
Viking View
Vandeventer Middle School - Parent Edition, Vol. 33
Message from PTA
VMS PTA is looking to fill the following chair positions. If you are interested, please email president.vmspta@gmail.com with your contact information and position you are interested in.
Community Liaison
Council Delegate / Legislative
Arts in Education
Inclusivity
Programs
Spirit Wear
Volunteer
Environmental
Please mark your calendar for the next PTA General Meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 6 p.m. We will be voting to approve the 2021-2022 PTA Executive Board.
April 12 - April 16
Monday, April 12
Advisory Schedule
1st 9 Week IPR
- Assignment Deadline
Tuesday, April 13
Viking Time, Week 1: 1st Period
Wednesday, April 14
Viking Time, Week 1: 2nd Period
Thursday, April 15
Viking Time, Week 1: 3rd Period
IPR Posted
TNS/C-Hall
- 3:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Friday, April 16
Viking Time, Week 1: 4th Period
Coming Soon
April
19 UIL Eligibility Date
20 Teacher of the Year Celebration
21 PTA General Meeting
23 Bad Weather Day - Student/Staff Holiday
STAAR FAQs
New Campus & District Information
Infosnap - Registration 2021-2022
Infosnap codes for students who are enrolled in Frisco ISD as of April 8th will go out to families the week of May 3rd. Registration questions can be directed to ISRegistration@friscoisd.org. At that time, the Laserfiche POR submission link will be active for parents to submit a proof of residence for 2021-2022.
Spinal Screening
Vision and hearing screenings for our F2F 7th grade students were conducted on March 5th. Spinal screenings for 7th grade girls and 8th grade boys were conducted on March 29th. Virtual students in these grade levels missed these screenings. If you would like to have your student screened, please contact Nurse Teeling to set up an appointment. These screenings are also applicable to any of our new to FISD students in 6th-8th grades who do not fall into the above categories. If your student has been screened by their physician, please contact your child's doctor, and submit the results of these screenings to Nurse Teeling at teelingh@friscoisd.org. Screenings will be conducted through the month of April.
Sweepstakes: Congratulations VMS Choir
Please join us in celebrating the success of our Viking Choir at the 2021 UIL Concert & Sight Reading Evaluation!
Sweepstakes!!
Concert Rating: Superior (1) from 3 judge panel
Sight Reading Rating: Superior (1) from 3 judge panel
Sweepstakes: Congratulations VMS Orchestra
Vandeventer Middle School Varsity Orchestra, Advanced Symphonic Orchestra, submitted a recording last week for UIL Concert and Sight-reading Evaluation. Three judges scored us on our "Concert" or "Stage" performance with the highest rating possible. Three separate judges also scored our "Sight-reading" portion with the highest rating possible! Due to these six judges rating Vandeventer Orchestra with top scores, our recording resulted in a "Sweepstakes" Award.
Frisco ISD has also once again been recognized by the NAMM Foundation as one of the Best Communities for Music Education for 2021! This is a tremendous honor that recognizes the work that music teachers do each day. This rigorous selection process considers music education from all angles – not just what is being done in the classroom, but how it is accomplished and, more importantly why strong support exists.
Simply stated, our community supports music education because they see the value in what it provides to every child! Thankful to work and teach in FISD!
Previous Campus & District Related Information
2021 Junior Police Academy
The Frisco Police Department offers young people the opportunity to experience law enforcement firsthand through the Junior Police Academy (JPA). There is NO COST to students who wish to attend the academy. Students will learn the basic functions of a working police department, as well as have a chance to learn about a career in law enforcement. Students will have the opportunity to meet members of the Frisco Police Special Operations Unit (SWAT), 911 Operators, School Resource Officers, Crime Scene Investigators, Bike Unit, K9 Unit, Jail Staff, and Motorcycle Unit. JPA transforms the traditional role of the police officer into one of mentor and friend while encouraging youth to be partners in building a safer community.
