Important Dates to Remember

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

VANDENBERG MIDDLE SCHOOL

VIEWPOINT

Volume 3 2011/2012

February/March/April

Inside this issue: Assistant Principal’s Message 2

Counselor’s Corner 3

Nutrition News 4

Keeping Sick Students Home 4

AVID 4

P.E. News 5

Band Concert 5

Office Procedures 6

Bus Transportation 6

D.C. Trip Info 6

Cinco de mayo 7

Dates to Remember 7

Bell Schedules 8

Website Information 8

Dear Parents, The advent of a new year is traditionally time for reflection. On Christmas day, in the muted quiet of a New England winter, I strolled through the quiet village of Edgartown, Massachusetts and reflected on the events of this past year. My thoughts turned to the loss of Karen Shumey. I remembered how excited Karen was when she heard about last year’s Academic Performance Index (API) gain of 33 points, in particular, her department’s whopping 12% gain to 69% proficiency in history. Karen was sure that our API score was testament to the quality of academic programs at our school, but her colleagues were equally sure that Karen Shumey was integral to that success. It is in her memory that we remain committed to a vision of academic excellence, achievement and high expectations for every student that we serve. In 2012, high expectations will continue to form the bedrock of the VMS vision for academic excellence. If we as an educational community believe all students are capable of achieving at levels of proficiencies that produce a productive citizenry, then that belief becomes the norm for the organization. All VMS stakeholders support the idea that each of us is an essential component when it comes to high expectations. Food service workers’ expectation of “please” and “thank you”, custodial pride in a clean environment, and office staff who patiently answer queries from parents – each embrace the vision that their part in the day-to-day operation of VMS is vital to the mission of high expectations for academic excellence. Perhaps what distinguishes our school most significantly is the commonly held belief by all teachers that students will respond to expectations of academic excellence. We have seen that there is truth to the adage that setting the bar high results in students exceeding expectations. Our culture tends to minimize student responsibility for academic excellence. At VMS, our students are equal partners in our vision of high expectations for academic achievement. Students know that they have a personal responsibility for their own education, for without an education, they are clearly at an economic and social disadvantage going forward into high school and adulthood.

(Continued on page 2)

Feb. 13 Lincoln’ s Day- No School

Feb. 16 Awards Night

Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day-No School

Feb. 23 NJHS Induction

Feb. 24 End of 4th Progress Report

Mar. 9 Staff Development- No School

April 2-6 Spring Recess

April 9 School Resumes

April 20 Picture Day

April 20 End of 5th Progress Report

April 30 State Testing Begins May 3 Cinco de May Programo

Parental involvement is also crucial to the VMS vision of high expectations for academic achievement. VMS parents ensure their student has done his or her homework, encourage reading, establish bedtimes, monitor leisure activities and keep an eye on peer groups. VMS parents realize it is not reasonable or even possible for a school to be solely responsible for their child’s education. VMS believes that the result of our vision for academic excellence will be students who are capable of success in high school and college. We look forward to working together as a community of lifelong learners to guarantee that each and every student at VMS receives an education that is worthy of the democratic ideals that are the hallmark of this great country. Vandenberg Middle School has what it takes to be an exemplary American middle school. All of us working together with a common vision of academic excellence will lift our students to heights reflective of the best this country can hope to produce. Please join me in the pursuit of this honorable vision.

Sincerely, Kathi L. Froemming

PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE CONTINUED

Assistant Principal’s Notes by Brian Grimnes

We have officially passed the halfway point and are quickly moving into the home stretch of the 2011-2012 school year. I would like to take this opportunity to share some important reminders regarding behavior and End of the Year activities.

1. Detentions: It is very important that your student attend any and all assigned detentions. The different types of detentions assigned include: Campus Beautification, Teacher Assigned Detention, and Lunch AC (more information is available on pages 14 and 15 of the Student Planner). When a student misses an assigned detention, they are then assigned a makeup day and an additional day as a consequence. If a student continues to willfully skip a detention assignment, other consequences (such as Full Day AC or Suspension) may be assigned.

