Mission: Positively impact and advance each student every day.
Vision: Foster one's greatest potential.
Our first House (Tribe) meeting was a great success! Students and staff came together to build connections, foster school spirit, and engage in activities that promote collaboration and belonging. This aligns with our campus mission of positively impacting and advancing each student every day, while supporting our vision to foster every individual’s greatest potential.
Monday, September 1
Labor Day - Student and Staff Holiday
Deadline to Submit Routine Health Services Consent Form
Tuesday, September 2
Student Holiday
Staff Professional Learning Day (Click Here | SpEd Click Here)
Wednesday, September 3 (Block Day 1,3,5,7)
Sunshine/PTA Donation - Free dress for staff with sticker (fall semester)!
8FB Scrimmage VMS vs. Fowler @ 7 a.m. - 9 a.m. (LHS)
Theatre Art Meeting @ 7:50 a.m. - 8:20 a.m. (Kelley, Taylor, Butler)
CISF Training @ 8:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (CNC)
Accountability Meeting @ 9:15 a.m. - TBD (D101)
Instructional Coaches
Administration
CISF
Superintendent Dr. Waldrip Campus Visit @ 1 p.m.
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (ILA/Science Priority Days)
Whole Child Coordinator Meeting @ 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. (Administration)
HERO, Discipline, Safety & Security Meeting @ 4 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. (Library)
FNA and Electives
Thursday, September 4 (Block Day 2,4,6,8)
Professional Dress
Hold Drill @ 10 a.m.
Counselor Meeting @ 10:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. (Virtual)
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Math Priority Day)
MS Band Night @ Kuykendall Stadium
Liberty HS vs. Centennial HS
Friday, September 5 (8 Period Day)
Spirit Day - Wear Viking or Redhawk spirit wear!
IC Meeting @ 8:25 a.m. - 9:05 a.m. (C106)
Administrative Meeting @ 9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. (D101)
Viking Time @ 1:31 p.m. - 2:13 p.m. (Social Studies Priority Day)
Theatre Art Rehearsal @ 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. (Café)
Saturday, September 6
District Volleyball Invitational
7th Grade - Cobb, Hunt, Lawler
8th Grade - Maus Scoggins, Vandeventer
Reminders:
Hall Passes
Follow 10:10 Rule.
Do NOT allow students in the hallways during announcements.
College Week Tailgate Sign-Up Here
September
8-12 College Week
8 N2 Learning Teacher Leader Institute
8 Theatre Rehearsal
8 8 Football VMS vs. Trent @ LSHS
9 CISF Training
9 Fire Drill
9 Theatre Rehearsal
9 7 Football VMS vs. Trent @ LSHS
10 Band Fundraiser Begins
10 Secondary Teaching & Learning Meeting
10 Middle School Content Lead Meeting (M/Sci)
10 8 Volleyball VMS @ Nelson MS
11 9/11 Remembrance
11 SpEd District IC Meeting
11 District Counselor Meeting
11 Managing Director Campus Visit
11 Theatre Art Rehearsal
11 7 Volleyball VMS @ Nelson
12 IC Meeting
12 Administrative Meeting
12 Theatre Rehearsal
12 College Week Tailgate
District Advisory Council Applications Open!
Frisco ISD is seeking staff members to serve on District Advisory Council committees. These committees advise the School Board and district leaders on topics like school health, safety, legislative priorities, continuous improvement, and more.
Members review district-wide initiatives, provide feedback on educational goals and programs, and may contribute to FISD’s strategic plan while gaining insight into district operations.
Applications are open through August 31. Committee availability varies, and applicants are encouraged to apply for all areas of interest. Learn more and apply here.
Available Committees:
District Improvement Team
Legislative Leadership Committee
Calendars Committee
Compliance Committee
GT Committee
CTE Committee
SHAC
Safety & Security
District Library Advisory Committee
The 2025 District Accountability Report has been published for your review.
Click this Canva Link for links to the highlighted events.
As part of expanding employee wellness while continuing to gain insights from our staff, Frisco ISD HR has revamped Team FOCUS into two groups: Team FOCUS and Wellness Champions. Each campus has been asked to provide one staff member to serve as the Wellness Champion. Please click HERE and reference the description below for more information. Please email me by September 3, 2025 if you are interested.
Wellness Champions:
are dedicated to promoting employee health and wellness with the goal of supporting staff retention and overall well-being, through initiatives such as boosting staff morale, hosting wellness events, and emphasizing the seven dimensions of wellness, and
serve as the liaison between the district committee and principal/supervisor to communicate resources, event coordination, and support for employee wellness, engagement, and retention.
Team FOCUS was created from the “stay” interviews from summer 2022 in which campus principals provided HR with the names of 4 teacher leaders. Those who participated in the “stay” interviews shared their interest in continuing to meet with HR on a regular basis because they enjoyed meeting with other teachers from across the district and felt their voices were heard. HR then created Team FOCUS with the 2022-2023 school year as the inaugural year.
Please email me by September 3, 2025 if you are interested in being a member of Team FOCUS for Vandeventer MS. Click HERE for additional information.
Cultivate is FISD's summer professional learning conference that allows our amazing practitioners to facilitate learning to their peers. If you attended Cultivate the past summer or are planning to attend this summer, the District needs your feedback on what you would like to see as a part of the learning experience. Please complete this brief survey by September 15th to provide your feedback.
