VPMS Weekly Newsletter

Phoenix Weekly cover photo

Week of Monday, April 27th- Friday, May 1st

Monday 4/27:

• Student council meets Monday April 27th at 7:30am at the 6th grade doors. Please consider bringing cream cheese.
• Volleyball Open Gym 6pm-8pm

Tuesday 4/28:

• Oshkosh Schools Summit 5:30pm-9pm @Menominee

Wednesday 4/29:

• Oshkosh Schools Summit 5:30pm-9pm @Menominee
• Mission 4.0 @VPMS (6pm-7:30pm)

Thursday 4/30:

• VPMS Track Meet @North (4pm)
• Junior Achievement FT Day 1

Friday 5/1:

• Principal's Day!
• Junior Achievement FT Day 2

Saturday 5/2:

• Oshkosh Schools Summit 8:30am-12pm @Menominee

• 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
• April Breakfast Menu
• April 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
• School Choice OOA Application
• Parental Consent of a Caregiver Form

• VPMS Responding to Vandalism Letter 4.2.26
• VPMS Field Trip Criteria 4.20.26
  
• VPMS House Leader Opportunities 4.22.26

• Raptors Flyer
• Free Haircut Event 5.8.26

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!

• Wednesday, May 13th McDonalds Fundraiser 4pm-7pm
• Friday, May 29th 7th Grade Bay Beach Field Trip
• Friday, May 29th 8th Grade Band Mt Olympus (NEW DATE)
• Monday, June 1st 7th Grade Bay Beach (Rain date if needed)
• Tuesday, June 2nd 8th Grade Mt. Olympus Field Trip
• Wednesday, June 3rd 8th Grade Promotion (Doors open @1pm Ceremony Starts @1:30pm)
• Thursday, June 4th LAST DAY OF SCHOOL (Summer Games) @1:30pm

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

• Monday, May 4th
• Tuesday, June 2nd

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!

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our new Booster Club app — designed to make communication with fans easier, faster, and more organized than ever!

• Stay up-to-date with games, special announcements, and fundraisers

• Receive instant notifications and updates

Getting started is simple:

Use this link or QR code to download the app

This app is your one-stop hub for everything Booster Club related. Whether signing up to volunteer, or just staying in the loop — we’ve got you covered.

Let’s make this season the best one yet — together! Go Spartans!

We have seen an uptick in students sleeping during class time. A lot of time, when approached, students say that they are not getting enough sleep due to use of screens and social media late into the night. According to Johns Hopkins University physicians, teens need upwards of 9 to 10 hours of sleep per night to keep up with their developing brains and bodies.

Tips for helping your student get the sleep they need:

Make their bedroom a tech free zone

Promote healthy sleep habits, such as:

Reading before bed

Practicing deep breathing

Journaling

Guided meditation

Encourage students to move their bodies after school

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.

- Open Pools this spring, 4-6 pm on Monday April 13th, May 11th, and June 1st. It is free for any middle or high schooler planning to Swim or Dive at North in High School. (If you cannot swim, you need to check in with Coach Sewell before you get in the water). Bring your own suit, goggles, towel, and water bottle. Enter through door 1.

- Girl's Swim and Dive team is a Fall sport, starting in the middle of August. Boy's Swim and Dive team is a Winter sport, starting in the middle of November. We will teach you everything you need to know. Email coach (ian.sewell@oshkosh.k12.wi.us) for more information and to get on the email list.

*If you are planning to swim in high school, join the rec. dept. swim this summer to get ready.

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

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.

• Thursday, May 21st -8th Grade Band Mt Olympus (DATE CHANGE to MAY 29th)
• Wednesday, May 27th- 7th Grade Band T-Rats
• Friday, May 29th 7th Grade Bay Beach (Rain Date June 1st if needed)
• Tuesday, June 2nd 8th Grade Mt. Olympus

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

These sessions are open to incoming 2026 freshmen through current juniors who are interested in getting extra reps, improving skills, and competing in a fun, low-pressure environment.

April Dates:

April 22 | 6:00–8:00 PM

April 27 | 6:00–8:00 PM

May Dates:

May 3 | 6:00–8:00 PM

May 6 | 6:00–8:00 PM

May 10 | 6:00–8:00 PM

This is a great opportunity to get back in the gym, work on your game, and connect with teammates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Coach Seeley, Ms. Paulsen, or Mr. Schweiner

Practice: Monday- Friday (3:40pm-5:15pm)

No practice April 17th & May 8th

Field Events Start @4pm Running Events Start @4:15pm (Meets usually done by 6pm)

Tuesday, April 30th (Tipler vs. VPMS @North) 4pm

Tuesday, May 5th (Tipler, Traeger vs VPMS @West) 4pm

Thursday, May 7th (South Park, Traeger vs VPMS @North) 4pm

Monday, May 11th (South Park, Tipler vs VPMS @North) 4pm

Monday, May 18th (Traeger vs VPMS @North) 4pm

Thursday, May 21st (7th and 8th Grade All City Meet @North) 4pm

Tuesday, May 26th (Make up date for All City Meet if needed)

*Uniform Tops and Bottoms must be turned in at the last meet to your students coach*

COACHES:

Kelly Schweiner

Chris Hayes

Paige Dorn

Tom Zellmer

Annie VenRooy

Kollen Kellner

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.