
VAJH Panther Press Newsletter
August 30, 2024
Calendar
- Monday, September 2 - Labor Day Holiday - No School
- Tuesday, September 3 - First Pep Rally @ 3:00 in the main gym - Parents and community members are welcome to attend! Parents and guests can enter through the west gym doors & sit on the visitor side bleachers.
- Tuesday September 3 - 8th JH Football Game vs. Caddo Mills (Home) 5:30/6:30
- Tuesday, September 3 - 7th JH Football Game vs. Caddo Mills (Away) 5:30/6:30
- Thursday, September 5 - JH Volleyball Game vs. Caddo Miss (Home) 7A/8B at 5:00 PM 8A/7B at 6:00 PM
- Friday, September 6 - Student Senate Applications Due (pick up in the office)
- Saturday, September 7 - JH Cross Country Meet at S&S High School
- Monday, September 9 - 13 - Homecoming Spirit Week- See flyer below. (Mums & garters not allowed at school)
- Monday, September 9 - 7th/8th Grade BAND Epic Water Balloon Bash 4:00 - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday, September 10 - Fundraiser Kickoff (students will bring home fundraiser information)
- Tuesday, September 10 - 8th Grade JH Football Game vs. Gainesville (Away) 5:30/6:30
- Tuesday, September 10 - 7th Grade JH Football Game vs. Gainesville (Home) 5:30/6:30
- Wednesday, September 11 - Community Pep Rally for Homecoming at Panther Stadium
- Thursday, September 12 - JH Volleyball Game vs. Farmersville (Away) 7A/8B at 5:00 PM 8A/7B at 6:00 PM
- Friday, September 13 - VAJH T-shirt order form due to Twila
- Friday, September 13 - Homecoming Football Game at Panther Stadium (More information below)
- Monday, September 16 - JH Volleyball Game vs. Community Trails (Home) 7A/8B at 5:00 PM 8A/7B at 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, September 17 - 8th Grade JH Football Game vs. Community Edge (Home) 5:30/6:30
- Tuesday, September 17 - 7th Grade JH Football Game vs. Community Edge (Away) 5:30/6:30
- Saturday, September 21 - JH Cross Country Meet at Denison High School
- Monday, September 23 - JH Volleyball Game vs. Sunnyvale (Away) 7A/8B at 5:00 PM 8A/7B at 6:00 PM
- Tuesday, September 24 - 7th/8th Grade JH Football Game vs. Paris (Home) 4:30 BBAA
- Thursday, September 26 - JH Cross Country Meet at Blue Ridge High School
- Tuesday, September 24 - Fundraisers Due
- Monday, September 30 - JH Volleyball Game vs. Quinlan (Home) 7A/8B at 5:00 PM 8A/7B at 6:00 PM
- Friday, October 4 - VAJH Picture Day
- Saturday, October 5 - Fall Festival in the VAJH parking lot
Other Important Dates:
- Pep Rally Dates - Sept. 3 @ 3:00 PM, Sept. 24 @ 3:00 PM, Oct. 8 @ 3:00 PM, Oct. 22 @ 3:00 PM
- Student Dance/Activity Dates - Dec. 6, Feb. 7, May 2
- Student Dance/Activities Times - 7th & 8th Grade dances/activity nights are 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Only VAJH students are allowed at dances.
- Thursday, May 15 - 8th Grade Promotional Ceremony 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM ( VAJH Gym)
- Thursday, May 15 - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony - 1:30 - 2:30 PM (VAJH Gym)
- Thursday, May 15 - 8th Grade Farewell Dance from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM. (This dance is for 8th grade VAJH students only.)
Student Senate Applications
Student Senate is designed to help you grow and develop leadership skills. Members will assist Mrs. Timpanaro and Ms. Cholette in planning and serving at school events, mentoring younger students, planning house games, giving building tours, and helping new students. Student Senate will meet throughout the year, as well in the summer.
Candidates should be caring, creative, and responsible leaders. In order to participate in Student Senate, you will have to keep in good standing with both your academic and behavioral responsibilities. Additionally, you must be committed to following through to attend any events at which you choose to volunteer. Please carefully consider this commitment before applying.
