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VAMS Panther Press Newsletter
May 10, 2024
Calendar
- Friday, May 10 - End of Year VAMS Student Dance in the VAMS cafeteria (for VAMS students ONLY) - 6th Grade 5:30-7:00 and 7th/8th Grade from 7:30-9:30.
Monday, May 13 - Boys Athletics Physicals for boys in athletics next year from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the high school. The cost is $20 and payments must be made online prior to arrival using this link. https://vanalstyneisd.payments.school/. Students must have a completed copy of the medical history (including parent/guardian signature) in order to be seen by a medical provider. (more information below)
Tuesday, May 14 - Poetry Slam Contest from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Van Alstyne High School (open to 8th graders, more information below)
Wednesday, May 15 - VAMS Talent Show from 9:00-10:00 and 1:30-2:30 in the VAMS main gym (parents are welcome to attend)
Friday, May 17 - 6th Grade Field Trip to Hey Day
Friday, May 17 - Star Card Break the Dress Code
Friday, May 17 - 8th Grade Dance in the VAMS Cafeteria from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (more information below)
Monday, May 20 - Teach Like A Pirate Day (fun day planned for all students) - Kona Ice will be available for purchase this day. Students need to bring $3-$5 to purchase. **Lunch times this day will be different than normal: 6th Grade at 11:30, 7th Grade at 11:00, 8th Grade at 12:00
Monday, May 20 - VAISD Board Meeting at 7:00 PM at the VAISD Administration Building
Tuesday, May 21 - Star Card Party for students who earned 3 out of 4 Star Cards - Kona Ice will be available for purchase this day. Students need to bring $3-$5 to purchase.
Tuesday, May 21 - 8th Grade Promotion & Awards Ceremony in the High School Main Gym at 6:30 PM - ALL 8th grade students will be recognized during this ceremony.
Wednesday, May 22 - 6th Grade Awards Ceremony in the VAMS Main Gym at 9:30 AM - Parents and guests are welcome to attend and need to enter through the west gym doors.
Wednesday, May 22 - 7th Grade Awards Ceremony in the VAMS Main Gym at 1:30 PM - Parents and guests are welcome to attend and need to enter through the west gym doors.
Thursday, May 23 - Last Day of School - Dismissal at 3:38
Friday, May 24 - VAHS Graduation at 8:00 PM at Panther Stadium
Athletic Physicals Information
- Monday, May 13 - Boys Athletics Physicals for boys in athletics next year from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM at the High School Gym. The cost is $20 and payments must be made online prior to arrival using this link. https://vanalstyneisd.payments.school/ Students must have a completed copy of the medical history (including parent/guardian signature) in order to be seen by a medical provider.
Please see the flyer for additional information on what forms are required in order to participate in athletics for the 2024-2025 school year.
Forms: https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/forms/PrePhysFormRvsd2024.pdf https://vanalstyneisd.rankone.com/New/NewInstructionsPage.aspx
You are welcome to email Coach Hanes at thanes@vanalstyneisd.org if you have any questions.
No Charging for School Meals starting on May 1, 2024
Starting May 1st, no charging will be allowed in the district. Please send students with a lunch/breakfast if they do not have money in their account to purchase one. Per VAISD District policy, an alternate meal at a reduced price (.40 lunch) will be offered. This meal will consist of a cheese sandwich, fruit, and milk. The alternate breakfast meal will consist of a milk (.30 breakfast).
Negative balances need to be paid as soon as possible and before the end of the school year at the latest.
IMMUNIZATIONS - Attention 6th Grade Parents
In 2009, the State of Texas began requiring specific immunizations for all 7th graders.
The immunizations that incoming 7th graders need are:
1. Tetanus, Diptheria and Pertussis-containing vaccine (Tdap): All students entering the seventh will be required to have a booster dose of Tdap only if it has been five years since their last dose of a tetanus-containing vaccine.
2. Varicella (Chicken Pox): All students entering the 7th grade will be required to have 2 doses of varicella vaccine. The 1st dose must be received on or after the 1st birthday.
3. Meningococcal Vaccine (Meningitis): All students entering 7th grade will be required to have one dose of meningococcal vaccine.
If your child has already had these immunizations, please send a copy of the immunization record from the health clinic or physician. It must include the month, day and year as well as validation by a physician or public health official.
*Immunization records must be received before schedules will be released for the 2024-2025 school year*
Immunizations are available from your family physician, the Grayson County Health Department 903.893.0131, 515 N. Walnut Sherman, Texas, Collin County Health Department 972.548.5000 N. McDonald St, Mckinney, Texas or local medical/rural health clinics. Please call the health department for hours and availability.
