The Viking View

Join PTA: Parents, teachers, and students, please join our VMS PTA either through the PTA Website or directly at https://www.joinpta.org/. Visit our VMS PTA Facebook page to see the latest updates. For questions regarding VMA PTA, please contact president.vmspta@gmail.com.

Monday, November 1st

College Day

• Wear your favorite college shirt with jeans!

8 Period Day

• Advisory Day

Tuesday, November 2nd

Diwali Celebrations Begin

• Dhanteras
• Cleaning, purchasing gold or metals

8 Period Day

• Viking Time - ILA

Pentathlon Team Qualifier Exam

• 3:45 p.m. @ B105

Wednesday, November 3rd

Diwali Celebrations Continue

• Choti Diwali
• Decorating and creating rangolis

Block Schedule Periods 1, 3, 5, 7

• Viking Time - History
• NJHS Ice Cream Social

Choir Recital

• 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Thursday, November 4th

Diwali Celebrations Continue

• Diwali
• Most important day with Lakshmi Puja

Block Schedule Periods 2, 4, 6, 8

• Viking Time - Math

Friday, November 5th

Diwali Celebrations Continue

• Padwa
• Celebrations of the love between husband and wife

Spirit Day!

• Wear Viking or Liberty gear!

2nd 9-Week IPR (Assignment Cutoff)

8 Period Day

• Advisory - Pep rally

Hearing & Vision Screening

• 7th Grade
• Science Classes

Orchestra All Region Clinic

Saturday, November 6th

Diwali Celebrations End

• Bhal Duj
• Celebrations of brothers and sister

November

9 Library Closed 2:30-4

10 Fire Drill

11 IPR Posted (HAC)

11 Veterans Day Celebration

12 UIL Eligibility

15 PTA Board Meeting

16 Library Closed 2:30-4

16 AIM for Success Parent Program

16 Art Club Meeting

19 Career Day

"Native American Heritage Month has evolved from its beginnings as a week-long celebration in 1986, when President Reagan proclaimed the week of November 23-30, 1986 as "American Indian Week." Every President since 1995 has issued annual proclamations designating the month of November as the time to celebrate the culture, accomplishments, and contributions of people who were the first inhabitants of the United States.

Through dance, family traditions, and music, these stories show the diversity and long history of Indigenous people across the United States. Celebrate the history, culture, and traditions of American Indians and Alaska Natives in a special collection of films, short stories, and resources from Public Television" via this link: https://www.pbs.org/specials/native-american-heritage-month/.

Diwali celebrations take place over 5 days with each day typically having different rituals and traditions. Below we have listed all the days of Diwali along with their calendar dates and a short description of what happens on each day.

Beginning Monday, October 25th, 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 the form linked below. 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.

Parents/guardians are NOT allowed to bring food and/or eat lunch with students other than their own student. There are tables designated for parents eating lunch with their student(s). Parents/guardians MUST check-in at the front office to receive a visitor badge. Additionally, parents/guardians/visitors must be listed in eSchool in order for the lunch reservation to be accepted and confirmed. Unauthorized visitors will not be granted access to the building.

All visitors must be prepared to show their photo identification when checking in at the front office and in order to receive a visitor badge.

Please complete the form linked below when requesting a lunch visit.

Please help me congratulate Diana Park, our 2021-2022 Teacher of the Year for Vandeventer Middle School. Coach Park is currently an 8th grade ILA teacher and coach. She came to VMS four years ago by way of Lancaster ISD where she taught in the elementary school setting for three years. Before moving to Texas, Diana was a public school teacher in New York City for two years.

To capture Vandeventer Middle School related activities and to ensure that all students are included in this year's yearbook, we need your help. Parents/guardians, students and faculty may drop any school related pictures here. Adding a photograph to this link does not necessarily guarantee publication. We appreciate your assistance!

our students and staff had an awesome time during our first quarter PRIDE party! A special thanks is in order for Mrs. Smith and the PBIS Committee. We would also like to thank the coaches, counselors, and social studies teachers for engaging with the students during this event! We can't wait for the next opportunity for students to be celebrated!

