VPMS Weekly Newsletter

Phoenix Weekly cover photo

Week of Monday, January 12th- Friday, January 16th

• 7th Grade Girls Basketball Game 3:55pm @Home
• 8th Grade Girls Basketball Game 3:55pm @South Park

TUESDAY 1/13:

• 7th Grade Girls Basketball Game 3:55pm @Home
• 8th Grade Girls Basketball Game 3:55pm @Traeger

WEDNESDAY 1/14:

• 8th Grade Spartan Preview check in 4:45pm @North High School

THURSDAY 1/15:

• 7th Grade Girls Basketball Game 3:55pm @Tipler
• 8th Grade Girls Basketball Game 3:55pm @Home

FRIDAY 1/16:

• End of first semester

• 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
• January Breakfast Menu
• January Lunch Menu
• VPMS 25/26 School Supply List
• IC Parent Portal Absence Request Directions
• VelCro Interest Form
• How to check student grades (mobile)

• January iReady Letter

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!

• No School Monday, January 19th Martin Luther King Jr Day
• No School Tuesday, January 20th Professional Development for Staff
• Thursday, January 22nd Wrestling Sign up Meeting by Door #4 during lunch

• 6th Grade January Newsletter
• 7th Grade January Newsletter
• 8th Grade January Newsletter

Help support our school through Raise Right! More information can be found here!

• Monday, February 2nd
• Monday, March 2nd
• Monday, April 6th
• Monday, May 4th

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!

You're invited to attend the Oshkosh Area School District's Second Annual MLK Day Celebration on Monday, January 19, 2026! We will be reflecting on the theme: “True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice.”

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m., with the program starting at 9 a.m.

Event Details:

Date: Monday, January 19, 2026 (non-school day)

Time: 8 - 10:45 a.m.

8 - 9 AM.: Complimentary continental breakfast and community connection time

9 AM: Program begins

Location: Vel Phillips Middle School - Atrium

Features: Continental breakfast, community connections, keynote speaker, MLK essay contest winners, and student music performances

Open to: All ages welcome (students/children must be accompanied by a guardian)

Cost: The event is free, but registration by January 12 is required for planning purposes.

RSVP Link: RSVP: OASD MLK Day Celebration 2026

Visit the OASD’s MLK Day web page for more information.

We hope you'll join us in honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

WAYFINDER
In homebase this month we are focusing on different Social Emotional Learning
6th Grade
Chapter 3: Accepting + Managing Emotions
A key aspect of belonging is accepting yourself and your emotions. In this chapter, we’ll explore the power of our emotions, practice making space for what we are feeling, and greet ourselves with acceptance.

7th Grade
Chapter 3: Emotions + Awareness
In order to better understand ourselves and others, it’s helpful to learn to be connected to our bodies and to understand how to recognize, accept, and work through our emotions. In this chapter, we’ll explore our emotions and learn useful ways to work with challenging emotions.

8th Grade
Chapter 3: Relationships + Support
Building trusting and supportive relationships with each other is a key element to creating environments where you feel you can thrive. In this chapter, we’ll explore the social support we have and need in our lives and discover what healthy, secure relationships can look like.

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.

Please stop by the school store to buy your Vel Phillips house gear as part of our yearbook fundraiser! Items are $10.00 or less. Starting Tuesday, December 9th and Thursday December 11th.

Battle of the Books sign up is live on our Destiny library website. Sign up to receive email updates from Mrs. Heideman and to be invited to our first meeting.

Our generous friends at Scheels in Appleton will be donating a total of $30,000 to the community this holiday season! Help us continue to support our VPMS families and students by nominating the school! This donation will help us support vital programs bringing clubs, sports, basic needs, accessible field trips, and unique educational opportunities to our school community! We Stick Together! Link here

Interest Form: Linked Here!

Strength and Conditioning Club will start Monday, December 15th with Señor Heffron and Mrs. Rapp. Meet in the events lobby Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays after school for winter workouts in the weight room!

• Tuesday, February 10th- All School North Musical at the Grand
• Friday, March 13th-6th Grade Band PAC
• Thursday, April 16th- 7th/8th Grade Choir Mariachi Milwaukee PAC
• Thursday, April 30th/Friday, May 1st -8th Grade 2nd Semester Junior Achievement
• Thursday, May 21st -8th Grade Band Mt Olympus
• Thursday, May 28th- 7th Grade Band T-Rats

All these field trip forms are live in Infinite Campus to be completed. Click here for step by step directions!

GAMES (All Games Start @3:55pm)

Tuesday, January 6th- @Traeger

Thursday, January 8th- @Home

Monday, January 12th- @Home

Tuesday, January 13th- @Home

Thursday, January 15th- @Tipler

Thursday, January 22nd- @South Park

Monday, January 26th- @Traeger

Tuesday, January 27th- @Home

Thursday, January 29- @Home

Coaches:

Chris Hayes

Tierney Clavette

GAMES (All Games Start @3:55pm)

Tuesday, January 6th- @Home

Thursday, January 8th- @Tipler

Monday, January 12th-@South Park

Tuesday, January 13th-@Traeger

Thursday, January 15th- @Home

Thursday, January 22nd- @Home

Monday, January 26th- @Home

Tuesday, January 27th- @Tipler

Thursday, January 29th- @South Park

Friday, January 30th- Pizza Party 3:30pm-4:30pm

COACHES:

Kelly Schweiner

Tom Zellmer

Dan Wagner

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.