Viking View

1/12 to 1/16

Mission: Positively impact and advance each student every day.

Vision: Foster one's greatest potential.

January is School Board Appreciation Month

The Week-At-A-Glance

Monday, January 12

Wear a college shirt/sweatshirt with jeans!

Cheer Practice @ 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)

Athletic Coordinator Meeting @ 7:15 a.m.

Teaming (1,3,5,8)

7th Grade MTSS (2,7)

Rising 7th Grade Course Card Selections via Science (All Day)

Rising 9th Grade Course Card Selections via Science w/ LHS Counselors (All Day)

Tribe Meeting @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m.

Winning S1 House Celebration (Gym)
- House of Honor - All Students & Staff Encouraged to Wear Black

Theatre Art One Act Play @ 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Café)

Tuesday, January 13 (8 Period Day)

Wear black dry-fit Viking shirt w/ jeans!

Cheer Practice @ 7 am. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)

N2 Learning Teacher Leader Institute @ 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (ILA Priority)

Fire Drill 2/ Frisco FD @ 3 p.m.

Q2 UIL Eligibility @ 4 p.m.

PTA Board Meeting @ 5 p.m. (Library)

PTA General Membership Meeting @ 5:45 p.m. (Café)

Rising 6th Grade Viking Night @ 6 p.m. (Café)

Wednesday, January 14 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)

Jingle Jeans - Free dress for staff with sticker (Spring Semester)!

Leaders Meeting @ 8 a.m. - TBD (HOH)

Secondary Science IC Meeting @ 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (TW)

Content Lead ELAR/SS Meeting @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (HOH)

Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Science Priority)

Whole Child Coordinator Meeting @ 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Administration)

Art Club Meeting @ 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Café)

7 BBB VMS vs. Griffin MS @ GMS

5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

8 GBB Griffin MS vs. VMS @ VMS

5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Thursday, January 15 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)

PTA Inclusion Shirt w/ Jeans

Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Math Priority)

Band Instrument Drive @ 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (Café)

District Spelling Bee @ 5 p.m. (PCHS)

7 GBB Griffin MS vs. VMS @ VMS

5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

8 BBB VMS vs. Griffin MS @ GMS

5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.

Friday, January 16 (8 Period Day)

Wear Liberty HS or VMS spirit wear w/ jeans!

IC Meeting @ 8:25 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. (E112)

Administrative Meeting @ 9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Conference Room)

Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Social Studies Priority)

Thespian Club Meeting @ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Café)

Action Items:

Please complete the Staffing Survey by Friday, Jan. 30th.

Coming Soon

January

19 MLK Day Student/Staff Holiday

20 Cheer Practice

20 Secure Drill

20 TA One Act Play Rehearsal

20 Master Schedule Kickoff Meeting

21 Social Studies Cadre Cohort I Celebration

21 Virtual Leaders' Meeting

21 8GBB VMS vs. Cobb MS

21 7GBB Cobb MS vs. VMS

22 SpEd IC Meeting

22 Secondary AP Meeting

22 7GBB VMS vs. Cobb MS

22 8GBB Cobb MS vs. VMS

23 IC Meeting

23 Administrative Meeting

23 Athletic Coordinator Luncheon

23 Orchestra Instrument Selection

23 Band Winter Social Movie Night

24 All City Choir Clinic & Concert

Administrative Information

STAAR Field Test Administration

Who: 6th & 8th Grade Students

What: STAAR Stand-Alone Reading Field Test

Where: Vandeventer Middle School

When: February 3, 2026

Why: As required by House Bill 3906, 86th Texas Legislature, 2019, STAAR underwent a redesign to better align the assessments with classroom instruction. The redesign was implemented in the 2022–2023 school year and included the addition of writing to reading assessments and more non-multiple-choice questions such as open-ended or constructed-response items. Although the TEA has made a concerted effort to minimize the amount of instructional time used for state testing purposes, particularly stand-alone field testing, a Stand-Alone Field Test is necessary to properly integrate these new components into future state assessments. TEA has selected Vandeventer Middle School to participate.

Athletic Information

Boys Basketball Schedule (Click Here)

Boys Athletics (Cross Country/Track)

Cross Country - Coach Sims

Track - Coach Howe | Coach Henderson | Coach Swanberg |Coach Williams

Boys Athletics (Basketball)

7th Grade A Team - Coach Henderson

7th Grade B/C Teams - Coach Henderson | Coach Howe

8th Grade A Team - Coach Williams

8th Grade B/C Team - Coach Williams | Coach Swanberg

Boys Athletics (Soccer)

7th Grade - Coach Swanberg | Coach Henderson

8th Grade - Coach Swanberg | Coach Henderson

Girls Basketball Schedule (Click Here)

Girls Athletics (Cross Country/Track)

Cross Country - Coach Gribble

Track - Coach Park | Coach Near | Coach Oberst | Coach Garcia

Girls Athletics (Basketball)

7th Grade A Team - Coach Near

7th Grade B/C Teams - Coach Gribble

8th Grade A Team - Coach Park

8th Grade B/C Team - Coach Oberst

Girls Athletics (Soccer)

7th Grade - Coach Garcia

8th Grade - Coach Near

Cross Country Schedule (Click Here)

THE FRISCO WAY
A character-building lesson designed to grow our athletes into leaders.

Motto: CHAMPS LEAD THE WAY

With respect for others, control of self, and the spirit of competition

Building character. Growing leaders. That’s the goal.

