Thanksgiving Break, Nov. 24-28
Mission: Positively impact and advance each student every day.
Vision: Foster one's greatest potential.
Wear a Thanksgiving or fall shirt on Thursday, November 20th.
The Week-At-A-Glance
Monday, November 17 (8 Period Day)
Wear a college shirt with jeans every Monday!
Cheer Practice @ 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)
Sign-Up for Viking Time @ 8:25 a.m.
Teaming (1,2,7,8)
6th Grade MTSS (3,5)
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (social studies priority)
Thespian Club Meeting @ 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Cross Country Invitational @ 4:30 p.m. (Warren Park)
Tuesday, November 18 (8 Period Day)
Wear your new black faculty shirt with jeans every Tuesday (Fall Semester)!
Athletic Coordinator Meeting @ 7:15 a.m. (Athletic Office)
Cheer Practice @ 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)
CISF Testhound Optional Lab @ 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Department Meetings @ Scheduled PLC Time
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (ILA Priority)
Art Club Meeting @ 3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Café)
Wednesday, November 19 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)
Sunshine/PTA Donation - Free dress for staff with sticker (fall semester)!
Leaders' Meeting @ 8 a.m. - TBD
Fine Arts 8th Grade Redhawk Retreat @ 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Science Priority)
BLT Meeting @ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Library)
8 GBB Staley MS vs. VMS @ VMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
7 BBB VMS vs. Staley MS @ SMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 20 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)
Celebrating Native American History Month - Wear a fall or Thanksgiving shirt with jeans!
Pie-Palooza (Sponsored by Sunshine)
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Math Priority)
Band Instrument Drive @ 4:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. (Café)
7 GBB Staley MS vs. VMS @ VMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
8 BBB VMS vs. Staley MS @ SMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Band Spirit Night (Ask Band Directors for Details)
Friday, November 21 (8 Period Day)
Wear your kickball outfit or Viking/LHS spirit wear!
8th Grade Career Day @ 8:25 a.m. - 12:45 p.m.
6th Grade Schedule (team leads can provide additional guidance)
Kickball Tournament @ 9:10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m.
Students will start in an assigned classroom @ 8:25 a.m.
Afternoon Rotations @ 11:15 a.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Lunch @ 1:05 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.
7th Grade Schedule (team leads can provide additional guidance)
Morning Rotations @ 8:25 a.m. - 11:10 a.m.
Lunch @ 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Afternoon Rotations @ 11:50 a.m. - 12:45 a.m.
Kickball Tournament @ 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Prepare for Dismissal @ 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Students will return to their morning location to prepare for dismissal.
8th Grade Schedule (team leads can provide additional guidance)
Students report to advisory teacher @ 8:25 a.m.
Career Day Activities @ 8:35 a.m. - 12:45 a.m.
Lunch @ 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Kickball Tournament @ 12:45 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Prepare for Dismissal @ 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
Students will return to their advisory class to prepare for dismissal.
Jingle Jeans Deadline @ 4 p.m.
Q2 Assignment Cutoff @ 4 p.m.
Exchange Day Log Due @ 4 p.m.
Upload Exchange Day Log via google form.
Review the grade level plans for Friday, November 21st.
Each grade level is following a different schedule.
Reach out to your team leader if you have any questions.
