VPMS Weekly Newsletter

Phoenix Weekly cover photo

Monday, September 28th-Friday, October 2nd

Monday 9/28:

Comfy Day (wear your favorite comfy clothes or pajamas)

• 1st StuCo Meeting of the Year 7:30am Rm A116 (meet by 6th grade door)
• Cross Country Meet @Red Arrow Park (4:45pm)

Tuesday 9/29:

Dress as your favorite artist of musical genre

• 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Game @Home (4pm)
• 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Game @Traeger(4pm)

Wednesday 9/30:

Wear Camo or your favorite animal print

• Cross Country Meet @South Park (4:45pm)

Thursday 10/1:

Wear your house colors

• 7th Grade Girls Volleyball Game @Home (4pm)
• 8th Grade Girls Volleyball Game @Tipler (4pm)

Friday 10/2:

Wear your grade level color (6th Grade White, 7th Grade Yellow, 8th Grade Blue, Staff Vel Gear)

• ONHS Homecoming Parade @5pm (information found here)

• 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 September Breakfast Menu
• VPMS September Lunch Menu

• VPMS Safety Day Re-Scheduled 9.23.26
• VPMS Safety Day Letter 9.16.26
• Bus Route 82 Change 9.18.26

• Stay posted...

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!

• Friday, October 9th 8th Grade Choir FT to Stephen Foster Chart in Appleton
• Friday, October 9th 8th Grade Orchestra FT to Stephen Foster Chart in Appleton
• Monday, October 19th Picture Retake Day
• 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.

Band merch is for sale, please see the attached link to order! Store is open until October 9th.

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

Our House System is off to a great start at Vel Phillips Middle School! Students are building connections, learning about their House’s unique values, culture, and characteristics, and working together to earn House Points. Throughout the year, Houses will participate in challenges, service opportunities, celebrations, and friendly competitions that encourage leadership, teamwork, school pride, and positive character. We are excited to see our students live out their House values and show that while we may be in different Houses, we are all one Vel Phillips family!
Family Action Step: Ask your student, “What is your House value, and how can you show that value at home this week?” Take a few minutes to celebrate an example of them living out their House value!

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, October 9th 8th Grade Choir FT to Stephen Foster Chart in Appleton
• Friday, October 9th 8th Grade Orchestra FT to Stephen Foster Chart in Appleton
• 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

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

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

Practice EVERYDAY starting September 1st, 3:45pm-5:30pm

No practice September 7th and 25th due to NO SCHOOL.

Please be sure to sign out your daughter with their coach if picking up from a game.

All uniform tops and bottoms will be turned in at the last game to your students coach.

GAME TIME(4pm-5:15pm):

Tuesday, September 15th-@Home

Thursday, September 17th-@Home

Monday, September 21st-@Traeger

Tuesday, September 22nd-@Tipler

Thursday, September 24th-@South Park

Tuesday, September 29th-@Home

Thursday, October 1st-@Home

Monday, October 5th-@Home

Tuesday, October 6th-@Traeger

GAME TIME(4pm-5:15pm):

Tuesday, September 15th-@Tipler

Thursday, September 17th-@South Park

Monday, September 21st-@Home

Tuesday, September 22nd-@Home

Thursday, September 24th-@Home

Tuesday, September 29th-@Traeger

Thursday, October 1st-@Tipler

Monday, October 5th-@South Park

Tuesday, October 6th- @Home

Coaches:

kelly.schweiner@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

daniel.wagner@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

thomas.zellmer@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

Practice is everyday from 3:45pm-5pm except on Fridays, that will be 7am-8am. No practice Friday, September 25th.

Meets:

Thursday, September 10th @4:45pm (Lourdes Course)

Thursday, September 17th @4:45pm (Traeger)

Thursday, September 22nd @4:45pm (Menominee)

Thursday, September 24th @4:45pm (Red Arrow Park)

Wednesday, September 30th @4:45pm (South Park)

Coaches:

paige.dorn@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

christopher.hayes@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

andrea.venrooy@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

rachel.delwiche@oshkosh.k12.wi.us

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.