VAMS Panther Press Newsletter
February 7, 2020
Calendar
- Wednesday, February 12 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting for High School Information 5:30-6:00 in the VAHS cafeteria - Academic Expo to follow from 6:00-7:30 (more information below)
- Thursday, February 13 - VAEF Denim and Diamonds Gala (more information below)
- Friday, February 14 - 8th Grade Course selection sheets due back to Mrs. Frye (more information below)
- Friday, February 14 - Star Card Treat After School
- Monday, February 17 - No School - Staff Development Day
- Monday, February 17 - VAISD School Board Meeting at 7:00 PM
- Wednesday, February 19 - Mandatory HS Cheer Tryout Meeting at 6:00 PM in the High School Multi-Purpose Room - This is mandatory for student and parent to attend. (more information below)
- Thursday, February 20 - Individual 8th Grade Graduation Plan Parent Meetings (more information below)
- February 18-21 - VAMS Book Fair in the Library
- Wednesday, February 26 - VAMS Cheer Mandatory Parent Meeting at 5:30 PM in the VAMS Library
- Friday, February 28 - Student Dance 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Friday, March 27 - VAMS Cheer Tryouts at 4:00 PM (more information below)
Updated dates and times - VAMS Cheer Tryout Information
VAHS CHEER TRYOUT INFORMATION
8th Grade Personal Graduation Plan Meetings
Parents, we will be having Personal Graduation Plan meetings with every 8th grade student on Thursday, February 20. During this meeting, we will look at high school course options and select classes for your child's freshman year. Please sign up for the time slot that works best for you by clicking the link below. All meetings will be held at the middle school. If you are not able to schedule a meeting on February 20, please email Mrs. Weaver, the high school counselor, at cweaver@vanalstyenisd.org. We look forward to meeting with each of you.
Attention 8th Grade Parents
See below for information about the VAHS Academic Expo. This is a great event to attend for you and your child to meet high school teachers, learn about the high school programs, and learn about the different endorsements offered at the high school level. The informational meeting for 8th grade parents is at 5:30 PM
High School Colorguard
3rd Quarter Exam Schedule By Grade Level
Our quarterly exam schedule will look a little different the 3rd nine weeks. STAAR-tested areas will be giving full benchmark exams (4 hours) to help pinpoint students needing interventions before STAAR testing time, while non-tested areas will be giving regular cumulative quarterly exams (2 hours).
6th Grade
Monday, Feb. 24 – ELA
Tuesday, Feb. 25 – Science
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Social Studies
Wednesday, Mar. 4 - Reading
Tuesday, April 14 - Math
7th Grade
Monday, Feb. 24 – ELA
Tuesday, Feb. 25 – Science
Thursday, Feb. 27 – Social Studies
Wednesday, Mar. 4 - Reading
Tuesday, Apr. 14 - Math
8th Grade
Monday, Feb. 24 - Science
Wednesday, Mar. 4 - Reading
Thursday, Mar. 5 - Math
Tuesday, Apr. 14 - Social Studies
Monday, Apr. 6 - Algebra
Scouts
A Scouts BSA Troop for Girls offers a full year-round outdoor program for girls ages 11 - 17. The program will be youth-led with trained adult leaders. Click the link below for more information.
Immunizations - Attention 6th Grade Parents
In 2009, the State of Texas began requiring specific immunizations for all 7th graders.
The immunizations that incoming 7th graders need are:
1. Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap): All students entering the seventh will be required to have a booster dose of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine.
2. Varicella (Chicken Pox): All students entering the 7th grade will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine. The 1st dose must be received on or after the 1st birthday.
3. Meningococcal Vaccine (Meningitis): All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.
If your child has already had these immunizations, please send a copy of the immunization record from the health clinic or physician. It must include the month, day and year as well as validation by a physician or public health official.
*Immunization records must be received before schedules will be released for the 2020-2021 school year*
Immunizations are available from your family physician, the Grayson County Health Department 903.893.0131, 515 N. Walnut Sherman, Texas, Collin County Health Department 972.548.5000 N. McDonald St, Mckinney, Texas or local medical/rural health clinics. Please call the health department for hours and availability.
If you have a medical or religious reason that conflicts with these requirements, please contact the school nurse. Information on obtaining a conscious exemption can be found at the following website:
https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/
Thank you,
Lorie Wilson, LVN
Van Alstyne Middle School
903.482.8878
All state requirements may be found at www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
Dress Code for Student Dances
Panther sports
Girls Basketball - Saturday, February 8 - District Tournament in Bells - 7A, 8A
Boys Basketball - Thursday, February 13 @ 4:30 at Bonham - 7B, 8B, 7A, 8A
Go Panthers!
Community Service Hour Log
Promoting community service is a goal of VAMS! In order to promote and foster serving our community and others, students can earn a community service award at the end of the year awards assemblies to recognize students who give their time, talents, and hearts.
Find opportunities throughout the school year for your child to work on their community service hours. Make sure your child is documenting their community service time on their hour log.
VAMS Community Service Hour Logs are due on Friday, May 1st.
Click on the link below "VAMS Community Service FAQ Flyer" for more information.
Communication throughout the year
Middle School Website: Click HERE to access the VAMS webpage.
Social Media: Want to see what goes on at VAMS during the week? Want to see pictures of students doing awesome things? Want to see what learning looks like on our campus? Be sure to like us on Facebook, Van Alstyne Middle School, and follow us on Twitter at @vamiddleschool
Digital Newsletter: We email parents a digital campus newsletter every Friday. If you are not currently signed up to receive our weekly newsletter, click HERE.
Grade-level Remind Accounts: Please sign up for the appropriate Remind accounts below to help keep you informed. We also recommend having your child sign up as well. Teachers use Remind to communicate important dates and information.
Cafeteria Menus
Volunteer Approval Form
Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!
Van Alstyne Middle School
Website: www.ms.vanalstyneisd.org
Location: 1314 N. Waco Van Alstyne, TX
Phone: 903-482-8804
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/VanAlstyneMiddleSchool
Twitter: @vamiddleschool