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 5
Winter Break (Students)
Girls Open Gym @ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Professional Learning Day (Staff)
Casual Attire Acceptable
8 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Café)
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. (Lunch)
12:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (Work Day)
Tuesday, January 6 (8 Period Day)
Wear black dry-fit Viking shirt w/ jeans!
Q3 Begins
Cheer Practice @ 7 am. - 7:45 a.m. (Café)
Q2 RC Grades Due @ 8 a.m.
CISF Testhound Optional Training @ 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Viking Time Sign-Up @ 1st Period
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (ILA Priority)
Wednesday, January 7 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)
Jingle Jeans - Free dress for staff with sticker (spring semester)!
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Science Priority)
Course Selection @ 2:15 p.m. - TBD (Taylor ES)
Counselors Out
Community CIT Meeting @ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Library)
7 BBB Wester MS vs. VMS @ VMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
8 GBB VMS vs. Wester MS @ WMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 8 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)
PTA Inclusion Shirt w/ Jeans
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Math Priority)
Q2 RC Grades Posted (HAC)
7 GBB VMS vs. Wester MS @ WMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
8 BBB Wester MS vs. VMS @ VMS
5:30 p.m./6:30 p.m./7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 9 (8 Period Day)
Wear Liberty HS or VMS spirit wear w/ jeans!
Rising 8th Grade Course Selections via Science
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Social Studies Priority)
Theatre Art OAP Rehearsal @ 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Café)
Update Q3 Assessment Plan and Link in Canvas by COB Jan. 5th.
Q2 Grades Due Jan. 6th @ 8 a.m.
Please complete the Staffing Survey by Friday, Jan. 30th.
January
12 Map Testing Window Opens
12 Tribe | Whole House Winning Party
12 Priority Transfer Window Opens
12 Athletic Coordinator Meeting
12 Cheer Practice
12 Teaming
12 Rising 7th Grade Course Selection
12 Rising 8th Grade Counselor Visit
12 Theatre Art OAP Rehearsal
12 Board Appreciation Reception
13 Cheer Practice
13 Emergency Management Training
13 N2 Learning TLI
13 Q2 RC UIL Eligibility Date
13 Fire Drill
13 PTA Board Meeting
13 PTA General Membership Meeting
13 6th Grade Rising Viking NIght
14 CISF Region 10/11 Assessment Conference
14 Leaders' Meeting
14 Secondary IC Meeting
14 MS ELAR/SS Content Lead Meeting
14 Secondary Whole Child Meeting
14 Art Club Meeting
14 8 GBB Griffin MS @ VMS
14 7 BBB VMS @ Griffin MS
15 Band Instrument Drive
15 District Spelling Bee
15 7 BBB Griffin MS @ VMS
15 8 GBB VMS @ Griffin MS
16 IC Meeting
17 Administrative Meeting
17 Thespian Club Meeting
FISD is hosting weeklong summer camps between June 1 and July 20, and they are inviting staff to design and lead innovative camp experiences. These camps will offer fun, hands-on learning opportunities for students in and around the District and will complement the athletics and fine arts camps already provided each summer.
Get involved: Teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff are encouraged to submit ideas for a camp they would like to lead.
Camps should offer engaging academic or enrichment experiences in areas such as literacy, STEM, arts, and physical activity.
Special education staff are also encouraged to share ideas for SPED-focused camps.
You should know: Staff have until January 30, 2026, to complete the interest survey.
Responses will help determine the types of camp experiences FISD can offer our community.
Multiple roles and teaching opportunities will be available throughout the summer.
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 humility: the quality of having a modest view of one's value or importance; winning without arrogance and losing with dignity; being gracious in all outcomes.
Our inspirational quote for the week: "The best competition I have is against myself to become better." John Wooden
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:
December – Science
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!
Students in 7th grade math engaged in the 5E instructional model to explore right triangles, the Pythagorean Theorem, and its converse. They will later apply their learning to real-world problems involving the Pythagorean Theorem and present their work through a gallery walk. Students will also make interdisciplinary connections to science and nature by examining Pythagorean spirals found in the natural world.
January
1-4 Bard Gardner
1-13 Holly Cotten
1-27 Ping Trinh
November Teacher of the Month
Wendy Tamney
November Staff Member of the Month
Emily Shelton
Staff Shout Outs (Administration)
This shout-out goes to Emily Shelton: "My shout out goes to Ms. Shelton, Ms. Nancy and Ms. Garcia for “holding down the fort” with extra checkouts, keeping us fed, and all that you do to keep things going behind the scenes during this Holiday season!" Brad Helenberger
This shout-out goes to Coach Park and Coach Oberst "for bringing us some comic relief this week." Lauren Wagner
This shout-out goes to all the newbies - Mr. Garcia, Ms. Mitchell, Ms. Suriya, Mr. Howe and Mr. Henderson: "Congrats on completing your 1st semester. We are so proud of you and all the hard work you’ve accomplished. Rest up!" Marla Smith
This shout-out goes to Leanne Rainey, Holly Cotten, Jonathan Roane, Paul Schmaus, Joseph Guzman, and Allison Jadvani: "Thank you to our Fine Arts teachers for the amazing holiday concerts and art show. Your talent, dedication, and countless hours of preparation created meaningful experiences for our students and joyful moments for our families and community. We are truly grateful for the passion you bring to our campus and for showcasing the incredible creativity of our students." Stephanie Taylor
This shout-out goes to all science teachers "Thank you for welcoming the counselors into your classrooms! Your flexibility and support made it possible for students to complete their 4-year plans and course selections for next year. We truly appreciate your partnership in helping students plan thoughtfully for their future—thank you for always putting students first!" Dennis Thorpe
Staff Shout Outs (Staff)
This shout-out goes to Greg Taylor: "Recognizing you providing equity to each student. Creating assessments for student success. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed." Arun Bose-Kar
This shout-out goes to Umama Suriya: "Thank you so much for switching duties with me when I have a sprained ankle! I really appreciate you so much :)" Debbie Keen
Tumbler w/ Candy
Sponsored by: VMS Cheer
Goodie Bag
Sponsored by: VMS NJHS
Ice Cream Bar
Sponsored by: PTA
La Hacienda Luncheon
Sponsored by: Campus Administration
Gift Card Donations
Sponsored by: PTA & Parent Donations
Question: What song does Jovie sing to help spread Christmas cheer?
Answer: Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Question: What must be restore to Santa's sleigh so that it can fly?
Answer: Christmas Spirit
Question: What does buddy build overnight in the department store that impresses everyone?
Answer: A North-Pole Themed Christmas Display
Question: What city did Buddy the Elf travel to in order to find his father?
Answer: New York City
Question: What's the name of the snowman who helps Buddy?
Answer: Leon
Congratulations to Josh Near for being awarded the 25-26 Social Studies Fall Star Educator Award. We are thankful for his dedication to our Social Studies Foundational Beliefs.
The grand finale of our December 5th Winter Concert at Liberty High School brought together the Isbell Elementary Choir, Anderson Elementary Choir, Vandeventer Choir, and Liberty Choir—235 voices united in song, sharing the powerful message, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” A heartfelt thank you to Holly Cotten, choir director, for her leadership and dedication in making this unforgettable moment possible.
The 6th Grade Academy Connect students enjoyed a hands-on presentation from our School Resource Officer, learning about careers in law enforcement. Students tried on a vest, asked great questions, and gained a better understanding of what it takes to serve and protect the community.
This meeting is for currently enrolled 5th grade families zoned for Vandeventer Middle School for the 2026-2027 school year.
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