VAMS Panther Press Newsletter
August 28, 2020
Calendar
- Monday, September 7 - Labor Day Holiday - No School
- Wednesday, September 9 - VIrtual Fundraiser Kickoff (information will be shared at a later date)
- Thursday, September 10 - Progress Reports Go Home
- Tuesday, September 22- Fundraisers Due
- Wednesday, September 23 - Picture Day
Pep rallies and student dances have been canceled for the fall semester. We will try to have these events in the spring.
COVID Updates
COVID-19 Symptoms
In evaluating whether an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consider the following question:
Have they recently begun experiencing any of the following in a way that is not normal?
o Feeling feverish or a measured temperature greater than or equal to 100.0 degrees
Fahrenheit
o Loss of taste or smell
o Cough
o Difficulty breathing
o Shortness of breath
o Headache
o Chills
o Sore throat
o Shaking or exaggerated shivering
o Significant muscle pain or ache
o Diarrhea
o Nausea and vomiting
A Note From Our Nurse....
Our clinics must have a Medication Parent Consent Form on file for students requiring medication administered during school hours. This form must be signed by parent/legal guardian. Medication must be kept in the ORIGINAL bottle. (see links below)
Children who have the following symptoms should stay home and not come to school until these symptoms have been gone for at least 24 hours without the help of medication.
- Fever (100 degrees or higher)
- Sore Throat (with fever or swollen neck)
- Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Rash (with fever and itching)
- Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye (your child can attend school 24 hours after starting medical treatment)
If a student becomes ill during the school day, he or she must receive permission from the teacher before reporting to the school nurse. If the nurse determines that the child should go home, the nurse will contact the parent.
Inhaler/Epi-Pen Self-Carry
Dress Code Policy
- Hair must be a natural color. Boys’ hair must be worn above the shirt collar. No Mohawks, faux-hawks, or designs in hair.
- Holes in jeans are allowed, but skin cannot show through the hole. Oftentimes, students will wear leggings under their jeans or have patches behind the hole.
- Skirt/short needs to be 2 ½ inches above the knee (a quick reference is a dollar bill width above the knee caps)
- And guidelines for wearing tight-fitting clothing, such as yoga pants and leggings (must have something over them that meets the school dress code, 2 ½ inches above the knee).
Eligibility
For many of you, this is the first time you and your child will be exposed to the No Pass No Play eligibility rules governing participating in school-related extra-curricular activities. This pertains not only to middle school athletes, but to all school-related extra-curricular activities in which students compete, including but not limited to: athletics, cheerleading, showing animals, choir, and band competitions, etc. Here is a brief explanation...
The FIRST ELIGIBILITY CHECK will be on Friday, September 25th. Any student failing at that time will not be eligible to participate in any UIL club or team. After the September 25th eligibility check, all other eligibility checks will be made at the end of each 9 weeks. If a student is passing all subjects at the end of a nine weeks grading period, he/she will remain eligible to participate in extra-curricular activities until the end of the next nine weeks grading period. A student who fails any subject for the nine weeks becomes ineligible to participate in any extra-curricular activity at 3:00 the Friday following report cards.
Students can regain eligibility if they are passing all classes at the following times: at the end of the three weeks reporting period, at the end of the six weeks reporting period, and at the end of the nine weeks grading period. They will regain eligibility at 3:00 the Friday after progress reports or report cards come out.
Food Regulations
Lunch Drop Off
Homecoming
Water Vending Machines
Cell Phone Policy
Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school. They are allowed to listen to music and play games on their cell phones during lunch and after school. 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.
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. Hours are documented digitally. Click the link below to access the digital hour log.
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.
Supplemental Student Accident Insurance
Panther sports
5:00 PM - 7A & 8B
6:00 PM - 8A & 7B
Football - Thursday, September 10 @ 5:00 PM in Anna
**Times and locations are subject to change due to COVID restrictions.**
Coach Voris, Middle School Girls Athletic Coordinator - jvoris@vanalstyneisd.org
Coach Sedlacek, Middle School Boys Athletic Coordinator - dsedlacek@vanalstyneisd.org
Volunteer Approval Form
Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!
CAFETERIA
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