July 2025
Dear Parents/Guardians, Incoming VCMS 6th Graders, and New Students-
Hello and welcome to Valley Central Middle School! We wanted to take a moment to congratulate you on your elementary school success. We hear that the 5th graders in Valley Central are an amazing group of students who have met the challenges of this last school year with a positive attitude and hard work. These are great skills which will serve each of you well here at VCMS.
We hope you have been enjoying a little rest and relaxation during summer recess. However, we know that the transition from individual elementary schools to the middle school or to a new school district has been on your mind as you go through the summer days. Transition periods in all of our lives can generate a lot of questions, excitement, some concern and even a little anxiety. Our goal here at VCMS is to make the transition as smooth and seamless as possible and this is accomplished by being afforded as much information as possible.
As a result, we wanted to share our plans for the upcoming 6th Grade and New Student Orientation taking place on August 27, 2025 along with student schedule information and Fall 6th grade events.
- August 27th, 8 – 10:45am – 6th Grade & New Student Orientation is for both students and parents. Orientation will be held in 1 session this year vs 2 sessions like in past years. Our goal is to beat the heat that typically hits our area at the end of August and host an AM session for all students and parents when the weather is typically cooler. Our program will begin promptly at 8am.
- Parking & Entrances: Parking will start at the Middle School lot on the west side of the complex, followed by the lot directly in front of the HS and then the HS parking lot as needed. All Handicapped parking will be in the MS lot. Students will enter through the MS main entrance doors and parents/guardians will enter through the other set of entrance doors closest to the cafeteria.
- Students will enter through the MS main entrance doors where they will be greeted by National Junior Honor Society Members for an interactive middle school “world tour” complete with passports and stamps for all!! This will be followed by an ice pop social. **Note: if there is a hardship and a parent/guardian is unable to attend, we still encourage students to not miss out on this opportunity and to attend the orientation.
- Upon entering the building, each parent/guardian will be provided a schedule of various informational sessions. Many topics will be covered including but not limited to google classroom, building procedures arrival, dismissal, lockers/locks, lunch, guidance happenings, parent portal, SchoolTool, Parent Square, Health office, VCMS supports for all students, special education, ADAC Coalition and Vaping presentation, social media, cell phones, student discipline, meet the 6th grade teachers, attendance, music department and much more.
- Student Schedules: Our guidance team is working diligently on student schedules. Schedules will be made available to students 6-12 by August 22 via the parent portal. More information will be provided as we approach this date.
September
- 6th Grade Social will be held on September 19, 2025, 3-4:30pm- this is always a great time and opportunity for 6th graders to meet each other and the staff in a non-academic setting after school. More information will be shared at a later date.
At VCMS, we believe that communication is the key to every relationship! We look forward to getting to know each of our new students and families in the upcoming school year. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Have an enjoyable summer recess!
~ Jayme Ginda-Baxter, Principal & the VCMS Team