The Viking View

Monday, January 9th

Student Holiday

Staff Professional Learning Day

• 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, January 10th

8 Period Day

• Advisory
• Enriching Students - Student Training

UIL One Act Play

• 4 p.m - 6 p.m.

Wednesday, January 11th

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

• Advisory
• 6th Grade Assembly
• 7th & 8th Grade - SEL Lesson Part 1

Course Selection via Science

• 7th Grade

Orchestra Instrument Selection

• Cafe
• 4 p.m - 7 p.m.

7 BBB Hunt vs. VMS @ VMS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

8 GBB VMS vs. Hunt @ Hunt MS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

PTA Spirit Night @ Pinstack

Thursday, January 12th

Block Schedule (Periods 2,4,6,8)

• Advisory
• 7th Grade Assembly
• 6th Grade - SEL Lesson Part 1
• 8th Grade - Sign-Up for Viking Time; SEL Lesson Part 2

Course Selection via Science

• 7th Grade

UIL One Act Play

• 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

CIP (CBAS) MOY Meeting

• Campus Representatives & Stakeholders
• Library
• 4 p.m- 5 p.m.

7 GBB Hunt vs. VMS @ VMS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

8 BBB VMS vs. Hunt @ Hunt MS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 13th

Spirit Day - VMS, Liberty or Emerson Spirit Wear w/ Jeans

8 Period Day

• Advisory
• 8th Grade Assembly
• 6th & 7th Grade - Sign-Up for Viking Time; SEL Lesson Part 2

Teacher Leadership Institute Campus Visits

• See Schedule via Staff Email

January

16 Student/Staff Holiday

17 UIL Eligibility

17 Rising Viking Night

17 Scheduling 23-24 - Current 6th Grade

17 Q2 PRIDE Celebration @ Viking Time

17 Thespian Club Meeting

17 Tennis Playoffs

17 School Board Recognition

18 FC Dallas Field Trip - Day 1 (6th Grade)

18 7 BBB VMS vs. Clark @ Clark MS

18 8 GBB Clark vs. VMS @ VMS

19 FC Dallas Field Trip - Day 2 (6th Grade)

19 UIL One Act Play Rehearsal

19 7 GBB VMS vs Clark @ Clark MS

19 8 BBB Clark vs. VMS @ VMS

20 Winter Band Breakfast

20 Basketball Picture Day

21 Band Instrument Drive

My name is Dwayne Spellman, and I am excited to join the Vandeventer Vikings! I live in McKinney and have a wife named Libby and a 4-year-old son named Dawson. Some of my favorite hobbies include golf, slow pitch softball, and reading. I look forward to learning more about our students and their families while finishing this school year off strong!

Secondary campus Gifted/Talented teachers will begin taking names of referred students on January 11th , and referral links will be sent to parents/guardians beginning January 12th. Parents must contact Kristen Roberts, VMS Gifted/Talented Lead Teacher, at robertsk@friscoisd.org to receive a referral link.

Mrs. Roberts will email the link to the parent email address that requested the referral. Emailed referral links will become inactive at 3:00 p.m. on January 25, 2023, and no referrals will be processed after that time. Please do not wait until the deadline to complete a referral. All information regarding the testing window will go to the email address that requested the referral.

If you have any questions regarding the FISD gifted and talented referral, screening, or identification process, visit our district website (http://www.friscoisd.org/departments/gifted-education/home) or contact Kristen Roberts @ robertsk@friscoisd.org.

Please be aware of these changes as this will impact alleyway and street traffic in the Isbell attendance zone. Families can visit www.FriscoTexas.gov/recycle for more information.

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.

Recently, there have been threats made to campuses by students via social media. Every threat is taken seriously and Frisco ISD is thankful for its strong partnership with area police departments and emergency services. Watch Frisco Police discuss why words matter.

Please remind your children that while they may be “joking” about having a weapon or

threatening harm to a school campus, the punishment by law is at minimum a Class-A

misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $4,000 and up to a year in jail. The punishment can be as severe as a third-degree felony, punishable by up to $10,000 and two to 10 years in prison. Frisco ISD supports the Frisco Police Department's full prosecution of any individual that threatens harm to our students, staff and campuses.

• [TX Penal Code 22.07 Terroristic Threat]

• [TX Education Code 37.125 Exhibition, use, or threat of exhibition or use of firearms]

Notably, families have the means to report concerns anonymously to the campus 24 hours a

day. Frisco ISD uses the STOPit for students, parents and the community to report any

concerns anonymously via web-based reporting or through the app. Please take a moment to

learn about the STOPit resource.

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.

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