VPMS Weekly Newsletter

Phoenix Weekly cover photo

FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL: Tuesday, September 1st- Friday, September 4th

Monday 8/24:

• Open house for all grades 3:15pm-6pm (picture day for 6th Grade Only)
• VPMS All School Parent/student Meeting in Gym 5:30pm-6pm

Monday 8/31:

• NO SCHOOL!

Tuesday 9/1:

• First Day of School!

Wednesday 9/2:

Thursday 9/3:

Friday 9/4:

• 2026-2027 OASD School Year calendar
• Field Trip How-To's
• Athletic Paperwork How To
• Family Engagement Survey 26/27
• Student Handbook
• Setting up Canvas
• VPMS 26/27 School Supply List
• IC Parent Portal Absence Request Directions
• VelCro Interest Form
• How to check student grades (mobile)
• How to Check if Field Trip Forms Have Been Completed
• Parental Consent of a Caregiver Form
• All School Amazon Wishlist 26/27
• Picture Day Flyer
• VPMS Field Trip Update

• VPMS Welcome Letter August 2026
• VPMS Football Game Rules/Reminders 8.17.26
• VPMS Field Trip Updates 8.20.26

• Stay posted...

Welcome to Vel Phillips Middle School

Vel Phillips is a diverse middle school located in the heart of Oshkosh. Tradition runs rich at Vel Phillips with community connections that trace back generation after generation. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as the principal of this amazing school.

Staff and students are some of the best in the Oshkosh Area School District. We work at building positive relationships and making connections to help students be college, career, and community ready!

Best Regards,

Amanda Patza
VPMS Principal

PEOPLE! PURPOSE! PASSION!

• Monday, August 24th VPMS Open House 3:15pm-6:15pm (Picture Day for 6th Grade ONLY)
• Monday, September 14th and Tuesday, September 15th All Grades Picture Day
• Monday, October 19th Picture Retake Day

Reminder that all parents should be dropping off their students on Kentucky St and students should be walking to their designated area as shown on the map below. Parents should not be waiting in the parking lot as it is staff only during the school day.

New this year all field trips are rolled into OLR (Online Registration). You must complete online registration for your student to attend field trips. If you have not completed OLR your student's account will be flagged with the picture shown below. The only time action is needed on your part past OLR is if there is a fee associated with the field trip OR if you are choosing to opt your student out (not attend).

• Field Trip Letter

• Stay posted!

All these field trip forms are live in Infinite Campus to be completed. Click here for step by step directions!

*How to Check if Field Trip Forms Have Been Completed

• 6th Grade Newsletter
• 7th Grade Newsletter
• 8th Grade Newsletter

First Monday of the Month 5:15pm-6:30pm

• September 14th
• October 5th
• November 2nd
• December 7th

It’s time to look ahead to another wonderful year of learning and growth! Online Registration (OLR) / Annual Student Update for the 2026-2027 school year opens April 1 for all returning Oshkosh Area School District K-12 students and new 4K students.

To secure your child’s spot and ensure they are ready for the fall, please log in to your Infinite Campus Parent Portal beginning April 1 to register and verify your information.

What You Need to Know:

• Streamlined Forms: We’ve made it easier! Universal field trip permissions, athletic forms, dental care, and digital GO Transit access are now built directly into the online process.

• Busing & Transportation: If your child is eligible and requires busing, you must complete the transportation questions within OLR by August 16 to guarantee service for the first day of school.

• New 4K Students: Enrollment for our free 4K program also opens April 1! Current families can simply add a new 4K student while completing their annual update in the Parent Portal.

• In-Person Support: If you need language assistance or computer access, join us for Centralized Registration Day on August 5 at Vel Phillips Middle School.

How to Register: Log in via the Infinite Campus website or the "Campus Parent" mobile app (available on the App Store and Google Play). Click “More” on the bottom left, then select “Online Registration.”

👉 Read our 2026-2027 Online Registration Guide for the full update and instructions!

Need help with a password reset or creating an account? Please contact our school office for immediate assistance.

Please be sure to check the lost and found if you are missing anything. It is cleaned out every Friday.

As we are approaching sick season, we would like to remind you that parents/guardians are able to submit absence requests in Infinite Campus. You are able to submit absences as soon as you know them. Please see directions linked here!

Students should not be storing any liquids in their Chromebook pocket. This includes: cologne, body spray, perfume, and small water bottles. Also Phones or Wireless Airpods should also be left in your locker. You will be asked to put these items in your locker if they are seen in your Chromebook pocket.

• Vendor Registration Link
• Booth Map Link
• Middle School Maker Information/Application

Interest Form: Linked Here!