The Dallas Cowboys and Reliant are excited to kick off year two of the Cowboys Class Acts Program! Cowboys Class Acts honors teachers that constantly encourage, lead and strive for excellence in the classroom. This year the Dallas Cowboys and Reliant will recognize a teacher in the DFW area for their phenomenal work empowering our youth each month from September-February.

New this year, the six (6) teachers recognized as a Class Acts teacher of the month will each receive a $4,000 grant. It is our hope that these funds will allow them to continue to impact their students and further their mission of education.

Nominate a deserving teacher by completing the link below. The application period is now open and will close on January 31, 2022.

Nomination Link: https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-class-acts-2021

For current FISD 8th graders, it’s already time to start thinking of your high school plans! Any 8th grader who may be interested in FISD’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme at Frisco High School is highly encouraged to check out the IB district website for information and attend an informational meeting in October. Please watch this video for more information.

IB Info Nights will be held virtually on October 28th or in-person at the Frisco High School Auditorium on November 3rd. Both events will begin at 6:00 PM. If you would like to attend the virtual event, please register by clicking on the link below.

October 28th Reg Link:

https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/516829156758669839

Be sure to attend and participate in the admissions process if you are interested in a high school IB experience!

FISD IB Website: https://www.friscoisd.org/departments/schools-of-choice/international-baccalaureate

We are experiencing many students who have been sent home and placed on COVID-19 quarantines who are returning to school without required documentation. If your student has been sent home for possible signs and symptoms that could be consistent with COVID-19, the following rules apply BEFORE they are able to physically return to the campus. Students who show up to school without required documentation will be sent home until this is received by me, Nurse Teeling.

• Student receives a negative COVID-19 test result-FISD accepts either rapid antigen testing or PCR testing. No home test results accepted.
• The doctor identifies the illness as something other than COVID-19, meaning they have reached an alternative diagnosis. If this is the case, the documentation MUST state that the student’s symptoms are NOT due to COVID-19, but rather due to a specific illness.
• Student quarantines for 10 days from the start of reported signs and symptoms.

In addition, FISD has partnered with NOMI testing to provide free of charge rapid COVID-19 testing for FISD students and staff. An ID or employee badge is required and you must sign up for a testing slot. Please see link below.

https://www.friscoisd.org/news/district-headlines/2021/09/16/students-and-staff-get-priority-access-to-free-covid-19-testing

Thank you for doing your part to keep our campus and community safe and healthy!

7th and 8th Grade​rs, it is time to make our VMS Pentathlon Team! Starting October 18th, come by Mrs. Roberts’s room B104 or Ms. Buzan’s room B105 to get a study packet. The Pentathlon Qualifying Exam will be held on November 2nd in B105 after school. You must attend the qualifier to be considered for the team! Contact Mrs. Roberts (robertsk@friscoisd.org) if you have any questions.

How To Buy Tickets (all sports other than varsity football)

• NO TICKET SALES AT THE GATE -- ONLINE ONLY
• Tickets for middle school and high school games are available at events.ticketspicket.com or on the free TicketSpicket app in the Apple Store or Google Play
• IMPORTANT: The TicketSpicket app must be installed on your device to enter an event.

• All sales open on Monday at 10 a.m. on the week of the event. (Middle school football tickets will be available a week in advance to accommodate scheduled games on Mondays)

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 for the next twelve years in various leadership roles. This is Ms. Taylor's third year as the Viking principal, and she looks forward to another great school year!

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 third year at Vandeventer MIddle School.

Mrs. Brotherson grew up in Grapevine, Texas, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas. She began her teaching career at Spears Elementary as a 5th grade teacher in a self-contained classroom. After five years, she made the jump to middle school, teaching GT ILA at Cobb Middle School and serving as the Lead GT Teacher. Mrs. Brotherson obtained her Master's Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington. This is Mrs. Brotherson's fourth year at Vandeventer Middle School.

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