VMS ELKS Roundup
March 2026
No School Reminder: March 30 - April 3
There is no school on Monday, March 30th (Teacher Workshop Day) through Friday, April 3 (Spring Break). We will see students back in the building on Monday, April 6th.
Conferences
Conferences are scheduled next week for the following dates and times:
Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 4:00-6:30 pm
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 4:00-6:30 pm
Conferences will be held in person and are on a walk-in, first come, first serve basis. If you are unable to attend, please email the classroom teacher to arrange a virtual conference.
We appreciate your partnership as we continue working together to support our students in building positive relationships through ELKS—Engagement, Leadership, Kindness, and Safety.
As a reminder, you can view your child's grades, attendance, and teacher contact information on Parent Portal. Additionally, you can set up push notifications for when your child is tardy, absent, has missing assignments, or receives a grade below a set threshold.
Our school will no longer allow squishy-style fidgets
Recently, we have seen a significant increase in students bringing squishy fidgets (such as NeeDohs and similar items) to school. While these items are often marketed as tools to help with focus, they have unfortunately become a frequent distraction in classrooms. Students are often tossing them, and stretching them, sharing them during instruction rather than using them to support learning.
In addition, many of these items have been thrown onto ceilings where they get stuck, creating extra work for staff and disrupting the learning environment. When they break, the sticky gel inside can spread onto desks, floors, walls, and classroom materials, which creates messes that are difficult to clean.
For these reasons, our school will no longer allow squishy-style fidgets (including NeeDohs and similar gel-filled items) at school. Our goal is to maintain a focused, safe, and respectful learning environment for all students. Students who benefit from fidgets will still be able to use teacher-approved tools that are quiet, durable, and less disruptive to the classroom setting.
Thank you for your understanding and support in helping us keep classrooms focused on learning.
From the Attendance Office
We’ve noticed an increase in last minute student pick ups. Last minute pick ups should ONLY be for emergencies. Vacations, sports and scheduled appointments should be put in Parent Portal ahead of time. If an emergency appointment comes up during the day, please try and give us courteously 1-hour notice. Please see our website for directions on how to enter absences, late arrivals and early releases. We are asking everyone to input all absences as soon as possible to ensure passes are made and delivered to the student. Several days in advance is preferable.
Parents should not be entering pickups for students not feeling well. If a student is not feeling well, please instruct them to visit the Health Office and together your student and health office staff will call you to make a plan for staying at school or getting picked up. Students are aware of this process and should not be texting or calling parents directly from their cell phone to be picked up. Please ensure that students go through the correct process of using the health office.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Lost & Found
Focus on student wellness and emotional well-being
March is a time to focus on student wellness and emotional well-being. As part of recognizing teen mental wellness this month, it’s important to continue encouraging students to talk about their feelings, build healthy coping skills, and reach out for support when needed. Open conversations at home can help students feel supported as they navigate friendships, school expectations, and everyday challenges. If students need additional support, they can connect with members of our student support team at school, which include the school social worker and school counselors.
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
March is also Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and a time to recognize Spread the Word Day, which focuses on kindness, understanding, and inclusion for people of all abilities. These conversations help encourage students to appreciate differences, include others, and contribute to a positive and respectful school community.
MCA season is fast approaching! MCA = My Chance to Amaze!
Here are a few family reminders:
Students will need a fully charged Chromebook each day of testing
WIRED headphones are required (wireless headphones are not allowed)
NO Cell Phone, Smart Watches/Wearable Technology or Bluetooth Headphones allowed in the classroom during testing.
For more information about our district assessment programs, please visit: District Assessment Program Page
The counseling office is in need of Jolly Ranchers or Lifesaver mints to share with students during our MCA testing sessions in April. If you are willing to help out with a donation of these items, it would be greatly appreciated!
Don’t wait! Order your yearbook before it’s too late. Ordering is as easy as going to jostens.com/yborder and searching “Vandenberge Middle School”
The yearbook deadline is Friday, March 20th.
There may not be extras available for purchase at the end of the year, so it is important to order now if your student would like to have one.
Please click on this link to review our ISD728 -March CTE Newsletter.
7 Signs Your Kid Has Screen Addiction and What To Do About It
Experts say kids can have screen addiction and even withdrawal symptoms. The good news is they can combat it fairly quickly.
By Beth Ann Mayer Published on November 13, 2025
Upcoming Important Dates
March 10 & 12: Evening Conferences (4:00-6:30pm)
March 13: No School (Staff Development Day)
March 27: End of Quarter 3
March 30: No School (Teacher Workshop Day)
March 31 - April 3: No School (Spring Break)
School Hours: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm
School Website: https://vms.isd728.orgRegistration: Welcomecenter@isd728.org (763.241.3536)
District Website: www.isd728.org