Our Focus:

Set clear expectations rooted in The Texas Way
Create consistency across all FISD campuses
Use a standardized form to simplify documentation

This week's focus for our athletes is This week's focus for our athletes is teamwork: the combined action of a group, especially when effective and efficient.

Our inspirational quote for the week: "The way a team plays as a whole determines its success."

Babe Ruth

Campus Committee News

This Week's Instructional Showcase

As part of our Campus Improvement Team and Professional Learning Committee efforts, each week we will shine a spotlight on the amazing instructional work happening across our campus. We will highlight the engaging learning experiences our teachers create and celebrate the accomplishments of our students and staff.

To ensure every content area has an opportunity to be showcased, each month will focus on a different department:

January – Math
February – ILA
March – Social Studies
April – Electives & Fine Arts

We look forward to sharing the incredible teaching and learning taking place at Vandeventer each and every day!

Our 6th grade students recently dove into financial literacy through the Frosty Falls Project, an engaging, winter-themed unit focused on balancing a checking account. In this real-world simulation, students “opened” a checking account at Frosty Falls Bank and managed a starting balance of $150.50 while earning money from seasonal jobs and spending on winter activities, gifts, and essentials.

As they made deposits and withdrawals, students practiced calculating new balances, recording transactions, and organizing financial information in a checkbook register—just like in real life! This hands-on project helped students strengthen math skills, budgeting habits, and responsible money management, even during the busiest (and most festive!) time of the year. 🎄💰

House Standings - Semester 1

Congratulations to the House of Honor!

4th Place - House of Strength 2040 pts.

5th Place - House of Bravery 2005 Pts.

6th Place - House of Imagination 1995 Pts.

7th Place - House of Adventure 1875 Pts.

8th Place - House of Generosity 1700 Pts.

PBIS - Q2 PRIDE Teacher Recognitions

Digital Learning Updates

FISD Approved Application and Student Data Privacy Information
- Make sure you are checking the list for updates.
DLC Website
Where is Matt? Check his schedule here.

Click here for Canvas Homepage instructions. Reach out to Matt Lotz for assistance with any technology issues.

Library News

Recognitions

January

1-4 Barb Gardner

1-13 Holly Cotten

1-27 Ping Trinh

Diana Park

December Teacher of the Month

December Staff Member of the Month

Emily Shelton

Staff Shout Outs (Administration)

This shout-out goes to Coach Swanberg: "Help me celebrate and recognize Coach Swanberg for his outstanding participation and engagement in the FISD Social Studies Teacher Leadership Cadre Cohort I. Throughout the program, he strengthened his professional capacity while exemplifying our core values and beliefs. His work demonstrated a deep commitment to active listening and questioning, Understanding by Design (UbD), assessment for learning, strategic thinking, and the implementation of effective classroom practices in literacy, inquiry, and differentiation. Congratulations on your achievement and for modeling excellence in leadership and instruction!” Stephanie Taylor

This shout-out goes to Sarah Santibanez: " Thank you for working with our VMS Design Club! Even when the student organization/organizer proved challenging, Ms. Santibanez was incredibly supportive and helped ensure things stayed on track!" Brad Helenberger

This shout-out goes to Lorri Lillegard and Katie Lee: " Thank y’all for letting me observe and interact with your classes while they complete their Xello lessons. I loved getting to see them learn about different colleges and careers!" Lauren Wagner

This shout-out goes to Matt Lotz: "Thank you for sharing all things AI last week. Can’t wait to try out a few things!" Marla Smith

This shout-out goes to all the science teachers: "Thank you for letting the counselors visit your classes to complete the course card registration process. We truly appreciate your collaboration." Dennis Thorpe

Staff Shout Outs (Staff)

This shout-out goes to Coach Williams: "Thank you for helping me put our new volleyball poles into the gym. My "muscles" appreciated your muscles! I appreciate YOU!" Coach Park

This shout-out goes to Coach Sims: "Thank you for getting your athletes to take care of all my recycling boxes! I appreciate the teamwork and the bond we have formed!" Coach Park

This shout-out goes to Barb Gardner: "You have been such an incredible support during this year’s eighth-grade transition scheduling! I’ve been in your room almost daily for the last few weeks with big and small questions, and you always takes the time to help, no matter how busy you are. I’m slowly learning HS scheduling because of your patience and willingness to share what you know. I'm so grateful you're at VMS, and our students are better off because of it!" Amber Sharp

This shout-out goes to Matt Lotz: "Thank you for once again for helping me figure out what was happening in my Canvas course when things didn't look right. You really do know all the answers!" Jamie Buzan

This shout-out goes to Emily Shelton: "Thank you for covering for Cynthia in stepping back into your old Data Clerk role when it was time for RCs. I appreciate you answering questions and helping solve problems." Jamie Buzan

VMS Campus Calender

Staff Calendar 22-23.docx

What's Happening?

This meeting is for currently enrolled 5th grade families zoned for Vandeventer Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year.

Who's Who at Vandeventer

Stephanie Taylor, Principal

Ms. Taylor began her career in education in 1997 with Irving ISD after receiving her bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Dallas. After several years as a teacher and coach, she obtained her master’s degree in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas and continued in Irving as a middle school assistant principal. In 2006, she transitioned to Dallas ISD where she worked in various leadership roles until moving to the Frisco area. The 2024-2025 school-year marks Ms. Taylor's sixth year as the Vandeventer Middle School principal.

taylorste@friscoisd.org

469-633-4350