Kodiak Family Update
08/08/22 - 08/12/22
Our Mission: Partners in Learning, Preparing for the Future
From the Principal
Kodiak Family,
We are excited to begin the 2022-2023 school year! Welcome to any new students joining us this year including our 6th grade class!
6th graders and new to VMS students are invited to participate in Kodiak Kickoff on Tuesday, August 16th! We will have sessions starting every hour beginning at 3 pm with the last session starting at 6 pm. The sessions will start in the main gym with a brief presentation. Students will then participate in a scavenger hunt including finding their classes, opening their locker and touring the school. We look forward to seeing you on August 16th!
We will be sending weekly communications on Friday each week.
Please reach out if you have any questions or concerns.
Go Kodiaks!
Partners in learning,
Will Schumaker, Principal
August Upcoming Dates
01 - VMS Main Office Re-opens 8am to 4pm
08 - Student Schedules viewable in PowerSchool
- New Student Registration 3pm - 8pm
- Football Practice 8am
- Football Parent Meeting 5:30pm
09 - New Student Registration 8am to 2pm
11 - Volleyball Tryouts 7th 8:15am, 8th 10:30am
12 - Volleyball Tryouts 7th 8:15am, 8th 10:30am
13 - Community Clean up @ VMS 8am -Noon
15 - Cheer Camp at MVHS 10am
16 - Kodiak Kick-Off / Start times 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, & 6pm
- Cheer Practice @ Small Gym 7am
17 - Cheer Practice @ Small Gym 7am
18 - Cheer Practice @ Small Gym 7am
22 - Cross Country Practice 3:15pm
23 - First day of school!
24 - Football game @ LHMS
30 - Football game @ VMS
31 - Picture Day!
September Upcoming Dates
05 - Labor Day, NO SCHOOL
12 - PTSO Meeting @ VMS Library 7pm
15 - Back to School Open House 6pm - 7:30pm
Kodiak Kickoff - For incoming 6th graders and NEW to VMS students
Session 1: 3 pm
Session 2: 4 pm
Session 3: 5 pm
Session 4: 6 pm
Student Schedules
Please check your student's schedule prior to the start of school on Tuesday, August 23th. All students will need a hard copy of their schedule for the first day of school.
Meet the VMS Staff
Administration
Will Schumaker
Principal
schumaker.william@westada.orgLeslie Yingling
Administrator of Instruction & Achievement
Trevor Morris
Administrator of Safety and Student Services
Main Office Staff
Angela Ashton
Shelley Killpack
Vacant
Activities Director, Safe School Assistant, & School Resource Officer
JJ Riley
Sandy Bloom
Jared Haustveit
Counseling Office Staff
Shawna Manhire
Lisa Currin
Kersten Thomas
Leah Westfall
Marge Kimball
Specialists
Rachel Vachon
Blake Lewis
Erin Fuss
Student Meal Changes - No Free Breakfast/Lunches for 22-23 School Year
For the two and a half year, school districts across the nation were able to provide breakfast/lunch at no cost to students. That is now changing. The federal waiver that allowed free meals for students has expired, so each of our families requesting assistance should complete an application for free and reduced meals.
Laptops & Cases
Students should have kept their laptop case from last year. If you are new to West Ada, a laptop case will be provided. If you have lost your case, please purchase a case as having laptops in cases are an expectation for all students.
Lockers
room. If you have a combination lock at home we would recommend students practice to get the hang of opening a locker. Below is a video that demonstrates how to open a combination lock.
VMS Bell Schedule
PE Lockers
New PE Policy on locker room padlocks:
For the upcoming school year we have a new padlock policy that now matches the district policy. This is located on the district supply list. All students will be expected to provide their own PE padlock for the locker rooms starting in the fall of 2022. For your convenience the PTSO will have discounted used padlocks that you can purchase at the beginning of the school year.
District Dress Code
The purpose of dress regulations is to help each student set a standard for their personal appearance that is appropriate within the accepted standards of West Ada School District Middle Schools. Students are expected to demonstrate pride in their personal appearance for it reflects individually on them and collectively on the school. The Board of Trustees recognizes that a student’s mode of dress and grooming is a manifestation of their personal style and individual preference. The Board of Trustees will not interfere with the right of students and parents to make decisions regarding appearance, except when choices affect the educational program of the schools. Any apparel that draws undue attention to a student tends to detract from the educational process and is therefore inappropriate. It is a mark of maturity when students can freely choose apparel that demonstrates individuality without deviating from the standard of appropriateness. A degree of modesty is expected.