First night of game club was a success, we are always taking game donations, we can always have more students participate. Contact Mr. Sims with questions at gabriel.sims@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Practice EVERYDAY starting September 1st, 3:45pm-5:30pm

No practice September 7th and 25th due to NO SCHOOL.

Please be sure to sign out your daughter with their coach if picking up from a game.

All uniform tops and bottoms will be turned in at the last game to your students coach.

• Clothing Order Form: Link store closes September 8th

GAME TIME(4pm-5:15pm):

Tuesday, September 15th-@Home

Thursday, September 17th-@Home

Monday, September 21st-@Traeger

Tuesday, September 22nd-@Tipler

Thursday, September 24th-@South Park

Tuesday, September 29th-@Home

Thursday, October 1st-@Home

Monday, October 5th-@Home

Tuesday, October 6th-@Traeger

GAME TIME(4pm-5:15pm):

Tuesday, September 15th-@Tipler

Thursday, September 17th-@South Park

Monday, September 21st-@Home

Tuesday, September 22nd-@Home

Thursday, September 24th-@Home

Tuesday, September 29th-@Traeger

Thursday, October 1st-@Tipler

Monday, October 5th-@South Park

Tuesday, October 6th- @Home

Coaches:

kelly.schweiner@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

daniel.wagner@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

thomas.zellmer@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Practice begins on the first day of school, we will have a pamphlet to hand out at Open House. Practice is everyday from 3:45pm-5pm except on Fridays, that will be 7am-8am.

Coaches:

paige.dorn@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

christopher.hayes@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

andrea.venrooy@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

kristopher.karns@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Attendance Reminder

Attention parents just a reminder to please call in your student or email our attendance secretary kourtney.riess@oshkosh.k12.wi.us if you are getting any type of attendance type phone calls. It is important to call in your student even if they are a few minutes late, as it does count towards their total day count of absences. Your communication is greatly appreciated.

If your child is ill and rides the bus - please be sure to call Kobussen to let them know or child will not be taking the bus that day and any day they are absent from school. #920.424.7575

Contact Updates/ Reminders; Parents/guardians please contact the office with any phone number & email updates so we can contact you with emergencies or when your child may be ill. Remember, students may not use their cells during school hours or they will have them taken away for the day. School Day Schedule bell rings to enter the building at 8:11am. Students must be in their seats by 8:19am.

• If a student arrives at school 10 or more minutes late, a parent or guardian MUST call to excuse their child or it will be marked as an unexcused absence. The school day ends at 3:37pm. No student should be on school grounds any earlier than 8:00am as there is NO SUPERVISION until 8:00am outside. All students must be off school grounds by 3:50pm each day unless they are participating in after school sports or clubs or are enrolled with the MELT program. If your student is going to be late, absent or needs to leave early, please call #920.718.4268 ext 3402

Students may NOT wear:

● Violent language or images.

● Hate speech, profanity, or sexual references.

● Images, language, or brands depicting drugs, alcohol, tobacco (or any illegal item or activity).

● Clothing identified with a gang or gang-related activities.

● Images or language that creates a hostile or intimidating environment based on any protected class.

● Visible underwear.

● Bathing suits.

● Sunglasses

● Blankets or similar coverings.

per the VPMS Handbook Linked Above

Student Arrival and Drop Off Zones

Morning drop-off routines will look different in a new building. Please see the following information below for morning drop-off information:

● Arrival Time - Student drop-off/arrival may begin at 8:00am. Prior to 8:00am, there will be no student supervision and arrival prior to that time is strongly discouraged for student safety purposes

● Bus Drop Off - Bus drop off will be located at the North end of the building on E. Nevada Ave. and car drop off will not be accessible in this area

● Car Drop Off - Car drop off will be located on Kentucky St. A designated drop off zone will be indicated by a curb cut-out. Please note, families should NOT pull into the visitor parking lot in the front of the school. Also note, the One-Way traffic pattern will be reversed and traffic on Kentucky will run from North to South.

● Student Gathering Zones - Students will gather with their grade level before school.

○ 6th Grade students will gather near the North courtyard on Nevada Ave.

○ 7th Grade students will gather near the Events Lobby entrance on the south side of the building

○ 8th Grade students will gather at the Main Entrance on Kentucky St.

● Inclement Weather - In the event of inclement weather, students will enter the building immediately upon arrival at 8:00am

○ 6th & 8th grade students will enter the south doors of the building at the Events Lobby and report to the Fieldhouse

○ 7th grade students will enter the building through the Main Entrance and report to the Atrium

● No Visitor Entry - Visitors will not be allowed to enter the building in the mornings before school, including the first day of school. All visitors are required to check-in at the Main Office and must have an appointment with a staff member in order to enter the building.