Viking View

1/26 to 1/30

More information about weather-related closings in Frisco ISD is available on the District website.

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 26

Wear your favorite college t-shirt or sweatshirt with jeans!

Holocaust Remembrance Week

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

Teaming (2,3,5,7)

8th Grade MTSS (1,8)

Advisory @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m.

Q3 IPR Assignment Cutoff @ 3:45 p.m.

Map Testing Window Closes (COB)

Tuesday, January 27 (8 Period Day)

Staff may wear the dry fit black shirt with jeans every Tuesday!

Holocaust Remembrance Week

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

Emergency Management Training @ 9 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Helenberger Out)

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

CPR Staff Training @ 4:05 p.m. - 6:05 p.m. (Library)

Optional - Register w/ Nurse Teeling

Beginner Band Concert @ 6:30 p.m. (Café)

Theatre Art UIL Clinic w/ LHS @ 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. (LHS)

Wednesday, January 28 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)

Spring Jingle Jeans - Free dress for staff with sticker!

Holocaust Remembrance Week

Q3 IPR Grading Deadline @ 8 a.m. (TAC)

GT Testing (Library)

See Weekly Absence for Testers
8:25 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. - 7th Grade
11:59 a.m. - TBD - 6th Grade

Middle School Master Schedule Meeting @ 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. (Acker)

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

BLT Meeting @ 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. (Library)

7 BBB VMS vs. Fowler MS @ FMS

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

8 GBB Fowler MS vs. VMS @ LHS

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

Rising Redhawk Night @ 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (LHS)

Thursday, January 29 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)

PTA Inclusion Shirt w/ Jeans

Holocaust Remembrance Week

100th Day of School

GT Testing @ 8:25 a.m. - TBD (Library)

See Weekly Absence for Testers
8:25 a.m. - 11:25 a.m. - 8th Grade
11:59 a.m. - TBD - Make-Up

SpEd Support Team Meeting @ 9 a.m.

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

Managing Director Campus Visit @ 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Whole Child Meeting @ 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Wagner & Smith)

Theatre Art OAP Rehearsal @ 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Café)

7 GBB Fowler MS vs. VMS @ VMS

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

8 BBB VMS vs. Fowler MS @ FMS

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

Friday, January 30 (8 Period Day)

Wear Liberty HS or VMS spirit wear w/ jeans!

Holocaust Remembrance Week

Q3 IPR Posted (HAC)

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

Administrative Meeting @ 9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. (D101)

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

Evacuation Drill @ 2:20 p.m.

Staffing Survey Deadline @ 4 p.m.

Action Items:

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

Coming Soon

February

1-28 Black History Month | American Heart Association Month

2-6 School Counselor Week

2 Tribe Meeting (Adventure & Strength House Meeting)

2 Cheer Practice

2 Student Services Learning Day

2 Teaming (1,2,7,8; 6th Grade MTSS 3,5)

2 IPR UIL Eligibility Date

2 Shelter for Hazmat

2 Choir Pancake Party

2 Girls Athletics Soccer & Track Parent Meeting

2 Boys Athletics Soccer & Track Parent Meeting

3 Cheer Practice

3 STAAR Field Test (6th & 8th Grade)

3 Spring Clubs and Organization Portraits

3 Theatre Arts OAP Rehearsal

4 Secondary TLC Meeting

4 Middle School Content Lead (Math/Science)

4 N2 Learning Teacher Leader Institute

4 CPR Student Training

4 8 GBB VMS vs. Hunt MS (HMS)

4 7 BBB Hunt MS vs. VMS (VMS)

5 7 GBB VMS vs. Hunt MS (HMS)

5 8 BBB Hunt MS vs. VMS (VMS)

6 National Wear Red Day

6 IC Meeting

6 Administrative Meeting

6 SOUP-er Bowl Luncheon

6 Theatre Art UIL OAP Practice (LHS)

6 Door Decorating Contest Door Decorating Deadline

7 District BB Tournament

7 Theatre Art UIL Zone Rehearsal

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.

FISD Social Studies Teacher Leadership Cadre Cohort I

Congratulations to Coach Swanberg for successfully participating in and graduating from Cohort I of the FISD Social Studies Teacher Leadership Cadre. Coach Swanberg dedicated the past three semesters to deep learning, reflection, and leadership growth, strengthening his professional practice through a focus on active listening and questioning, Understanding by Design (UbD), assessment for learning, strategic thinking, and impactful classroom practices in literacy, inquiry, and differentiation.