2. Substitute/Guest Teacher Behavior Expectations: When you invite a guest into your home, you often give extra effort to make sure they feel comfortable and welcome. We apply that same concept to guest teachers at VMS. We expect our students who have a substitute/guest teacher in their classroom to give extra effort in regards to their personal behavior to make sure that the guest teacher feels comfortable and welcome during their stay at VMS. To that end, we provide guest teachers with a variety of options to deal with misbehavior in the classroom. Those options include: Verbal warnings, written warnings, and Referral. In the event that a student receives a written referral from a substitute teacher, that student will receive a one-day suspension from school.

3. Our 8th grade students have two special activities at the end of the school year to help celebrate their success. These are the 8th grade Dance (May 18) and the 8th grade Picnic (June 4). Parents of 8th grade students will be receiving a letter in the mail outlining the requirements for attendance at these two activities. Students must demonstrate proper behavior at school in order to qualify for the privilege of attending these events. When you receive the letter, please review the information with your student.

“Parents are their children’s first teachers, most valuable role models and greatest influence. Communicating with

and supporting the school staff in their efforts to help students make responsible choices is critical as children grow

into responsible citizens. Each parent should aid the school in maintaining high

standards.” (Student Planner, p. 10)

Working together – We can make a difference!

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Counselors’ Corner If we can be of help, please call 742-2710

A-L Peggy Faulk

M–Z Jill Kaminski

Mrs. Faulk and Ms. Kaminski completed character education guidance curriculum in December 2011. These

lessons supported the American School Counseling Association Personal/Social standard that students will

acquire the knowledge, attitudes and interpersonal skills to help them understand and respect self and others.

Data collected from last year’s Healthy Kids Survey indicated a need to address this standard.

Question #1 (Yes/No): I received lessons that promote respect, understanding, and appreciation for all

students and staff.

Question #2 (Yes/No): There is a teacher or other adult at Vandenberg Middle School that really cares

about me.

*Data for 2010-2011 collected from Healthy Kids Survey during students’ 7th grade year (100 7th grade students sample size)

*Data for 2011-2012 collected from survey given after students’ 8th grade Character Education Guidance Curriculum (all 8th grade

General Ed students approx. 365)

Other News

Students with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher from their first semester report card will be invited to an Awards Night on Thursday, February 16th. This evening will celebrate both 7th and 8th grade students.

The Explore ACT will be offered to all AVID and 8th grade honor students. The test will be administered on Saturday, March 3rd, at 9:00 AM. Taking Explore is a great way to get a head start on the ACT, which is an important test that colleges use to help them make admissions and scholarship decisions. Students who take Explore are more likely to score higher on the ACT. An invitation will be mailed home.

Pre-registration for next year will take place in March. The counselors will visit the sixth graders at the elementary schools and the seventh graders in their Social Studies classes. The students will bring home the paperwork for a parent’s signature. It is important to send the pre-registration form back to school. If you will not be attending VMS next year, it is also important that you send the form back indicating you will not be attending for the 2012-2013 school year. The high school counselors will be here on Thursday, March 8th, to speak to the eighth graders about high school registration in their Science classes.

Honors assessment for incoming seventh graders and any student not currently in the honors program will be administered on Saturday, March 17th, at 9:00 AM and Tuesday, March 20th, at 6:00 PM. Students interested in placement only have to attend one of the dates. Thursday, March 15th, will be an informational parent night about the process for honors placement and AVID placement. This meeting will be for the parent whose student is not currently in the VMS honors or AVID program.

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Do your children eat breakfast?

It is reported that as many as 40% of our kids don’t eat breakfast. Yet, we are told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. This is especially true for children. If breakfast is skipped, some children could go 12 or more hours before the next meal.

