🦃🍁 Happy Thanksgiving, Van Buren County! 🍁🦃

Today, we pause to celebrate the many things we are grateful for — especially our amazing students, dedicated staff, and supportive community who make Van Buren County Schools such a special place. 💛

We hope your day is filled with family, friends, good food, and heartfelt moments.
From our VBCS family to yours… Happy Thanksgiving! 🧡🥧

“Small School, Big Opportunities”
about 9 hours ago, Cassandra Binkley
Happy Thanksgiving from Van Buren County Schools
🦃✨ Gobble, Gobble, Look at These Wobbly Legs! ✨🦃 Mrs. Shawna’s class got creative and made their very own long-legged turkeys — with no pattern at all! Just scissors, imagination, and a whole lot of fun! 🎨✂️ Each turkey is totally unique and bursting with personality… and aren’t they just adorable?! 😍 We love seeing our students express themselves and take pride in their one-of-a-kind creations! 🌟 #CreativeKids #TurkeyTime #ThankfulForArt #SES #StudentImagination #AdorableArtwork
about 19 hours ago, Cassandra Binkley
Ms Shawna’s Class
✨ Eagle Encounter: Growth Mindset in Action! ✨ Yesterday, VBHS teachers came together during Eagle Encounters to focus on embracing a growth mindset. 🧠💪 From collaborating with colleagues to stepping outside comfort zones, our educators are committed to continuous learning—so they can help our students soar even higher! 🦅📚 We are proud of our VBHS team for modeling resilience, positivity, and a “never stop growing” attitude. 🌟 #VBHS #EagleEncounter #GrowthMindset #AlwaysLearning #SoaringTogether
about 19 hours ago, Cassandra Binkley
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Growth Mindset
Reminder that tomorrow (11-25-25) night's game vs Clay County is at Clay County. No home game tomorrow night!
3 days ago, Dustin Sullivan
🦃🍂 Thanksgiving Break Reminder! 🍂🦃
Van Buren County Schools will be closed Wednesday, November 26th– Friday, November 28th so our students and staff can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

We hope everyone has a safe, restful, and joy-filled break! 💛
We’ll see our Eagles back on Monday, December 1st, ready to finish the semester strong! 🦅✨

#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #Thanksgiving #VBCS
3 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Closed for Thanksgiving Break November 26th-28th
🎄🧦✨ Share the Christmas Warmth Project ✨🧦🎄
Spencer Elementary is excited to continue a special holiday tradition that brings joy and comfort to seniors in our community!

Students in Grades K–5 are invited to donate new slipper socks to share with residents at Generations nursing home. Along with each cozy gift, our students will also create cards or drawings to add a little extra Christmas cheer. ❤️

📅 Donations Due: December 17th
📍 Send items to Mrs. Kelly’s room

Thank you for helping us teach our students the joy of giving during the holiday season — a small act of kindness can warm so many hearts! 💚❤️

Warmly,
Kennedy Roberts & Crystal Owens
Spencer Elementary
3 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Share the Christmas Warmth
🎄✨ December is almost here, and we’re ready to celebrate! ✨🎄

Van Buren County Schools is kicking off a month full of holiday cheer with Christmas Spirit Days all throughout December! From cozy flannel, camo day, PJ day, character day, and even going full-on Christmas movie mode — we can’t wait to see our students and staff join in the fun! 🎅❄️

Check out the calendar below for each day’s theme so you’re ready to spread joy and sparkle all month long! 🎁✨
Let’s finish 2025 strong with laughter, spirit, and Christmas magic! ❤️💚

#VBCSpirit #ChristmasCountdown #TogetherWeShine #MerryAndBright #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities
3 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
12 Days of Christmas Dress Up
📣 Van Buren County Schools – December 2025 Lunch Menu is Here! 🍽️❄️

We’re excited to share our December 2025 Lunch Menu! This month is filled with warm, hearty favorites to keep our students fueled through the holiday season. From cozy comfort meals to classic student favorites, there’s something delicious planned each day.

Be sure to check it out and plan ahead as we wrap up an amazing first semester! 🎄✨

📅 View the full menu below or visit www.vanburenschools.org or the VB Schools App.

