VAJH Panther Press Newsletter

• Friday, December 12 - Star Card Hat Day
• Friday, December 12 - ***NEW DATE*** VAJH Spelling Bee at 2 PM (See flyer below)
• Friday, December 12- VAJH Student Activity Night 6 - 8 PM (VAJH Students only) (See flyer below)
• Monday, December 15 - 7th & 8th Reading Quarter 2 Test
• Monday, December 15 - VAJH Winter Choir Concert at 6:00 PM VAHS (See flyer below)
• Monday, December 15 - School Board Meeting 7PM
• Tuesday, December 16 - 7th Math & 8th Science/History Quarter 2 Test
• Wednesday, December 17 - 8th Math/Algebra Quarter 2 Tests
• Wednesday, December 17 - VAJH Choir Social (see flyer below)
• Thursday, December 18 - Quarter 2 Make up Tests
• Thursday, December 18 - House Games from 8:30 AM - 10:30 AM - Kona Ice will be sold during house games
• Thursday, December 18 - Star Card Treat Day
• Thursday, December 18 - UIL Grade Check
• Thursday, December 18 - Early Release at 1:40 PM
• December 19 - January 2 - Winter Break
• Monday, January 5 - NO SCHOOL - (Staff Professional Development Day)
• Tuesday, January 6 - Students return from Winter Break
• Thursday, January 8 - Report Cards posted in Skyward
• Friday, January 9 - National Officer Day - Show Officer Abbott some love!
• Monday, January 19 - NO SCHOOL

Other Important Dates:

• Pep Rally Dates - Spring Pep Rally Feb. 13 - Parents and community members are welcome to attend! Parents and guests can enter through the west gym doors.
• Student Dance/Activity Dates - Dec. 12, Feb. 6, April 10
• Student Dance/Activities Times - 7th & 8th Grade dances/activity nights are 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Only VAJH students are allowed at dances.
• Friday, May 15 - 8th Grade Promotion Ceremony 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ( VAJH Gym)
• Friday, May 15 - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony - 1:30 - 2:30 PM (VAJH Gym)
• Friday, May 15 - 8th Grade Farewell Dance from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. (This dance is for 8th grade VAJH students only.)

VAJH will host a Student Activity Night on Friday, December 12th from 6 - 8PM! This event is for VAJH students only. Admission is $5 at the door, and students may want to bring extra money for concessions. We’ll have board games, card games, and even some pickup basketball—so be sure to wear your sneakers and get ready for a fun night!

Choir students, we’d love for you to join us for our social! We’ll have pizza ready for everyone, and if you’d like a snack or a drink, feel free to bring your favorite along.

Is your student looking to earn volunteer hours?

Click the link below to explore ways they can get involved and support VASA Youth Sports. Students who accumulate hours and submit the required documentation will be eligible for an award at the end of the year!

Parents, please remind your students to check our Lost and Found!

We have collected a growing number of jackets, lunchboxes, water bottles, and other items. All unclaimed belongings will be donated on December 18th, so please encourage your student to stop by and look for anything they may be missing. Thank you for your help!

Join us for some festive fun, holiday hoopla, and a bit of sparkly cheer! Break out your favorite holiday attire as we spread joy and celebrate the countdown to Holiday Break!

Beginning in January, our 8th grade students will be invited to a series of meetings to help them choose the best path as they transition into high school. We encourage you to attend these meetings so you can make the most informed decision for your student’s future. If you have any questions, please reach out to our VAJH Counselor, Tammi Walters, at twalters@vanalstyneisd.org.

VAJH Yearbooks are on sale now. Please scan the QR code to make the purchase. The yearbook will cost $35 dollars, and the price will increase on May 8th.

Please know that all incoming 7th graders and new 8th grade students must have a physical on file and Rank One paperwork completed prior to participation. If you have questions please contact:

Coach Foster, Junior High Athletic Coordinator - sfoster@vanalstyneisd.org

Girls Basketball

Monday, Dec. 15 - vs. Aubrey Owens (AWAY)

7A, 8A - 5:00 & 6:00 Main gym

7B, 8B - 5:00 & 6:00 AUX gym

Thursday, Jan. 8 - vs. Krum (HOME)

7A, 8A - 5:00 & 6:00 Main gym

7B, 8B - 5:00 & 6:00 AUX gym

Saturday, Jan. 10 - 'A' Team Tournament (SANGER)

Boys Basketball

Monday, Dec. 15 - vs. Aubrey Owens (HOME)

7A, 8A - 5:00 & 6:00 Main gym

7B, 8B - 5:00 & 6:00 AUX gym

Thursday, Jan. 8 - vs. Krum (AWAY)

7A, 8A - 5:00 & 6:00 Main gym

7B, 8B - 5:00 & 6:00 AUX gym

Saturday, Jan. 10 - Van Alstyne Tournament - 7A & 8A (VAHS)

Effective Monday, September 29, 2025, the Board of Trustees has updated the dress code policy as follows:

• Skirts and dresses must be fingertip length or longer.

