The V.I.P
Vanguard Information Page
From Dean Elsasser
Hello, Vanguards!
We will be starting our Middle School Tours this week which means all of the MISD 8th graders will be on our campus at some point this semester to tour and see what we have to offer here at Vanguard. We can't wait to meet our future students.
Manufacturing Day at Vanguard was a huge success! Manufacturing day is a national holiday that draws attention to the industry and the need for jobs in manufacturing. Our auto tech and construction students had the opportunity to interact with our manufacturing partners and take field trips to our various manufacturing partners to see the work in action. We are thankful to Mr. Stoker in our CTE department for helping arrange this event and to all of our industry partners and the City of Mesquite for their involvement
Our auto collision classes took a field trip to the Texas Motor Speedway this week to watch dragsters. They got to see how cars are built and watch them race. Our students had a great time and we are grateful they get these opportunities to see the potential their work at Vanguard has in their future.
Don't forget about our first Fall Festival this Wednesday, October 19th! PTA is asking for donations of cases of water bottles, individually wrapped chips, and candy! The whole community is invited so spread the word! We hope to see you there!
PSAT - October 25th!
All Vanguard students will be taking the PSAT test on October 25th! This is a practice college entrance exam. Students who do well may qualify for college scholarships and recognition.
Testing will begin at 9:30 am on the 25th! Please encourage students to arrive at shuttle locations early and be ready to take the first shuttle bus that arrives from home campuses!
Please check your calendar and arrange doctor appointments and early release around this date! If students have an early release or late arrival on that day it invalidates their test.
Breakfast will run normally that morning and the cafeteria will be providing a sack lunch once testing is finished. Students are encouraged to bring snacks and water bottles to eat during their testing breaks.
Vanguard Yearbooks are on Sale!
Have you ordered your Vanguard yearbook yet? We are currently selling the yearbook online only! Students who are interested in owning the FIRST Vanguard yearbook must pre-purchase online!
The cost of the Vanguard yearbook is $45.00. Prices will increase as the year goes on, so get yours today!
Ordering is easy! Click this link: https://tinyurl.com/vhsorder. Make sure you are on the Vanguard High School in Mesquite, Texas page.
Payment plans are available!
We are making memories at Vanguard, make them last a lifetime with your own Vanguard yearbook!
Dean Elsasser on the LET Podcast
On this episode of The MISD LET's Talk Podcast, get to know the story behind Vanguard High School's dean Clint Elsasser. Listen to how a struggling dyslexic student who failed third grade discovered his passion and managed to graduate from college on the dean's list within four years despite being placed on academic probation. A dedicated youth minister and former construction worker, Elsasser reflects on his role as a missionary at ground zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks in New York. Learn how now, as the Dean of Schools at VHS, he relies on his experience to understand and empathize with students he comes across–including his daughter, who was on the brink of dropping out of school before enrolling at Vanguard High School.
Red Ribbon Week -BPA Fundraiser!
Red Ribbon Spirit Week is coming up at the end of October with the theme "Drug Free Looks Like Me." Students will have an opportunity to participate in the dress-up days for the week of October 24th-28th.
Pre-sales for Jeans passes will start Oct. 20th before school and during lunches. Students may pay $2 daily for jeans or $9 for jeans for the whole week.
All proceeds benefit Business Professionals of America.
Auto Collision Field Trip to Texas Motor Speedway
On Friday 0ctober the 14th, we took our 11th and 12th grade Paint and Refinishing students to the Texas Motorplex in Ennis to attend the NHRA Youth and Education Services program. This program is the only full-time education program in motorsports that provides quality programs and activities for schools and youth organizations nationwide. Our students attended an orientation before entering the racetrack and listened to very inspiring and powerful speakers from Ford, Mac Tools, Western Technical College, and Pep Boys. The Program focuses on the importance of goals and continued education while allowing students to learn about and explore various career opportunities. This program was very beneficial to our students because it shows how S.T.E.M is applied to both, real-world situations and NHRA Drag Racings. Our students had the amazing opportunity to see it live on the track that day and got to speak to many people from the automotive industry. We look forward to returning next year with the next round of Paint and Refinishing students on the path to success.
Manufacturing Day at Vanguard
We were excited to host Manufacturing Day at Vanguard last week on October 14th. Manufacturing day is a national holiday that draws attention to the industry and the need for jobs in manufacturing. Our students had the opportunity to interact with our manufacturing partners on Friday as they visited Vanguard and then as our students took field trips to our various manufacturing partners to see the work in action.
