Viking View

2/16 to 2/20

Mission: Positively impact and advance each student every day.

Vision: Foster one's greatest potential.

The Week-At-A-Glance

Monday, February 16

Presidents' Day - No School

Tuesday, February 17 (8 Period Day)

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

TELPAS Window Opens (2-16 to 3-13)

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

Sign-Up 3rd Period
Door Decorating Contest Winners Announced

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

Wednesday, February 18 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)

Spring Jingle Jeans - Free dress for staff with sticker!

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

No Bells; No Announcements

Virtual Leaders' Meeting @ 9:15 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.

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

Invitational Track Meet @ 4:30 p.m. - TBD (Liberty HS)

Optional Employee Behavorial Health Survey Due @ 4 p.m.

Thursday, February 19 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)

PTA Inclusion Shirt with jeans or wear red with jeans!

Q3 IPR Grades Due @ 8 a.m.

Secondary AP Meeting @ 8 a.m. - 11 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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

Band Pre-UIL @ 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (Liberty HS)

Friday, February 20 (8 Period Day)

Wear Viking or LHS spirit wear with jeans~or~ wear green with jeans for World Cholangiocarcinoma Day!

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

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

Deadline for 26-27 Course Selection Changes @ 4 p.m.

Choir Demo Concert @ 6:30 p.m. (Café)

Action Items:

4-Day Week Viking Time Sign-Up @ 3rd Period on 2/17

BHM Door Decorating Contest - Winners Announced on 2/17

Complete this OPTIONAL Employee Behavioral Health Survey by 2/18

Coming Soon

February

1-28 Black History Month | American Heart Association Month

23 Advisory - Anti-Victimization Lesson

23 Q3 Assignment Cutoff

23 Teaming (2,3,5,7)

23 8th Grade MTSS (1,8)

23 Theatre Art Spring Show Auditions

24 Secondary School Counselor Meeting

24 Master Schedule Meeting

24 FISD Focus Group

24 Cheer Parent Meeting

24 Theatre Art Spring SHow Auditions

25 Q3 IPR Grades Due

25 TELPAS Testing

25 BLT Meeting

25 Invitational Track Meet

26 SpEd Support Meeting

26 GT Testing

26 Theatre Art Spring Show Callbacks

27 GT Testing

27 SpEd Learning Walk

27 IC Meeting

27 Administrative Meeting

27 Planning for Success and Technical Training Meeting

27 SpEd Scheduling Deadline

27 Counselor Course Selection Entry Deadline

27 IPR Posted HAC

27 Orchestra Beginner Solo Night

Administrative Information

Black History Month Door Decorating Contest

Winners announced Tuesday, February 17th! Great job students and staff!

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 positive influence: Positive influence is the impact you have on another person (AND yourself) by pointing out strengths and virtues. It is how you are, what you do, and the power you have on others to value what is best within themselves.

Our inspirational quote for the week: "A life isn't significant except for its impact on other lives." Jackie Robinson

Our 8th grade girls basketball team finished as district runners-up this season. This marks their second consecutive year earning 2nd place in the district. Please congratulate these athletes and coaches on an outstanding accomplishment and season.

Campus Committee News

Health & Wellness Committee - Pump Up Your Heart Health

It’s been a busy week here celebrating Heart Health Month at Vandeventer! On Wednesday, February 11th, the Health & Wellness Committee sponsored a Pump Up Your Heart Health activity during Viking Time. Students in all grade levels participated in cardio circuit relays such as jump roping, leapfrog jumps, crab walks, basketball dribbling, and scooter races. Students had the opportunity to move, and their engagement helped create a positive campus culture. Some of our 8th-grade girls took first place as the CHAMPS! The committee and students alike had so much fun!

Also on Wednesday, February 11th, Nurse Teeling taught a group of 6th–8th graders CPR in the library. Students learned how to recognize when someone needs CPR, how to give compressions and breaths, and how to use an AED on an adult or child who collapses due to cardiac arrest. These students are now part of the chain of survival and are equipped with the skills to help save a life.

