The Viking View

Monday, May 1st

Teacher Appreciation Week Begins

National Principals' Day

2nd 3 Week IPR

8 Period Day

• Advisory Schedule
• Sign-Up for Viking Time
• 8th Period - Drop-Off Chromebooks in Testing Rooms (6th , 7th & 8th Grade)
  

Band Solo Festival (TBD)

Boys Soccer VMS vs. Pearson

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

Tuesday, May 2nd

Teacher Appreciation Week

STAAR Math/Algebra EOC (8th Grade/Enrolled Algebra Students)

8 Period Day

• Viking Time

Wednesday, May 3rd

Teacher Appreciation Week

STAAR Math (6th & 7th Grade)

8 Period Day

• Viking Time

GT Rising Viking Night

• VMS Cafetorium
• 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Band Spring Concert

• Liberty High School
• 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 4th

Teacher Appreciation Week

Make-Up STAAR (All Assessments)

8 Period Day

• Viking Time

Theatre Performances

• Cafetorium
• Student Directed
• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Girls Soccer VMS vs. Pearson

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

Friday, April 28th

Teacher Appreciation Week

Make-Up STAAR (All Assessments)

8 Period Day

• Viking Time

Theatre Jr. ITS Induction Ceremony

• Cafetorium
• 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 29th

Six Flags Band Trip

• All Day

May

8 UIL Regain Eligibility

8 Office Aide Celebration

9 8th Grade Field Trip

9 Art Club Meeting

9 UIL Tennis Tournament (Boys & Mixed)

10 National School Nurse Day

10 Senior Breakfast

10 200 Point HERO Party (VT)

10 Girls & Boys Athletic Parent Meeting 23-24

11 Spring Orchestra Concerts

11 Ethos Field Trip

11 UIL Tennis Tournament (Girls)

12 Ninja Nation Day (Pep-Rally Schedule)

12 Orchestra Ice Cream Social

12 Q4 Celebration @ VT

15 Return Chromebooks/Chargers

15 Yearbook Distribution

Pre-ordered yearbooks will be distributed during Advisory on Monday, May 15th. The yearbook signing event will take place for 6th and 7th graders following yearbook distribution. 8th graders will participate in yearbook signing during their Celebration Day on Thursday, May 18th. Additional yearbooks will go on sale May 8th-May 12th on a first-come-first-serve basis through online school fees.

We will collect district-issued Chromebooks and chargers on Monday, May 15th through ILA classes.

If your student has lost or broken their Chromebook charger, per the Chromebook Take Home Handbook they will need to replace it before returning their Chromebook on May 15th. There are two options on replacing a Chromebook charger:

• Option 1 – A parent can purchase a charger through Online School Fees. Please let Administration know before the student returns their Chromebook.
• Option 2 – A parent can purchase an approved charger through Amazon and return the replacement charger with their Chromebook.
• Approved Charger

There are several things you can do to help your child have a positive testing experience:

• Please do not schedule doctor or dentist appointments on testing days.
• Make certain your child gets plenty of rest, eats a good breakfast, and arrives at school on time.
• Students are required to be in their testing room promptly by 8:15 AM. We will begin releasing students from their designated morning location shortly after 8 a.m.
• Student will eat lunch in the cafeteria following their STAAR assessments. Lunch deliveries or other drop offs will NOT be permitted on STAAR testing days.
• Students will need to bring their FISD issued chromebook, fully charged and their charger the day before testing. Students will leave their chromebook and charger in their testing room each Monday of testing week to ensure technology is ready and available on testing day.
• Students who receive oral administration will need wired headphones. AirPods or other wireless headphones are not allowed during state testing.
• Students may bring pencils, a lunch, a clear water bottle and a book to read after testing. Students may also bring a dry snack in a sandwich-sized plastic bag (Individual items must be unwrapped and no messy foods like Cheetos).
• The campus will be closed to visitors on testing days.

The district policy regarding cell phones and electronic devices during STAAR testing states that cell phones, smart watches and all electronic devices are banned from classrooms, hallways and restrooms during STAAR testing administration. A student discovered to be in possession of a cell phone or electronic device, once testing has begun may be subject to disciplinary action and the test in progress will be marked “no score”.

