The Viking View

Monday, February 20th

Student/Staff Holiday

Tuesday, February 21st

8 Period Day

• Viking Time - ILA Priority

Art Club Meeting

• 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m.

Musical Rehearsal

• 4 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Parent Meeting (Musical)

• Cafe
• 5:30 p.m.

Band Pre-UIL

• Liberty HS
• 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 22nd

Heart Health Month - Wear Red Every Wednesday!

Digital Learning Week

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

• Viking Time - History Priority

Mass TELPAS Testing

• Cafe
• 8:25 a.m. - 10:39 a.m.

Beginner Treble Choir Party

• 3:45 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

Track Meet (Staley & VMS)

• VMS Track & Field
• 4:15 p.m. - 7 p.m. (est.)

Thursday, February 23rd

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

• Viking Time - Math Priority

Pastries w/ Parents

• Hosted by PTA
• Library
• 7:45 a.m. - 8:15 a.m.

Tenor Bass Choir Party

• 3:45 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

Musical Rehearsal

• 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Beginner Orchestra Concert

• 5:30 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

Advanced Orchestra Concert

• 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 24th

FISD Go RED Day - Wear red or Liberty, Emerson or VMS spirit wear!

2nd 3 Week IPR - Grade Deadline

8 Period Day

• Viking Time - Science Priority

Bella Voce Choir Party

• 3:45 p.m. - 5:50 p.m.

PTA Reflections Program (Details Below)

• FISD Hall of Honor
  
• 5 p.m. - Elementary
• 6:30 p.m. - MIddle/High School

February

27 Orchestra UIL

27 Musical Rehearsal

27 Liberty HS Cheer Meeting @ LHS

28 Orchestra UIL (TBD)

28 Choir UIL (TBD)

March

1 Educational Diagnostician Day

1 District IC Meeting

1 Orchestra UIL

1 Choir UIL

1 Track Meet @ Reedy HS

2 Read Across America Day

2 Texas Independence Day

2 Orchestra UIL

2 Choir UIL

2 Musical Rehearsal

3 UIL Eligibility (Regain)

3 Maintenance Worked Appreciation Day

4 Job Fair

Due to the school cancellation on February 3rd, we will be using the bad weather make up day scheduled for April 28th to make up that day. For high schools, the 28th will be an A-day.

A huge thank you to our PTA for the wonderful, sweet treat and coffee/tea option provided to teachers on Valentine's Day! Thank you for always thinking our of faculty and staff!

In art, the teacher will highlight various black artists and their contributions to the world of artistic expression. Each artist is an expert in the mediums that are covered during the Spring semester (clay, fibers, self-portraiture, and acrylic paint). Specifically, Art I students will create papier-mâché masks that are based on a Paul Laurence Dunbar poem. Art 2 students will create abstract wire sculptures after learning about Simone Leigh, as well as other various contemporary sculptors. Last, but not least, our Art 3 students will create Kehinde Wiley inspired Pet Portraits.

In social studies classes, students will receive additional information related to the contributions of some lesser known African American leaders.

Ms. Hainlin, our campus librarian, has gathered a collection of wonderful reads from prominent black authors. Students are able to visit the library before and after school and during Viking Time to check out these books. Additionally, other information featuring prominent black authors in history and modern day are on display in the library.

Through advisory class, students are invited to work independently on various activities to learn about Black History Month. Additionally, students are encouraged to participate in the essay writing contest (details below).

Weekly announcements through the month of February will feature the contributions of black leaders, authors, and changemakers.

Additional campus activities and lessons will be highlighted through the month of February!

Students may select from one of the prompts listed below and write a 5-paragraph essay. Prizes will be awarded for the top three essays, and winners will be announced on Friday, March 3rd. The deadline to submit the essay to the front office is Tuesday, February 28th at 4 p.m. There will be a drop box located in the front office reception area.

Writing Prompt #1: Why do we celebrate Black History Month?

Writing Prompt #2: How did the civil rights movement change the world?

Writing Prompt #3: Write about the contributions of a famous Black American (e.g. author, inventor, scientist, activist).

This past weekend, the Theatre Productions class (Mrs. Barrett's advanced acting class) competed in the Zone C UIL One Act Play competition with their production of "The Outsiders." Out of the three Zones (A, B and C), two shows are chosen from each Zone to earn ADVANCING status. Mrs. Barrett is thrilled to share that Vandeventer earned Advancement and will be performing at the District contest this weekend.

