Mission: Positively impact and advance each student every day.
Vision: Foster one's greatest potential.
Wear a military shirt on Tuesday, November 11th.
Wear a blue shirt on Thursday, November 13th.
Wear a Thanksgiving or fall shirt on Thursday, November 20th.
Monday, November 10 (8 Period Day)
Wear a college shirt with jeans!
Cheer Practice @ 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)
Teaming (2,3,5,7)
8th Grade MTSS (1,8)
Advisory @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m.
Musical Cast Party @ 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Tuesday, November 11 (8 Period Day)
Wear your black dry-fit shirt with jeans or wear a military shirt to commemorate Veterans Day!
Cheer Practice @ 7 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)
CISF Monthly Meeting @ 8 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Admin)
Orchestra Instrument Demo @ 9:05 a.m. (Anderson ES)
Veterans Day Luncheon @ 11:25 a.m. - 1:27 p.m.
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (ILA Priority)
Fire Drill @ 3:05 p.m.
Science UIL Tryouts @ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Library)
Wednesday, November 12 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)
Free dress for those with Sunshine/PTA sticker.
Secondary TLC Meeting @ 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
CISF Training @ 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (CNC)
Content Lead Math Meeting @ 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. (TW)
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Science Priority)
XC Meet @ 4:30 p.m. (Independence HS)
Foundations for the Future @ 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. (LHS)
6th & 7th Grade Families (See Below)
Thursday, November 13 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)
Diabetes Awareness Month - Wear blue with jeans.
Secondary Counselor Meeting @ 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Orchestra Instrument Demo @ 10 a.m. (Isbell ES)
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Math Priority)
Lost & Found Pick Up Deadline @ 4 p.m.
All Region Band Auditions Phase 2 (TBD)
Friday, November 14 (8 Period Day)
Wear Viking or LHS spirit wear with jeans!
Turkey Throwdown (Rock, Paper, Scissors)
IC Meeting @ 8:25 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. (D104)
CISF Testing Training @ 9 a.m. or 1 p.m.
Administrative Meeting @ 9:15 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. (D101)
Anderson ES Band Instrument Demo @ 11:05 a.m.
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Social Studies Priority)
Boys BB Portraits (Gym)
Girls BB Portraits @ 2:20 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. (Gym)
Yearbook Sale Ends @ 4 p.m.
Band Social @ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Café)
Orchestra All Region Clinic @ 6:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. (LTHS)
Saturday, November 15 (8 Period Day)
FISD Community Parade @ Roughriders Stadium
Orchestra All Region Clinic & Concert (LTHS)
Donuts & Dunks @ 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Gym)
FISD Choir Solo Contest @ 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (FHS)
Have a great weekend!
November
17 Cheer Practice
17 MTSS (6th Grade)
17 Thespian Club Meeting
17 XC Invitational
18 Cheer Practice
18 CISF Testhound Lab
18 Department Meetings
18 Art Club
19 Athletic Coordinator Meeting
19 N2 Learning TLI
19 Redhawk Retreat (8th Grade)
19 BLT Meeting
19 8 GBB Staley MS vs. VMS
19 7 BBB VMS vs. Staley MS
20 Band Instrument Drive
20 7 GBB Staley MS vs. VMS
20 8 BBB VMS vs. Staley MS
20 Band Spirit Night
21 Q2 IPR Assignment Cutoff
21 Career Day (8th Grade)
21 Kickball Tournament
24-28 Thanksgiving Break
Congratulations to Ping Trinh and Julie Enderle for receiving an FEF grant made possible by Coserv Electric.
The grant will provide STEM learning opportunities in math, allowing students to design and launch straw rockets. Through data collection and analysis, students will refine their designs and explore how mathematical concepts are applied to solve real-world problems through STEAM experiences.
Cultivate '26: Call for Proposals
The Professional Learning Department is officially launching the Call for Proposals for Cultivate '26, and they are actively seeking innovative educators to share their experience.
Cultivate '26 is our annual summer conference centered entirely on peer-led learning developed by FISD staff. This year, FISD is hosting a one-day, in-person event to maximize impact.
