The VIP
Week of November 18, 2024
From Principal Elsasser
We are excited to start our Black History Month celebrations at Vanguard. Special thanks to the Black History Committee students and staff for planning events and activities that celebrate as well as educate others about Black culture.
This week is National School Counseling week. We are so grateful for our Vanguard counselors for all they do for the staff and students at Vanguard. They ensure our SEL is alive and well! We hope they feel celebrated this week.
Seniors, don't forget about FAFSA Night Tuesday February 4th (TONIGHT) 5:30-7pm and bring your families to find out more about FAME. This is a opportunity to find a great career after graduation!!
Parents, we need your help with after school dismissal. Students should not be walking through the construction on Faithon P. Lucas for parent pickup. All students should be picked up in the back of the building with access from McKenzie.
To align with our professional goals, remember cell phones need to be turned in at the beginning of class, earbuds should be out during class, students should be in standard dress with their student ID badge and be on time to class. By being consistent with these things our students will be better prepared for their future.
Would you please take a few minutes to fill out our Community Events survey? Click the link above!
Let's have another great week, Vanguards! Viam Ducemus!
Thank you to our CTE Counselors!
Congratulations to Mrs. Baker
Special congratulations to our CTE Counselor Mrs. Baker for receiving the award for Secondary Counselor of the Year for the state of Texas. She was honored at a special ceremony in Galveston.
Engaging Activities
Graphic Design Students Partner with Mesquite Print House
Over these past weeks a few Graphic Design students had the exciting opportunity to partner with Mesquite Print House to enhance their screen printing skills. Through hands-on learning, students gained valuable knowledge about the screen printing process, preparing them for upcoming competitions and equipping them with real-world experience in this creative craft.
Hands-On Learning in Anatomy & Physiology
Mr. Villa’s Anatomy & Physiology students took their learning to the next level with an interactive Syndaver experience! These life-like synthetic cadavers provided an in-depth look at the muscular system, allowing students to explore muscle structure, function, and movement in a way that textbooks just can’t match.
From identifying major muscle groups to understanding how they work together in motion, our future healthcare professionals are gaining real-world, hands-on experience that will prepare them for their careers. Way to go, A&P students! Keep pushing the boundaries of learning!
Dental Assisting
Hands-on learning in action! Our Junior Dental Assisting students had an exciting day in the lab making teeth impressions! This hands-on skill is essential for creating accurate dental molds, and our students are mastering it like pros.
Their journey into the dental field is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see them continue to grow!
Saturday Recoup
Black History Month Info
Clubs/CTSOs/Organizations
HOSA Fundraiser - Valograms
💕 Looking for the perfect way to spread love this Valentine’s Day? 💌
HOSA is bringing the charm with a Valogram delivered straight to your special someone! Valograms are the cutest way to make someone’s day. Valograms will be delivered on Friday, Feb. 14 during 4A.
Splat Art Club
There will be a special Splat Art Club meeting Thursday morning, 2/6 at 8:30 a.m. in H210.
Blood Drive
JROTC ROBOTICS COMPETES IN FORT WORTH
Congratulations to all four JROTC robotics teams for their outstanding performance in a recent Fort Worth tournament, where all four teams advanced to the elimination rounds and 91022-B made their way to the semi-finals. Their creativity and teamwork were on full display as they designed, built, and programmed a competitive robot that faired very well against opponents. We are proud of their success, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!
International Microsoft Office Specialist Competition
Last semester four of our Vanguard students earned perfect scores on their Word Associate Certification tests. Before taking their tests, before they knew they had earned perfect scores, these students chose to submit their scores to compete in the International Microsoft Office Specialist Competition. We received notification on Friday that two of the students placed in the Top 10 competitors in Texas! AJ Cooper McCurry placed 9th & Isaac Vazquez placed 10th in the 2025 Microsoft Office Specialist U.S. National Championship for Texas. This is an amazing achievement that is the culmination of two years of work in their Business Information Management classes & we are so proud of their accomplishment!