Here’s to a wonderful December filled with learning, joy, and great meals! 💙🤍🍴
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #SchoolLunch #VBCSchoolNutrition
3 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
December 2025 Lunch Menu
❄️🎄 DECEMBER IS ALMOST HERE! 🎄❄️

Van Buren County Schools is excited to share our December 2025 School Calendar filled with special events, celebrations, and important dates as we wrap up the first semester!

🌟 Highlights this month include:
• Inclusive Schools Week
• Computer Science Education Week
• Fall EOCs/SDC
• MS/HS Final Exams
• DARE Graduation
• VBHS Winter Formal
• Abbreviated Day on Dec. 19
• Christmas Break: Dec. 22nd – Jan. 2nd (No School)

Plus—it's Learn a Foreign Language Month and Read a New Book Month! 📚🌍
And don’t forget—our 12 Days of Christmas runs December 3rd–18th!

Wishing all students, staff, and families a joyful and productive December. Let it snow! ❄️☃️
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #December #VBCSchools
3 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
December Calendar
First time home game tonight. High school students get in free if they're dressed in the student section theme. Tonight is black out! Game starts at 5:00!
6 days ago, Dustin Sullivan
gameday
📣 Coat Check Time at Spencer Elementary! ❄️🧣 Do any of these jackets look a little familiar? 🤔 Our Lost & Found is bursting with stylish hoodies, fuzzy sweaters, and even a camouflage or two! 🕵️‍♂️🧥 Parents — we might just have that missing favorite sweatshirt hiding right here! 😂 Students — don’t forget to take a peek and reunite with your long-lost layers! 💖 Let’s get these coats back home before they decide to start their own club! 👚➡️🏠 Come check soon — they miss you! #SpencerElementary #LostAndFound #CoatRescueMission #WarmAndCozyCrew 🧥✨
6 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
lost and found
🌟 Happy Substitute Teacher Day! 🌟
November 21, 2025

Today, we celebrate the incredible substitute teachers who step in, step up, and keep learning moving forward in Van Buren County Schools! 💛🖤

Our substitutes bring flexibility, patience, and heart into every classroom they enter. Whether it’s a last-minute call or a long-term assignment, they make sure our students feel supported, engaged, and cared for.

To all of our amazing substitute teachers — THANK YOU for the vital role you play in our students’ success. Your dedication truly makes a difference every single day! 🍎✨

Drop a “thank you” in the comments to show our substitutes some love! 🙌💬
6 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Happy Substitute Teacher Day
🦃🍂 Thanksgiving Break Reminder! 🍂🦃
Van Buren County Schools will be closed Wednesday, November 26th– Friday, November 28th so our students and staff can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends.

We hope everyone has a safe, restful, and joy-filled break! 💛
We’ll see our Eagles back on Monday, December 1st, ready to finish the semester strong! 🦅✨

#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #Thanksgiving #VBCS
7 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Closed for Thanksgiving Break November 26th-28th
🌟 November Board of Education Meeting Highlights | 11/19/2025 🌟

Last night’s Board of Education meeting was filled with celebration, gratitude, and outstanding talent within Van Buren County Schools!

We were proud to honor Mr. Tim Hodges, Chairman of the Van Buren County Board of Education, for an incredible 25 years of dedicated service. His long-standing commitment and leadership continue to make a lasting impact on our students, staff, and community. Thank you, Mr. Hodges, for your unwavering support of our schools!

We also recognized Ms. Melinda “Goof” Walling, a beloved staff member whose passion for students extends far beyond the classroom. Her afterschool karate program has become a shining example of what happens when educators go the extra mile. Her students grow in confidence, discipline, and character every day.

Two of those amazing students, Brayton Evans and Collin Guy, joined Ms. Melinda during the meeting for an exciting karate demonstration! Their focus, respect, and skill were on full display, and the entire room was impressed. Powerful kicks, sharp stances, and big smiles—these students made us proud!

It was a night that truly showcased what makes Van Buren County Schools special: dedicated leaders, passionate staff, and students who rise to every opportunity.

#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities
7 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Tim Hodges & Katina Simmons
katina simmons & Melinda Walling
Katina Simmons & Brayton Evans
Katina Simmons & Collin Guy
Brayton Evans
Collin Guy
📚✨ ELA Walkthrough Highlights! ✨📚

Our administrators conducted ELA walkthroughs today and were thrilled to see so many great things happening in classrooms across the district!