CPR—it saves lives! ❤️

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:

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 7th grade students are actively participating in weekly literature circle discussions. Each week, students come prepared to talk about their assigned reading, having created their own discussion questions. They practice asking thoughtful follow-up questions while demonstrating patience and respect for one another’s ideas. This approach reflects an inquiry-based learning model, as students take ownership of their learning by guiding meaningful, student-led conversations.

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

PTA News

Thank you to our amazing PTA for providing a sweet and salty trail mix bar for our teachers on Thursday, February 12th! We truly appreciate the way you spoil our staff.

Recognitions

February

Amna Warach 2/4

Lorri Lillegard 2/10

Malcolm Williams 2/11

Amber Sharp 2/14

Diana Park 2/17

Paul Schmaus 2/23

Heidi Teeling 2/28

January Teacher of the Month

Kayla Madler

Janaury Staff Member of the Month

Marla Smith

Staff Shout Outs (Administration)

This shout-out goes to Nurse Teeling: " Thank you for organizing the Pump Up Your Heart Health Activity this week. I love that the kids have had fun opportunities to promote their health and well-being through the VT offerings!" Lauren Wagner

This shout-out goes to Coach Henderson: "Thank you for taking on the recycling program and managing all the recycling student helpers." Dennis Thorpe

This shout-out goes to Coach Park and Mr. Schmaus: "Attending the dances when it is not your exchange day event to assist and chaeprne students, is truly appreciated! You all rock!" Stephanie Taylor

This shout-out goes to the coaching staff: "A huge shout-out to our incredible Boys' and Girls' coaching staff for building a program rooted in integrity and high standards. Thank you for using accountability to push our athletes to be better players and, more importantly, better humans!" Marla Smith

This shout-out goes to Barb Gardner and Natalie Jones: "Thank you for your hard work and dedication throughout the basketball season! We appreciate all you do to support our student athletes and keep the spirit strong as you head into cheer tryouts!" Brad Helenberger

Staff Shout Outs (Staff)

This shout-out goes to Dwayne Spellman: " For helping/supporting ILA in our diorama adventure!" Emily Seidl

This shout-out goes to Kelly Bailey: "Helping me with all my elementary mom needs!" Emily Seidl

This shout-out goes to Emily Seidl: "Thank you for being the "voice" of 8th grade texts! I appreciate you using your time to make sure we have audio for our OA kids! You're the best!" Jill Leal

This shout-out goes to Holly Franks, Coach Henderson, Coach Gribble, Courtney Lillie, Mrs. Matamoros, Mrs. O'Connor, and Coach Swanberg: "Thank you to my Health & Wellness Committee for your help with coordinating our Pump Up Your Heart Health event during Viking Time on Wednesday! The kids had a blast and got their hearts pumping!" Heidi Teeling

This shout-out goes to Coach Swanberg: "A special thanks to Coach Swanberg for your help and mastermind behind our Pump Up Your Heart Health Activity! I truly appreciate you! " Heidi Teeling

VMS Campus Calender

Staff Calendar 22-23.docx

What's Happening?

February Fling - Valentine's Social

Under the leaderhip of our art teacher, Mrs. Rainey, several Art 3 students particpated in a very special project for School Board Appreciation Month. On Monday night, these students presented their "Hero Portraits" to the school board during a speical ceremony. The portraits were created using the first names of all 824 students currently enrolled at Vandevneter. What an amazing and creative way to demonstrate our appreciation for the school board while representing the entire student body. Great job, students! Thank you, Mrs. Rainey!

This past Saturday, our Viking Theatre students competed against five other middle schools at the Zone A UIL Contest. Their performance of Lafayette No. 1 by Mandy Conner earned a Top 2 finish, advancing the team to the District Competition on Saturday, February 14, to be held at Lebanon Trail. There, they will compete against the five advancing middle schools from all three zone competitions.

In addition to advancing as a team, the following students earned individual honors:

All- Star Technician- S Verani (Stage Manager)

Honorable Mention All-Star Cast- N Velvaluri

All- Star Cast- A Joshi and B Collier

Please join us in congratulating these students on a job well done and wishing them a big “break a leg” as they prepare for this Saturday’s competition. It was a tough zone contest, and we are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and talent! 🎭👏

Please RSVP HERE!

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