Kodiak Family Update
11/15/21 - 11/19/21
Our Mission: Partners in Learning, Preparing for the Future
From the Principal
Kodiak Family,
Our second picture re-take day is scheduled for Tuesday, November 16th. Please have your student bring their original re-take packet. We will release students alphabetically on Tuesday morning.
We are still in desperate need of substitutes. On a daily basis we do NOT have enough subs to cover our staff absences. If you are willing to help sub at VMS, please contact the main office and we will help you through the process. Thank you!
If a student or parent/guardian would like to schedule an appointment with an administrator please click here to fill out the appointment request form. We will receive the request and be in contact with you to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Currently our water bottle fillers are open for student use. Drinking fountains are still restricted due to COVID protocols. We are asking that all students bring a water bottle from home. We do provide cups to students that forget their water bottles if needed. Thank you for your help with this matter.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I want to share what I am thankful for over the next several weeks. I am thankful for our AWESOME staff. Teachers and staff at VMS work diligently to provide a safe learning focused environment for ALL students. I am eternally grateful for the work that the VMS staff does every single day!
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Go Kodiaks!
Partners in learning,
Will Schumaker, Principal
American Education Week!
American Education Week – November 15 - 19
Next week is American Education Week - November 15-19. We are asking ALL West Ada Schools to participate in celebrating educators throughout West Ada next week by partaking in "American Education Week".
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 15: KICKOFF DAY
· Appreciation Station: Students and families are encouraged to write personal thank-you notes or e-mails to teachers and school staff thanking them for all they do to ensure the success of our students and school community.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16: FAMILY DAY
· National Parental Involvement Day: Administrators, teachers and staff are encouraged to write personal thank-you notes or e-mails to parents and parent organizations in the school community thanking them for their priceless efforts that contribute to student and school success.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17: EDUCATION SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS DAY
· Support Professionals Day: There are paraprofessionals, academic coaches, technology staff and so many more helpful and supportive positions throughout West Ada and in our schools. Take the time to thank a support staff member today and/or wear BLUE to show your appreciation for all support staff members throughout West Ada. Staff members throughout West Ada - today is your day to wear jeans!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18: EDUCATOR FOR A DAY
· Educator for a Day: Students are encouraged to dress up like a teacher or wear their school spirit colors to show their support, love and appreciation of all teachers and staff in West Ada.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19: SUBSTITUTE EDUCATORS DAY
· Substitute Teacher Appreciation: Stop and smile today! If you see a substitute teacher or have a substitute teacher in your class or in your child's class, stop to thank them for their time and filling in for a teacher. Substitute teachers help our schools "go" and "grow" when classroom teachers are out. Let's wear GREEN to show appreciation and gratitude towards substitute teachers and all staff throughout West Ada.
Quarter One Outstanding Kodiaks!
Congratulations to our staff nominated Outstanding Kodiaks for Quarter one! These students have been nominated by staff in recognition of following the Kodiak Way. The Kodiak Way is to be Safe, Respectful, Responsible and Kind.
Adelyn Cook
Ainsley Cooke
Aleia Lewis
Arina Babich
Brandon Stephens
Brooklyn Cadwell
Caydence Buss
Christian Egginton
Danika Templeman
Daxton Frank
Devin Seely
Elijah Gomez
Emma Elmer
Emmi Skenderovic
Gage Stubbs
Gavin Willard
Isabella Prada
Jackson Skidmore
Jacob Schneider
Kaelyn Kirkham
Karsten Bell
Keanu Sisayaket
Kuee Park
Lahnia Webster
Lily Porter
Lucas Brummer
Miles Asbury
Mya Farnsworth
Reese Gage
Sami Nelson
Santiago Rengifo
Tyson Tam
William Larsen
Zoe Bonner
08 - Girls BB at SMS
08 - Wrestling vs. SMS
09 - 7th/8th grade Band Concert at MVHS, 7 pm
10 - Girls BB at EMS
10 - Wrestling vs. EMS
15 - Girls BB vs. LSMS
15 - Wrestling at LSMS
17 - Girls BB vs. STMS
17 - Wrestling at STMS
18 - Panda Express Lunch Day
18 - 6th - 8th grade Choir Concert, 7 pm
19- Donut sales during lunches
19 - Late work DEADLINE
20~28 - Thanksgiving Break, NO SCHOOL
27 - VMS Night out with the Steelheads, 7 pm
29 - School Resumes
Please Monitor for Symptoms
Please monitor for the following symptoms:
- Fever of 100.4 or higher
- Loss of smell or taste
- Chills
- New or unusual headache
- Nausea/vomiting/diarrhea
- Cough
- Muscle aches
- Sore throat
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue
- Congestion/runny nose.
If your child has any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider for further guidance, and inform school attendance. Guidelines may change based on Central District Health community transmission category designation. Current category designations can be located here.
Attendance & Tardy Policy
PLEASE NOTE: If you are keeping your student home and they join the live Teams meeting, they are still counted as absent per the policy below.
- When a student is absent from school a parent or guardian should call or email the school by 10:00 a.m. that day with the following information: a) parent or guardian's name b) student's name c) reason for absence d) estimated date of return.
- If no call has been made the student must provide the main office with a note from a parent or guardian stating the reason and dates of the absence. After 48 hours, unverified absences will be noted as a truancy.
- Students who arrive at school after the first tardy bell should report to the main office to sign in.
- Students are allowed six (6) absences per class period during the semester. Students who receive seven (7) absences in any class will lose credit unless cleared by the attendance office as extraordinary within five (5) days of the absence. Verbal communication must come from a parent/guardian within 48 hours of the absence to prevent truancy.