2021 Police Academy Dates to Choose From:
WEEK 1: JUNE 7- JUNE 10
WEEK 2: JUNE 14 - JUNE 17
WEEK 3: JUNE 21 – JUNE 24
WEEK 4: JUNE 28 - JULY 1
WEEK 5: JULY 6 - JULY 9 (This is the only week that will be Tuesday- Friday)
WEEK 6: JULY 12 – JULY 15
WEEK 7: JULY 19 – JULY 22
*APPLICATIONS ACCEPTED STARTING: APRIL 5, 2021*
Apply here : http://www.friscotexas.gov/317/Junior-Police-Academy
JPA is open to students who live in Frisco or students who attend Frisco ISD schools. Students must be currently enrolled in the 6th or 7th grade at the date of application. Spaces in the academy classes are limited and cadet selection will be divided evenly to accommodate all 17 FISD middle schools. Application requirements include parental permission and medical release forms.
The Junior Police Academy will be held at Lawler Middle School 12921 Rolater Road in Frisco. Each academy is 4 days long, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. There is no cost to students who wish to attend the academy. Students must have their own transportation to and from the academy and must be picked up by 4:30 PM.
All cadet applicants must be able to pass a thorough background check and have no behavior or discipline issues at school. Once JPA Coordinators receive the application and it is approved, a confirmation letter with additional information will be sent to the email provided on the application. Confirmation letters will not be sent out until early May.
Blackout Poetry Contest
In honor of National Poetry Month, the VMS Library announces a Blackout Poetry Contest. See the announcement on the VMS Library Canvas course for details and directions. All poems due by end of day on Mondy, April 26th. Two winners announced on Thursday, April 29th. Good Luck! email Mrs. Hon with questions. hona@friscoisd.org
Earth Day, April 22
FISD to Maintain Same Face-Covering Requirements
This week, the Texas Education Agency recommended that schools continue to require masks despite the Governor’s removal of a statewide mask mandate. Frisco ISD will maintain the same face covering requirements that have been in place all school year. As a reminder, the guidelines state that staff, visitors and students will wear face coverings while at school and on buses, including in classrooms, except when campus protocols specifically permit their removal.
Please reference this letter sent earlier today by the District for additional information. Online Frequently Asked Questions have also been updated.
Liberty High School Tennis Tryouts
Liberty tennis tryouts will be for all 8th graders on April 21st. Be at the Liberty tennis courts at 4:00pm! If you have any questions please contact:
Coach Dopson dopsone@friscoisd.org
Coach Justiss justissb@friscoisd.org
March for the Money
Thanks to a grant from CoServ, FEF is offering a Mini-Grant cycle to FISD educators beginning March 15th. Grants must be STEM related and requests may not exceed $1,000. Grant application and information will be live on the FEF website beginning Monday, March 15th.
Summer Book Initiative
Families, there is still time to gift summer books to FISD students in need! Check out this link to learn how: www.scholastic.com/friscoisd.
Athletic Information
Updated Athletic Protocols (COVID)
After evaluating our athletics protocols and current COVID-19 trends, spectators attending outdoor athletic events will no longer be required to wear face coverings/masks when maintaining 6 feet distance for other people. The district continues to recommend spectators wear appropriate face coverings for the safety of the athletes and spectators. Coaches and athletes will be required to wear a mask during times when they are unable to maintain 6 feet distance from others, such as, when shoulder to shoulder in a dugout or soccer shelter. The district will continue to monitor COVID-19 activity and may reverse this decision if case trends warrant.
We will still ask parents to arrive a few minutes prior to their student's game/event and leave the stadium immediately after it's completed to allow for social distancing. We will be evaluating stadium capacities in the upcoming days/weeks and may adjust those as well depending on our circumstances.
In order to provide the safest and most orderly environment possible at VMS sporting events, please adhere to the following rules:
- Parents should only purchase their allotted number of tickets (up to 3). Attendance at games should be limited to families of participants only. Sharing codes or purchasing more than what is allowed may hinder other families from attending games and could result in a loss of privilege of attending games.
- Family groups should sit together, but 6 feet from other family groups.
- Masks are encouraged at outdoor events, especially if unable to stay 6 feet apart.
- Families, including younger siblings, should not have the following items or similar items with them: football, soccer ball, tennis ball, volleyball, skateboard, scooter, etc. The items may be confiscated until the end of the event and individuals will be asked to return to their seats.