Well here are a couple of reasons why consuming a balanced breakfast is important for our children: Improves behavior: If a child hasn’t eaten since dinner the night before, this could lead to being irritable, tired, and ill-tempered. These symptoms lead to aggressive behaviors that can cause disruption in school. Higher test scores: Several studies have shown students who eat breakfast have improved standardized test scores, increased ability to concentrate, thus making them more alert and creative. Weight Control: Eating breakfast helps establish good eating patterns that will last a lifetime. Increasing childhood obesity is partly attributed to diminishing meal patterns at home. Children who do not eat breakfast are more likely to snack on poor food choices throughout the day.

Did you know if your children qualify for either free or reduced meals then breakfast is free? That is because we have waived the charge for reduced breakfast. If your children qualify for paid meals, then breakfast is only $1.25 at the secondary level and $1.00 at the elementary level.

The AVID students have been super busy this semester. They sold messages for Halloween, held a “Pie in the

Face” contest (pitting a student against a teacher in a bid to raise more money and earn the right to pie their oppo-

nent), started up a “Toys for Tots” drive, and planned numerous community projects, some of which were inspired

by the visit from CAPA and the Lompoc Animal Shelter.

The seventh grade students also had a chance to head to college for the day as they toured the UCSB campus.

Current students took them around campus and answered questions about classes, campus life, and tips for how to

choose a school. On December 8th, the eighth grade students headed down to USC for a similar tour. For those stu-

dents who participated last year this will be their third university as they also went to Santa Barbara City College,

all with the goal to have more information at their disposal as they head into high school and start setting the paths

toward their futures.

From Cream

Craziness to

Colleges, AVID

Keeps Busy

When should I keep my child home?

If your child is exhibiting flu symptoms, keep him/her home from school. If your child has a cold, the decision to keep him or

her home may depend on the severity of the symptoms. Keep your child home if he/she has a fever of 100 degrees or higher

(fever FREE 24 hours). If your child returns to school with a lingering cough or nasal congestions, send him/her with tissues and

advise him/her to drink extra fluids.

Cold vs. Flu Symptoms

**Flu is a serious illness, and children who have the flu should always stay home from school. Flu symptoms include fever,

chills, cough, sore throat, headache, or muscle aches. With the flu, symptoms appear very quickly... (It is a good idea to contact

the child’s doctor if he/she has these symptoms.)

**Symptoms of a common cold include stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat, and hacking cough. Often, cold symptoms come on

gradually. Although the common cold is usually not serious, if symptoms are severe, it is a good idea to keep your child home to

rest and get better, rather than spread the cold to other children at school.

**Parents should keep their sick children home from school until they have been without fever for twenty-four hours.

Teach your children healthy habits: Wash hands frequently, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or teach your child to cough

into their sleeve.

Happy New Year! The Physical

Education department would like to

wish all students, parents and fellow

staff members a happy, healthy and

physically active 2012. As the new

year begins, the P.E. staff continues

to emphasize to our students the role

physical fitness plays in a healthy

and productive lifestyle.

In March we will once again be

testing all of our 7th graders on the

state mandated California State

Physical Fitness assessment. The

assessment consists of an abdominal

strength test (curl-ups), upper body

strength test (push-ups), flexibility

test (sit-n-reach and trunk lift), body

mass index (height and weight) and

cardio fitness (one-mile run).

P.E. Students of the 1st Semester

Congratulations to the following

students who were selected as our

P.E. students of the 1st Semester:

T. J. Robbins

Isaiah Bowman

Matthew Lopez

Kristina Greenwood

Erik Buenrostro

Meagan Stevens

Dominique Harrison

Josh Ogan

Chris Glaze

Camryn Ranney

Chris Hanson

These students were selected by their

P.E. teachers because of their

outstanding work habits, excellent

behavior and leadership in class.

These outstanding students were

treated to a pizza luncheon in

January.

The goal for each and every one of

our 7th grade students is to score in

the healthy zone range of each test

(as determined by the state).

Students who score in the healthy

zone of zone 5 in 5 of the 6 tests are

considered to have passed the test.

Healthy zone numbers for each test

can be found on the VMS website

under physical education.