To be considered for Student Senate, please submit your completed application with a parent signature. All applications must be submitted to Mrs. Twila no later than Friday, September 6th.
Varsity Football Games
Our first varsity home game is Friday, August 30 at 7:30 PM where our Panthers will play Life Waxahachie. We love seeing our junior high students attend games to support our high school students. Please see the information below about football game expectations.
- junior high students who are not sitting with their parents/guardians need to sit in the junior high section (top of the bleachers behind the band).
- No footballs or other balls can be brought to the game.
- No one is allowed on the football field after the game.
- Students will be asked to leave if they continue to make poor choices after a warning/redirection.
Athletic Venue Rules
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
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.)
FCA
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 for announcements and updates: https://www.remind.com/join/fh86a2 or text the message @vajhfca24 to 81010.
VAJH Merchandise
Let's show off our Junior High Spirit!
Students received a VAJH T-shirt order form during 4th period. Additional forms are located in the office.
Forms are due by Sept. 13th (CASH only).
Homecoming T-Shirt Orders
The high school is selling homecoming t-shirts. If you would like to order your child a homecoming t-shirt, then click HERE to access an order form. The deadline to order a T-shirt is Wednesday, September 4th by 5:00 PM.
Homecoming
Homecoming
Our Varsity Homecoming game will be Friday, September 13 at 7:30 PM. Students are welcome to attend the football game and enjoy time with their friends. Please know mums and garters will not be allowed here at the junior high as they are a distraction to the learning environment. Students are welcome to wear mums and garters to the homecoming football game. We appreciate your understanding and hope you plan on enjoying watching our Panthers play Paris at the Homecoming game.
A note from the counselor, Mrs. Walters...
Cell Phones
Students are allowed to bring cell phones to school. They are allowed to listen to music and play games on their cell phones before school, during lunch, and after school. Students must keep cell phones out of sight and turned off (not on silent) during the school day. Please reinforce this rule with your child so they are well aware.
Also, please do not allow your child to call or text you from school using their cell phone for any reason, including to come pick them up when they do not feel well. Proper procedure is to report to Nurse Wilson and allow her to use her training to make that determination. Misuse will result in confiscation of the cell phone and the parent will be required to come pick up the phone. If the student continues to misuse their cell phone, the student will be required to check their cell phone
Food Regulation
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.
Lunch Drop Off
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. You will need to text your child to let him/her know they have a lunch in the front office. Your child will see the text when they are allowed to turn on their phone at lunch. We will not accept food deliveries.
Student Food Service Needs
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/ We will no longer be using My School Bucks. All My School Bucks balances have been transferred to the new system(School Cafe).
Attendance
Dress Code
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.
Emergency Concerns Outside of School
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.
Free & Reduced Lunch Applications
Free and Reduced Applications are now open for the 2024-2025 school year. Complete only one application for all the students in the household if you feel that you are eligible.
Panther sports
Coach Moore, Junior High Athletic Coordinator - pmoore@vanalstyneisd.org
Parent Volunteer Group
Community Service Hour Log
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.
VAMS Community Service Hour Logs are due on Thursday, May 1st.
Click on the link below "VAJH Community Service FAQ Flyer" for more information.
A Note From Our Nurse....
Our clinics must have a Medication Parent Consent Form on file for students requiring medication administered during school hours. This form must be signed by parent/legal guardian. Medication must be kept in the ORIGINAL bottle. (see links below)
Children who have the following symptoms should stay home and not come to school until these symptoms have been gone for at least 24 hours without the help of medication.
- Fever (100 degrees or higher)
- Sore Throat (with fever or swollen neck)
- Persistent Vomiting or Diarrhea
- Rash (with fever and itching)
- Conjunctivitis/Pink Eye (your child can attend school 24 hours after starting medical treatment)
A child with a typical cold, but no fever or green drainage, may come to school.
If a student becomes ill during the school day, he or she must receive permission from the teacher before reporting to the school nurse. If the nurse determines that the child should go home, the nurse will contact the parent.
Volunteer Approval Form
Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!
Van Alstyne Junior High
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