- Families, including younger siblings, should remain in the stands to watch the games.
- Family conduct should promote sportsmanship and reflect our team in a positive and respectful manner. Conversations should be appropriate and profanity is prohibited.
We ask for your continued support in creating a safe environment for our athletes during the pandemic. Potential risks for your family are also a risk for the VMS community. Please consider the following:
- Keep your student home if symptoms are noticed.
- Be forthcoming regarding exposure, potential exposure, or illness with your student and/or family member.
- Be wise with social activity and follow recommendations from the CDC and Health Department. Social activities away from school continue to impact the campus.
Thank you for your support of our FISD athletes, families and spectators – we’ll see you at the games!
Clubs & Organizations
Curricular Clubs: Reach out to the sponsors for virtual 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.
Curriculum & Instruction
Accessing Lesson Plans
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.
Policies & Procedures
Attendance: Reporting an Absence
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.
Attendance: Virtual Academy Expectations
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
COVID Information
As a reminder, Frisco ISD schools will notify parents and staff on a weekly, rather than daily, basis if a student or staff member who was on campus during the infectious period tests positive for COVID-19. Parents and community members can continue to track new daily case reports on the District’s COVID-19 dashboard once the dashboard returns Jan. 6. This change applies only to the general email notification of a COVID-19 case on campus; students and staff who were in close contact with the positive individual will continue to be notified as soon as possible regarding their potential exposure and need to quarantine. Learn more about the District's COVID-19 notification protocols.
Keep in mind these east tips on ways we can stop the spread as a community:
- Maintain 6 feet of distance when possible and wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth
- Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
- Screen your student daily prior to school for signs and symptoms of illness
- Keep your student home if an undiagnosed symptom or illness is noticed
- Be wise with social activity and follow recommendations from the CDC and local health service authorities
The Frisco ISD COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions is an excellent resource as you have questions about how this pandemic has impacted our District.
Lunch Visitation
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.
Technology Related Information
Technology Assistance
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.
Message from Vandeventer PTA
VMS PTA is looking to fill the following chair positions. If you are interested, please email president.vmspta@gmail.com with your contact information and position you are interested in.
- Community Liaison
- Council Delegate / Legislative
- Arts in Education
- Inclusivity
- Programs
- Spirit Wear
- SAGE
- Volunteer
- Environmental
Please mark your calendar for the next PTA General Meeting on Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at 6 p.m. We will be voting for 2021-2022 PTA Board.
World Wear Project: Thank you for continuing to donate your unused and unwanted clothing, shoes, backpacks, and toys. Check out the logo on our donation bin!
Earth Day is April 22nd, The World Wear Project will give the VMS PTA an extra $100 if we can collect 2,500 lbs or more during the month of April. Please remember to place items into kitchen sized bags. Please place one bag in the chute at a time, and only bring things that fit into the chute. Do not leave items on the ground, and be sure to come back later to donate your items if the bin is full.
School Supplies for 2021-2022 are now available through Sprout School Supplies: https://sproutsupplies.com/ enter VMS001 for school code. Online Ordering Only! All grade levels $50 if ordered by June 22; $60 if ordered after June 22; deadline July 13 (see the flyers above)
Join PTA: Parents, teachers, and students, if you have not had the chance to join VMS PTA this year, please join either through the PTA website http://vandevikings.my-pta.org/content.asp?PageID=8 or directly at https://www.joinpta.org/.
We have LOTS of spirit wear in stock! Visit http://vandevikings.my-pta.org/content.asp?PageID=6 to purchase Spirit Wear, Yard Signs, and/or Car Decals.
Like VMS PTA Facebook page to see the latest updates vis the following link: https://www.facebook.com/vandeventerpta/
For questions regarding VMA PTA , please contact president.vmspta@gmail.com
Vandeventer Middle School Administration
Principal
Assistant Principal
Assistant Principal
Vandeventer Middle School Counseling Staff
Counselor
Counselor
Secretary
Additional Virtual Counseling Services
Melani Smith, MS, LPC, NCC
Virtual Counseling Office
Student Support Coordinator
Vandeventer Middle School Office Support Staff
Iryna Faulkenberry
Emily Shelton
Vandeventer Middle School
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