Our 7th Grade World History students recently took part in an engaging Gallery Walk centered on the Columbian Exchange. Students rotated through a variety of stations where they explored rich texts, graphs, maps, and historical images to deepen their understanding of this pivotal period in history.
Each station challenged students to think critically as they completed questions on a graphic organizer, analyzing the global impact of the exchange of goods, ideas, and people. Topics included the spread of diseases, changes in population, the introduction of new crops, domesticated animals, cuisine, and other key influences that reshaped societies across continents.
It was exciting to see students actively collaborating, asking thoughtful questions, and making connections between geography, economics, and culture. Learning came to life as they uncovered how the Columbian Exchange continues to influence our world today! 🌍📚
#WorldHistory #GalleryWalk #StudentEngagement #LearningInAction
Mrs. Shawna’s first graders dove into an exciting hands-on science experiment to learn all about blubber and why it’s so important for Arctic and Antarctic animals like the Polar Bear and the Emperor Penguin!
First, students carefully placed their unprotected hands into icy “Arctic” water and quickly discovered just how freezing and dangerous those temperatures can be. 🥶 Then came the big test! With their hands protected by gloves coated in a thick layer of “blubber” (lard), they tried again — and what a difference it made!
Through this engaging experiment, students learned that without blubber, surviving in snowy, icy environments would be nearly impossible. Many animals depend on this special layer to stay warm and alive in extreme cold.
What a fun and memorable way to explore science! We love seeing our students so excited about learning and discovering more about the amazing animals in our world! 🌎✨
👑 A Sweet Taste of Tradition: Spanish II Celebrates Carnaval with King Cake! 🎉
Ms. Aponte’s Spanish II class got a delicious taste of culture this week as they celebrated Carnaval with a traditional King Cake! 💜💛💚
Students explored the history and significance of Carnaval across Spanish-speaking cultures while enjoying this colorful and festive treat. The highlight of the celebration? Discovering the hidden baby Jesus inside the cake! Tradition says that whoever finds the baby will have good luck for the entire year. 🍰✨
What a fun (and tasty!) way to bring language and culture to life in the classroom. Great job, Ms. Aponte and Spanish II! 🇪🇸🎭
🏀📣 Wayback Wednesday – Circa 2015! 📣🏀
Throwing it back to our 2015 teams! What an incredible season filled with hard work, school spirit, unforgettable games, and memories that still make us smile.
From buzzer-beaters on the court to high-energy cheers on the sidelines, this group truly represented dedication, teamwork, and pride. 💙
If you were part of these teams — or cheered them on — drop a comment below and share your favorite memory!
#WaybackWednesday #Teamwork #SchoolSpirit #2015Throwback
Kindness doesn’t have to be big to make a big impact. A genuine compliment, a small act of patience, or sharing a tiny victory can brighten someone’s entire day.
We challenge our students, staff, families, and community to try one (or all!) of these 7 simple ways to help make kindness the norm. Let’s work together to create schools where compassion, encouragement, and respect are part of who we are every single day.
💛 Join us in spreading kindness — one small act at a time.
#VBCountySchools #MakeKindnessTheNorm #RandomActsOfKindness #KindnessMatters #RAKDay
Reminder: Van Buren County Schools – RAK Week Hygiene Supply Drive ✨
Helping Families Shine Inside & Out…
Because everyone deserves to feel clean and cared for. 💙
During Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 17–20), we’re collecting personal hygiene and household supplies for our Family Resource Center to support students and families in our community.
📍 Please drop off all donations at:
• SES
• VBHS
• Central Office
🧴 Items We Are Collecting:
Toothpaste (no toothbrushes, please)
Deodorant
Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Wash or Bar Soap
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Clorox Wipes
Every donation—big or small—makes a difference.
Let’s show kindness in action by helping others feel clean, confident, and cared for! 💫
#RAKWeek #VBStrong #KindnessInAction
Today, we proudly recognize and thank our School Resource Officers for their dedication, commitment, and daily service to our students, staff, and school communities.
We extend a special THANK YOU to:
⭐ SRO Brent Hickerson
⭐ SRO Clint Holloway
Your presence, guidance, and care help make our schools safer and stronger every day. We are grateful for the positive relationships you build and the difference you make in the lives of our students.
Please join us in showing appreciation for our SROs today! 👏💙
#SROAppreciationDay #ThankYouSROs #VanBurenCountySchools #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities
Attention VBHS Juniors and Families! Please join us for an important evening designed to help you prepare for senior year and beyond.
📅 March 24th
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 VBHS Auditorium
Hosted by the Ayers Foundation Trust
During this session, we will share crucial information about:
✔️ College search
✔️ Applications
✔️ Financial aid processes
This is a valuable opportunity to get ahead and ensure you’re fully prepared for the next steps after high school. We strongly encourage all juniors and their parent(s)/guardian(s) to attend if possible.
We look forward to seeing you there! ❤️💛 #VBHSPride #JuniorPlanningNight #CollegeReady
🎓✨ Senior Signing Day – May 5th! ✨🎓
Join us as we celebrate the incredible accomplishments of our seniors as they officially commit to the next chapter of their lives!
📅 May 5th
⏰ 10:30 AM
📍 VBHS Auditorium
This special event honors the decisions of our seniors as they sign to continue their journeys in life. We are so proud of their hard work and dedication!
🍽 Seniors will be provided lunch after the event.
👨👩👧👦 Parents are encouraged to attend the signing portion of the celebration.
Let’s pack the auditorium and show our seniors how proud we are of them! ❤️💛 #SeniorSigningDay #VBHSPride
Van Buren County Schools will be closed on Monday, February 16, 2026.
Enjoy the holiday and time with family—we’ll see students back on Tuesday!
On Monday, we celebrated a HUGE milestone in Ms. Monica’s K Class — the 100th Day of Kindergarten! 🏫✨
Our amazing students have spent the last 100 days learning, growing, counting, reading, writing, making friends, and building confidence every single day. We are so proud of how much they’ve accomplished in such a short time! ❤️
From special 100-day activities to creative projects and lots of smiles, it was a day full of fun and celebration. These kindergarteners are 100 days brighter and 100 days stronger! 🌟
Way to go, Ms. Monica’s Class! Here’s to the next 100 days of learning and growing together! 📚✏️🍎
#100DaysSmarter #KindergartenCelebration #MsMonicasClass #GrowingAndLearning
Van Buren County Schools – RAK Week Hygiene Supply Drive ✨
Helping Families Shine Inside & Out…
Because everyone deserves to feel clean and cared for. 💙
During Random Acts of Kindness Week (February 17–20), we’re collecting personal hygiene and household supplies for our Family Resource Center to support students and families in our community.
📍 Please drop off all donations at:
• SES
• VBHS
• Central Office
🧴 Items We Are Collecting:
Toothpaste (no toothbrushes, please)
Deodorant
Shampoo & Conditioner
Body Wash or Bar Soap
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Clorox Wipes
Every donation—big or small—makes a difference.
Let’s show kindness in action by helping others feel clean, confident, and cared for! 💫
#RAKWeek #VBStrong #KindnessInAction
Students had the opportunity to create special art tiles that reflect these positive messages. Their artwork will be proudly displayed at the Van Buren County Administration Building—be sure to stop by and take a look!
