Van Buren County Schools

Van Buren County's Early Bird Preschool still has openings for income eligible students who will turn 4 years of age by August 15, 2025. If you are interested in your student applying this year, please call Denise Whittenberg at (931)946-2242 ext. 23 to pick up an application.

Van Buren County Schools is pleased to announce several administrative changes that have taken place during the 2024-25 school year and upcoming for the 2025-26 school year. In March 2025, Mrs. Katina Simmons was officially appointed as Director of Schools. Mrs. Simmons brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as interim director, principal and assistant principal of Van Buren County High School, as well as a biology teacher at VBHS. Following her appointment, Mr. Drew Campbell was named principal of VBHS in April 2025. Mr. Campbell formerly served as the assistant principal and, prior to entering administration, taught middle school math. Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, Ms. Amanda Cronin will step into the role of assistant principal at Van Buren County High School. Ms. Cronin previously taught 7th grade math and is excited to begin this new chapter in educational leadership. We look forward to the continued growth and success these leaders will bring to our district.

Van Buren County Schools is proud to welcome Dr. Jody Hensley as the new Director of Transportation and Safety. Dr. Hensley steps into this role following the retirement of Mrs. BB Grissom, who dedicated 39 years of service to the district. A familiar face in VBCS, Dr. Hensley previously taught 6th grade math at Van Buren County High School and also served as a bus driver. We are excited to have Dr. Hensley bring his experience and commitment to student safety into this new leadership position.

Van Buren County Schools is excited to welcome Jessica Hillis as our new speech teacher, working under the guidance of SLP Carly Ratley. Jessica is a proud Van Buren County native with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from MTSU and is currently pursuing additional certifications. We’re thrilled to have her on our team and look forward to the impact she’ll make with our students!

📢 July Summer Feeding Program 🍎🥪 Van Buren County Schools will be hosting Summer Feeding Days on Wednesday, July 10th and July 24th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with pickup behind Van Buren County High School. 📞 If you'd like to be added to the list, please call the Board of Education at 931-946-2242 no later than Wednesday, June 25th. Let’s make sure every child stays nourished this summer! 💛 #VBCS #SummerFeeding #CommunityCares

Coordinated School Health Wellness & Health Tip of the Month:☀️ Stay Safe in the Sun! 🌞While the sun provides warmth and vitamin D, too much exposure can harm your skin and health. Protecting yourself from the sun's rays is essential year-round, especially during outdoor activities. Here’s how you can practice sun safety: 🧴 Wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher—don’t forget to reapply every 2 hours! 👒 Cover up with wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and lightweight clothing. ⏰ Seek shade during peak sun hours (10 AM–4 PM). 🌂 Use an umbrella when you’re outdoors for long periods. 💧 Stay hydrated to keep your body cool and protected. Sun safety isn’t just for summer—it’s a habit for life! Let’s keep our students, staff, and families safe and healthy while enjoying the great outdoors. #SunSafety #HealthyHabits #WellnessForLife

📅 An Updated 2025–26 Student Calendar with Additional Dates is Here! 🦅 Van Buren County Schools is excited to share a student version of the 2025-26 School Calendar for the upcoming school year! Plan ahead for important dates like the first day of school, breaks, holidays, and more. 🖨️ Need a printable version? Download it here 👉 https://5il.co/3jrl6 #VBCSchools #StudentCalendar #202526SchoolYear #PlanAhead #EaglePride

The Van Buren County Board of Education will meet Wednesday, June 25, 2025, for a Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting. This meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Van Buren County Board of Education located at 293 Sparta Street, Spencer, TN 38585. To view the Board Agenda, visit the Van Buren County Schools website.

📣 Calling all retired teachers and certified educators! Are you a retired teacher or a certified teacher no longer in the classroom looking to make a little extra income while still making a BIG impact? 💸🍎 Come be a Certified Substitute Teacher (Must have a current Tennessee Teaching License) at Van Buren County Schools! 🦅 Bring your experience, knowledge, and love for learning back into our classrooms — on a schedule that works for you! ✅ Flexible days ✅ Great pay ✅ Rewarding work Join us in supporting student success and staying connected to education! 📞 For more information, contact Van Buren County Schools at 931-946-2242! #VBCS #SubstituteTeachers #MakeADifference #EaglePride #RetiredTeachers #CertifiedSubs

🎒📚 The first day of school will be here before you know it! Van Buren County Schools are gearing up for an exciting 2025-26 school year, and it’s time to get prepared! 🖍️ ✏️ School supply lists are now available for: 🔹 Early Bird Preschool & Spencer Elementary – https://5il.co/3jowd 🔹 Van Buren County Middle School (6th–8th Grade) – https://5il.co/3i3kw 🔹 Van Buren County High School (9th–12th Grade) – Supply lists will be provided by teachers the first week of school. Let’s start the year strong and ready to learn! 🦅🍎 #VBCS #BackToSchool #SchoolSupplies #EaglePride

📅 The 2025–26 Student Calendar is Here! 🦅 Van Buren County Schools is excited to share a student version of the 2025-26 School Calendar for the upcoming school year! Plan ahead for important dates like the first day of school, breaks, holidays, and more. 🖨️ Need a printable version? Download it here 👉 https://5il.co/3iyj9 #VBCSchools #StudentCalendar #202526SchoolYear #PlanAhead #EaglePride