Boys Athletics (Football)
Offensive Coordinator - Coach Sims
Quarterbacks - Coach Sims
Offensive Line - Coach Swanberg | Coach Howe
Running Backs - Coach Henderson
Wide Receivers - Coach Williams
Defensive Coordinator - Coach Swanberg | Coach Williams
Defensive Line - Coach Swanberg
Defensive Backs - Coach Williams | Coach Henderson
Linebackers - Coach Howe
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 (Cross Country/Track)
Cross Country - Coach Sims
Track - Coach Howe | Coach Henderson | Coach Swanberg |Coach Williams
Boys Athletics (Soccer)
7th Grade - Coach Swanberg | Coach Henderson
8th Grade - Coach Swanberg | Coach Henderson
Girls Athletics (Volleyball)
7th Grade A Team - Coach Near
7th Grade B/C Teams - Coach Garcia
8th Grade A Team - Coach Oberst
8th Grade B/C Team - Coach Gribble
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 (Cross Country/Track)
Cross Country - Coach Gribble
Track - Coach Park | Coach Near | Coach Oberst | Coach Garcia
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: A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
Out inspirational quote for the week:
"Sportsmanship isn't about criticizing the one who didn't win on that day, but appreciating their hard work" Akansh Malik
Make sure you are checking the list for updates.
Technology Reminder: Please turn off projectors when not is use, especially at the end of teh day before heading home.
Please continue to encourage students to pay their Student Activity Fee to PTA. They may submit their payment online or in person to the front office.
September
9/4 Ashley Garcia
9/13 Wendy Matamoros
9/14 Emily Shelton
9/17 Marla Smith
9/19 Emily Seidl
9/24 Jessica Ranspot
August Teacher of the Month
August Staff Member of the Month
Staff Shout Outs (Administration)
This shout-out goes to Matt Lotz "for being our go-to for all things technology! Matt has done an incredible job supporting teachers with training, helping us navigate Enriching Students, and jumping in wherever needed (and more!). His patience, knowledge, and willingness to problem-solve make a big difference for our staff and students every day. We appreciate you, Matt!" Marla Smith
This shout-out goes to Ashley Garcia and Ping Trinh "for creating the amazing House Leader Board! It looks absolutely incredible and is such a fun way to showcase our House System. If you haven’t had the chance to check it out yet, make sure to stop by—it's right outside the Skills for Living classroom. Fantastic work, Ashley and Ping!" Stephanie Taylor
This shout-out goes to Wendy Tamney "for sharing such thoughtful and engaging activity ideas for our advisory lessons! Your creativity and willingness to collaborate help make advisory meaningful for both students and teachers. We appreciate the time and effort you put into supporting our campus!" Lauren Wagner
This shout-out goes to Cynthia Hildinger "for doing such an incredible job managing the flood of parent inquiries, new enrollments, and special requests. Your organization, patience, and attention to detail keep everything running smoothly for our families and staff—we appreciate you!" Dennis Thorpe
This shout-out goes to Stephanie Crider "our Campus Instructional Support Facilitator, for managing all things 504, MTSS, and testing! She has been balancing countless trainings, meetings, and responsibilities, and has done an amazing job keeping everything running smoothly. We appreciate you, Stephanie!" Brad Helenberger
Staff Shout Outs (Staff)
This shout-out goes to Pam Entzminger: "She's been an amazing Team Leader! She has helped us so much these past two weeks for both the content of 7th grade ILA, as well as answering all the questions I've had as a new teacher. She is so kind, helpful, and caring and is the absolute best team lead I could ever have as a new teacher!" Umama Suriya
This shout-out goes to Matt Lotz, Kelly Bailey, Maria Moreno Hernandez: "Thank you for ALL of the hard work you front loaded to make the Chromebook distribution go smoothly!" Julie Enderle
This shout-out goes to Kayla Madler, Wendy Tamney, Barb Gardner, Ping Trinh, Natalie Jones, and Sarah Santibanez: "Thank you for giving up class time and your patience, organization, and efficiency to ensure all classes received their Chromebooks in an orderly manner !!!!" Julie Enderle
This shout-out goes to Marla Smith, Taylor Luke, and Celeste Hanvey: "I’m incredibly grateful for all your help last Friday during 8th period. I honestly don’t know how I would’ve made it through without you—thank you so much!" Micki Friedman
This shout-out goes to the 6th grade ILA team: "Look at you.....putting your BOY professional Learning to use! Love seeing the hexagons in the hallway to promote student connections. Rockstars!" Marla Smith
This shout-out goes to Ms. Lopez: "Thank you so much for taking special care of a student who needed headphones today! You are so good with our students, and I appreciate all the help you give in my ILA class!" Ashely Garcia
This shout-out goes to Amna Warach: "Thank you for everything you do to help the students in my ILA class. You are so patient and understanding!" Ashely Garcia
This shout-out goes to Ashley Garcia: "For creating an inclusive learning environment where all the students are included and supported!" Amna Warach
VMS Yearbooks are on Sale now! Get your yearbook for the lowest price of the year, $30. Anyone who purchases a yearbook with personalization by Friday, September 12 will receive 4 free icons. You can buy your VMS Yearbook on our school homepage by clicking on the BUY YEARBOOK TAB and follow the instructions.
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