- The following absences count against a student’s total of six (6) absences: Illness (Ill), Out of School Suspension (OSS), Parent Call (PRC), Truancy (TR), Unverified (A), Verified (VER)
- Students found to be in violation of any part of the attendance policy may be assigned to Saturday School, the Safe School suspension room, lunch detention or after school detention to make up the time they have missed.
- EXCESSIVE ABSENCES If a student is absent for fifteen (15) consecutive school days, whether or not the absences are verified, the student may be dis-enrolled from school. At the time the student returns to school, the student may be re-enrolled. Students served by homebound tutors or absent due to illness documented by licensed medical personnel will not be included in this procedure.
- MAKE-UP WORK After an absence, it is the student’s responsibility to communicate with the teacher for make-up work. The student must complete and turn in work within a reasonable time in accordance with the teacher’s late work policy.
- TARDIES Students are considered tardy if not in their assigned classrooms when the tardy bell rings. Students are informed of all tardies which includes documentation in PowerSchool. Tardies accrue on a semester basis. The tardy policy incorporates the following:
- First Tardy -- Teacher informs student and documented in PowerSchool
- Second Tardy -- Teacher informs student and documented in PowerSchool
- Third Tardy -- Student assigned to designated detention and parent notified by school
- Additional Tardies -- Administrative Discretion Parents please note: Only students riding school provided transportation shall be eligible for excused tardies.
- All other tardies and late arrivals (except from medical appointments) are considered unexcused.
- TRUANCY Truancy is defined as a student being absent without approval of his/her parents, guardian, or school officials. Truancy occurs when: 1. an unauthorized phone call is made; 2. an unauthorized note is sent to school; 3. the parent refuses to excuse an absence; 4. the student leaves school without permission to leave; 5. the student is in the building but is out of class without permission. Full-day truancies or single-period cuts will result in a parent contact or conference. A third truancy may result in suspension.
Student to Student E-mail
Please be aware that per district e-mail policy, students are able to use their school Outlook e-mail to e-mail West Ada staff and students. It is the expectation that e-mail should be used for school/educational purposes only. If students are not using their e-mail appropriately, West Ada does reserve the right to turn e-mail off for students that abuse their e-mail privileges.
Math Help!
RETAKE Math ASSESSMENTs
Our Math Intervention Teacher, Mrs. Shalz, is available during the sessions listed below to provide math 6, 7, and 8 students with extra practice and an opportunity to retake assessments to demonstrate deeper understanding of the grade level math concepts. Please Note: This help is not available for students in honors or advanced math. Students in honors and advanced math should work with their math teacher to schedule a re-assessment.
Students should bring their graded Math assessment so Mrs. Shalz can help make corrections. Students are welcome to attend retake sessions even if they don’t have their graded Math assessment.
Students should get a pass from their Math Teacher or Mrs. Shalz before attending retake sessions.
ROOM: 112
TEACHER: Mrs. Shalz
Monday 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Tuesday 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Thursday 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM (CANELLED for 11/18)
Friday 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Counselor's Corner
Families,
Below are some interesting short reads about the "Amazing Teen Brain". Hopefully you will find this information helpful as you navigate these years together. Please remember to reach out to your grade-level counselor if we can be of assistance to you or your student.
PTSO 100% Fundraiser
VMS Night out with the Steelheads
NJHS Pop Tab Collection - We need your help!
Can your family help us make a difference in the lives of families with sick children? The National Junior Honor Society at VMS collects pop tabs. Collecting pop tabs is an easy way to offer financial support to the Ronald McDonald House charity, which provides free lodging for families with hospitalized children. The aluminum still gets recycled, and credit for the value of the aluminum is added to the Ronald McDonald House account. To start a pop tab collection system at your home, simply set up a small plastic or paper bag near where your family places your empty cans. Then train family members to pop the tab before they dispose of the can and place the tab in the bag! When the bag starts to get full, have your child bring the bag to their advisory teacher for NJHS to collect! Thank you for helping us help our community!
VMS Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest 2021
Fuel Up To Play 60 is hosting our annual Hoop Shoot Free Throw Contest. The competition will begin before advisory and will run through advisory.
(Serious hoop shooters only please)
Participants will shoot best out of 25 shots. Tie breakers will be made during Make Up Day.
Top girl and boy from each grade level will be awarded a trophy!
12/2/21 Thursday: 6th grade competition/7th grade
12/9/21 Thursday: 8th grade competition
12/10/21 Friday: Make up day for all grades
· Girls and Boys arrive to check in at the big gym at 7:50am.
· Girls will shoot in the small gym and boys in the big gym
Meridian Technical Charter High School Information
November Athletes of the Month
Quincy Keller
Naomi Orton
Kasen Elliot
Kodiak Coaches Corner
Coaches Corner
Congratulations to our Athletes of the Month for October!!
Naomi Orton (Cheer) – “Naomi is a true team player! She is positive, driven, and excels on and off the mat. Her teammates would describe her as optimistic and kind, always putting others needs before her own.”
Quincy Keller (Girls Basketball) – “Quincy has been a force all year long. She competes hard and is a great leader. She is the perfect example of the Kodiak Way. We are excited to see her success this season.”
Kason Elliot (Wrestling) – “Kason is consistently working hard. He is one of the first to show at practice and the last to leave. He thanks his coaches and he’s dedicated to improving. Kason has a contagious attitude that has helped the team thus far!”
We like to thank Howell Orthodontics for their support of Victory Athletics. If you have a nomination for an athlete of the month please email our AD (pence.dane@westada.org). Go Kodiaks!
Owyhee HS Boys Basketball Camp
About Victory Middle School
Established: 2016
Email: schumaker.william@westada.org
Website: www.westada.org/vms
Location: 920 West Kodiak Drive, Meridian, ID, USA
Phone: (208) 350-4443
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VictoryMiddle/
Twitter: @VictoryMiddle