referred to the Frisco ISD Truancy Tribunal with Judge Payton. Parent notes will no longer be accepted to excuse absences.

• On the 10th unexcused absence: A referral to truancy court will be made if the student is absent without excuse from school on ten or more days or parts of days within a six-month period in the same school year. Missing one class period and tardies count as parts of days.

90% Attendance:

The state requires 90% attendance. Students who are in attendance less than 90% of the school year are at risk of losing credit. Students will be expected to make up instructional time outside of the regular school day through tutorials, Thursday Night Reflections, etc.

See the FISD Student Handbook for more information on attendance, including excused/unexcused absences, truancy, exemptions, and family vacations.

We would like to reiterate the importance and expectation of attendance for our virtual academy students. Please make sure your student is adhering to the following expectations:

• Follow the campus bell schedule
• Attend all classes virtually (i.e. Zoom or Google Meets)
• Participate in virtual classes by keeping the CAMERA ON (the teacher needs to see the student's face)
• Stay on the required virtual session until the teacher dismisses the class for asynchronous assignments
• Complete all assignments as directed by the teacher

Virtual students are expected to adhere to all compulsory attendance laws, district policy and campus expectations. Failure to follow these attendance guidelines will be considered a violation of law, and students will be subject to disciplinary action.

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT TURN THEIR CAMERA ON WILL BE MARKED ABSENT. If you are experiencing camera issues with your device, please reach out to our receptionist, Emily Waltz @ waltze@friscoisd.org, to schedule a time to pick-up a Chromebook from the school.

For more information related to attendance, please visit the district's webpage @ https://www.friscoisd.org/about/resources-and-information/school-attendance

If your child is going to be absent from school for any part of or the entire day, please submit the attendance information before 8:30 a.m. via the REPORT AN ABSENCE form by clicking the REPORT AN ABSENCE tab on the top right corner of our campus homepage.

Phone calls are a courtesy, but this form (as outlined below) is the only means for official absence reporting. Parents will be expected to complete the following information by clicking the form from the REPORT AN ABSENCE tab on the top right corner of our campus homepage:

REPORT AN ABSENCE

STUDENT ID - OPTIONAL

STUDENT LEGAL NAME - REQUIRED

DATE OF ABSENCE - REQUIRED

(If absent more than one day, include all days of absence in the explanation on the next field.)

REASON FOR ABSENCE - REQUIRED

(Please include specific information or symptoms; "sick" is not sufficient for our records.)

COVID-19 - REQUIRED
Is this absence related to Covid-19? Yes No

Please provide an email (required) or phone number (optional) where you may be reached.

EMAIL - REQUIRED

PHONE - OPTIONAL

DOCTOR NOTE - OPTIONAL: Upload a doctor's note explaining the reason for your child's absence.

Grade Categories:

Major

● weighted 60% of 9-weeks grade

● includes tests, major projects, essays, etc.

Minor

● weighted 40% of 9-weeks grade

● includes quizzes, short term projects, practice, daily work. etc.

Reassessment/Retest Guidelines:

Grades reflect a student‘s relative mastery of the curriculum and should provide feedback on

student progress. Students will be able to receive credit for evidence of increased mastery for

major grades 84 and below for a maximum score of an 85. Students scoring an 85 or above on the original major grade will not have an opportunity to reassess for a higher grade.

1. Students will have a window of five school days after the grade is returned to re-assess.(Remediation and reassessment must be completed by the end of the five-day window.)
2. Reassessment may be targeted to areas not mastered on the original assessment.
3. Requirements to reassess, such as attending tutoring sessions and/or completing remedial assignments, will be determined by campus guidelines.

This retest policy would not include major assessments classified as Projects which follow

Project Guidelines. Projects can include but are not limited to presentations, physical or

electronic products, speeches, and lab reports.

The following procedures will be implemented during morning arrival to eliminate the need for holding areas, ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines, and minimize the number of students in corridors during morning transitions.

Students will enter the building according to their designated entry location:

• ALL bus riders – front entrance
• 6th Grade – café entrance (parent drop-off/walk to school)

• 7th Grade – grade level hallway (parent drop-off/walk to school )
• 8th Grade – tennis court (parent drop-off/walk to school)

Additional safety precautions will be in place. See below

• Doors propped open from 7:45 a.m.-8:25 a.m. will provide for a touchless entry
• Students who arrive after 8:25 a.m. will enter through the main entrance
• Students report to cafeteria from 7:45 a.m.-8 a.m.
• Students will report directly to class from 8 a.m.-8:25 a.m.
• Late arriving students will report to the main office
  
• Each entrance will have a supervising staff member to provide social distancing and face covering reminders
• Upon entering the building, students will apply hand sanitizer via the dispensers located at each entry point

The following procedures will be implemented during dismissal to ensure adherence to social distancing guidelines and minimize the number of students in corridors during dismissal.

