VAMS Panther Paws Newsletter
February 1, 2019
Calendar
- January 30 - February 5 - High School Cheer Packets available in the middle school front office (more information below)
- Wednesday, February 6 - Elective Sheets Due
- Wednesday, February 6 - VAHS Cheer Mandatory Student/Parent Meeting 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm in the multi-purpose room at the high school
- Friday, February 8 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, February 8 - Valentine's Dance - 5th/6th grade dance 5:30-7:00 and 7th/8th grade dance 7:30-9:30
- Monday, February 11 - VAISD Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, February 13 - 8th Grade Parent Meeting for High School Information 5:30-6:00 in the VAHS cafeteria - Academic Expo to follow from 6:00-7:00 (more information below)
- Friday, February 15 - Star Card Treat After School
- Monday, February 18 - NO SCHOOL
- February 19 - 22 - Book Fair Week in the VAMS Library
- Tuesday, March 5 - Last Day of Shoe Drive (more information below)
Middle School Cheer Tryout Information Will Be Coming Soon
High School Cheer/Mascot Tryout Information
Carpool Pick Up Procedures
- As a reminder, from 3:30 pm until around 4:00 pm, cars will not be able to enter the south entrance of our parking lot for the safety of all of our students. Signs are being used as a reminder (see picture below). Our goal is to get traffic to flow in a safe manner while we are dismissing students.
- The front entrance is not used for student pickup at the end of the day. The front entrance is reserved for our buses (see bus loading and unloading zones in the information below).
Bus Loading and Unloading Zones
We wanted you to know that when buses arrive in the front of our school, the red lights will be flashing and the stop sign will be out any time the bus doors are open. That means that no vehicles will be able to go around the buses while they are parked out front waiting for students to load or unload.
Please know that it is illegal to go around a bus while the red lights are flashing and the stop sign is out. Doing so is a violation of the law and is subject to ticketing. Our buses are equipped with video cameras to ensure the safety of our students on and off the bus.
We appreciate you helping us ensure the safety of all of our students!
attention 8th grade parents
Dress Code for Student Dances
Students must follow the school dress code for the dance. The only exception is that girls may wear a dress that has a three finger width strap. If a dress has spaghetti straps or is strapless, a sweater or cover-up must be worn at all times. Only VAMS students are allowed to attend student dances.
Connecting the dots expo
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 2019-2020 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,
Corey Adams, LVN
Van Alstyne Middle School
903.482.8878
All state requirements may be found at www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
GT Nomination
Dear Parents,
Referrals are now being accepted for the Van Alstyne Unique Learners and Thinkers (VAULT) program. VAULT is designed to provide an academic challenge for children who have been identified as gifted and talented through a process of academic testing. Children, who possess the ability to function above their current grade level, or demonstrate outstanding academic performance, should be carefully considered.
Parent and teacher evaluations constitute two of the six assessment parameters used to determine placement in VAULT. Therefore, I strongly encourage that you consult with your child’s classroom teacher prior to requesting a referral to be tested.
Parent Inventory forms are available in the office at the middle school office. The deadline for parental referrals is February 5th. If you have any questions regarding VAULT, please contact the undersigned at the school.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Moore, Principal
Debbie Cholette, VAULT Coordinator
Student Council Shoe Drive
Parent Portal Resource
As our district grows, our goal is to allow parents to be as connected as they can be. Parent Portal is one a wonderful resource for parents. Click the link below to access a Parent Portal assistance page. It has videos and a pdf overview of Parent Portal.
Panther sports
Next games
Girls Basketball - Saturday, February 2 - Girls Basketball District Tournament in Bells - 7A & 8A Go Lady Panthers!
Monday, February 4 at VAMS vs. Leonard at 4:30 p.m. - 7B, 8B, 7A, 8A
Boys Basketball - Thursday, February 7 at Leonard at 4:30 p.m. - 7B, 8B, 7A, 8A
Go Panthers!
Attendance
If your child is absent, please send a doctor's note to school within 3 days of the absence. Notes sent after the 3-day window may not be accepted, therefore, your child's absence will be documented as unexcused. If you have questions or concerns about attendance, please contact Glynn Smith at 903-482-8804 or gsmirth@vanalstyneisd.org.
CAFETERIA MENUS
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