Construction Students Visit BID Expo 2022 Career Fair at Dallas College in Coppell
Mr. Thomas and Mr. Villwok took their Jr. and Sr. Construction Technology students to the BID Career Fair yesterday! They toured Dallas College construction science building. Students had the opportunity to visit with vendors from construction companies, builders, and construction trades to learn about their options after leaving Vanguard with their construction experience.
Mock Medications in Health Science
Mrs. Powell's Practicum in Health Science Theory students got to experience the role of working in a compound pharmacy, customizing mock medications.
Hiking with a Ruck Sack and Setting up Campsites in Outdoor Ed
Hispanic Heritage Display
We finished our Hispanic Heritage Celebrations this week! We haven't shared our beautiful display that has been up all month! Mr. Alvarez, Mrs. Waddy, and Ms. Pita were instrumental in the creation of this room along with our many talented students!
Medical Assistant Anatomy Labs
Medical Assistant anatomy labs continue in Ms. Meeks's class as students examine sheep organs, which have the same structure as human organs.
Thank you to Gemini Inc!
Gemini Inc donated $10,000 to our Vanguard students. Thank you to Mrs. Simpson-Holland
Santa Cop Fundraiser
MISD is again partnering with Mesquite Police Department to help raise money for Santa Cop! With $10 donation students and staff will receive a Santa Cop t-shirt that can be worn with jeans on Wednesdays starting November 30th and all the way until Winter Break! Students and staff are both invited to donate to Santa Cop!
Chalk Art in the Style of Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat in Ms. Mu-Min's Art Class!
Men and Ladies of Honor Starting in November!
We are excited about starting The Men and Ladies of Honor program at Vanguard.
Men and Ladies of Honor is a faith-based youth program. It has been implemented on many of our MISD campuses. It's based on teaching students the principles of chivalry, honor, moral excellence, and courageous leadership. We will be starting this program at Vanguard beginning in November. In the meantime, if you have questions, reach out to Coach Fofang, Ms. Holland, Mr. Magee, Mr. Alvarez, or Ms. Jackson. In the meantime, please make time to show this video to your students that explains the purpose of the program:
VATRE
The Mesquite ISD Board of Trustees has called a Voter Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE) this fall. The district is asking voters to approve a 3-cent increase to the maintenance and operations portion of the school district’s tax rate in order to maximize available state funding. If approved, the increase would result in $16.4 million in additional funds for MISD schools each year, while keeping the overall school tax rate lower than last year’s rate. Watch this video to learn more about the areas of need that would be addressed with the additional funding if the VATRE is approved on November 8th.
https://www.mesquiteisd.org/community/vatre
https://fb.watch/fJDwsur-nC/
PTA
Vanguard PTA meetings will be held on the 2nd Thursday in January, March, and May Our Vanguard PTA Board will meet at 5:30 pm. The general PTA Meeting will begin at 6:45 pm. Thank you to all of our PTA board and members!
The PTA is looking for parents that would like to serve on our board. We have identified 2 areas of need at the moment
We are looking for at least 1-2 parents from each program to act as a liaison between PTA and the CTE teachers so that we can plan and support events that work within our programs.
The first example of this is we are planning a spring festival cook off and car show for the spring.
The other area that we are looking for is 1-2 parents to be Class Parents, Class of 24, Class of 25, Class of 26. This person would also act as a liaison and provide PTA/Parent support to the class sponsor for class events.
Upcoming Events!
We have a semester full of events that we are looking forward to. As the events approach we will share more information about them.
October
- October 18th - Picture Retakes
- October 19th - Vanguard Fall Festival 5:30pm-7:00pm
- October 25th - PSAT Day!
- October 24th - October 28th - Red Ribbon Week!
- October 29th District Read, Play, Talk Festival
November
- November 18th - 2nd Annual Turkey Tourney Kickball Tournament! (Revitalized- bigger and better than last year!)
- November 18th - 21st Vanguard Fall Family Campout
December
- December 6th - 8th Grade Discovery Night at Vanguard
- December 10th - Winter Formal
Student Standardized Dress
Student ID Badges
Students are required to have Student ID badges visible at all times, this is for the safety of the students and Vanguard High School Campus.
If students do not have an ID badge they will be charged $5 for a replacement. This includes if a student scratches off picture, puts a sticker over the original pictures or in some way alters the original picture on the ID Badge.
Thank you for helping us keep your student and Vanguard High School safe