If you have a medical or religious reason that conflicts with these requirements, please contact the school nurse. Information on obtaining a conscious exemption can be found at the following website:
https://corequest.dshs.texas.gov/
Thank you,
Lorie Wilson, LVN
Van Alstyne Middle School
903.482.8878
All state requirements may be found at www.dshs.state.tx.us/immunize
8th Grade Dance Information
8th Grade Parents & Guardians,
Several parents are beginning preparations for the 8th grade dance. The 8th grade dance is Friday, May 17 from 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM in the VAMS Cafeteria. Please know this dance is for 8th grade VAMS students ONLY. The dance is free for students to attend, however, the items provided at the dance (food, drinks, decorations, photo booths, etc.) are organized and paid for by 8th grade parents. Therefore, it would be helpful if parents would make a donation to help with the cost of the dance. You are welcome to send in a cash donation or donate via Venmo. If you send cash, please have your child turn in donations to their RLA teacher (Ms. Cholette or Mrs. Trantham). The Venmo information is available on the VAHS Class of 2028 Facebook page. We would like donations to be sent in by Friday, May 10 to see how much funds are available for planning purposes.
- Theme - Under the Stars
- If you would like to volunteer or have questions about donations, please contact Nikki Czawlytko at 903-328-7361 or at nikkiczawlytko@gmail.com
- Next volunteer parent meeting is Thursday, May 2nd at 5:30 PM in the middle school library.
- If you would like to volunteer or make a donation, plese click the link below to sign up!
- VOLUNTEER/DONATION SIGN UP LINK
We appreciate all of the parent support to make this evening a fun experience for our 8th grade students.
FCA
What: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
When: Friday mornings at 7:15
Where: Mr. Pierce's classroom (Outdoor Science Room #2)
Who: Any 6th, 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 @vamsfca to 81010.
Negative Account Balances
Please pay your student's Negative Balance. This is a great expense to the district when totalled up. Each dollar adds to the grand total balance. We greatly appreciate you helping do your part in paying this debt down.
Thank you,
Child Nutrition Staff
Panther sports
Coach Ingram, Middle School Girls Athletic Coordinator - kingram@vanalstyneisd.org
Coach Sedlacek, Middle School Boys Athletic Coordinator - dsedlacek@vanalstyneisd.org
Athletic Venue Rules
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.)
Behavior Expectations
Our top priority at Van Alstyne Middle School 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.
Safe Storage of Firearms
Dear Parent and guardians,
Texas law now requires school districts to distribute information to parents and guardians about the safe storage of firearms. The following information will help you learn about options for, as well as how to talk to your child and others about, the safe storage of firearms.
In 2021, 4,613 Texans experienced gun-related deaths. The Texas Department of State Health Services (SHS) reports that 55% of Texas firearms deaths in 2020 were suicides and that 59% of all suicides in Texas were by firearms. Suicide attempts involving firearms have a 90% fatality rate. Restricting access to guns is critical in reducing acts of violence, whether as self-harm or towards others. Acts of mass violence and interpersonal violence often end in suicide.
It is unlawful to store, transport, or abandon an unsecured firearm in a place where children are likely to be and can obtain access to the firearm. Under Texas Penal Code 46.13, a person commits the offense of making a firearm accessible to a child if the child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm, and the person with criminal negligence:
- Failed to secure the firearm; or
- Left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access
The penalty for allowing a child access to a firearm can range from a Class C misdemeanor (punishable by a $500 fine) to a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by a $4000 fine, a year in jail, or a combination of the two).
Texas exempts the purchase of firearm safety equipment from Texas Sales and Use Tax.
Remember, a gun should be stored unloaded in a safe or locked container, with ammunition stored elsewhere. You can learn more and find additional resources from the Texas Department of Public Safety at https://safegunstoragetexas.com.
Safe gun storage is critical to preventing suicide, unintentional shootings, and other tragedies.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kelly Moore
VAMS Principal
Attendance
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 Nurse Wilson at lwilson@vanalstyneisd.org .
The parent/guardian will need to return the bottom portion of the flyer to Nurse Wilson to receive this service.
Volunteer Approval Form
Click the button below to access the Volunteer Approval Form. We appreciate our volunteers!
Cell Phone Policy
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 into the office each morning.
Food Regulations
Lunch Drop Off
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 Hours
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.
Free & Reduced Lunch Applications
Free and Reduced Applications are now open for the 2023-2024 school year. Complete only one application for all the students in the household if you feel that you are eligible.
Parent Volunteer Group
Community Service Hour Log
Promoting community service is a goal of VAMS! 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 Wednesday, May 1st.
Click on the link below "VAMS Community Service FAQ Flyer" for more information.
Communication throughout the year
Middle School Website: Click HERE to access the VAMS webpage.
Social Media: Want to see what goes on at VAMS 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 Middle School.
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.
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.
Van Alstyne Middle School
Website: www.ms.vanalstyneisd.org
Location: 1314 N. Waco Van Alstyne, TX
Phone: 903-482-8804
Facebook: facebook.com/pages/VanAlstyneMiddleSchool
Twitter: @vamiddleschool