About Vanston        

  Vision

Success for All Students

                  Mission                   

        To establish an educational environment that produces productive members of society who are creative, innovative, and global thinkers. To utilize strategies that promote innovation through problem solving, collaboration, and critical thinking. To provide a positive learning environment that empowers our students to succeed academically as well as acquiring skills necessary to succeed in the 21^st century.   

Core Values 

Integrity, Respect, Responsibility, Teamwork, Kindness, Compassion

Attendance Guidelines

• If a student is absent, A PARENT/GUARDIAN  MUST CALL THE SCHOOL AT 972-882-5801 BY 9:00 A.M. to report the absence.  A phone call is required each day the student is absent. FAILURE TO CALL WILL RESULT IN AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.  Please review the reasons for excused absences as specified in the student handbook.

• If the student is absent 3 or more consecutive days, a doctor’s note WILL BE REQUIRED for an excused absence.  If no documentation is given, the absences are unexcused with no grades recorded for make-up work.

• Sometimes emergencies occur requiring out of town travel.  Parents or guardians must contact the principal’s office PRIOR to the event to determine if the absence will be excused.  Failure to do so could result in unexcused absences.

• If a student is planning to leave school for a medical or legal appointment during the day, a parent /guardian must sign the student out in the front office.  When returning to school, the student must bring a note from the dentist, doctor or court to the attendance secretary in the front office.  Failure to do so will result in an unexcused absence.

• When arriving at school late (after tardy bell at 8:15 a.m.), you MUST SIGN IN with the office.  If the tardy is due to medical appointments, court dates or a funeral, you must turn in a doctor/dentist note, court note or funeral program to the attendance secretary in the front office in order for it to be an excused absence.

• Unexcused tardies to first period cause a disruption to classrooms and result in students missing instructional time.  Please make every effort to be in class ON TIME.

• All unexcused absences must be cleared within one week from the date of the absence.  No calls or notes will be accepted after that time. An unexcused absence will result in a ZERO for the work missed.  You WILL NOT be allowed to make up the work without a note from the office.

Students and parents will be filed on in court if the student has 3 unexcused absences (whole or part days) in a four week period

 Students must be present 90% of the time in each individual class to be awarded credit. In compliance with the State of Texas Compulsory Attendance Law and 90% law, students not in attendance 90% of school days will be required to make-up time on Wednesday afternoons or Saturdays as required by the assistant principal.

• Most importantly, YOU are establishing lifelong habits of being responsible young adults (jobs, etc.)  Absences affect learning abilities.  We encourage good daily attendance so that the student may be successful.

When students are not in attendance, parents should call

972-882-5801 or email dsellars@mesquiteisd.org

to report reason for absence.

***Hand written parent notes ARE NOT accepted.***AIM TO BE IN SCHOOL EVERY DAY***

For information about standardized dress,  prime time, school supplies, registration requirements, and immunizations, click on the topic or scroll down the page.

• STANDARDIZED DRESS?

    Click her for answers!

• LUNCH MONEY & FORGOTTEN ITEMS

                                                                                      
  Please make sure your child has all items needed each day prior to coming to school. In order to limit class disturbances and preserve instructional time, we will no longer be able   to deliver phone messages, lunch money, lunches, or any other type of delivery. If lunch money is brought to the school, it will be delivered to the cafeteria and deposited directly into your student's account.  **The student will NOT be notified. Our goal is to protect the learning environment. We appreciate your cooperation.                                                                                                                                   

• "PRIME TIME" 

                                                                 
  "PRIME TIME" refers to the first twenty minutes of each class period where students MUST remain in the classroom. Students will not be allowed to go to lockers, the office, restrooms, CMC, etc. during this time. This will be "protected" instructional time for ALL students.

• School Supplies-What A Deal!! click here to get information

• Registration Requirements

Parents are required to provide the following information for registration:

• Proof of residency -- your current lease which must have the name of a parent and the student, gas, electric, water, or phone bill. Receipts for new utility service will also be accepted.
• Photo ID of parent/guardian
• Beginning of school year -- final report card from previous school indicating promotion or retention. During school year -- a copy of withdrawal papers with withdrawal grades
• Copy of student's social security card or state ID number
• Copy of student's birth certificate
• Copy of student's immunization records
• Completed enrollment forms provided by Vanston Middle School
• A copy of last year’s TAKS scores would be very helpful in placing your child in the correct classes.

All of the above need to be submitted in order for your child to be enrolled.

• NEW IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS FOR 7th Graders!!

Texas has new immunization requirements for your incoming 7th grade student. The required immunizations are as follows:

• Meningococcal vaccine
• Varicella vaccine  
  • None if the student received two doses on or after his or her first birthday
  • One additional dose if a student received the first vaccine on or after his or her first birthday
  • Two doses are required if a student receives the first vaccine on or after his or her 13th birthday
• Tdap vaccine
  • One dose is required if at least five years has passed since the last Td, DTaP, or other immunization containing tetanus was given
  • If five years has not passed since the last tetanus-containing immunization, one dose will be required as soon as the five years has passed

A record of these immunizations is due in the Vanston clinic the first week of the 20010-2011 school year.*If your child is in athletics, do not send the shot record to the coach with the sports physical.

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