Due to school closure today (Jan. 28)- the 6th Grade Girls BBall Game with Van Devender @ Blennerhassett has been canceled.
Report cards will be sent home on Monday, January 31.
VMS students and families:
As an administrator, my biggest concern is always for the safety and security of my students and staff. Currently, my student population is difficult to identify due to the use of hats and head coverings (mainly hoodies) combined with the mandatory wearing of a mask. As a result, VMS students have undergone (this week) a soft roll-out of our new dress code. Additionally, in anticipation of preparing our students for high school expectations, VMS has adopted the following dress code effective Jan. 31, 2022.
DRESS CODE
The student code of conduct stipulates that students' mode of dress must not be detrimental to the educational process.
All shirts must have a sleeve. All shirts must extend below the waistline of the pants, shorts and/or skirts, with no undergarments showing. Low cut necklines that expose cleavage or underwear is inappropriate and will not be permitted in school. No part of the student’s torso should be visible.
All shorts and/or skirts must adequately cover all areas as not to draw attention or distract the educational process. All pants, shorts and/or skirts must be pulled up around the waistline. The exposure of underwear is not appropriate and will not be permitted in school.
Hats and/or head covers of any type are not to be worn or displayed inside the school building. Hats must be left in lockers upon arrival to school and are not to be carried to class. Headbands are not permitted.
Clothing that displays profanity, illegal substances, tobacco, or alcohol is not permitted.
Shoes, for the safety of the student, must be worn in school at all times. Any clothing that could disrupt the school environment will be asked to be removed.
Backpacks and bags are to be kept in student lockers upon arrival.
Thank you for your VMS support as we strive for enhanced safety and security measures in addition to preparing our students for high school.
Be kind. Work hard. Represent. 💙🖤💙🖤
Attention parents/guardians and students: Due to the 2 hour delay, students will not be sent Caperton Center. Instead, they will receive an activity in their Schoology account.
A message from VMS principal regarding tech device adjustments effective Jan. 24
I see a few areas I know we can improve upon with some simple adjustments to school procedures involving cell phones and ipads.
As you already know, it is difficult to maintain student attention when students are glued to their ipads and phones. We just can’t compete! Smartphone addiction is a real thing and we know that it’s too tempting to respond to a message, check your messages or send a gif. We are all guilty of wanting to constantly check our phones or send a quick message. Therefore, cell phones will need to be placed in the student’s locker and turned off when they arrive at school. But don’t worry! Students will be permitted to collect their phone at the end of the day to check-in as they are released at the final dismissal. Students caught with a cell phone during the instructional day will have them placed in the office where a parent or guardian can retrieve them. If a student needs to call home during the instructional day, there is a student access in the main office.
Air pods / ear buds will also need to stay in the locker once a student starts their instructional day as student will not be permitted to wear them.
Another area we will improve upon involves the student ipads. Although ipads are an incredible instructional enhancement, they can also be a huge problem regardless of whether they are used at school or at home. Problems we face consist of students showing up for class with a dead device, lost or misplaced devices, authorized user agreement violations and broken screens. In an effort to combat this issue, all ipads will be checked-out and checked-in by the Homeroom teacher daily effective Jan. 24. Students will no longer be permitted to take ipads home (unless sent home with the principal’s permission due to special circumstances). Names of students that do not check-in ipads at the end of the day will be turned over to our tech department and the ipad will be deactivated/ placed in lost mode. Also, students not using ipads during the instructional day for approved instructional activities may lose their device privileges. By collecting and maintaining ipads in the classroom, we hope to prevent dead and misplaced devices, reduce misuse/ AUP violations and reduce breakage.
I thank you in advance for your support and understanding as we strive to provide your student with engaging instruction that is free of distractions.
Be kind. Work hard. Represent.
*Cartoon author unknown- obtained from Google
Good afternoon VMS community and families. This is Mrs. Lowers, principal of Van Devender Middle School. I look forward to getting to know your students as we begin the second semester. Fortunately, many students already know me from Jefferson Elementary where I served as the previous C & I assistant principal. I am truly thrilled to be welcomed as a VMS Blue Devil and anticipate a great year!
Here is your chance to purchase Vandy “Grow Beyond” shirts. The shop is open until the end of the month.
https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbsnteamsports.com%2Fshop%2F1hWJmuQaME&data=04%7C01%7Ckwechard%40k12.wv.us%7C1076a413ffad459e6c9608d9d79b6a15%7Ce019b04b330c467a8bae09fb17374d6a%7C0%7C0%7C637777884760853054%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000&sdata=N%2FrHHp%2Bo7vWR0XbUKk8J0ZvGzdzzPzUfsaSuf7Sw6Xw%3D&reserved=0
The Vandy boys home basketball games for this evening have been cancelled.
The Vandy 6th grade girls basketball game against Edison for this evening is cancelled. The 7th/8th grade girls are still scheduled to play. This may result in the 7th/8th grade game being moved to 4:30pm. Please contact the school with questions.
Vandy is currently having issues receiving and making phone calls. Please call the BOE and they can relay the message to us. 304-420-9670.
Please use the following form if you are interested in Vandy Basketball clothing.
All Vandy practices and games are cancelled for the evening. Please contact the school with questions.
All Vandy social studies fair forms are due on or before Tuesday, December 21, 2021 by the end of the school day. Please contact the school with questions.
Van Devender Middle School will be hosting a Christmas Dance on Monday December 20th from 5pm-7pm. Concessions will be sold and it will cost $1 to attend. This dance is for Vandy students only. Please contact the school with questions.
If you are interested in off campus learning you can fill out this form for second semester.
https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=S7AZ4AwzekaLrgn7FzdNagm5TTHSSDRCrW61ioY9IcZUNkU5V0Y3NVBTRUNMRk1KRFkxWUhERVA3Si4u
Come check out the Vandy music department.
Attention Vandy Parents:
Van Devender Middle School uses a system called PBIS. Teachers use this system to submit referrals to the office. If you would like to know how your student is doing, you can contact the school and we can set you up so you can view the positive and negative referrals made on your student. Please contact the school with questions.
Vandy Picture retake day is tomorrow Wednesday December 1st.
Pictures can be ordered online or there will be picture packets in the office. Please contact the school with questions.
Off-Campus Learning Enrollment for Second Semester Now Open – Enroll Today! – https://forms.office.com/r/Rkq6bfZsGA
Students are to keep cell phones and other electronic devices in their lockers prior to going to their homeroom. Cell phones cause disruptions to the learning environment. If a student is caught with a cell phone during the school day it will be confiscated and sent to the office. A parent/guardian will need to come to Vandy to pick up the device. Please contact the school with questions.