In addition to advancing, our theatre students also received the following awards:

• Outstanding Technician: Harper J. (7th Grade) for Stage Management and Sound Op
• Best Overall Tech Crew: Harper J. (7th Grade) and Lana A. (7th Grade)
• Honorable Mention Acting Award: Hussein H. (8th Grade) for his role of Dallas
• All Star Acting Award: Arnav M. (7th Grade) for his role of Darry

Lastly, at each contest, two actors are chosen by the head judge as the top two performers of the contest. ALL actors from all schools competing in that Zone competition are eligible for this award. Out of over 50 performers in our Zone last Saturday, Mrs. Barrett is extremely proud to announce that Vandeventer Middle School received both of these prestigious awards.

BEST PERFORMER: Dhillan D. (8th Grade) for his role of Ponyboy (pictured right)

BEST PERFORMER: Zack A. (7th Grade) for his role of Johnny (pictured right)

Congratulations to Mrs. Barrett and all the theatre art students who participated in the One Act Play Zone competition! We are so proud of you all! Go Vikings!

The Frisco ISD PTA is hosting the district-level Reflections Art Show on Friday, February 24th from 6:30 p.m. - 8 pm. at the Hall of Honor. This is a come-and-go event, and it's a great opportunity to get a glimpse of the artistic talent of the students in our community.

All Visual Arts and Photography entries that qualified for the FISD district level judging will be showcased, followed by district level recognition of winning participants in all six categories. The winners present at the time of the ceremony will be presented with medals and/or certificates.

VMS Winners (@ 6:45pm):

Visual Arts (Special Arts Category)

6th Grade: Nehit Sahni- Award of Distinction

Photography

6th Grade: Brady Baumgardner - Award of Excellence

8th Grade: Madhumitha Vijay - Award of Distinction

Literature

7th Grade: Vaibhavi Kabra- Award of Distinction

Qualifying VMS Participants (District Level Judging):

Yukit Katti - 6th grade- Literature

Nehit Sahni- 6th grade- Visual Arts (Special Artist)

Adarsh Khanna- 6th grade- Visual Arts

Brady Baumgardner- 6th grade- Photography

Vaibhavi Kabra- 7th grade- Literature

Rishika Mitra - 7th grade- Music Composition

Vanessa Park - 7th grade - Visual Arts

Riana Razzak - 7th grade - Photography

Iniya Sivachandran- 7th grade- Visual Arts

Madhumitha Vijay- 8th grade - Film Production

Madhumitha Vijay- 8th grade - Photography

Madhumitha Vijay- 8th grade - Literature

Madhumitha Vijay- 8th grade - Visual Arts

The Visual Art and Photography entries can be picked up by the students from the event after 8:00 p.m. ONLY

Should you have any questions, please email Monika Chitre at arts@vmspta.org.

Frisco ISD invites families with students who will be new for the 2023-24 school year to pre-register online starting Tuesday, February 14th. This includes families moving to Frisco ISD, registering incoming kindergartners or re-enrolling former students. Once parents have completed the online registration form and uploaded the required documents, they will receive a confirmation email. Enrollment isn’t complete until the documentation is reviewed and processed by FISD staff which will start in the spring and continue throughout the summer. Start the process here.

Frisco ISD utilizes the School Messenger text messaging service on a limited basis to communicate timely information such as school closures/delays or campus emergencies. Parents, not sure if you are signed up? Opt-in by texting “Y” or “Yes” to 67587. This system is maintained separately from Remind, which some teachers and coaches use to text message students and parents.

An additional resource is available to assist Frisco ISD students and families in need. School support specialists provide personalized, hands-on support in securing assistance from community organizations or government agencies. The specialists help ensure students’ basic needs are met, allowing them to focus on learning in the classroom. Contact your campus counselor to initiate the process if you’d like help addressing needs related to mental health, food insecurity, medical and legal services and much more.

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

Tuesday, May 9th - 8th Grade 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)

Tuesday, May 16th - 6th Grade Award Assembly; Vandeventer MS Gym @ 9 a.m.

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

Tuesday, May 16th - 8th Grade Award Assembly; Liberty High School Auditorium @ 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 17th - 7th Grade Award Assembly; VMS Gym @ 9 a.m.

Thursday, May 18th - 8th Grade Field Day

Friday, May 19th - 8th Grade 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. All dates/times are tentative and will be confirmed in late-April or early-May.

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