The district has also provided campus’ information regarding STAAR Testing and HB 4545. HB 4545 requires Texas school districts to provide supplemental accelerated instruction for any student who did not perform satisfactorily on the STAAR grades 3-8 or STAAR EOC assessments. HB 4545 requires supplemental accelerated instruction for students who do not pass (i.e., does not have a passing score) STAAR. State law makes it clear that students may not opt out of tests, including standardized tests. More information is provided in this link STAAR Testing and HB 4545.

Please take note of all upcoming 2023 STAAR testing dates:

• May 2nd: 8th Grade Math & Algebra 1 EOC (Including Geometry & Algebra 2 Students)
  
• May 3rd: 6th & 7th Grade Math

All students will take the Math assessment aligned with the course they are enrolled. All Geometry and Algebra 2 students will take the 8th grade Math STAAR on May 2nd.

Thank you for all you do for the students, faculty and staff at Vandeventer Middle School.

Hey Rising Redhawks! We have a t-shirt just for you! Check out the Liberty PTSA spirit wear store for hoodies, pajama pants, shorts and blankets (and your Class of 2027 t-shirt!). Click the following link or scan the QR code pictured below.

Liberty High School PTA Store 3 | The J Paul Company | powered by OrderMyGear (itemorder.com)

Mark your calendar for the Vandeventer Middle School end-of-year activities and events:

Tuesday, May 9th - 8th Gr. Field Trip (Zoo)

Wednesday, May 10th - Senior Breakfast; Vandeventer MS Library @ 7:45 a.m.

Friday, May 12th - Pep-Rally/Ninja Nation (All Grades/All Day Event Sponsored by PTA)

Monday, May 15th - 8th Gr. Student Practice Ceremony; Liberty HS Auditorium @ 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 16th - 6th Gr. Award Ceremony Vandeventer MS Gym @ 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 16th - 7th Gr. Field Trip (Rough Riders)

Tuesday, May 16th - 8th Gr. Award Ceremony; Liberty HS Auditorium @ 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 17th - 7th Gr. Award Ceremony; Vandeventer MS Gym @ 9:30 a.m.

Thursday, May 18th - 8th Gr. Celebration Day

Friday, May 19th - 8th Gr. Final Campus Walk

The above referenced list is not all inclusive. Athletics, fine arts, and some clubs and organizations may also have end-of-year activities for student participants.

Registration for Strength and Conditioning Camp opened today! See below for details.

Dates:

June 5-8
June 12-15
June 19-22
June 26-29
July 17-20
Times: 7:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Cost: $240

Location: VMS Gyms

Requirements: Complete the waiver linked here: http://bit.ly/3lSxPXY and email it to Coach Park (Girls Athletics) at parkd@friscoisd.org or Coach Casares (Boys Athletics) at casaresa@friscoisd.org.

More information can be found at https://friscoisd.store.rankone.com/Camp/List#

Registration and fittings

Who: All Emerson Band and Color Guard Members

What: You will register for band for 2023-2024, purchase needed items, and get fitted for all uniform items.

When: May 19th

Time: 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. (This will be a come-and-go event.)

May Music Camp

Who: All Emerson Band Brass and Woodwind Students

What: We will begin learning all our music for football games and our competitive marching show.

When: May 22nd - May 24th

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Percussion May Camp

Who: All EHS Percussionists

What: We will begin learning all our music for football games and our competitive marching show.

When: May 22nd - May 24th

Times: 8:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. Marching Percussion; 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Front Ensemble

Percussion Camp

Who: All EHS Percussionists

What: We will begin learning all our music for football games and our competitive marching show.

When: July 17th - July 19th

Time: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (with a lunch break)

Summer Band Camp

Who: All Emerson Band and Color Guard Members

What: We will learn the all-state music, all music for football games, marching and movement fundamentals, and our competitive marching show.

When : July 25th - August 8th

www.emersonband.com/calendar

The next Board of Trustee Election is on May 6th. Please register to vote by April 6th to make sure that you are set to vote in the next cycle. Here are some helpful links:

• Check your registration status

• Print a voter registration application

• Request an application from your county elections administrator

Submit or deliver the application to the county voter registrar!

All tickets to athletic events hosted at FISD venues (including Ford Center and Toyota Stadium) must be purchased online. No tickets are available at the front entrances, but tickets can be purchased up through game time using the ticketing website. Visit tickets.friscoisd.org to purchase season passes and individual tickets.

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