• Campus administration will stagger dismissal by grade levels to help manage student movement in the building and decrease the risk of potential crowding outside
• Staff will be assigned duty locations outside during dismissal to provide social distance and face covering reminders
  
• Students MUST wear their face covering when exiting the building, while waiting for their transportation, and while riding on the bus
• Reentry to the building after school will not be permitted

Parents/guardians who wish to administer medication to their student(s) during the school day must follow the guidelines below.

Parent Medication Administration

• Parents/guardians are required to check-in in the front office
• Parents/guardians must adhere to all campus visitor protocols
• Parents will be asked to wait for their student(s) in the Vandeventer foyer instead of the clinic
• Nurse Teeling will be notified and will greet parent in the foyer to answer any questions

Parent/guardian may reach out to Nurse Teeling via email at teelingh@friscoisd.org or by phone at 469-633-4358 for questions regarding administering medication on campus.

Parents/guardians who wish to keep scheduled medications in the clinic for administration must follow the guidelines below.

Medication Drop Off

• Medication may be kept in the clinic with appropriate documentation for F2F students and VA students participating in on-campus classes
• Parent/guardian must reach out to Nurse Teeling via email at teelingh@friscoisd.org or by phone at 469-633-4358 to schedule a drop off date/time
• All prescription/ medical documentation must be provided at the time of drop off

Students are NOT allowed to bring medication to the nurse and may NOT carry medications on their person unless prior approval has been granted and documentation has been received by the campus nurse allowing the student to do so. This applies to medications such as inhalers, and Epi Pens.

To minimize campus traffic inside the building, we have relocated the lunch drop-off location. Parents/guardians may drop-off lunches for their student(s) via the grade level coolers/buckets placed outdoors in front of the cafeteria entrance. Please have your student's lunch (NO DRINKS) labeled before placing inside the grade level cooler/bucket.

Please use this link to schedule your lunch visitation. Due to social distancing guidelines, there is a two family minimum for each lunch time.

• Parents will be allowed to eat lunch with their student(s) during the fall semester; however, we are asking parents to notify the administration as least 24 hours in advance.
  
• Parents/guardians are NOT allowed to bring food and/or eat lunch with students other than their own.
• Social-distancing guidelines will be strictly enforced in the cafeteria.
• There will be tables designated for parents eating lunch with their students(s).
• Parents/guardians MUST check-in at the front office to receive a visitor badge.
• Parents/guardians must comply with campus expectations regarding face coverings and social-distancing.
• Students may still receive lunch drop-offs via the grade level coolers/buckets placed outdoors in front of the cafeteria entrance.

Vandeventer Middle School has a new security doorbell/camera installed at the main entrance as an additional safety measure to protect our students and staff. Visitors must ring the doorbell and wait for assistance from office staff when requesting entry into the building. Office staff will ask visitors to show their ID to the camera before granting access. So, please have your identification ready. Access to the building will NOT be granted without proper identification. Upon clearance, the office staff will grant access to the building.

This device does not have a hearing-impaired function to communicate. If you are hearing-impaired and plan to visit the campus, please email the school at vandeventer@friscoisd.org to let us know when to expect you. When you arrive, we can exit the building to greet you and make communicating simpler. We appreciate your understanding.

FISD librarians believe that reading is the foundation for all learning and contributes greatly to student success in school. Recent research suggests that print remains the preferred medium for reading. As such, we believe that getting books into the hands of FISD students is critical to increase opportunities for independent reading and academic success.

In order to support literacy development, Frisco ISD has created opportunities for students enrolled in the Virtual Academy to checkout print books from their home campus library and pick them up on designated days and times.

Please review this presentation for specific guidelines for Vandeventer Middle School. Reach out to Mrs. Hon for questions at hona@friscoisd.org.

To capture Vandeventer Middle School related activities and to ensure that all students are included in this year's yearbook, we need your help. Faculty, students, and staff can upload pictures here (password: 415464688). Students who are not allowed to be photographed will be edited if the submission is selected for publication. Adding a photograph to this link does not necessarily guarantee publication. We appreciate your assistance!

