The Viking View

"Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period."

Credit: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html

Thank you to everyone who donated to the Vandeventer PTA during our two week challenge. The PTA raised a total of $17,057.00. 6th grade donated the most at $5,641.20, with 7th grade close behind raising a total of $5,323,27. 8th grade did a great job raising $3,037.55. Our 6th grade class has earned the grand prize celebration during Viking Time (details forthcoming). We have included a list of our Grand Prize winners below. Congratulations to all our students!

Thank you for supporting Vandeventer PTA!! Please join the PTA today!

Monday, October 3rd

College Day - Wear a college shirt with jeans!

8 Period Day

ID Badge Distribution vai Social Studies Class

Viking Time

• Priority Day - Science

Orchestra & Art Fall Concert: When Art and Music Collide

• Beginner @ 5:20 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.
  
• Advanced @ 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
  

• Liberty High School
• 6 p.m.

Tuesday, October 4th

8 Period Day

Viking Time

• Priority Day - ILA

Suicide Prevention Day

Fall Play Rehearsal

• 4 p.m. - 5 p.m.

7 FB Lawler vs. VMS

• Liberty High School
• 6 p.m.

Wednesday, October 5th

International Walk to School Day

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

Viking Time

• Priority Day - Social Studies
• HB4545 Student Meeting

Choir Rehearsal

• 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

8 VB Roach vs. VMS @ VMS

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

• 6:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Thursday, October 6th

Wear Pink!

Block Schedule (Periods 2,4,6,8) w/ Advisory

Viking Time

• Priority Day - Math

Fall Play Rehearsal

• 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
  

Fall Choir Concert

• 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.

7 VB VMS vs. Roach @ Roach

• 5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Friday, September 30th

Student Holiday

• Campus Closed

Staff Professional Learning Day

October

10 Student/Staff Holiday

10-14 National School Lunch Week

10-14 Drill Week (TBD)

11 School Picture Retake Day

11 Art Club

11 8 FB Clark vs. VMS @ Liberty

11 Fall Play Rehearsal

12 8 FB Fowler vs. VMS @ Liberty

13 Wear Pink (Every Thursday in October)

13 CBAS Committee Meeting (Designated Members)

13 7 VB VMS vs. Fowler

13 Choir Movie Night

13 Fall Play Rehearsal

14 Q1 Ends

14 Advanced Band Concert

14 Clubs & Organization Picture Day

15 Fall Play Tech Day

Students who were absent or wish to retake their school picture, must sign-up via this link for a time on October 11, 2022 from 3:50 p.m. - 5 p.m. Pictures will be taken in the school library. Students may enter through the front entrance after 4 p.m. Parents/guardians may park on the north side of the school between 3:50 p.m. - 4:10 p.m. and in the front parking lot after bus dismissal from 4:10 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Parents/guardians are allowed to eat lunch with their student(s); however, we are asking parents/guardians to notify the administration as least 24 hours in advance by completing this form. 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.

• All lunch visitors must have a completed and approved background check. Please allow 3-5 business days for this process. Click here for more information.
• Lunch visitors must check-in through the front office and receive a visitor badge. All visitors must receive a visitor’s badge upon arrival.
• Students and/or parents should only bring enough food for themselves (no large quantities to feed other students is allowed). The Texas Nutrition Policy does not allow sharing food.
• If the person visiting a student during lunch is not a parent/guardian, the identity of that person must be established, and he or she must be identified as either a visitor (with prior written, confirmed, parent/guardian permission) or emergency contact person on a student’s registration card/eSchool account.

Additional Cafe Information

• Microwaves will be available in the cafeteria for student use.
• Lunch drop offs will not be accepted at the front office. Students may receive parent/guardian lunch drop-offs via the grade level coolers outside the cafeteria entrance. Food drop off services are not allowed - NO EXCEPTIONS (i.e. DoorDash, Uber Eats, etc).

For more information about school meals, visit Frisco ISD Child Nutrition Link.

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.

You’re invited to TREaT (Together Reading Eating and Talking) a district-wide event that aims to promote literacy while supporting local eateries and coffee shops on Oct. 1st & 2nd. Frisco ISD students, families, and employees are invited to eat at participating businesses while reading and talking about the material. Go to any of the participating businesses and use #treatfisd to receive a discount/deal. Learn more.

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.

The community folder area of the District website is full of advertisements and links to information about goods and services that may be of interest to the FISD community. You can find everything from discounts on kids’ camps to volunteer opportunities. The folder does not represent the viewpoint of the District and is not an endorsement of the advertiser, products, or services listed.

Frisco ISD parents have access to the curriculum outline and pacing guides used Districtwide for each core course. The curriculum outlines are created and revised each year by District educators and are rooted in the statewide curriculum standards provided by the Texas Education Agency, called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS.) Access the curriculum and pacing page

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