VAMS Panther Press Newsletter
May 19, 2022
Calendar
- Friday, May 20 - NO SCHOOL
- Monday, May 23 - 7th Grade Field Trip to Adventure Camp
- Monday, May 23 - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony at 9:00 AM
- Tuesday, May 24 - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony at 9:00 AM
- Tuesday, May 24 - 8th Grade Awards Practice Ceremony at 1:30 PM
- Tuesday, May 24 - 8th Grade Awards Ceremony at 6:30 PM
- Wednesday, May 25 - TLAP (Teach Like A Pirate Day) - Kona Ice will be sold this day.
- Thursday, May 26 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL - Dismissal at 1:38 PM
- Friday, May 27 - VAISD Graduation at 8:00 PM
NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, MAY 20
YEARBOOK LAST CALL
We have 50 extra yearbooks. If you would like to purchase one for your child please, then send $45 to the office (cash or check made out to VAMS) in an envelope with your child's name and yearbook on the front of the envelope. First come first serve.
If you have any questions or would like to know if you have already ordered a yearbook, then please email Kristi Servati, our Yearbook Sponsor, at kservati@vanalstyneisd.org.
Yearbooks will be distributed on the last day of school and each grade level will have a yearbook signing party on the last day.
A Note From the Nurse...
The last day of school is May 26th, which is fast approaching. Please be sure to pick up your child’s medication from the clinic by the end of the school day on May 26. This includes prescription and nonprescription medication as well as nebulizer and any equipment you may have brought in for medical procedures. An adult must pick up these items, as we cannot send them home with the students.
If the medication is not picked up before the end of the school day on May 20th, the medication will be disposed of according to Van Alstyne ISD administration of medication guidelines at the close of that day.
Please visit the Health Services page under www.vanalstyneisd.org to access the new medication forms and/or procedure forms for next school year. Medication forms, procedure forms, and emergency care plans must be renewed by the parent, at or before the beginning of each school year in order for your child to receive medication or procedures during school hours. Students carrying their own epi-pen, inhaler or diabetic supplies, are also required to have a new medication form on file each school year. If you have any questions please contact your child’s school clinic staff. Have a wonderful, safe, and healthy summer. I look forward to seeing you next year!
Lorie Wilson, LVN
Cellphones
Please know that if your child is not feeling well at school, they must go to the nurse. Our policy states "If a student becomes ill during the school day, and the school nurse determines that the child should go home, the nurse will contact the parent. If a student becomes ill during the school day and the school nurse or other district personnel determines that the student should go home, the nurse will contact the student’s parent and document the parent’s wishes regarding release from school." Students should not be using their personal cell phone to call home and ask someone to pick them up. We appreciate your help and support with this.
Panther Sports
Coach Voris, Middle School Girls Athletic Coordinator - jvoris@vanalstyneisd.org
Coach Sedlacek, Middle School Boys Athletic Coordinator - dsedlacek@vanalstyneisd.org
UIL Physicals for Band and Athletics
ALL students participating in athletics for the 2022-2023 school year MUST have a NEW physical on file. The physical can be completed through our school or through your family doctor. For students who will have their physical completed through our school, please see the dates below.
Monday, May 9th ALL Females: 5:00 PM in the VAHS Gymnasium - Cost is $10
Tuesday, May 17th ALL Males: 5:00 PM in the VAHS Gymnasium - Cost is $10
Click the button below to access the physical forms.
Feed My Sheep Pantry Community Food Assistance Program
IMMUNIZATIONS - ATTENTION 6TH GRADE PARENTS
In 2009, the State of Texas began requiring specific immunizations for all 7th graders.
The immunizations that incoming 7th graders need are:
1. Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap): All students entering the seventh will be required to have a booster dose of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine.
2. Varicella (Chicken Pox): All students entering the 7th grade will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine. The 1st dose must be received on or after the 1st birthday.
3. Meningococcal Vaccine (Meningitis): All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.
If your child has already had these immunizations, please send a copy of the immunization record from the health clinic or physician. It must include the month, day and year as well as validation by a physician or public health official.
*Immunization records must be received before schedules will be released for the 2022-2023 school year*
Immunizations are available from your family physician, the Grayson County Health Department 903.893.0131, 515 N. Walnut Sherman, Texas, Collin County Health Department 972.548.5000 N. McDonald St, Mckinney, Texas or local medical/rural health clinics. Please call the health department for hours and availability.
If you have a medical or religious reason that conflicts with these requirements, please contact the school nurse. Information on obtaining a conscious exemption can be found at the following website:
https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/
Thank you,
Lorie Wilson, LVN
Van Alstyne Middle School
903.482.8878
All state requirements may be found at www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
The following COVID safety protocols will be in place at the beginning of school:
- Water fountains — All water fountains will be turned on this year. We still encourage students to bring a water bottle from home if they are able to. There are three water bottle refill stations that are accessible to students. Please make sure your child's water bottle has their name on it.
- Masks are optional
- Sanitizing stations — Students will be encouraged to use hand sanitizer throughout the day. Desks will be sanitized between classes.
- Visitors will be allowed — We love our parent volunteers and visitors! Parents and guardians are welcome to come and eat lunch with their child. All visitors will need to check in with Mrs. Twila in our front office where their temperature will be taken.
- Restrooms — We have signs posted on all restrooms asking students to limit 4 people at a time. We will also encourage students to wash their hands for 20 seconds before they leave the restroom.
- Symptom and Temperature Monitoring — All students will be required to enter through our south entrance (8th grade hallway). This entrance has a camera that checks the temperature of each individual that enters the building. A staff member will be at this entrance monitoring the camera. If someone has a fever, they will be asked to go to the nurse for further evaluation. All faculty and students are required to monitor symptoms and no one is permitted to come to class if they are displaying symptoms.
- Building sanitized nightly
- Buses will be sanitized after each route
If your child tests positive for COVID-19
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.
Parent Volunteer Group
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.
Volunteer Approval Form
Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!
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.
Attendance Reminders
Just a few reminders about attendance:
Please send a note giving a detailed description of the reason for the absence within 3 days of any absence. Notes received after 3 days will result in an unexcused absence. Please send a doctor's note anytime your child misses school for an appointment. If your child is absent longer than 3 consecutive days because of personal illness, you must bring a statement from a doctor or health clinic verifying the illness or condition that caused the student's extended absence. If you have any questions, please send an email to vamsoffice@vanalstyneisd.org.
VAISD Kindness Challenge
As most of you are aware, school districts around the country have been plagued by students participating in TikTok challenges. These challenges ask students to destroy/vandalize school property, steal things, and do other things that can lead to legal consequences. Our youth are better than that! In an effort to combat the negative challenges on social media, VAISD challenges our youth to make a positive impact in our school and our community. Our youth can do great things! #takebacktiktok #supporteducation #VAISD #KindnessChallenge
Complete the Google Form below if you participated in the VAISD Kindness Challenge! We want to hear about the great things our youth are doing!
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