Electives and FNA teachers are divided across the three grade levels, as follows:
6th Grade: Kelley, Jadvani, Park, Lillegard, Lee, Guzman, Warach
7th Grade: Matamoros, O'Connor, Cotten, Oberst, Llamas-Crouch
8th Grade: Sharp, Gardner, Spellman. Henderson, Roane, Schmaus, Muse
7th & 8th Grade Referees: Sims, Howe, Swanberg, and Williams
November
24-28 Thanksgiving Break
December
1 Cheer Practice
1 Tribe Meeting
1 Theatre Arts 2/3 Winter Showcase
2 Cheer Practice
2 Student Ambassadors & Office Helper Luncheon
2 Theatre Arts 2/3 Winter Showcase
3 8 GBB Wilkinson MS @ VMS
3 7 BBB VMS @ Wilkinson MS
4 Q2 IPR Grades Posted in HAC
4 Band, Orchestra, Choir Winter Tour
4 7 GBBB Wilkinson @ VMS
4 8 BBB VMS @ Wilkinson MS
5 Spinal Screenings via Science (7th Grade Girls and 8th Grade Boys)
5 Cheer Holiday Celebration (TBD)
5 Choir Winter Concert
6 Collin County Hoopfest
Congratulations to Ashley Garcia, 6th Grade ILA, for being named Vandeventer Middle School's 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year!
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 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
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 respect: Treat others with care: Be mindful of others' needs and feelings.
Our inspirational quote for the week: “Respect is a two-way street, if you want to get it, you’ve got to give it.” R.G. Risch
A. Thokala
J. Champion
N. Sridhar
Congratulations to these House Adventure stikcer artists. There stickers have been selected and will be shared with the tribes!
S. Vasant
A. Yang
G. Duran
November
11/5 Kelly Bailey
11/9 Jonathan Roane
11/15 Allison Jadvani
11/23 Pam Entzminger
11/27 Hannah Alvarez
October Teacher of the Month
Blythe Edwards
October Staff Member of the Month
Stephanie Crider
Staff Shout Outs (Administration)
This shout-out goes to Julie Enderle: "I appreciate all the strategies you are using to support your students in Math. " Brad Helenberger
This shout-out goes to Kayla Madler: "Thank you for heading up the Turkey Throwdown! This was a fun activity for our campus!" Lauren Wagner
This shout-out goes to Laura LLamas-Crouch, Amna Warach, and Natalie Jones: "You absolutely rocked a challenging student parent conference. Your grace, professionalism, and calm support helped build genuine trust and partnership with the family. Thank you for representing VMS with such poise, compassion, and strength. We’re grateful for the way you consistently show up for our students and our community!" Marla Smith
This shout-out goes to Emily Shelton and Nancy Pontius" Thank you both for covering the front office while HIldiner is recovering. You all always demonstrate a professional, cohesive, and team spirited attitude! Stephanie Taylor
This shout-out goes to Holly Franks: "Thank you for assisting with Career Day planning and preparation. Your help was much appreciated!" Dennis Thorpe
Staff Shout Outs (Staff)
This shout-out goes to Piyal Bhadra and Holly Franks: "Thanks for coming up with the great Halloween Whoodunit ideas. It was a lot of fun for both the teachers and the students." Kayla Madler
This shout-out goes to Jack Swanberg, Malcolm Williams, and Dylan Henderson, and Zach Howe: "This football season demanded everything—three late nights each week, early morning practices every day, film breakdowns, game prep, and mentoring our athletes on and off the field. Through it all, our coaching staff thrived not just on the sidelines, but in the classroom—modeling the very standard we teach: Discipline • Character • Attitude. A huge thank you to Coach Swanberg, Coach Williams, Coach Howe, and Coach Henderson for their relentless energy, attention to detail, and commitment to doing things the right way, the Viking way. You embodied what it means to lead with purpose and passion. Day by Day, we got better and better—until we couldn’t be beat." Cory Sims
This shout-out goes to Jack Garcia: "Thank you for all of your help with the subs when I was out last week!" Greg Taylor
This shout-out goes to Holly Cotten: "I would like to recognize Ms. Cotten for her incredible compassion and dedication in working with our students with special needs. Her joyful energy and empathetic approach during partner’s music make a lasting difference in the lives of our students every day." Amna Warach