The Board of Trustees authorizes school regulations that prohibit student dress or grooming practices which:
• Present a hazard to the health or safety of the student or to others in the school
• Materially interfere with schoolwork, create disorder, or disrupt the educational program
• Cause excessive wear or damage to school property
• Prevent the student from achieving their own educational objectives because of blocked vision or restricted movement
• Any attire that has been identified as gang related or may contribute to the intimidation of others.
• Any article of clothing, jewelry, or make-up which draws undue attention, is unsafe, or is disruptive to the educational process will be considered inappropriate. Examples include but are not limited to: • Any article of clothing, jewelry, or tattoos advertising or depicting alcohol, tobacco, drugs, gang affiliation, depicts violence, or inappropriate sexual innuendoes
• Clothing that is sheer or does not cover the stomach, back, chest/cleavage, or undergarments.
• Tank tops, spaghetti straps, tube tops, off-the-shoulder shirts – shoulders must be covered
• Spiked clothing, belts or jewelry
• Any attire shorter than mid-thigh length - any attire with holes/tears/frays above mid-thigh
• Hats, hoods, bandanas, or other head coverings
• Wearing sunglasses indoors covering eyes
In addition: • Footwear must worn at all times
Digital Citizenship & Cell Phone Policy
Students should use all forms of technology in a respectful and responsible manner and at the teacher’s discretion.
Respectful and Responsible means:
Between 8:20 AM and 3:05 PM (8:35 AM on Collaboration Wednesday's), electronic devices are not permitted for use anywhere at VMS. Students may use devices before school and after school. Devices should be turned off or silenced and kept in the student's locker during school hours. Students will be allowed to use the school phone in the main office with staff permission.
- Personal electronic devices including cell phones/headphones will not be allowed in the Safe School classroom or time out rooms.
Technology use should reflect the Kodiak Way Expectations: Respectful, Responsible, Safe & Kind
Headphones should not be in use during class without teacher permission.
Individuals should immediately report any form of cyberbullying or inappropriate technology use.
Never use another student’s device without consent.
Use of any device with photo/video capabilities is banned in areas of assumed privacy (locker room/restroom).
Never video or photograph without the consent of all parties involved and content obtained at school should not be posted to social media without consent.
Technology privileges may be revoked at any time
Math and English Screeners
Victory PTSO Needs YOU!
Parents, Teachers, Students...working together!
We are excited to join Victory Middle School in welcoming students and staff "Back to School" and look forward to a wonderful year!
Our first PTSO general meeting will be Monday, September 12 at 7pm in the VMS library. We are also seeking someone to be our treasurer. Please send an email to vmsptso@gmail.com if you or someone you know are interested.
Any staff requests or parent/student inquiries can be sent to vmsptso@gmail.com. We will be happy to answer questions or help with any needs. When parents, teachers and students all work together, we make a difference!
Kodiak Coaches' Den
Welcome Back Kodiak Family! It’s that time of year where sports are starting to gear up and everyone is excited to kick off the school year!
Before we get into the details on Fall sports, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself as I am a new Kodiak. My name is JJ Riley, and I am the new Athletic Director and Multi-Fit Teacher. I am originally from Honolulu, HI and have spent 15 years as a collegiate volleyball coach and many years as a fitness/High Performance Coach. My wife, myself, and our two boys (9 & 7) re-located to Boise a year ago and we are so excited to be Kodiaks!
The start of the Fall sports season is getting ready to kickoff, and I know the coaches are excited to get started. Our football team will be led by Coach Chow who has been with us for several years. First practice kicks off on Monday, August 8th at 8:00am followed by a parent meeting at 5:30pm that same evening. Volleyball with Coach Hollowell will be holding team tryouts on August 11th and 12th in the Gym with 7th graders going at 8:15am-10:15am and 8th graders going at 10:30am-12:30pm. Cheer with Coach Clarke is starting on August 15th, and this will be from 9:45am to 2:00pm at MVHS for Cheer Camp. Cross Country with Coach Moxham will have first practice on August 22 @ 3:15pm. Please remember to fill out the participation forms online prior to the first day of practices. I am excited to get to know everyone and to watch our students compete and have fun with their peers. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at riley.jj@westada.org
Go Kodiaks!
JJ Riley
Athletic Director/PE
Victory Middle School
@victorykodiaks
Employment Opportunties
Seeking Applicants for Administrative Assistant
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