
VAJH Panther Press Newsletter
January 17, 2025
Calendar
- Friday, January 17 - Star Card Hat Day
- Monday, January 20 - NO SCHOOL
- Friday, January 24 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, January 24 - UIL Grade Check
- January 27 - February 13 - Candy Grams available for purchase during lunch (see flyer below)
- Friday, January 31 - Star Card Treat Day
- February 3 - February 7 - Counselor's Week (Show Mrs. Walter's some love)
- Tuesday, February 4 - 8th Grade Dance Planning Meeting at 5:00 PM in the cafeteria (more information below)
- Thursday, February 6 - 7th Grade students Elective Sheets due to their Science Teacher
- Friday, February 7 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, February 7 - VAJH Valentine's Dance 6-8 PM (see flyer below)
- Wednesday, February 12 - VAHS Academic Expo - Educational Meeting for 8th Grade parents at 5:30 PM in the VAHS cafeteria (see flyer below)
- February 10 - 14 - Random Acts of Kindness Week
- Thursday, February 13 - Spring Pep Rally at 3:00 PM - Parents and community members are welcome to attend! Parents and guests can enter through the west gym doors. - We will be on a pep rally bell schedule this day, which impacts grade level lunch times.
- Friday, February 14 - Valentine's Day - NO DELIVERIES (See flyer below)
- Friday, February 14 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, February 14 - UIL Grade Check
- Monday, February 17 - NO SCHOOL
- Tuesday, February 18 - Mandatory Cheer Meeting for Students during lunch
- Thursday, February 20 - Progress Reports available on Parent Portal
- Friday, February 21 - Star Card Treat Day
- Friday, February 21 - School Bus Driver Appreciation (show your driver some love)
- February 24 - 28 - Blue Out Spirit Week (see flyer below)
- Tuesday, February 25 - Mandatory Cheer Parent Meeting at VAJH Cafeteria (more info to come)
- Friday, February 28 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, February 28 - 7th/8th Band UIL Pass Off Party (see flyer below)
- Monday, March 3 - Cheer Paperwork due to Mrs. Hensley
- Friday, March 7 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, March 7 - Group Pictures for Yearbook (During school)
- Friday, March 7 - House Games with Kona Ice
- March 10 - 14 - Spring Break
- Monday, March 17 - Mandatory Cheer Tryout Practice
- Monday, March 17 - School Board meeting at 7 PM
- Thursday, March 20 - Mandatory Mock Cheer Tryouts
- Thursday, March 20 - Report Card available on Parent Portal
- Friday, March 21 - Star Card Treat Day
- Friday, March 21 - Cheer Tryouts
- Friday, March 28 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, March 28 - 7th/8th Band Movie Night (see flyer below)
- Friday, April 4 - Librarian Appreciation Day (Show Mrs. Rickett some love)
- Friday, April 4 - Star Card Hat Day
- Friday, April 4 - UIL Grade Check
- Thursday, April 10 - District Fine Arts Night (more information to come)
- Friday, April 11 - Star Card Treat Day
- Tuesday, April 15 - 7th Reading STAAR Test (closed campus for lunch - no visitors)
- Wednesday, April 16 - 8th Reading STAAR Test (closed campus for lunch - no visitors)
- Thursday, April 17 - Make up Reading STAAR Test for absent students
- Thursday, April 17 - Star Card Treat Day
- Friday, April 18 - Good Friday/ NO SCHOOL
- Monday, April 21 - School Board Meeting at 7 PM
- Tuesday, April 22 - 8th Science STAAR Test (closed campus for lunch - no visitors)
- Thursday, April 24 - 8th Social Studies STAAR Test (closed campus for lunch - no visitors)
- Friday, April 25 - Star Card Treat Day
- Friday, April 25 - 8th SS/Science STAAR Make up Test for absent students
- Tuesday, April 29 - 7th Math STAAR Test & Algebra EOC (closed campus for lunch - no visitors)
- Wednesday, April 30 - 8th Math STAAR Test (closed campus for lunch - no visitors)
Other Important Dates:
- Pep Rally Dates - February 13 @ 3 PM
- Student Dance/Activity Dates - 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/activities.
- 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.)
No School on Monday, January 20th
Spelling Bee Champion
Shreyansh Zadoo was the winner of our VAJH Spelling Bee. He will be representing our campus at the Grayson County Spelling Bee in February. Congratulations to Shreyansh and the rest of our contestants for a job well done. They spent a lot of hours preparing for this event
School Board Appreciation Month
The month of January is School Board Appreciation Month. If you see one of our wonderful school board members, please take the time to thank them for the time and effort they dedicate to our schools. We appreciate their hard work, support, and encouragement. Members include: Randall Morgan, Kurt Himmelreich, Debbie Nance, Mark Freeman, Beau Williams, Matt Morris, and David Kerr.