Check out Ms. Macy’s 2nd graders, who were hard at work learning about the key elements of a personal narrative. 📝💡 Their focus, creativity, and enthusiasm for writing were shining bright!

We love seeing our students grow as confident writers — keep up the amazing work, teachers & students! 👏💛
8 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
ELA Walk Throughs
🇺🇸⚔️ 2nd Grade Spotlight! ⚔️🇬🇧
Our 2nd graders wrapped up their latest knowledge unit on The War of 1812 with an exciting culminating activity!

Students were split into two teams — Team USA and Team Great Britain — and battled it out in a friendly game of dodgeball, with “cannonballs” flying just like in history! After five hard-fought battles, Team USA came out victorious and “won the war!” 🎉

We love seeing learning come to life in fun, active, and memorable ways! Great job, 2nd grade! 👏📚🔥
#Warof1812 #2ndGrade #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities
8 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
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War of 1812 Activity
War of 1812 Activity
War of 1812 Activity
War of 1812 Activity
War of 1812 Activity
War of 1812 Activity
✨ Throwing it back to 1987! ✨
Check out this classic Spencer Elementary School staff photo! 😍📸

We love looking back at the faces, fashion, and memories that helped shape the foundation of our school community. So many dedicated educators, big smiles, and timeless moments captured in one picture!

If you spot someone you know (or maybe yourself!), drop a comment below and share a favorite memory from Spencer Elementary in the ’80s! 💛🖤
#WayBackWednesday #SpencerElementary #1987Throwback #VanBurenCountySchools
8 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
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National Education Support Professional Day – November 19th 🌟
Today, Van Buren County Schools is proud to celebrate the incredible team of Education Support Professionals who help our schools shine every single day!

From the moment our students step onto the bus in the morning to the final classroom sweep at the end of the day, our ESPs are there — guiding, supporting, caring, organizing, fixing, feeding, cleaning, and keeping our schools running smoothly. 💛🦅

Whether they’re greeting families in the front office, preparing delicious meals in the cafeteria, supporting teachers in classrooms, maintaining our buildings and grounds, managing technology, driving buses, or providing essential services behind the scenes… our support staff are the heartbeat of Van Buren County Schools.

We couldn’t do what we do without YOU.
Today we honor you. We appreciate you.
And we thank you for the countless ways you lift up our students, staff, and community every day.

🙌 Happy National Education Support Professional Day!
Help us celebrate by giving a shout-out to your favorite support staff member in the comments below! 💬
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #VBEagles #ThankYou #ESPs
8 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Education Support Professionals Days
🎉 Big News for Van Buren County Schools! 🎉

We are excited to share that Van Buren County Schools was awarded $8,000 through the Healthier School Challenge – Platinum Level! 🏆🍎

The check was presented today at the TSBA Luncheon, and we couldn’t be more proud of this accomplishment.

A big shoutout to the Van Buren County Board of Education for completing the challenge and to Ms. Kelly Lewis, CSH, for coordinating the entire process. Your hard work and dedication made this achievement possible!

Thank you to TSBA & Wellpoint for supporting student wellness and helping us continue building a healthier future for all learners. 💙👟🥗
Pictured: Katina Simmons, Director of Schools & Tim Hodges, School Board Chairman accepting check from Wellpoint & TSBA; 2nd Picture: Tim & Teena Hodges pictured with check.
#TSBA #HealthierSchoolsChallenge #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities
10 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Check Presentation
Tim & Teena Hodges with Check
🎉 Celebrating 25 Years of Service! 🎉

Van Buren County Schools would like to congratulate Tim Hodges, Chairman of the Van Buren County Board of Education, on being honored at the TSBA Luncheon for an incredible 25 years of service.

Mr. Hodges has devoted countless hours to supporting our schools, advocating for our students, and helping shape the future of education in our community. His leadership and heart for Van Buren County shine through in everything he does.

We are truly thankful for his dedication, commitment, and unwavering service to our students, staff, and families.

Please join us in celebrating this well-deserved recognition! 👏💙📚
#SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #TSBA #VBCS
10 days ago, Cassandra Binkley
Tim Hodges at TSBA