VPMS Weekly Newsletter

Phoenix Weekly cover photo

Monday, October 19th-Friday, October 23rd

Monday 10/19:

• Picture Re-Take Day AM

Wednesday 10/21:

Thursday 10/22:

Friday 10/23:

• NO SCHOOL (Students and Teachers)

• 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
• GoTransit App Directions
• GoTransit App Directions Video
• VPMS October Breakfast Menu
• VPMS October Lunch Menu

• VPMS Halloween Dance Eligibility 10.9.26
• VPMS October 2026 Box Top Flyer (NEW)
• Bridging Brighter Smiles Flyer (NEW)

• VPMS Fall Family Night 11.12.26
• OASD Joint Safety Letter Pub Crawl
• VPMS Homecoming Reminder(s) 9.30.26
• VPMS ALICE DRILL POST Letter 9.30.26
• VPMS Safety Day Re-Scheduled 9.23.26
• VPMS Safety Day Letter 9.16.26
• Bus Route 82 Change 9.18.26

• Salvation Army Coats for Kids Flyer 10.1.26
• Wave Robotics Mini FRC 12/5&12/6
• BGCO Parent Workshop (NEW)

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, October 19th Picture Retake Day
• Tuesday, October 27th Bridging Brighter Smiles
• Friday, November 6th Girls Basketball Sign Up Opens (7th & 8th Grade Only)
• Thursday, November 12th Fall Family Night (6pm-7:45pm)
• Friday, November 20th 7th/8th Grade Orchestra Step Up Day at North

Hot breakfast is offered at Vel Phillips Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Students may enter door #1 starting at 7:40am for breakfast. (see monthly menu in quick links) On Wednesdays students may pick up cold breakfast during homebase if they so choose.

This year the House Leadership team has created our first annual Halloween costume drive for students who don’t have access to a Halloween costume. It will take place every school day morning 8am-815am from Monday October 19 through Wednesday October 28. Kids can come into the atrium and find the designated heads of houses and give the costumes to them. We will distribute costumes Thursday the 29th during school. Please feel free to bring in any old/unused/or any costumes that you are willing to donate to students in need.

Halloween Dance Tickets are now available to purchase in Infinite Campus by going to: General Product --> Class Sales --> VPMS 2026 Halloween Dance Ticket. Make sure you list your students homebase teacher to ensure they can be delivered the Friday of the Dance during homebase.

Congratulations to the Raptors clinching their Division! They will play in Port Washington for the Championship Game on October 24th! So wish them luck!

VPMS Orchestra Hooded Sweatshirts AND T-shirts are officially available for purchase from now through October 21st There are three color options: grey, royal blue, and black with white lettering.

The cost for hooded sweatshirts ranges between $23-$25. The cost for t-shirts ranges between $11-$12. There is an additional $6 if you would like to add your name to the back (optional.)

Link Here

The store closes on October 21st

Please see the attached flyer for information on the Patriot's Pen Scholarship. Deadline to apply is October 31st.

Are you looking to help out Vel Students? Look no further! You are able to donate funds in any amount through our VPMS Donations Store located in Infinite Campus.

• Click Here for the Store Link

Picture retake day scheduled for Monday, October 19th. Order forms linked below! If you are retaking your picture and already ordered, you must bring back your ordered picture package.

• Online Order Form
• Printable Order Form
• Flyer from Network

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.

Important Safety Reminder: Kentucky Street in front of VPMS is a ONE-WAY street. This is especially important to remember when leaving the main entrance/office area of the school: you may only turn RIGHT onto Kentucky Street (or continue straight onto Custer Ave).

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

• Friday, April 16th 7th/8th Orchestra Tundra Lodge NE WI Music Festival
• Thursday, November 5th 6th Grade Choir Oshkosh Sings at West High School
• Tuesday, November 10th 8th Grade Career Fair at Sunnyview Expo Center
• Friday, November 20th 7th/8th Grade Orchestra Step Up Day at North

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

Join us on VelCRO (Vel Phillips Community Resource Organization)! We are the parent-teacher organization working together to connect, support, and celebrate our Phoenix Family!

Interested in getting involved? Please fill out our interest and connection form and join us for any of our upcoming meetings below!

Whether you have a lot of time, a little time, an idea, a skill, or simply want to stay connected, there's a place for you in VelCRO!

Rise as One! We Stick Together!

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

• October 5th
• November 2nd
• December 7th
• January 4th
• February 1st
• March 1st
• April 5th
• May 3rd
• June 7th

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

Lisa Richards

Jazz Band is an optional extra band group open to 7th and 8th grade band students. We meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning with rehearsals starting at 7:30am. Students may enter the building via Door 2 (the band room door)

Fiddle Club is made up of dedicated and hard working students who play any type of contemporary style of music that you can think of-from fiddle and folk music, to rock, pop, swing, and music from movies and theatrical productions. Fiddle Club meets before school from 7:30am-8:11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays and students knock on Door 3 to be let into the Orchestra Room for rehearsal.

Fiddle Club students are passionate about playing their instruments and love seeking out ways to continue to learn and grow with their string instruments while also sharing music positively with the community. Fiddle Club has also performed for the Staff at VPMS, performed at Solo and Ensemble Festivals, performed at Open Mic Nights at New Moon Cafe, performed at the VPMS Variety Show, Evergreen Retirement Community, and at the Paine Art Center's Festival of Spring Event.

Student council will be hosting our first meeting of the year Monday Sept 28th at 7:30 am. This meeting will be held in room A116 please meet at the 6th grade doors. The more the marrier!! If you have been in student council please try to bring a friend. If you cannot make it, please see Mrs.Rapp for details.

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

7th Grade GAME TIME (4pm-5:45m)

Tuesday, November 3rd- @Home

Thursday, November 5th- @Tipler

Tuesday, November 10th- @South Park

Thursday, November 12th- @Traeger

Tuesday, November 17th- @Home

Thursday, November 19th- @Home

Tuesday, November 24th- @Home

Monday, November 30th- @Tipler

Tuesday, December 1st- @South Park

Coaches:

Chris Hayes

Markia Smith

Robert Mengert

8th Grade Boys Basketball Practice Schedule

8th Grade GAME TIME (4pm-5:45m)

Tuesday, November 3rd- @Traeger

Thursday, November 5th- @Home

Tuesday, November 10th- @Home

Thursday, November 12th- @Home

Tuesday, November 17th- @Tipler

Thursday, November 19th- @South Park

Tuesday, November 24th- @Traeger

Monday, November 30th- @Home

Tuesday, December 1st- @Home

Coaches:

Kelly Schweiner

Tom Zellmer

Dan Wagner

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.