To order a 2019-2020 yearbook, please click here.

Your Chromebook automatically checks for and downloads updates when it is turned on with the lid open and connected to Wi-Fi or Ethernet. Chrome OS will get updates periodically, so it is important to have the most updated operating system to ensure that applications work the way they are intended. Leaving your Chromebook plugged into power with the lid open overnight will help make sure that any updates needed can run overnight so your machine is ready to use first thing in the morning. If you are having trouble with your Chromebook, checking to see if it has the most updated Chrome OS is the best place to start your troubleshooting. It can affect the performance of many different apps and extensions.

You can check for updates yourself.

Here is an interactive video or follow the steps below:

1. Turn on your Chromebook and make sure that it is open.

2. Connect your Chromebook to Wi-Fi. (Linked help)

3. At the bottom right, select the time.

4. Select Settings .

5. At the bottom of the left panel, select About Chrome OS.

6. Under "Google Chrome OS," you'll find which version of the Chrome operating system your Chromebook uses.

7. Select Check for updates.

8. If your Chromebook finds a software update, it will start to download automatically.

9. After updating, it may ask for you to restart your Chromebook.

Some models of Chromebooks the District distributed could encounter a critical update message. This could take up to 2-3 hours (depending on the strength and speed of your Wi-Fi) for your device to receive this critical update. If you receive this message, do not shut down or restart your Chromebook! Wait until the Chromebook screen messages you that the update is complete. If you did restart your computer or shut it down during the critical update, you will need to contact the campus to schedule a time for you to bring your Chromebook back to the campus to be repaired. Please complete the Device Repair tile in the student portal.

Students may click the link below if experiencing technology issues (Canvas, FISD login, Student Portal, Zoom). From the main FISD homepage, students must click on the word Virtual under the Instruction button, then choose Technology Resources from the menu on the left side of the screen.

World Wear Project: Continue to donate your unused/unwanted clothing, shoes, backpacks, toys, etc. Proceeds will help the VMS PTA to provide programs that benefit Vandeventer students, staff, and parents. Help support this great cause while cleaning out your closets. More details above.

Thank you parents for donating to the World Wear Project. The VMS bin was filled to the rim two times this past week. Special thanks to Stacey Miller for posting this on her neighborhood social media and coordinating and encouraging parents to donate.

Inclusion Shirts. We are encouraging our community to purchase the PTA "I'm INclusive" shirt. The school that purchases the most shirts will win a staff luncheon provided by the Frisco ISD PTA Council. The deadline to purchase shirts is October 20th! Shirts will be delivered in November. See below for ordering details.

Reflections: National PTA's Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boost student confidence and success in the arts and in life. The theme for the 2020-2021 program year is I Matter Because... Students can submit their completed works of art in one or all of the available arts categories: Dance Choreography, Film Production, Literature, Music Composition, Photography, Visual Arts. The deadline for entries has been extended to October 30, 2020. Please remember, VMS PTA membership is required to enter.

Healthy Snack Food Contest

Sweet, salty, or savory! Everyone has a weakness for a snack. Please send your favorite healthy snack to HealthyLifestyle.vmspta@gmail.com. The PTA board will choose a submission once a month and it will be posted in the newsletter and PTA facebook group.

Thank you to parents, teachers and PTA Board members for attending our first PTA General Meeting on September 23rd. Both By Laws and Standing Rules have been submitted to TX PTA for approval.

Please stop by the Front Office to pick up your student’s pre-purchased school supplies and/or PE uniform. We still have a handful of each waiting to be picked up. Thank you for remembering.

Join VMS PTA, visit http://vandevikings.my-pta.org/content.asp?PageID=8

Visit http://vandevikings.my-pta.org/content.asp?PageID=6 to purchase Spirit Wear / Yard Signs / Car Decals.

Like VMS PTA Facebook page to see the latest updates: https://www.facebook.com/vandeventerpta/

For questions regarding VMA PTA , please contact president.vmspta@gmail.com

Melani Smith, MS, LPC, NCC

Virtual Counseling Office

Student Support Coordinator

smithmela@friscoisd.org

Virtual Counseling Office

Virtual Appointment Request Form

6075 Independence Parkway

Frisco, Texas 75035

Email: vandeventer@friscoisd.org
Website: http://schools.friscoisd.org/campus/middle-school/vandeventer/home
Phone: 469-633-4350
Facebook: facebook.com/VandeventerMiddleSchool
Twitter: @VandeventerMS