• Leggings must not be transparent or see-through. Additionally, a shirt that is at least mid-thigh in length must be worn over leggings.

• Shorts must be at least mid-thigh in length.

This is the link to view your child's grades and attendance. If you need any help with this process, you may send an email request to rkolar@vanalstyneisd.org or call the school office.

Parents, please talk with your student about the following: Students are not allowed to ride bikes or scooters—regular or electric—on district property. Upon entering school grounds, you must dismount and push your bike or scooter. Riding on school property, whether school is in session or not, could result in consequences due to safety concerns.

We encourage students to make the most of our tutoring sessions offered before and after school. Please check the tutoring schedules for available times. We urge you to motivate your student to utilize this opportunity to enhance their success in classes and to advocate for their own learning.

All students must submit a note from a doctor or a parent within three days of returning from an absence. Due to our new system, we cannot excuse absences after this three-day period if the required note is not provided. Please remind your student to submit their note promptly upon their return. Thank you for your cooperation.

What: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)

When: Friday mornings at 7:15

Where: Mr. Pierce's classroom (Room 312)

Who: Any 7th or 8th grade student. You do not have to be an athlete to attend.

Join Remind by texting 81010, and type the message @vajhf

You are warmly invited to join us at the VAJH Pep Rallies! Come show your support for our students throughout the year. Please enter through the west entrance by the gyms and sit on the visitor side. We look forward to seeing you there!

Parents, please know that on days there are scheduled pep rallies, lunch is not at our typical times. On Pep Rally days, 7th grade lunch is 11:16 - 11:46, and 8th grade lunch is at 12:04 - 12:34.

Parents, please know that on days there are scheduled pep rallies, lunch is not at our typical times. On Pep Rally days, 7th grade lunch is 11:16 - 11:46, and 8th grade lunch is at 12:04 - 12:34.

Community Food Assistance Program

www.feedmysheepgrayson.org

What is a backpack food program? Backpack food programs provide nutritious, non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food to children to ensure they get enough food on weekends and holidays to avoid hunger when they can’t depend on school meals. By providing kids with the nutrients they need when they’re away from school, they show up on Monday morning healthy and ready to learn. Each student will typically receive 2 breakfast items, 2 lunches, 2 dinners and 2 snack type items.

*No proof of income requirement necessary.

Please return the form to the school counselor.

We love our parent volunteers! Our parent volunteers help organize student events, host teacher appreciation luncheons, and support our school. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Jamie Blackerby at Blackerby2030@gmail.com or check the VAJH Panther Parents Facebook Page.

All volunteers, including parents, have to fill out a Volunteer Approval Form to have a background check before volunteering (ex: attend field trips, volunteer on campus, help with testing, etc.). This form must be filled out EVERY school year. The entire process, from submitting the form to receiving approval, can take as long as two weeks. This process must be completed before being approved to volunteer. If you have students at multiple schools, only one application is required.

Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!

The graphic above shares new rules for our athletic venues. Please help us by going over the prohibited items with your students before attending the games.

Seating:

Panther Blue Seats - The blue seats are reserved for Season Ticket holders for Varsity games. We appreciate your cooperation in allowing Season Ticket holders to occupy their reserved seats.

Prohibited Items:

In conjunction with the UIL and for the safety of our guests and employees, the following are prohibited:

• Backpacks
• Outside food or drink (bottles, cans and beverage containers of any kind*)
• Abusive, foul or disruptive language or clothing
• Alcohol
• Animals (except service dogs to aid guests with disabilities)
• E-cigarettes/Vaporizers/Tobacco
• Balls (including but not limited to footballs, soccer, and lacrosse)
• Firearms or weapons of any kind
• Any other item or action deemed dangerous or inappropriate

*exceptions will be made for those with medical requirements or special needs.

Post Game:

The field of play is limited to participating athletes, coaches, trainers and officials. At no time will fans be allowed to enter the field area. (before, during or after.)

Our top priority at Van Alstyne Junior High is to provide all of our students with a safe learning environment. In order to do so, we need your help. Please take time to talk about the following things with your child.