JROTC Robotics Competes at 2025 UIL 5-A State Championship
The JROTC robotics team 91022-J has once again demonstrated their exceptional talent and determination by advancing to the semi-finals of the challenging UIL 5-A State Championship this week in Houston. Competing against some of the brightest young high school minds in Texas, Team Juliette showcased their engineering skills, programming expertise, and strategic problem-solving throughout the event. With each challenge they faced, “Juliette” adapted and innovated, solidifying their reputation as a formidable force in the world of high school robotics.
Their success serves as an inspiration to future JROTC robotics enthusiasts, paving the way for continued excellence in STEM at Vanguard High School. Congratulations to 91022-J “Team Juliette” for this incredible milestone—your hard work and passion have made Vanguard JROTC and your school proud!
Congratulations to our Therapy Occupations student Armani Shepard!
We are so proud to celebrate Armani for being accepted into and successfully completing UT Southwestern’s HPREP (Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program)!
HPREP is a prestigious program designed to introduce high school students to careers in healthcare and biomedical sciences. Through interactive lectures, hands-on activities, and mentorship from healthcare professionals, students gain valuable insight into the medical field while developing the skills and knowledge needed for future success.
Armani’s hard work and dedication have paid off, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds! Keep striving for greatness!
We will be hosting our 4th annual Ping Pong Tournament on February 14th!
Students: Sign up for the category you are interested in participating in by February 12th at 1:40 pm. The form will close at 1:41 pm! Signing up does not guarantee that you will play or score keep. We will do our best to accommodate everyone.
For doubles, you must have the full name of your partner but only one of you needs to sign up. The link to sign up is in the Vault Google Classroom.
College and Career Center
FAFSA/TASFA Workshop
Seniors and parents are invited to our FAFSA/TASFA application workshop on Tuesday, February 4 from 5:00 - 7:30 PM. Come and let us help you get money for college!
🎓 Attention Seniors! Important Upcoming Events! 🎓
Bacterial Meningitis Clinic Drive *RSVP-Only*
📅 Date: Thursday, February 6th
🕘 Time: 4 PM - 6 PM
📍 Location: North Mesquite High School
Texas colleges require proof of a bacterial meningitis vaccine for enrollment. If you haven’t taken care of this yet, take advantage of this clinic drive to get your vaccine and meet this important college entry requirement.
📌 Important Reminders:
- Bring your student ID
- RSVP for the event if required! The link is attached below.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions or need more information! Let’s finish strong, Class of 2025! 💪🎉
- Ms. Spellmon
Dallas College - February 13th
Dallas College is coming to Mesquite ISD! Students and families are invited to come learn about Dallas College’s programs and how they can help you launch or advance your career.
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¡Dallas College viene a Mesquite ISD! Todos estudiantes y sus familias están invitados a asistir y aprender sobre los programas que ofrece Dallas College y cómo pueden ayudarle a iniciar o avanzar en su carrera.
Senior Class of 2025 Information
Class of 2025 – Let’s Celebrate Your Success!
Your hard work is paying off, and we want to celebrate every milestone with you! 💫 Whether it’s a college or career school acceptance, scholarships you’ve been awarded, or your FSA Student Aid Report (SAR) or Financial Award Letter – we’re here to cheer you on! 🎉
Now’s the time to share your amazing achievements so we can keep track of all your successes and tally up your awards throughout the year. Let’s show everyone just how much the Class of 2025 is accomplishing! 🏆✨
Upload your acceptances, scholarships, and SARs using the QR Code or Class of 2025 Classroom – we can't wait to see what you’ve earned! 🎓💼
Student Professional Learning
Click the link below to see all the courses offered this spring for student professional learning!