Finally, we appreciate all of the

continued parental support and

reinforcement from home as we con-

tinue to relate the importance of

being physically fit and healthy with

the correlating benefits received

both in the classroom, on the

athletic field and life in general.

Intramurals

The intramural program continues to thrive at lunchtime. Thus far, approximately 450 students have taken advantage of the lunchtime intramural activities. Students have competed in flag football, soccer and vol-leyball. In October we ran our annual Halloween Half and in November we had our yearly Turkey Trot with over 300 participants combined. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the intramural activities offered at lunch and to participate in the many tournaments and individual events offered. They can listen to morning announcements for upcoming events and sign-up dates.

VMS PHYSICAL FITNESS NEWS

Volume 3 Page 5

Spring Band Concert

April 26th

Those of you who attended the Holiday

Concert know what a great program Mr.

Olivieri and his students put on. Come see how much improvement our

strings and beginning band have made in the past four months, unbelievable.

You are in for a wonderful performance.

24-Hour Absence Reporting Line 742-2777 On the first day of an absence and each day thereafter, please call our 24-hour absence reporting line stating the name of the

student, reason for the absence and the relationship of the person calling.

Off-Campus Passes 742-2744 For an early release from class, please send a note with your student to the ATTENDANCE OFFICE BEFORE

SCHOOL. State student's name, date, time for release and reason. Parent/Guardian must sign. The student will then receive

an off-campus pass and can meet parent/guardian in the parking lot. If an emergency arises during school, please call the

Attendance Office as soon as possible. In this event, the parent/guardian MUST come into the office with a valid I.D. and

sign the student out. Only those indicated on the Emergency Care Card may pick up a student.

Medications 742-2745 If your student takes medication on a periodic or regular basis, you must secure a doctor's permission slip from the nurse. The

medication must be delivered to the nurse before school with the dosage instructions attached to the bottle. These instructions

are to be written by the pharmacy or doctor. Prescription and non-prescription medications such as asthma inhalers,

acetaminophen, and all over-the-counter medications must be given to the nurse with instructions. They may not be carried

by the student on campus.

Emergency Information 742-2710 Please be sure to notify the office immediately if your address, telephone number or place of employment changes dur-

ing the school year.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Bus transportation is provided for VMS students to and from the location nearest their home

only! We do not provide transportation to other students' homes, after school care, doctor or

dental appointments, etc.

VMS picture ID cards are required to board LUSD buses. The initial ID card is

furnished by the school. Subsequent cards must be purchased.

Students should not arrive at the bus stop more than 5-10 minutes before the bus will pick them up.

Students are under the same behavior guidelines at the bus stop as they are at school. The

driver’s directions are to be carried out at all times to provide safety for all riders.

Travel to Washington, D.C. in June

Your student’s history teacher has information on the Washington, D.C. trip. The dates are June 18-25, 2012,

this is eight days in and around D.C. The tour includes: Round trip transportation from your home designated

pick up location to Los Angeles (LAX). Round trip airfare from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. First class

hotel accommodations, including private security guard at the hotels. Deluxe chartered motor coach throughout

the tour. Daily breakfasts and dinners and 3 lunches. All sightseeing and admissions. Gratuities for driver and

local guides. Chaperones and a tour manager will accompany the group. The tour cost: Students-$2099.00 per

person (based on 4 persons sharing a room with 2 double beds) and Adults-$2149.00 (includes $50.00 for

admissions surcharges). It is a guided tour with visits to: Monticello, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown,

Smithsonian Museums, and Arlington National Cemetery, to name a few. Although this tour is being offered to

the students and families of the Orcutt, Santa Maria/Bonita and Lompoc Districts, it is not an official

field trip and therefore the districts are not responsible or liable for any participant. For more informa-

tion you can contact Connie Gutierrez at (office) 858 549-9755, (cell) 858 603-3049, or

e-mail at connie@educationalady.com.

