
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR OF SCHOOLS:
Due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in Van Buren County, the decision has been made to implement our Virtual Learning Plan from November 23-December 4 for ALL PreK-12th grade students. There will be no in-person instruction during this time. Virtual learning days will be November 23-24 and November 30-December 4. We will be closed for the Thanksgiving Holiday, November 25-27, as scheduled.
Breakfast and lunch will be delivered to students on Monday, November 23, for Monday-Wednesday, on Monday, November 30, for Monday-Wednesday, and on Thursday, December 3, for Thursday-Friday. Buses will leave school at 9:00 a.m. for meal delivery, and deliveries will be made along regular bus routes. Meals may also be picked up at the front of VBHS for those students who do not ride a bus.
There will be absolutely no sports practices, activities, or games from November 22-December 6.
We will return to traditional, in-person learning in our buildings on Monday, December 7. We apologize in advance for any inconveniences that this causes our students and families. This decision has not been made lightly as we understand the serious impact that it has. However, we feel that it is in the best interest of our students, staff, and community at this time. As we take this drastic step in stopping the spread of COVID-19, we ask that our students and families do everything that they can to prevent the spread, also.
Thank you,
Cheryl Cole, Director of Schools


As a special Veterans Day Project, the 5th Grade students and their teachers, Mrs. Beth Delong and Mrs. Chrissy Young, gifted the local American Legion Post 207 today with a set of cornhole boards for their Post! We are blessed to have thoughtful students and staff in Van Buren County!

Today and everyday we are grateful for our military service personnel, past and present, and the families who support them. Happy Veterans Day to all our veterans!



Happy Veterans Day! With respect, honor, and gratitude, we thank our Veterans! We may not know them all, but we owe them all for the freedom that we enjoy in this country.

Tomorrow is Veteran's Day. Unfortunately, we will be unable to host our annual Veteran's Day Breakfast and Program, but we will not forget our Veterans! Students and staff-remember to wear red, white, and blue tomorrow! Check the school website and Facebook tomorrow for special Veteran's Day posts!

Middle School Basketball Schedule Update:
There will be no Middle School basketball games, Home or Away, until after Friday, November 13th. We will release an updated schedule as soon as possible.

📕📔Attention K-3rd families📗 📘
Read attached flyer for exciting news!


Bullying and Drugs are SPOOKY! Stay away!!! #redribbonweek2020

Today is Red Ribbon Day! We are RED-Y to be DRUG-FREE! Tomorrow is the final day of Red Ribbon Week! Drugs and bullying are SPOOKY! Wear your Halloween costume! Remember! Costumes must follow dress code. No FULL FACE MASKS or FULL FACE MAKEUP which disguise one's appearance allowed. #redribbonweek2020





Due to current restrictions, the Health Department will unable to do a flu clinic at school as in years past. However, there will be a Drive-Thru Flu Clinic at the Burritt College Building on MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 3:00-6:00 P.M. Call the Van Buren Co. Health Department at 946-2438 with any questions.


It's been a blast from the past for Red Ribbon Week's Decade Day! Drugs and bullying have no place in our future! We're leaving them in the past! Tomorrow is Red Ribbon Day! Wear RED to show that you are RED-Y to be Drug-Free! #redribbonweek2020 #behappybebravebedrugfree



We are TEAMING UP against Bullying! When parents, educators, and students are informed about bullying and cyberbullying, they can be partners in prevention. Don't stand by and let anyone be mistreated! Stand Up! Stand Strong! Stand Together! We can all be part of the solution to bullying! Tomorrow is DECADE DAY! #redribbonweek2020



We are WACKY about being Drug-Free! Choosing to be drug-free is one of the most important decisions that individuals can make! Be Happy. Be Brave. Be Drug-Free. We can fill our lives with good, positive things instead of drugs. We don't need the physical effects of a drug high or a low to feel good. Remember to wear your FAVORITE TEAM SHIRT TOMORROW! We're teaming up against bullying! #redribbonweek2020




Red Ribbon Week is an annual event to help educate children, families, and communities about drug and alcohol abuse and bullying. Students and staff are encouraged to join us in celebrating this national event by dressing up everyday. You can find the list of dress up day themes below or by clicking on the following link: https://5il.co/mdl3



Students in grades 6-12:
Don't forget to order your yearbook before Friday September 18th to get the September Special for $60. There will be a price increase on Monday, Sept. 21st. Nameplates and Icons are available for $5 each. Send the money to school or see Mrs. Farmer during Parent Teacher Conferences to order. Thank you!

LEAPS After-School Applications Due Tomorrow, September 2! Please remember students must be registered to attend because there are a limited number of students who can participate at each grade level!

The LEAPS After-School Guidelines Letter and Application is being sent home with students today! There are new guidelines which have been set forth in order to help us keep students healthy in the after-school program. There are limited spots available, and students MUST have an application on file and be registered for the days which they will attend. Please be sure to read the new guidelines and to return the application by Wednesday, Sept. 2, if you would like for your child(ren) to participate. Applications will be processed on a first come first serve basis, and parents will be notified to let them know if their child has a spot. A waiting list will be created if there are more applications than we have spots available. The LEAPS After-School Program is scheduled to begin Tuesday, September 8, from 3:00-5:00 P.M.

Parents: Please be sure to check on your child's health before school each day. Remember, now more than ever, your child should not attend school, if he or she: has high risk COVID symptoms (new cough, difficulty breathing, loss of taste or smell, or a fever of 100.4 or higher), is vomiting or has diarrhea
Parents should also watch for low risk COVID symptoms (congestion, runny nose, nausea, sore throat, headache, or body aches). If these symptoms are not normal for your child due to allergies or other health conditions, it is recommended that you do not send your child to school until they are symptom free for at least 24 hours.

EARLY BIRD PRESCHOOL HAS OPENINGS!
Online registration is still open for Van Buren County Schools - Early Bird Preschool Voluntary Pre-K programs. It is not too late to register your child. Visit our school website at www.vanburenschools.org to register online. Click on the "Menu" tab and click the "Pre-K & Kindergarten Online Registration" links.


Please refer to our school website for COVID-19 questions concerning symptoms, positive test results, isolations, and quarantines for students and employees. Our school website address is vanburenschools.org.