Essay Contest - Sponsored by Balch Springs Library
Counselor's Corner
Mesquite Promise
Teacher/Staff of the Week
Congratulations to Mrs. Leornas, our Teacher of the Week, and Mrs. Jackson, our Staff Member of the Week, for their outstanding dedication and hard work in making our school a place of excellence and growth!
Business Partner Opportunities
We are always looking for ways to partner with businesses in our community. There are opportunities to participate in person and with in-kind donations. As always, your donations are always appreciated and are tax-deductible. Email celsasser@mesquiteisd.org for more information.
Upcoming Events
Parent Involvement
Keep Vanguard Safe!
Student IDs
🚨 The student ID policy is still in effect! Student IDs must be worn and visible at all times while on campus.
Families, here’s how you can help:
✅ Remind your student to wear their ID every day.
✅ Encourage students to find a consistent spot, like their backpack, to store their ID to avoid losing it.
💡Parent Tip: Check for your student’s ID before they head out the door each morning. Your partnership helps ensure a safe environment for students and staff.
Thank you for helping us with this important safety measure!
Clear Bag Policy
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance safety for students and staff members, please note that Mesquite ISD's clear bag and backpack policy remains in effect for the 2024-25 school year.
For more details, click here to visit our FAQ page. Only clear backpacks, purses, and totes will be allowed for students on campus.
Parent Pick Up and Drop Off
Please make sure you are dropping off and picking up students in the rear of the building. Drivers will circle around the perimeter of the student parking lot to the rear door of the building, drop off or pick up students, and then circle around the perimeter of the parking lot to exit back to McKenzie Road. The gates for dismissal pick-up open at 3:45 pm. Please do not enter the back until that time.
ONLY BUSES will be permitted to use the entrance of the school (where the flag pole is located) on Faithon P. Lucas Sr. Blvd. during arrival and dismissal times.
As an alternative, parents may choose to drop off/pick up students in the Mesquite Girls Softball Complex parking lot, located at the intersection of Faithon P. Lucas Sr. Blvd./Mercury Road and McKenzie Road. From this location, it is a short walk to/from the front entrance of the campus.
Thank you for helping keep our premises safe and secure!
Campus Electronic Device Policy
To enhance student focus and minimize disruptions, personal electronic devices such as cell phones, smart watches, tablets, and Bluetooth headphones/earbuds will not be permitted in the classroom for the 2024-2025 school year. Campus expectation is that students power down devices and put them up prior to entering the classroom.
Please refer to the Student Handbook for further details on this policy. Any non-compliance can result in the confiscation of the device, which will be held in the office until the end of the day. If you need to reach your child during school hours, please contact us at 972.882.0000, and we will assist you accordingly. We are excited to work together with you this academic year.
Bus Information
Vanguard shuttle bus times for each high school location:
Horn High School: Back of JHHS
8:10am, 8:20am and 8:30am
West Mesquite High School:
West Side of Building (covered porch area)
8:10am, 8:20am and 8:30am
Mesquite High School: Back by small gym
8:10am, 8:20am and 8:30am
Poteet High School: Back behind the gym
8:10am, 8:20am and 8:30am
North Mesquite High School: Front of building
8:10am, 8:20am and 8:30am
Parents: Get Plugged in to AYO
Stay connected and informed this school year with the MyAYO app! 📲 Receive notifications and reminders from your child’s school and teachers, engage in classroom and extracurricular activities, and communicate directly with educators.
Everything you need in one place to support your child’s educational journey! Download MyAYO today from your App Store or Google Play.
Tutoring Buses
Students, the 5:15 after school tutoring/activities buses run Monday - Thursday ONLY! You must secure a pass from your teacher in order to ride the buses. The bus drivers will not allow you to ride unless you present your pass and it's fully filled out. You can only utilize this PM transportation if you're staying for tutoring or staying with an organization and/or sponsor. Buses will drop you off at your original feeder high school. Please ask your teachers or Mrs. Jackson any questions that you may have about the 5:15 buses.