2025-2026 Elective Selection Sheets
Parents & Guardians,
2025-2026 elective sheets for our current 7th graders will be distributed Wednesday, January 22nd.
Here are some important things you need to know regarding elective selections...
- Elective selection sheets will be due Thursday, February 6th. Students will turn their form into their Science teacher.
- ALL students need to rank their top 5 elective choices
- On February 10th, we will meet with individual 7th grade students during one of their classes to help them sign up for classes through Student Portal.
- Office aide, library aide, STC aide, Partners PE, and yearbook are application-based classes. Applications will be provided to each student.
- Every effort will be made to place students in their courses of choice. However, due to class size restrictions or other scheduling conflicts beyond our control, it may be necessary to alter the student's class request(s).
- In the near future, we will share the date for our current 8th graders to have meetings to set up their classes for high school.
- We are working with the middle school to communicate about electives and schedule a time to meet with 6th grade students to have them make their elective selections through Student Portal.
Spring Testing Dates
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.
Please know we pattern our quarterly exams after the STAAR tests, which are at a very high, rigorous level. Don't be alarmed when your child brings home a grade lower than what they are accustomed to getting on normal, everyday assignments and tests. To compensate for the difficulty of the tests, the state lowers the passing standard to below 70%. Please communicate with your child's teacher if you have a question or concern.
QUARTERLY TESTS & BENCHMARK DATES
(Closed campus for lunch - no visitors during these dates)
Tuesday, February 18 - 7th Math Benchmark & 8th RLA Benchmark
Wednesday, February 19 - 7th RLA Benchmark & 8th Math/Algebra Benchmark
Thursday, February 20 - 7th Science Quarter Exam & 8th Science Benchmark
Friday, February 21 - 7th Social Studies 3rd Quarter Exam & 8th Social Studies Benchmark
Monday, February 24 - Benchmark Make up day
STAAR DATES
*Grade levels not testing will have a normal schedule. Students will need to be quiet during testing days.
(Closed campus for lunch - no visitors during these dates)
Tuesday, April 15- 7th Reading STAAR
Wednesday, April 16 - 8th Reading STAAR
Thursday, April 17 - Reading STAAR Make up
Tuesday, April 22 - 8th Science STAAR
Thursday, April 24- 8th Social Studies STAAR
Friday, April 25 - Science/ Social Studies STAAR Make up
Tuesday, April 29- 7th Math STAAR & Algebra EOC
Wednesday, April 30- 8th Math STAAR
Friday, May 2 - Math STAAR Make up
GT Nominations
Dear Parents and Guardians,
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.
Pick up the application of the VAISD Gifted and Talented Parent Inventory form in the front office. This form needs to be completed by a parent or guardian and returned to the school turned into the middle school office. The deadline for parental referrals is Friday, February 7th. If you have any questions regarding VAULT, please contact the undersigned at the school.
Sincerely,
Shanda Timpanaro, Principal
Sarah Coleman, VAULT Coordinator
Counselor Appreciation Week
February 3-8 is Counselor Appreciation Week! We appreciate Mrs. Tammi Walters. She goes above and beyond for our students and staff. Please join us in letting her know how much we appreciate her by sending her a card, handwritten note, or email.
Behavior Expectations
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.
VAJH Yearbook Information
2024-2025 Van Alstyne Junior High yearbooks are on sale now! Yearbooks are $40 until December 20. Costs will go up after December 20. You can also send $40 cash or a $40 check made out to VAJH.
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.
Weekend Backpack Program
The local food pantry (Feed My Sheep) has gracious volunteers who donate each month for the Weekend Backpack program. This program sends a bag full of food home each Friday with students who are signed up. If you think your family would benefit, please pick up a copy in the front office (various languages provided) or complete the form attached and return it to the VAJH front office.
The parent/guardian will need to return the bottom portion of the flyer to the front office to receive this service.
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
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).
Visitor Procedures
When visiting our campus this year, we will have safety procedures in place. After pushing the button at the front door, you will need to provide the following through the speaker.
Full Name
Valid Picture Identification
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.
Attendance
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.
A note from the counselor, Mrs. Walters...
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.
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.
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
Girls Basketball
Thursday, January 23 - Vs. Farmersville at VAHS
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Thursday, January 30 - Vs. Caddo Mills at Caddo Mills
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Monday, February 3 - Vs. Sunnyvale at VAJH
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Boys Basketball
Saturday, January 18 - Celina Tournament at Celina
Thursday, January 23 - Vs. Farmersville at Farmersville
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Thursday, January 30 - Vs. Caddo Mills at VAHS
4:15 7C/8C
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Thursday, February 6 - Vs. Sunnyvale at Sunnyvale
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Monday, February 10 - Vs. Community Trails at VAJH
4:15 7C/8C
5:00 7A/8B
6:00 8A/7B
Coach Moore, Junior High Athletic Coordinator - pmoore@vanalstyneisd.org
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.)
Parent Volunteer Group
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.
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.
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