VPMS Weekly Newsletter

Phoenix Weekly cover photo

Week of Monday, February 9th-Friday, February 13th

• Comfy Day

TUESDAY 2/10:

• Hat Day
• School Wide Field Trip Day 1 Check with your Homebase teacher to see what day you are attending (Hadestown)

WEDNESDAY 2/11:

• Monochromatic Day
• School Wide Field Trip Day 2 Check with your Homebase teacher to see what day you are attending (Hadestown)

THURSDAY 2/12:

• Teachers Dress Like Students/Students Dress Like Teachers

FRIDAY 2/13:

• House Color Day
• Winter Games
• Valentines Dance 3:37pm-5:30pm

• 2025-2026 OASD School Year calendar
• Field Trip How-To's
• Athletic Paperwork How To
• Phoenix Gear Store
• Family Engagement Survey 25/26
• Student Handbook
• Setting up Canvas
• February Breakfast Menu
• February Lunch Menu
• VPMS 25/26 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

• January iReady Letter
• Dance Eligibility Reminder
• VPMS 6th Grade Scheduling Letter
• VPMS 7th Grade Scheduling Letter
• VPMS 8th Grade Scheduling Letter
• VPMS Semester One Grades Letter

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.

Show your Phoenix PRIDE - RISE with us!

R - Respect & Responsibility
I - Integrity
S - Safety
E - Engagement

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!

• No School Friday, February 6th (Staff Professional Development)
• No School Friday, March 6th (Staff Professional Development)
• No School March 23th-27th (Spring Break)

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

• Monday, March 2nd
• Monday, April 6th
• Monday, May 4th

Help support our school through Raise Right! More information can be found here!

Interested in Joining the Vel Phillips Community Resource Organization (VelCRO)? Fill out our google interest form to join our contact directory! Not your average parent organization, VelCRO is dedicated to supporting all families at Vel Phillips! Parents, relatives, staff, and community members are welcome to join us!

Did you know VPMS was built without feminine care dispensers in the restrooms? Thanks to the generosity of our community and the work of Michelle Smithson, VPMS Social Worker, care carts are now available in most restrooms!

If you, your family, friends, or coworkers are able to help—please consider visiting our Amazon Wishlist and donating to the “Got You Girl” Feminine Hygiene Drive, now through FEB 13th!

Calling all parents, guardians, and community members! Vel Phillips Community Resource Organization (VelCRO) needs your help selling concessions at the VPMS Valentines Dance on Friday, FEB 13th! Check out the different timeslots/openings and Sign up Here! All proceeds from concessions sales go back to supporting the VPMS family!

Yearbooks are available to purchase online for $15 plus tax on yearbooksforever.com use this link to purchase! Deadline to order is March 31st!

WAYFINDER
In homebase this month we are focusing on different Social Emotional Learning
6th Grade
Chapter 3: Accepting + Managing Emotions
A key aspect of belonging is accepting yourself and your emotions. In this chapter, we’ll explore the power of our emotions, practice making space for what we are feeling, and greet ourselves with acceptance.

7th Grade
Chapter 3: Emotions + Awareness
In order to better understand ourselves and others, it’s helpful to learn to be connected to our bodies and to understand how to recognize, accept, and work through our emotions. In this chapter, we’ll explore our emotions and learn useful ways to work with challenging emotions.

8th Grade
Chapter 3: Relationships + Support
Building trusting and supportive relationships with each other is a key element to creating environments where you feel you can thrive. In this chapter, we’ll explore the social support we have and need in our lives and discover what healthy, secure relationships can look like.

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.

Battle of the Books sign up is live on our Destiny library website. Sign up to receive email updates from Mrs. Heideman and to be invited to our first meeting.

Interest Form: Linked Here!

Strength and Conditioning Club will start Monday, December 15th with Señor Heffron and Mrs. Rapp. Meet in the events lobby Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays after school for winter workouts in the weight room!

Hello Vel Phillips Community,

Mission 4POINT0 is excited to announce that we will be having more after school events during the 25-26 school year. For those unfamiliar with this program Mission 4POINT0 has been operating at Vel Phillips middle school on a monthly basis for the past two years. We utilize Vel Phillips indoor areas to create spaces where students have the opportunity to freely express themselves with confidence and respect. If you attend one of our events you can find students participating in pick up sports, dancing, playing computer games, visiting with friends, and doing school work. Select events have also provided students with warm meals and guest speakers. Our mission is dedicated towards promoting students' growth in all areas including social skills, academics, and interpersonal skills. Examples of attributes we promote are respect, problem solving, leadership, adaptability, self advocacy, critical thinking, collaboration, creativity, confidence, and communication.

The dates for upcoming events are 11/26, 12/17, 1/28, 2/25, 3/25, 4/29, and 5/27 all from 6:00pm - 7:30pm. If your student wishes to attend our after school events please download, sign this document LINK, and return it to mission4point0@gmail.com. Students that do not have the document turned in will not be able to participate in any Mission 4POINT0 events. We highly recommend students to wear athletic shoes that both cover your heel and ties tightly. This is a community event, parents, guardians and siblings are all invited to participate in a 1 v 1 on the basketball court or go create a drawing in the events lobby. Please send emails to mission4point0@gmail.com if you plan to attend an event or have any questions.

• Friday, March 13th-6th Grade Band PAC
• Thursday, April 16th- 7th/8th Grade Choir Mariachi Milwaukee PAC
• Thursday, April 30th/Friday, May 1st -8th Grade 2nd Semester Junior Achievement
• Thursday, May 21st -8th Grade Band Mt Olympus
• Thursday, May 28th- 7th Grade Band T-Rats

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

Practice: 3:37pm-6pm

Thursday, February 19th (Menasha & Traeger @VPMS) 4pm

Tuesday, February 24th (Einstein & Wilson @VPMS) 4pm

Tuesday, March 3rd (South Park & VPMS @Tipler) 4pm

Saturday, March 14th (Oshkosh City Wrestling Meet @VPMS)

-Weigh Ins (8am-8:30am Sharp)

-Wrestling Begins at 9:15am Sharp

COACHES:

Kelly Schweiner

Kollen Kellner

Noah Kilgas

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.