Office Procedures

Volume 3 Page 6

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

February 16 - Awards Night

March 3 - Explore ACT

April 20 - Spring Pictures

April 26 - Band Concert

May 3 - Cinco de Mayo Program

MINIMUM DAYS AND HOLIDAYS

February 13-Lincoln’s Birthday-No School

February 20-Presidents’ Day-No School

February 24-End of 4th Progress Report-Minimum Day (12:35 p.m.)

March 9-No School for Students (Staff Development Day)

April 2-6-Spring Recess-No School

April 20-End of 5th Progress Report-Minimum Day (12:35 p.m.)

April 30-May 4 - State Testing Minimum Days (12:40 p.m.)

Volume 3 Page 7

VMS Cinco de Mayo Program A Cultural Experience

The students of VMS’s Spanish B classes are very excited about their upcoming project for Cinco de Mayo. Cinco de Mayo celebrates the victory of the historic Battle of Puebla in 1862 between Mexico and France. The students will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo program for parents and the student body which will consist of folkloric dance performances and singing. Every student has signed up for this activity. Task committees that target different learning styles were established to ensure participation. From designing invitations to

performing in the program, students are eager to delight their classmates and parents with an evening of cultural celebration.

Preparations began in January. The Spanish B students will be learning folkloric dancing from various states of Mexico and discussing the cultural background of these traditional dance. The program highlights the music and regional dancing of the Mexican culture. Hosting this special celebration that reflects the costumes, music, and traditions of the holiday gives them a great opportunity to connect, compare, and evaluate another culture.

The program has been scheduled for Thursday, May 3, 2012 at 6:30 P.M. in the MPR. Refreshments will be served immediately after the program. This will be an event that you don’t want to miss! Mark your calendars.

VANDENBERG MIDDLE SCHOOL Mountain View Blvd, VAFB, CA 93437-1199

Phone: 805-742-2700 Fax: 805-742-2759 Hours: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Counseling Office: 742-2710 24 Hr. Absence Reporting 805-742-2777

NON PROFIT ORG. STANDARD MAIL

U.S. POSTAGE PAID LOMPOC, CA

PERMIT NO. 19

Volume 3 Page 8

Visit our School District web page

www.lusd.org

our website!

www.lusd.org/VMS

PTSA NEWS

2011-2012 Roster

President: Therese Sager

Executive VP: Kamlesh Desai

VP Ways & Means: Benjamin Ortiz

VP Membership: Kara Stewart

Secretary: Irene Davis

Treasurer: Lea Holloway

Auditor: Doug Black

Historian: Vanessa

Marroquin

VOLUNTEERS are

WELCOMED! Check out the VMS PTSA website at www.orgsites.com/ca/vmsptsa . The PTSA voicemail number is 742-

2700 ext.6585.

BELL SCHEDULE

Monday, Tuesday,

Thursday & Friday

PERIOD 1 8:40-9:29 PERIOD 2 9:34-10:18 PERIOD 3 10:23-11:07 PERIOD 4 11:12-11:56 LUNCH 12:01-12:31 SSR 12:36-12:51 PERIOD 5 12:51-1:35 PERIOD 6 1:40-2:24 PERIOD 7 2:29-3:15

Wednesday

PERIOD 1 9:20-10:04 PERIOD 2 10:09-10:48 PERIOD 3 10:53-11:32 PERIOD 4 11:37-12:16 LUNCH 12:21-12:51 SSR 12:56-1:06 PERIOD 5 1:06-1:45 PERIOD 6 1:50-2:29 PERIOD 7 2:34-3:15

BELL SCHEDULE

Minimum Day

Period 1 8:40-9:10 Period 2 9:15-9:44 Period 3 9:49-10:18 Period 4 10:23-10:52 Period 5 10:57-11:26 Period 6 11:31-12:00 Period 7 12:05-12:35

VMS AFTER SCHOOL

HOMEWORK CLUB

Tuesday & Thursday

Where: VMS Library

Time: 3:20 - 4:20 p.m.

Speak with a counselor to register/sign up

Bus passes are provided.