THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Assistant Principal Ashley Thomas wants to
encourage students to use their thinking skills to
solve real-world problem. To encourage thinking
(and cooperative work skills) Miss Thomas has
established the Problem of the Month challenges.
Students will be presented a real-world problem
each month. The students can work independently,
with a partner or in a small group of up to ten
students. Teachers may choose to have entire
classes work on solutions to the Problem of the
Month.
Students are to present the problem along with a
solution in written
format, as a video or
a PowerPoint
presentation.
The Problem of the
Month is posted in
the main lobby, the
cafeteria and in all
English classes.
Students can pick up a handout explaining the
Problem of the Month in detail. All students are
encouraged to participate and share their ideas!
September Problem of the Month:
School buses are an important part of the school day.
They make sure that you arrive to and from school safely.
However, we know school bus rides can have problems
that occur. For September’s problem of the month, I
would like you to think about a problem that occurs on a
school bus and create a solution for it.
October 2015
V e s ta l M i d d l e S c h o o l
Academic Happenings
UPCOMING EVENTS
Thursday, October 8—End of first 5 weeks
Friday, October 16—School Photo Day
Wednesday, Oct. 21—VMS PTO Mtg. (6 PM)
Wednesday, Oct. 28– New Student Luncheon
Friday, October 30— 7th gr. Halloween Dance
Tuesday, November 3—Attaboy Assembly
Principal’s challenge
Once again VMS Principal Ann
Marie Loose has challenged
students and staff to participate
in at least one community
service project during the school
year. VMS staff and Student
Council provide opportunities
for students to get involved in
their community and help
others. Students can also take
on a leadership position and
design their own community
project with mentoring from a
VMS staff member. Students
are recognized for their
participation with a card placed
on their locker indicating their
community service project.
VMS Community
Service Participation
_________________
Project:
2015-2016
VMS Clubs
DID YOU KNOW…..

You can get up-to-the-minute information on VMS happenings by
“liking” the Vestal Middle School Parent Page Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/Vestal-Middle-School-Parent-Page243905718965082/timeline/ ?

Mrs. Sonya Skinner, Mrs. JoAnn D’Angelo and Mrs. Deb Ortloff
have all been accepted in the New York State Master Teacher Program. The teachers had to complete a rigorous application process
including subject area tests and interviews. They join Mrs. Colleen
Schultz and Mrs. Cathy Jeremko who were previously accepted into
this select group.

VMS morning announcements can be read at the following site:
http://heyvms.wordpress.com. These are printed versions of the announcements students hear over the close-circuit TV.

Assistant Principal Andrew Menard has coordinated a Team of the
Year Challenge. Teams receive points for their academic teams
based on participation in community service projects, academic pursuits and spirit week participation.
Student Council
Mrs. Jones
Advisor
Yearbook
Mrs. Stowell
Mrs. Jeremko
Advisors
Newspaper
Mrs. Fitzpatrick
Mrs. Guerino
Advisors
Math-a-Lon (gr. 6)
Ms. Place
Mrs. Dinnel
Advisors
Math Counts (gr. 7/8)
Mrs. D’Angelo
Mrs. Ortloff
Advisors
Gr. 6 Select Chorus
Mrs. Doty
Advisor
Gr. 7/8 Select Chorus
Mrs. Warneck
Advisor
Student council happenings
Student Council is off and running, ready for
another busy school year. Under the
advisement of Mrs. Ginelle Jones, our student
leaders are divided into six committee areas:
School Spirit
School Store

Morning Announcements

Welcoming Committee

Community Service

Student Activities
One member from each committee is selected
by the committee members to represent them
on the Student Council Executive Committee.

Odyssey of the Mind
Mrs. Tripicco
Building Coordinator

The Welcoming Committee is new this year
and will be focusing on helping students who
move into Vestal feel comfortable in their new
school. New students will receive welcome
packs and be invited to new student
informational luncheons.
UPCOMING STUDENT COUNCIL EVENTS
October team challenges for donations to
cancer-fighting charities
Spirit Week and Pep Rally
Student Welcome Luncheons
Food Drive for vacation power pack program
Attaboy Assembly (theme of the assembly is
positive ways to deal with negative pressures)
7th grade Halloween Dance
Region-wide Middle School Student Council
Workshop