• Everyone will be treated with kindness and respect. Name-calling and teasing are unkind. Racial slurs will not be tolerated.
• Students need to understand that saying anything about violence towards the school or others will be taken seriously.
• Students should always keep their hands and feet to themselves. Physical violence will not be tolerated.
• Please talk to your child about the responsibility that comes with social media. Students need to be careful about the things they say on social media, the posts they comment on, and the people they interact with.
• Please know that if a student’s behavior in or out of school disrupts the learning environment, that student could receive a consequence.

We appreciate your partnership at home to help educate your child about appropriate behaviors at school. We encourage students to be kind, respectful, and friendly to all students and staff at all times. You are always welcome to contact the school if you have any concerns.

New State Law on Student Device Use

Effective 2025–2026 School Year

We want to make you aware of a new Texas state law that will impact all public schools, including Van Alstyne ISD. Governor Greg Abbott has signed House Bill 1481, which prohibits K–12 students from using personal digital devices—such as cell phones and smartwatches—during the school day.

Important Note: This is not a local policy—it is state law and will be enforced across all Texas public schools starting in the 2025–2026 school year.

VAISD Student Device Expectations – 2025–2026

In compliance with House Bill 1481:

• Cell phones and smartwatches must be powered off and placed in backpacks before entering the school building each morning.

• Devices must remain in backpacks and not be used at any time during the instructional day, including:

  • Class time

  • Before School

  • Passing periods

  • Lunch

Violations & Consequences

1st–3rd Offense: Device will be collected and returned to the student at the end of the school day.
4th Offense: Parent must come to campus to pick up the device.
5th Offense and beyond: Behavior consequences will be assigned according to the Student Code of Conduct (SCOC).

Exceptions for Documented Medical Needs
Students with medical conditions requiring access to a device may qualify for an exemption through a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Please contact your campus administration to discuss qualifications.

We appreciate your continued support in creating a focused, distraction-free learning environment. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure all students succeed under this new state requirement.

As a parent, you have the right to bring food to your child. However, to be in compliance with federal law, you are not allowed to bring in food for a child other than your own (for example, bringing a pizza for your child and his/her friends). This also includes bringing cupcakes and snacks on your child's birthday. To be in compliance with law, we cannot offer them during the lunch period. Therefore, the only time we could legally do that is during class time; which is not something we are going to be able to do as the students are busy in their classes and we do not want to disrupt the learning environment.

You are certainly welcome to bring your child a lunch. Since there are classes going on during each lunch period, we are not able to call students over the intercom to come and pick up their lunch from the front office. If you drop off a lunch for your child, there is a bookshelf in the front entryway for you to leave your child's lunch. There are sticky notes and markers to label their lunch. We will not accept food deliveries.

Panther Nation,

We have a new way of taking care of your students' food service needs. Everything will now be in one spot! You can now download the School Cafe Family Hub app. This app will let you see menus, put money on account, complete free and reduced lunch applications, as well as many other custom functions that you can choose to set up. You can also log in on a computer as well at https://family.schoolcafe.com/VAISD

Junior High student cafeteria prices:

Breakfast: $1.85

Lunch: $3.45

If you need to communicate any attendance questions or issues, please email the following email address vajhoffice@vanalstyneisd.org.

The district dress code is enforced. Please ensure that your child is in dress code each day to limit class disruptions.

Dress Code

• Shorts, skirts, and dresses must be at least fingertip length.

• All outer garments must have sleeves (cap sleeves are permitted). “Spaghetti straps” or “tank tops” are not allowed. Shoulders must be covered.

• Footwear must be a style that ensures safety and does not present a distraction. Teachers may restrict (designate) the kind of footwear needed for that class in order to meet the safety standards for the instructional activity. House shoes are not permitted.

• Garments that are cut inappropriately are not permitted.

• Holes in jeans are allowed in jeans, but skin cannot show through the hole above the fingertip. Oftentimes, students will wear leggings under their jeans or have patches behind the hole.

• Pajamas are not allowed.

• Blankets and pillows are not allowed.

All garments should meet the standard of modesty: (Modest: observing properties of dress and behavior, moderate: avoiding extremes of behavior or expression, observing reasonable limits; Webster’s 7th Collegiate Dictionary).

Anything form-fitting, such as spandex shorts, bicycle shorts, tights, leggings, and leotards, may only be worn under shorts or skirts that meet the school dress code.

• Midriffs, cleavage, and undergarments should be covered at all times.

• Tops must overlap the waistband of the pants; midriffs should not be seen even when arms are raised above the head.

• All students must have hair that is neatly groomed, out of the face and a natural color.

• No Mohawks or designs in hair.

• Goatees, beards, mustaches, and other facial hair must be short, neatly groomed, and natural in color.

• Students may not wear hats, headgear, or sunglasses in the building during the school day.

• Wallets with dangling chains and dangling or oversized jewelry are prohibited at school.

