VAMS Panther Press Newsletter

December 20, 2019

Calendar

  • December 21 - January 6 - Winter Break
  • Monday, January 6 - No School - Staff Development Day
  • Tuesday, January 7 - First Day of 2nd Semester
  • Tuesday, January 7 - 8th Grade Field Trip to the Holocaust Museum
  • Thursday, January 9 - Report Cards Go Home
  • Thursday, January 9 - Outdoor Adventures Field Trip to the Youth Wildlife Conservation Experience
  • Monday, January 13 - VAISD Board Meeting at 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday, January 15 - VAMS Spelling Bee at 2:00 PM
  • Friday, January 17 - Star Card Hat Day
  • January 17 & 18 - Middle School Band All-Region Clinic & Concert (for those students who made All-Region Band)
  • Monday, January 20 - NO SCHOOL
  • Friday, January 24 - Star Card Treat After School

One Act Play

Our VAMS Theatre Group took 1st place at the UIL One Act Play competition this past Saturday!! In addition, Cecelia Castillo received Best Actress, Morgan Ketcham received All Star Cast, Emma Stowers received All Star Tech, and Olyvia Trantham received Honorable Mention. Sending a BIG thank you to the students, parents, and Mr. Eyre for all of your hard work! Way to go Panthers!!

Our New Assistant Principal


We are excited to announce that Shanda Timpanaro will be our new assistant principal! She will officially begin her position after the winter break. Mrs. Timpanaro will be on our campus tomorrow and Thursday to meet our staff and students. We are so excited to have her!


Mrs. Timpanaro comes to Van Alstyne ISD from Anna ISD. Most recently, she served as an Instructional Coach. Prior to accepting that position, she served as the ELAR Department Chair at Faubion Middle School. She has taught ELAR, writing, reading intervention, Texas history, U.S. history, and science at the middle school level. She received her Bachelor of Science from Southeastern Oklahoma State University in 2010 and her Master of Educational Administration in 2013.


Mrs. Timpanaro is excited to join the Van Alstyne ISD family and serve in the community. Her goal in education is making sure that ALL kids learn, and to make sure that both students and teachers are supported. She is looking forward to beginning the new year with Van Alstyne and work alongside such a supportive campus.


Welcome to VAMS, Mrs. Timpanaro!

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VAMS Staff Difference Maker of the Month

Congratulations to our Staff Difference Maker of the Month, Stephanie Wolfe, Learning Lab Instructional Aide. We appreciate all of your hard work and your dedication to our students!
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Reminder About Cell Phones

Reminder About Cell Phones

Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school. They are allowed to listen to music and play games on their cell phones before school, after school, and during lunch. Students must keep cell phones out of sight and turned off (not on silent) during the school day. Please reinforce this rule with your child so they are well aware.



Also, please do not allow your child to call or text you from school using their cell phone for any reason, including to come pick them up when they do not feel well. Proper procedure is to report to Nurse Wilson and allow her to use her training to make that determination. Misuse will result in confiscation of the cell phone and the parent will be required to come pick up the phone. If the student continues to misuse their cell phone, the student will be required to check their cell phone into the office each morning.

Reminder About Cell Phones
VAMS Spelling Bee

VAMS Spelling Bee

The VAMS 17th Annual Spelling Bee will be on Wednesday, January 15th at 2:00 PM in the cafeteria. This is a big event, one for which dedicated students are working hard to prepare. Please come and join us for this great event.

VAMS Spelling Bee

Panther sports

Girls Basketball - Thursday, January 9 @ 4:30 at Home vs. Blue Ridge - 7B, 8B, 7A, 8A

Boys Basketball - Thursday, January 9 @ 4:30 at Blue Ridge - 7B, 8B, 7A, 8A

Go Panthers!

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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.

VAMS Community Service Hour Log

Click this button to access the VAMS Community Service Hour Log.

VAMS Community Service FAQ Flyer

Click this button on access the VAMS Community Service FAQ Flyer.

Communication throughout the year

It is important for us to provide avenues for parents to stay informed. Here are the communication tools we use at VAMS to ensure you know what is happening throughout the school 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.

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District Medication Policy

Click this button to access the district medicaiton policy.

Medication Parent Consent Form

Click this button to access the medication parent consent form.

Cafeteria Menus

Volunteer Approval Form

All volunteers, including parents, have to fill out a Volunteer Approval Form to have a background check before volunteering (ex: attend field trips, volunteer on campus, help with testing, etc.). This form must be filled out EVERY school year. The entire process, from submitting the form to receiving approval, can take as long as two weeks. This process must be completed before being approved to volunteer. If you have students at multiple schools, only one application is required.


Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!

Volunteer Approval Form

Click this button to access the VAISD Volunteer Approval form.

Parent Portal – View Student Grades

This is the link to view your child's grades and attendance. Passwords were sent home with progress reports. If you need any help with this process, you may send an email request to twhitaker@vanalstyneisd.org or call the school office.

Van Alstyne Middle School

Van Alstyne Middle School

1314 N. Waco Van Alstyne, TX 903-482-8804 ms.vanalstyneisd.org