VAMS Panther Paws Newsletter

• Saturday, March 30 - Van Alstyne Education Gala (more information below)
  
• Monday, April 1 - 6th & 7th Grade Math Benchmark
• Tuesday, April 2 - 6th Grade Reading Benchmark
• Thursday, April 4 - 6th Grade Field Trip to Texas A&M Commerce
• Friday, April 5 - Star Card Treat After School
• Friday, April 5 - GT Nominations Due (more information below)
• Friday, April 5 - VAMS Boys Night Out at the Middle School Gym from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (more information below)
• Monday, April 8 - 8th Grade Algebra Benchmark
• Tuesday, April 9 - STAAR Tests - 5 & 8 Math & 7 ELA - Closed Campus (more information below)
• Wednesday, April 10 - 7th Grade College Visits - Grayson College & Southeastern Oklahoma State University
• Wednesday, April 10 - STAAR Tests - 5 & 8 Reading - Closed Campus (more information below)
• Thursday, April 11 - 7th & 8th Grade GT Field Trip - Dallas History Scavenger Hunt
• Thursday, April 11 - Pep Rally Schedule - We will be on a pep rally schedule this day because we will have ice cream and popsicles for STAR Card students from 3:00 - 3:30.
• Thursday, April 11 - 7th & 8th Grade Band Lock-In from 5:00 - 8:00
• Friday, April 12 - NO SCHOOL
• Monday, April 15 - 5th & 6th Grade Spring Night Movie Night (more information below)
• Tuesday, April 16 - Student Council Delivers Shoes to Buckner Shoes
• Tuesday, April 16 - 7th & 8th Grade Spring Night Movie Night (more information below)
• Thursday, April 18 - VAMS Cheer Tryouts from 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
• Please see information below about dates for STAAR testing.

Our Outstanding Students program recognizes students who go above and beyond to make our school a great place. Teachers choose one student from each grade level who deserves recognition. The students who are chosen receive a Sonic drink of their choice, get their name on the marquee, and are recognized in the VAMS newsletter. We would like to congratulate the following students for making our school a great place to be:

Gracie Rehm - 5th Grade

Taylor Thompson - 6th Grade

Madison Guerrero - 7th Grade

Kenessa Mullins - 8th Grade

Way to go! You make us proud!

Congratulations to our Staff Difference Makers of the Month, Twila Whitaker, Receptionist, and Lindsay Thompson, 7th Grade ELA teacher. We appreciate all of their hard work and dedication to our students!

Parents,

As most of you know, this is our last year to have 5th graders on our campus. Beginning next school year, we will be a 6th-8th grade campus. This change allows us to make some other changes as we continue to grow and offer our students the best we have. Next school year, we are changing from a 7-period day to an 8-period day. Having an 8-period day will not allow us to continue to have I-30 built into our schedule. We are excited that an 8-period day will allow each student to choose another elective which provides them with the opportunity to be involved in more things. Therefore, next school year, 6th and 7th graders will be able to choose 2 electives and 8th graders will be able to choose 3 electives. Please know that PE or athletics is not an elective. Also, know that moving to an 8-period day will not change our school times. We will continue with an 8:10-3:35 school day. Feel free to call me if you have any questions or concerns. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Moore

Principal

903-482-8804

Dear Parents,

Referrals are now being accepted for the Van Alstyne Unique Learners and Thinkers (VAULT) program. VAULT is designed to provide an academic challenge for children who have been identified as gifted and talented through a process of academic testing. Children, who possess the ability to function above their current grade level, or demonstrate outstanding academic performance, should be carefully considered.

Parent and teacher evaluations constitute two of the six assessment parameters used to determine placement in VAULT. Therefore, I strongly encourage that you consult with your child’s classroom teacher prior to requesting a referral to be tested.

Parent Inventory forms are available in the office at the middle school office. The deadline for parental referrals is April 5th. If you have any questions regarding VAULT, please contact the undersigned at the school.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kelly Moore, Principal

Debbie Cholette, VAULT Coordinator

Our quarterly exam schedule will look a little different the 3rd nine weeks. STAAR-tested areas will be giving full benchmark exams (4 hours) to help pinpoint students needing interventions before STAAR testing time, while non-tested areas will be giving regular cumulative quarterly exams (2 hours).

6th Grade

Monday, Apr. 1 – Math

Tuesday, Apr. 2 – Reading

7th Grade

Monday, Apr. 1 – Math

8th Grade

Monday, Apr. 8 - Algebra

One of our favorite things is seeing parents on our campus and we know that you enjoy seeing your child. However, please know on each day of STAAR tests, we will have a closed campus. Parents will not be able to come on campus to volunteer or eat with their child, and we will also not be able to deliver anything to the students (lunches, items left at home, clothes, etc.). We hope you understand and we appreciate your support to give our students the best possible testing environment. Thank you!

ALL 5th grade students will eat in their classrooms on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10 due to STAAR testing. For both days, ALL 5th graders will need to either bring a lunch from home or our cafeteria will provide a lunch. Please do not send anything that needs to be microwaved.

As our district grows, our goal is to allow parents to be as connected as they can be. Parent Portal is one a wonderful resource for parents. Click the link below to access a Parent Portal assistance page. It has videos and a pdf overview of Parent Portal.

http://bit.ly/vaisdconnect

VAMS Track - Boys & Girls Track Meet - Monday, April 1 - District Track Meet at VAHS at 4:00

Go Panthers!

Parents,

If your child is absent, please send a doctor's note to school within 3 days of the absence. Notes sent after the 3-day window may not be accepted, therefore, your child's absence will be documented as unexcused. If you have questions or concerns about attendance, please contact Glynn Smith at 903-482-8804 or gsmirth@vanalstyneisd.org.

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!

Website: www.ms.vanalstyneisd.org
Location: 1314 N. Waco Van Alstyne, TX
Phone: 903-482-8804
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/VanAlstyneMiddleSchool
Twitter: @vamiddleschool