I hope everyone had an incredible Spring Break and got lots of rest and a chance to recharge your batteries. We are headed into the last stretch of the school year, so stay focused on finish strong.

The VHS FIRST Robotics team, the Space Dolphins, competed recently and finished strong! We were able to watch them compete through streaming on campus before the break. I snuck in some of the action over the weekend when I had the opportunity as the Space Dolphins were competing in Forth Worth. I am so proud of the work of the students and sponsors of our Space Dolphins.

We are coming upon STAAR testing season with our first test on April 8th. The rest of the dates are in the newsletter. Make sure you're marking your calendar for those dates and that you're prepared to do your best on every test you take!

Our UIL Academic team will be competing at the district level this Thursday and Friday. Best of luck to our Vanguard students and coaches.

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. Please talk about the dress code with your child(ren) and make sure they are not coming to school out of dress code. Click the link below for what is not allowed as a reminder.

Students need to bring their charged Chromebook to school daily. By being consistent with these things our students will be better prepared for their future.

Let's have another great week, Vanguards! Viam Ducemus!

On March 7 and 8th, Vanguard’s Space Dolphins (Team 9034) competed in their first FRC competition of the season in Belton, TX. Teams from all over the region gathered, each with their own designed robots, ready to face off in intense matches. The Space Dolphins brought an electric atmosphere as the teams cheered for each other, celebrating every victory. Vanguard brought home its first ever Imagery Award. This award celebrates attractiveness in engineering and outstanding visual aesthetic integration of machine and team appearance. They also got the high score for all the games played that day and placed 7th overall out of 42 teams competing.

Mentors: Aidan Corrales, Alex Holmburg, Ian Webster, Keegan Rose, Bethel Asfaw, Citlaly Garcia

Vanguard Cycling had their 2nd race this past weekend, Reveille Peak Round-Up, in Burnet. Students continue to expand their camping knowledge by spending two nights under the beautiful skies of Central Texas, sleeping in their tents and cooking all their meals. Sunday was spent racing on the most technical course our students have faced this season. We look forward to going back in May for our State Race!

The following students placed in their division:

Andrew Verdi - 1st Place JV3

Shane Marshall - 3rd Place JV3

Kingston Thomas - 4th Place JV3

Eliott Dunn - 4th Place JV3

Tamia Lewis - 5th Place JV3

*IMPORTANT* ALL DONATED ITEMS must be NEWLY PURCHASED for health reasons.
If you have any questions on what can be donated, alongside what is on the list, please reach out to NHS President Amarachi via school email 06amaoke59281@mesquiteisd.org

Drop-off donations at room F211 (next to the college resource room) before or after school in the drop off box. The last day to donate is April 8th! Thank you for your contribution in making our Spring Project a success!

📅 Monday, March 24th: UT Austin (Admitted Students only) from 12:30 to 1:30 PM
📅 Tuesday, March 25th: Ogle School (Cosmetology & Esthetics – Seniors Only) & Tulsa Welding School
📅 Thursday, March 27th: University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) – School of Economic, Political, and Policy Sciences

The admission and financial aid application deadlines for UTA, UNT, TWU, ETAMU, and Tarleton have passed! If you applied, check your portals for admission and financial aid status updates. Make sure to submit any requested documents to keep your application on track.

❗Dallas College, MSU, and UNT Dallas still have time for you to apply & submit your FAFSA/TASFA to be eligible!

💰 Promise Tuition Grant Eligibility: Partner universities will review completed applications in the coming weeks to determine eligibility.

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! 🎓💼

To meet the Texas Graduation Requirement, you must submit proof of FAFSA or TASFA completion BEFORE spring break! This step is crucial for finalizing your graduation status and securing financial aid for your future.

📌 How to Submit:
✅ Email your proof to aspellmon@mesquiteisd.org OR upload it to the Senior Upload Form (link below).
✅ FAFSA: Submit your FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS)—not the processing timeline.
✅ TASFA: Submit your application transcript.

🚨 Already submitted or shown it to me? No need to send it again!

Let’s get this done and keep you on track for graduation! 🎓💡

Check out the classes available for the month of March and sign up today using the link below!

• Resume Writing 2.0
• TSI Math
• College Essay Writing Workshop
• Emotional Intellegence
• Atomic Habits book study

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.

🚨 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!

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.