• Male students may not wear earrings, ear studs, or anything else in the ear.

• Jewelry for face/body/tongue piercing may not be worn at school except pierced earrings for females. No spacers.

• Students may not wear garments or bring items to school that display pictures, emblems, or writings that are lewd, offensive, vulgar, or obscene; and/or advertise or depict tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, drugs, or any other objects or ideas that in the principal’s judgment may be expected to cause disruption of school activities or interference with classroom and other normal school activities.

• Students can be dropped off by parents starting at 7:25 AM. **Students WILL NOT be supervised prior to 7:25 AM. For their safety, please do not drop them off before that time.
• Carpool, walkers, and bike riders will enter through the doors at the west end of our building near cafeteria/gym).
• Buses drop off at the front of our building. (The front of our building will be closed for carpool drop-off between 7:25 AM - 7:45 AM to allow for bus drop-off. After 7:45 AM, parents can drop students off at the front entry.)
• When students arrive in the morning, 7th graders & 8th graders will go to the cafeteria.
• Students who need to eat breakfast will go to the cafeteria to eat.
• If your child does not have their schedule on the first day of school, there will be a staff member at the entrance doors to pass out schedules.

The front entrance will be closed to all traffic except for buses. Parents picking up their children in the afternoon will all use the south entrance to our school. Once in the parking lot, we have a limited amount of space for curbside pick-up. It helps alleviate traffic back-up on Highway 5 if the cars that won’t fit in the curb-side pick-up line park in the parking lot (*see pick up parking areas on the map). Once the curbside pickup line is backed up to Highway 5, the next cars in line can follow the red arrow below to find a parking spot. We will have carpool monitors to assist students safely across the parking lot and out to their car as quickly as possible.

The first couple of days of student pick-up will be a little hectic because many people will want to pick their child up on those days. Please be patient and follow the directions of our staff members who will be directing traffic. By the end of the week, it should be running fairly smoothly.

Tip: To shorten your wait time and allow some of the traffic to dissipate those first couple of days, it helps if some parents come about 3:50 to pick up their child. By the second week, you will be able to come at the normal 3:40 time. **Also, starting the second week of school, students will be unsupervised outside after 3:50, so please be sure to pick your child up prior to that time.

Parents and guardians, when you have emergency concerns about one of our students outside of school hours, please call the Van Alstyne Police Department. Oftentimes, our staff do not check email outside of school hours and the goal is to provide immediate assistance to the student or family. Some examples of emergency concerns would be: students claiming self-harm, students sharing suicidal thoughts or suicidal attempts, or any other situation where a student would be in danger and needs immediate help/assistance. Rather than emailing staff or submitting a StopIt App report, please call 911 or call The Van Alstyne Police Department at 903-482-5251.

When visiting our campus, we have safety procedures in place. After pushing the button at the front door, you will need to provide the following through the speaker.

1. Full Name

2. Valid Picture Identification

3. Student’s full name and reason for visiting the school

Once in the building, you must provide your picture identification to the receptionist at the front desk. It will be scanned, a badge will be made, and identification will be held in the office. When you leave, you will need to walk back through the office to pick up your identification. We appreciate your cooperation while we try to keep our students and staff safe.

It is important for us to provide avenues for parents to stay informed. Here are the communication tools we use at VAJH to ensure you know what is happening throughout the school year.

Junior High Website: Click HERE to access the VAJH webpage.

Social Media: Want to see what goes on at VAJH during the week? Want to see pictures of students doing awesome things? Want to see what learning looks like on our campus? Be sure to like us on Facebook, Van Alstyne Junior High 7-8.

Digital Newsletter: We email parents a digital campus newsletter every Friday. If you are not currently signed up to receive our weekly newsletter, click HERE.

Grade-level Remind Accounts: Please sign up for the appropriate Remind accounts below to help keep you informed. We also recommend having your child sign up as well. Teachers use Remind to communicate important dates and information.

Free and Reduced Applications are now open for the 2025-2026 school year. Complete only one application for all the students in the household if you feel that you are eligible.

Promoting community service is a goal of VAJH! In order to promote and foster serving our community and others, students can earn a community service award at the end of the year awards assemblies to recognize students who give their time, talents, and hearts.

Find opportunities throughout the school year for your child to work on their community service hours. Make sure your child is documenting their community service time on their hour log.

VAJH Community Service Hour Logs are due on Friday, May 1st.

Click on the link below "VAJH Community Service FAQ Flyer" for more information.

Website: https://jhs.vanalstyneisd.org/
Location: 1722 N. Waco Van Alstyne, TX
Phone: 903-482-8803

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61560526280581