Van Buren County Schools Seeks New Team Members for 2025–26 School Year Van Buren County Schools is excited to announce several employment opportunities for the upcoming 2025–26 school year. As we continue to grow and strengthen our commitment to student success, we are looking for dedicated professionals to join our school family. At Van Buren County High School, we are currently seeking an Audio/Visual Media Teacher who is passionate about helping students explore the world of media production, storytelling, and communication technology. This role plays a vital part in equipping students with the creative and technical skills needed in today’s digital world. Spencer Elementary School has two open positions: A School Counselor who will provide social-emotional support, academic guidance, and personal development resources to help our students thrive. A 5th Grade English Language Arts (ELA) Teacher who will inspire a love of reading and writing while preparing students for future academic success. These roles offer a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on students' lives while becoming part of a supportive and dedicated educational community. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. To apply, please submit your resume and credentials to Katina Simmons, Director of Schools, at ksimmons2@vanburenschools.org. For more information, you may also contact the Board of Education office at (931) 946-2242. Come be a part of something meaningful at Van Buren County Schools—where we believe in educating hearts and minds. Learn more at www.vanburenschools.org

📢 We're Hiring! Van Buren County Schools is seeking a School Counselor(11 month position) for Spencer Elementary School for the 2025–26 school year! 🦅 If you're passionate about helping students grow socially, emotionally, and academically—we want to hear from you! 📝 Apply Today! Submit applications to Katina Simmons, Director of Schools, at ksimmons2@vanburenschools.org. 📞 For questions, call the Board of Education at (931) 946-2242. 🌐 Learn more & view the full job posting at www.vanburenschools.org #VanBurenSchools #NowHiring #SchoolCounselor #JoinOurTeam #SpencerElementary #EducationJobs #TNEdJobs

🎉Congratulations to Van Buren County High School Class of 2025 for being recognized as a 2024-25 FAFSA Champion by CollegeforTN! 🎓 This distinction is awarded to schools that either: ✅ Increase their FAFSA completion rate by 5% or more compared to the previous year OR ✅ Have 90% or more of their Tennessee Promise applicants complete the FAFSA by the deadline — and our Class of 2025 made it happen! A huge thank you to Amanda DeBord, our incredible AdviseTN College Advisor, and Sahra Hall, our wonderful school counselor, for their tireless efforts in guiding students through the process. We’re committed to helping every student take the next step toward college and career success! 💼📚 #FAFSAChampion #ClassOf2025 #CollegeforTN #VBCHS #AdviseTN #TennesseePromise #FutureReady

The Van Buren County Board of Education will meet on Wednesday,June 11, 2025, for a Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting. This meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Van Buren County Board of Education located at 293 Sparta Street, Spencer, TN 38585. To view the Board Agenda, please visit the Van Buren County Schools website.

📢 Summer Feeding Program 2025 🍽️ Don't forget Van Buren County Food Service's Summer Feeding Program starts next week! Meals will be available June 2–25 at the following pickup locations: 📍 UCHRA Headstart 📍 Greenbriar Apartments 📍 Bethlehem Church of Christ 📍 Cedar Grove Community Center 📍 Van Buren County High School (VBHS) 📆 Based on participation, we may also offer Thursday pickups in July (10 AM – 12 PM at VBHS). #VanBurenCounty #SummerFeedingProgram

📣 Van Buren County Schools is Hiring for the 2025–26 School Year! 📣 Join our dedicated team of educators in making a difference in students' lives! We are currently accepting applications for the following position: ✅ 5th Grade ELA Teacher – Spencer Elementary School 📅 Position is open until filled. 📧 Submit your application to Katina Simmons at ksimmons2@vanburenschools.org 📞 For more info, contact the Board of Education at (931) 946–2242 🌐 Visit www.vanburenschools.org 🚀 Apply now and be part of something meaningful!

3rd Grade Parent Appeal If a 3rd grade student scores "approaching expectations" on the ELA portion of the TCAP or ELA TCAP retake, the child's parent may submit an appeal within the designated appeal timeline upon receiving the retention decision from their child's school.  The Appeal Submission form located here, https://stateoftennessee.formstack.com/forms/2025thirdgraderetentionappeal, will be open from May 27 to June 27. Appeals must be submitted through the Appeal Submission Form and must include all required information and accurately completed documentation, if applicable. Please see the Third Grade Appeal Resources section of this page, https://www.tn.gov/education/learning-acceleration.html, for forms, guidance, and other translations of appeal documents. Please contact SES to get information about the available pathways to fourth-grade promotion, which may include summer camp and tutoring.

Coordinated School Health Wellness and Health Tip of the Month: 🥤🚫 Say No to Sugary Drinks, Say Yes to Health! 🚫🥤Did you know that sugary drinks like soda, energy drinks, and sweetened teas can have a big impact on your health? 🤔 Excess sugar can lead to weight gain, increase the risk of chronic diseases, and even affect your energy levels! 💡 Why Avoid Sugary Drinks? They can contribute to weight gain 🍩 They increase the risk of heart disease and diabetes ❤️ They can cause energy crashes ⚡ They don't provide any essential nutrients 🥤❌ Instead, try drinking water, flavored water with fresh fruit, or unsweetened tea. Your body will thank you! Let's make healthier choices and take care of ourselves from the inside out. 🌟 #HealthyChoices #NoSugaryDrinks #CoordinatedSchoolHealth #Wellness #DrinkWater #HealthFirst

🎉📣 School’s Out for Summer! 📣🎉 Van Buren County Schools wishes all students, staff, and families a safe and relaxing summer break! 🦅 Our Bald Eagle mascot was spotted hiking at Fall Creek Falls State Park, celebrating the end of another fantastic school year! 🥾🌲💦 💛❤️ Let’s soar into summer with maroon and gold pride! ❤️💛 Thanks for making this year one to remember! #VanBurenCountySchools #SchoolsOutForSummer #FallCreekFalls #EaglePride #SummerBreak #HikeIntoSummer