VAMS Panther Press Newsletter
November 11, 2022
Calendar
November 4 - December 2 - Christmas Angel Coin Drive (more information below)
November 7-17 - Canned Food Drive (more information below)
Monday, November 14 - VAISD Board Meeting at 7:30 AM at the VAISD Admin Building
Tuesday, November 15 - Fundraiser Party & Urban Air Fundraiser Field Trip - For students who sold enough cookie dough to earn the party and/or field trip
- Thursday, November 17 - Screen Time and Social Media: What You Need to Know Presentation at 5:30 PM in the VAMS cafeteria. Open to elementary, middle, or high school parents. (more information below)
- November 21-25 - Thanksgiving Break
- Tuesday, November 29 - One Act Play theater arts performance at 6:00 PM in the VAMS Cafeteria - free event
- Thursday, December 1 - Progress Reports Go Home
- Friday, December 2 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, December 2 - Band All-Region Tryouts
- Saturday, December 3 - One Act Play Contest at Celina High School - GOOD LUCK!
- Monday, December 5 - Middle School Choir Christmas Concert at 7:00 PM in the VAMS Cafeteria
- Wednesday, December 7 - 6-8 Reading Quarter 2 tests (lunch times are different this day, see below)
- Thursday, December 8 - 6th Grade Band Winter Concert at 7:00 PM in the VAMS Main Gym
- Friday, December 9 - Star Card Treat After School
- Friday, December 9 - VAMS Winter Dance (for VAMS Students ONLY) - 6th grade dance 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM and 7/8 grade dance 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Monday, December 12 - VAISD Board Meeting at 7:30 AM at the VAISD Admin Building
- Monday, December 12 - 6-8 Science & Social Studies Quarter 2 Tests
- Tuesday, December 13 - 6-8 Math Quarter 2 Tests (lunch times are different this day, see below)
- Tuesday, December 13 - House Games from 12:45 -3:30 - Kona Ice will be sold
- Tuesday, December 13 - 7/8 Winter Band Concert at 7:00 PM in the VAMS Main Gym
- Wednesday, December 14 - 8th Grade Holocaust Museum Field Trip (1/2 of the 8th grade class will go this day)
- Thursday, December 15 - 8th Grade Holocaust Museum Field Trip (1/2 of the 8th grade class will go this day)
- Thursday, December 15 - Star Card Break the Dress Code
- December 16 - January 3 - Christmas Break
News From Nurse Wilson
VAMS Theatre Booster Club Turkey Fry
We have an amazing fundraiser the Theater Boosters are doing that can save you time on Thanksgiving!
We are having our 1st Annual Turkey Fry! We will season, inject and fry your turkey (Cajun or Garlic Herb) then wrap it up and have it ready to just warm in the oven the next day! Wednesday, Nov. 23rd, drop off your Turkey (16 LBS or less) with the form below indicating what seasoning and for $20 we will have your Turkey golden and ready to eat! If interested, please fill out the attached form and email it back to Mr. Klovensky at dklovensky@vanalstyneisd.org. Happy Thanksgiving and Gobble, Gobble!
Lost & Found
Screen Time & Social Media Presentation DATE CHANGE
Lunch Schedule Change for Dec. 7 & Dec. 13
December 7 & 13
7th Grade Lunch - 10:445-11:15
6th Grade Lunch - 11:25-11:55
8th Grade Lunch - 12:05-12:35
FCA
What: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
When: Friday mornings at 7:15
Where: Mr. Pierce's classroom (Outdoor Science Room #2)
Who: Any 6th, 7th or 8th grade student. You do not have to be an athlete to attend.
Join Remind for announcements and updates: https://www.remind.com/join/fh86a2 or text the message @fh86a2 to 81010.
Parent Volunteer Group
2022-2023 Yearbook Orders
Buy early and save money!
Secure your memories!
Cost: $42.00 if you order by Monday, November 21, 2022
Panther sports
Athletics Livestream
Click the link below to view Van Alstyne Athletics Livestream, which includes all Varsity Basketball and Volleyball games played at home in the main gym. Includes ALL home football games played in Panther Stadium (including middle school). The stream will begin 15 minutes prior to the event.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmhDOaLSpKozAXVhCfCLfFw/videos?view=57
Click the link below to view the livestream broadcast for Varsity Football (home and away games) .
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEGpBsLGwALyW1zX_TSfuKA
Girls Basketball
Monday, November 14 at VAMS vs. Celina at 5:00
Main Gym - 7A & 8A
Aux Gym - 8B & 7B
Thursday, November 28 at Sherman at 5:00
Main Gym - 7A & 8A
Aux Gym - 8B & 7B
Boys Basketball
Monday, November 14 at Celina
Gym 1 - 7A @ 5:30 & 8A @ 6:30
Gym 2 - 8B @ 5:30 & 7B @ 6:30
Monday, November 28 at VAMS vs. Sherman
Main Gym - 7A @ 5:30 & 8A @ 6:30
Aux Gym - 8B @ 5:30 & 7B @ 6:30
Coach Ingram, Middle School Girls Athletic Coordinator - kingram@vanalstyneisd.org
Coach Sedlacek, Middle School Boys Athletic Coordinator - dsedlacek@vanalstyneisd.org
Lunch Accounts
Parents can deposit money into their child’s lunch account online through www.myschoolbucks.com. **In accordance with state law, parents are not allowed to provide food for any child other than their own. This includes dropped-off lunches, sharing of pizza, cupcakes for their friends, etc.
Feed My Sheep Program
Backpack food programs provide nutritious, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food to
children to ensure they get enough food on weekends and holidays in an effort to avoid hunger
when they are unable to depend on school meals. By providing kids with the nutrients they need when they’re away from school, they show up on Monday morning healthy and ready to learn. Each student will typically receive 2 breakfast items, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 snack type items.
If your family would benefit from the Feed My Sheep program, then click the link below to view the Feed My Sheep flyer. Complete the bottom portion of the page and return it to our VAMS counselor, Mrs. Cady.
Attendance
Covid Absences
If your child tests positive for Covid with an at-home test, please email a picture of the positive at-home test along with the dates your child will miss school to our office at vamsoffice@vanalstyneisd.org and our nurse at lwilson@vanalstyneisd.org.
Students Calling Home
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 before school, 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.
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.
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)
A child with a typical cold, but no fever or green drainage, may come to school.
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.
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