Conference Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026
Proposal Submission Opens: Nov. 1st
Proposal Submission Deadline: Dec. 1st
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: is a positive feeling of admiration, esteem, or deference for someone or something, and can be shown through consideration for their feelings, rights, or worth
Our inspirational quote for the week: “I must respect the opinions of others even if I disagree with them.” Herbert H. Lehman
8th Grade District Champs
8th Grade Zone 3 District Champs
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
October Staff Member of the Month
Staff Shout Outs (Administration)
This shout-out goes to Heidi Teeling: "Thank you, Nurse Teeling, for all of your work leading our Health and Wellness Committee. From the Community Garden to Zumba and the Turkey Trot, our students are receiving amazing opportunities to get involved and stay connected to the school community." Stephanie Taylor
This shout-out goes to Michaela Kelley: " Great job on HSM! All of your hard work was on full display and the kids had a blast!" Lauren Wagner
This shout-out goes to Priyanka Sarkar and Sujatha Bakkiyaraj: "A huge thank you to our amazing SLC paraprofessionals Priyanka and Sujatha for the constant support, care, and dedication you show to our students every single day. Your patience, compassion, and teamwork help create a nurturing environment where every student feels valued and supported." Brad Helenberger
This shout-out goes to all the boys coaches: "I had the opportunity to watch our young men on the football field the other night, and it was great to see their growth in action. The players were focused, engaged, and working together as a team—you could clearly see the impact of strong coaching. It was evident that both the players and coaches truly care about performing their best." Dennis Thorpe
his shout-out goes to Maria Hernandez: "Thank you for being so responsive and supportive." Marla Smith
Staff Shout Outs (Staff)
This shout-out goes to the 8th grade team: "Thank you to everyone for organizing the Whodunnit for the 8th graders!" Dwayne Spellman
This shout-out goes to Nancy Pontius: "Thank you for your help with distributing Art Club parent permission slips at the last minute last week! And for always being so friendly & helpful on a regular basis!" Leanne Rainey
This shout-out goes to Taylor Colvin: "Mrs. Colvin is a wonderful leader. She keeps us informed, checks in on us, plans fun things for us as a group and is always eager to help. I truly appreciate her." Lorri Lillegard
This shout-out goes to Stephanie Crider: "Thank you for the continued support! Your partnership during teaming and team meetings is greatly appreciated!" Josh Near
This shout-out goes to Diana Park: "Thank you for always leading the way! Everything always runs so amazingly well because of your leadership!" Josh Near
This shout-out goes to Josh Near: "Thank you so much for leading the Honor vs Imagination Viking Time! You kept us organized, safe, and let the kids have fun! Thank you!!!" Taylor Colvin
This shout-out goes to Diana Park: "Thank you for pulling all the Tribe equipment for Honor and Imagination!!!" Kayla Madler
This shout-out goes to Coach Near: "Thank you for running the Tribe game in the gym, Go Stillers!!!!" Kayla Madler
This shout-out goes to Kelly Bailey: "Thank you Ms Bailey for letting us hold Math UIL Tryouts in the library after school. " Julie Enderle
This shout-out goes to Courtney Lillie, Jason Gribble, and Sarah Santibanez: "Thank you for lending us your privacy dividers for the math UIL tryouts! You made it so much easier to do!" Julie Enderler
This shout-out goes to Ping Trinh: "Thank you Ms. Trinh, for helping to set up, monitor students both during the Math UIL tryouts and while waiting for parents to pick them up; and for picking up the library!!!" Julie Enderle
This shout-out goes to Kristi Garcia: "Thank you for always helping with whatever needs to be done!! Last Tuesday you helped a parent find something outside. You help keep everything functioning as smoothly as possible here, and you do a fantastic job!!" Nancy Pontius
This shout-out goes to Hannah Alvarez: "Happy National School Psychology Week! Thank you for all that you do to support our students! I am so grateful to work with you :)" McKenzie Clayborn
This shout-out goes to Matt Lotz: "Thank you Matt Lotz for fixing my projector issue at the beginning of my class. You are a lifesaver!!!" Julie Enderle
This shout-out goes to Wendy Tamney; Barb Gardner; Kayla Madler, Natalie Jones, and Ping Trinh: "Thank you for completing the Math Resources Survey! Your thoughts ideas and opinions are valued!!!" Julie Enderle
This shout-out goes to Amber, Barb, and Amna: "I just wanted to thank you for all your help and support this week! I really appreciate you all jumping in to support when I needed it! Thankful for a supportive team!" Taylor Luke
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