We are proud of Coach Swanberg's commitment to our core values and beliefs and appreciate the leadership he brings back to our campus and classrooms. This is a well-deserved accomplishment, and we look forward to the continued positive impact of his work on students and colleagues alike.

Door Decorating Contest

In honor of Black History Month this February, we’re excited to host a Door Decorating Contest! This is a fun way for students and teachers to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black individuals throughout history.

Black History Month 2026 Theme: "A Century of Black History Commemorations" celebrates 100 years of recognizing Black history, highlighting how these commemorations have shaped identity, pride, and equality, and affirming Black contributions to our national story.

How to Participate:

Teachers are encouraged to decorate classroom doors with student help - use Viking Time if needed.
Doors must be decorated by Friday, February 6th @ 4 p.m.
Winners announced Monday, February 9th — prizes for the top three!

For inspiration and ideas, check out this site for Black History door decoration examples.

Athletic Information

Boys Basketball Schedule (Click Here)

Boys Athletics (Track)

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 (Track)

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 coachability: Coachability means being willing and able to receive, process, and act on feedback to improve performance and development, going beyond just listening to actively applying guidance with a positive, humble attitude, and a desire to learn.

Our inspirational quote for the week: “My best skill was that I was coachable. I was a sponge and aggressive to learn.” Michael Jordan

Middle School Night @ Liberty HS

Campus Committee News

This Week's Instructional Showcase

Our Algebra students are currently diving into the Properties of Exponents unit, an important foundation before moving on to simplifying radicals and exponential functions. Students have learned five key rules—product, power, zero, quotient, and negative exponents—and are now applying these skills with growing confidence.

This unit is always an exciting milestone, especially as we begin the second semester. The structured nature of the concepts helps students experience success, recognize their growth, and build momentum from one assessment to the next.

Using the Workshop instructional model, students actively engage in hands-on practice by solving problems on whiteboards, showing their thinking, and revising their work based on feedback. Throughout the lesson, Mrs. Madler circulates to ask probing questions, provide guidance, and support student learning in real time.

One of the highlights of this lesson is the collaboration it inspires. Students work together at their table groups, talk through strategies, support one another, and build confidence—showcasing both their mathematical thinking and teamwork skills!

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

Counselor News

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.

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 Stephanie Crider: "“Thank you for preparing our staff for the upcoming 6th and 8th grade STAAR Reading Field Test. Great job!" Stephanie Taylor

This shout-out goes to Piyal Bhadra: "Thank you for putting up with my jokes and helping me with Multicultural Night." Dennis Thorpe

This shout-out goes to Jamie Buzan and Sarah Santibanez: "Thank you for your help in leading Rising Up so far this year! I appreciate your leadership, the way that you engage with the kids, and I enjoy working with you, too!" Lauren Wagner

This shout-out goes to Alex Keen, our new tech specialist: "He’s been crushing tech tickets and repairs like a pro. Thank you for keeping our campus connected and running strong!" Marla Smith

This shout-out goes to Malcolm Williams: "Coach Williams did a great job coaching up his boys’ basketball team against a very strong opponent. They played tough, defended well, and frustrated a very talented team. Even in a loss, the team showed clear growth and strong effort as a group. Great work supporting students on and off the court." Brad Helenberger

Staff Shout Outs (Staff)

This shout-out goes to Joseph Guzman: "Thank you for covering my class so that I could attend my meeting!" Wendy Matamoros

This shout-out goes to Celeste Hanvey: "Thank you for giving hand sanitizer to the children! I really appreciate your commitment to keeping all of us healthy!" Taylor Colvin

VMS Campus Calender

Staff Calendar 22-23.docx

What's Happening?

Celebrating Black History Month (February)

The Dallas Mavericks celebrate the legacy of Black artists whose work has shaped culture, shed light on social issues and inspired change.

As we continue to champion equity, creativity, and collective progress, we recognize the power of art to bring people together across lines that often divide.

North Texas students, grades 8–12, are encouraged to create and digitally submit their original artwork for a chance to be featured in the African American Museum of Dallas and win an unforgettable experience to New Orleans!

Contest closes February 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT. C

Click this link for details: Dallas Mavericks 2026 Black History Month Art Contest

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