This shout-out goes to Emily Shelton: "Thank you for helping me out on Tuesday and supporting me always." Piyal Bhadra
This shout-out goes to Susan Blessing "for having a pajama drive for foster children." Paul Schmaus
This shout-out goes to Michaela Kelley: "Congratulations to you and your students on a fabulous musical! It was so fun to watch! It seemed to run like a well-oiled machine and had the crowd so engaged. All of your time and dedication paid off! Thank you for all you give to our kids!: Jill Leal
This shout-out goes to Maria Moreno Hernandez and Matt Lotz: "Thank you for getting my laptop updated and fixed. I appreciate that you kept working on it until it was working properly again!" Jamie Buzan
This shout-out goes to Lindsay Muse: "Thank you for supporting me during TLC despite Taylor's rejections." Micki Friedman
This shout-out goes to Emily Shelton & Lindsay Muse: "Thanks to you both for helping me with a very special project! You guys are awesome!!" Barb Gardner
This shout-out goes to Ping Trinh, Julie Enderle, Debbie Keen, and Pam Entzminger:"Thank you for helping me with student behaviors and classroom management throughout the year! Your advice is something that will be with me for the rest of my career and I am so thankful!" Umama Suriya
This shout-out goes to Julie Enderle: "Thank you for your help and support in administering the Science UIL. You made it a breeze." Piyal Bhadra
This shout-out goes to Magali Lopez: "A huge shout-out to Lopez, whose passion for our students shines every single day. She is incredibly dependable, flexible with every impromptu change, and always willing to go above and beyond her share as a true team player!" Amna Warach
This shout-out goes to Dennis Thorpe, Jason Gribblee, and Josh Near: "Thank you so much for helping me prevent VMS from going down in flames- literally!" Micki Friedman
Brad Yang- Clarinet
Lucas Fortin-Clarinet
Michael Giard-Tenor Saxophone
Alexander Slack- Trombone
Celine Wu-Percussion
Drew Paulsen-Percussion
Please join me in congratulating our Viking Band students who earned a place in the 2025–2026 Region 24 All-Region Band! These students competed against musicians from Frisco ISD, Little Elm ISD, Prosper ISD, and McKinney ISD to achieve this honor.
The process began with 1,442 students auditioning for a spot. Over two phases and three nights of auditions, that number was narrowed down to just 381 All-Region musicians.
This is an outstanding accomplishment, and we are incredibly proud of our students’ hard work, growth, and dedication.
Thank you for celebrating their success with us!
Mr. Guzman, Band Director
Game Day @ Viking Time
Campus-Wide Rock, Paper, Scissors Challenge
Congratulations to Mrs. Kelley and all of our student thespians for an awesome musical performance of High School Musical, Jr. last Thursday and Friday night. It was an amazing show!
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful PTA for providing a special lunch for our veterans on November 11th. We also extend our appreciation to our Fine Arts teachers for showcasing military-themed artwork and music in their honor. Most importantly, thank you to our veterans for your service and dedication to our country.
On behalf of the Vandeventer faculty and staff, I want to extend a huge thank you to our PTA and all of our families who donated snacks and drinks for our amazing faculty! Our community is the best!
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
Marla Smith, Assistant Principal
smithmarl@friscoisd.org
469-633-4354
6th Grade | 8th Grade (Alpha M-Z)
Dennis Thorpe, Counselor
thorped@friscoisd.org
469-633-4350
6th Grade | 8th Grade (Alpha M-Z)
Brad Helenberger, Assistant Principal
helenbeB@friscoisd.org
469-633-4354
7th Grade | 8th Grade (Alpha A-L)
Lauren Wagner, Counselor
wagnerl@friscoisd.org
469-633-4350
7th Grade | 8th Grade (Alpha A-L)
Emily Shelton, School Secretary
sheltone@friscoisd.org
469-633-4356
Kristi Garcia, AP Secretary garciak@friscoisd.org
469-633-4354
Cynthia Hildinger, Data Clerk hildingerc@friscoisd.org
469-633-4357
Nancy Ponius, Receptionist pontiusn@friscoisd.org
469-633-4350