At Spencer Elementary School, our teaching and learning are guided by the Tennessee Academic Standards. These standards provide clear expectations for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level and in every subject area.
✔️ They ensure consistency and high expectations
✔️ They support student growth and achievement
✔️ They guide instruction across all classrooms
To learn more about Tennessee’s Academic Standards, visit:
🔗 https://www.tn.gov/education/districts/academic-standards.html
Thank you to our staff, families, and students for working together to support learning every day! 💙✏️

The Van Buren County Board of Education will hold its regularly scheduled School Board Meeting on:
🗓 January 21, 2026
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 Van Buren County High School Library
337 Sparta St., Spencer, TN 38585
The public is welcome to attend.
📄 The Board Agenda can be found on the Van Buren County Schools website:
👉 www.vanburenschools.org
Small School, Big Opportunities!

Let’s kick it back to 1974 in Van Buren County Schools!
This week, we’re celebrating our High School Basketball Eagles & Eaglettes, along with their spirited Cheerleaders, plus our Junior High Eagles, Eaglettes, and Cheerleaders who were already showing heart, hustle, and pride on and off the court.
Picture it: packed gymnasiums, squeaking sneakers on hardwood floors, pep bands filling the air, and cheerleaders leading the crowd in school chants—no digital scoreboards, no social media highlights, just pure school spirit and Friday night lights. 📣🏀
1974 was a time of bell-bottoms, tube socks, feathered hair, handwritten playbooks, and yearbooks filled with autographs and inside jokes. It was an era when rivalries were fierce, teamwork meant everything, and being an Eagle was a badge of honor. 🦅❤️
Do you recognize any familiar faces? Were you in the stands, on the court, or leading the cheers? We’d love to hear your memories—tag a teammate, classmate, or friend and share your favorite 1974 story below!
#WaybackWednesday #VBCSchools #1974 #Eagles #Eaglettes #SchoolSpirit #SmallTownBigOpportunities #OnceAnEagleAlwaysAnEagle






Van Buren County Schools will be closed on Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
This day honors Dr. King’s legacy of service, equality, and hope. We encourage our students, families, and community members to take a moment to reflect on his impact or participate in an act of service.
Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 20, 2026.
Enjoy the long weekend! 💛🦅
#MLKDay #VanBurenCountySchools #HonoringTheDream #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities

We are incredibly thankful for our amazing community partners! 💛🦅
A heartfelt thank you to the Church of Christ at Bethlehem for their generous donation of supplies for our teachers and students at Van Buren County Schools. Support like this makes a real difference in our classrooms and helps ensure our students and staff have what they need to thrive.
As we move into the second semester, partnerships like these help set the stage for continued growth, learning, and success. We are grateful for a community that believes in and invests in our schools. Together, we’re making this semester a strong one!
#Thankful #CommunityPartners #VanBurenCountySchools #StrongerTogether #SecondSemesterSuccess #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities

Hey Eaglettes fans, family & friends!
We’re thrilled to share the upcoming 2026 season schedule for our Middle School Volleyball team. Pull out your maroon & gold, because we’re ready to cheer on our athletes as they serve, set, spike, and give it their all on the court!
Important details:
📍Arrive early—let’s fill the stands and show our support!
📍Maroon & gold gear encouraged 🦅
📍Bring your loudest cheers, school spirit, and positive energy
📍Huge thanks to our coaches, volunteers, and families who make this possible
Let’s rise together and make this season one to remember!
💪 Go Eaglettes! 💛❤️
#EaglettesVolleyball #VanBurenCounty #SchoolSpirit #MiddleSchoolAthletics #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities

National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
📅 Friday, January 9, 2026
Van Buren County Schools proudly recognizes and thanks the dedicated men and women who serve and protect our students, staff, and community every day.
We extend our sincere appreciation to the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department, Spencer City Police Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the Department of Homeland Security & Safety for their commitment to safety, service, and partnership.
A special thank you to our School Resource Officers, Brent Hickerson and Clint Holloway, for their daily presence in our schools, the relationships they build with students and staff, and their unwavering dedication to keeping our campuses safe.
Because of your efforts, our schools and community are safer places to learn, work, and grow. Thank you for your sacrifice, dedication, and continued support of Van Buren County Schools.
💙🚔 #NationalLawEnforcementAppreciationDay #ThankYou #VanBurenCountySchools

Report cards for the 2nd Nine Weeks will be sent home on Friday, January 9, 2026.
This is a great opportunity to sit down with your child and talk about their progress, celebrate successes, and set goals for the rest of the school year. Your encouragement and involvement make a big difference! 💙
If you have questions about your child’s report card, please reach out to their teacher—we’re always happy to help.
#VanBurenCountySchools #ReportCards #FamilyEngagement #StudentSuccess

Let’s take it back to 1965 and celebrate the Van Buren County High School Basketball Teams—a time when gyms echoed with the squeak of sneakers, the thump of a leather ball, and the roar of a hometown crowd packed into the bleachers.
This was an era of grit, teamwork, and pride—when players left it all on the hardwood and Friday nights brought the whole community together. No fancy scoreboards or highlight reels, just pure heart, determination, and a love for the game that defined a generation.
These teams didn’t just play basketball—they built memories, lifelong friendships, and a legacy that still lives on in Van Buren County today. 🦅🏀
If you were there, tag a teammate, share a memory, or tell us who you cheered for from the stands. Let’s honor the players, coaches, and fans who made 1965 a special chapter in our school’s history.
#WaybackWednesday #VanBurenCountyPride #1965Basketball #EaglePride #OnceAnEagleAlwaysAnEagle


Due to a system-wide water outage, all Van Buren County Schools will dismiss at 12:00 PM today, 01/05/2026. If you need to make alternate arrangements other than your normal dismissal, please contact the school offices. The high school basketball game scheduled for tonight will also be rescheduled due to the water outage. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your understanding as we prioritize health and safety.

We can’t wait to see everyone back in our halls this morning, January 5, 2026! We hope your break was restful, joyful, and full of the moments that recharge you for an exciting new year of learning.
At Van Buren County Schools, we believe in small school, big opportunities—and 2026 is already shaping up to be a year full of growth, accomplishments, and memorable experiences for our students.
Let’s hit the ground running and make this semester amazing. We are so excited to see you! 🦅✨
#VBCSchools #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #WelcomeBack #2026HereWeGo

Be sure to check out the Van Buren County Schools January lunch menu to see what delicious meals are being served this month. From student favorites to healthy options, there’s something for everyone!
👉 Take a look and help your student plan ahead for the month.
#VBCSchools #SchoolLunch #JanuaryMenu #FuelForLearning

We’re excited to welcome everyone back as we kick off a new year! Please take note of these important January dates:
✏️ January 5 – Students return to school
📄 January 9 – Report cards go home
🕊️ January 19 – No School in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January is also National Mentoring Month and School Board Appreciation Month—thank you to those who support and serve our students and schools every day!
📌 Check out the January calendar below and stay connected for more updates.
💙 Small School, Big Opportunities
#VanBurenCountySchools #JanuaryEvents #2ndSemester #SchoolPride

As we turn the page to a brand-new year, we want to send warm wishes to our incredible staff, students, and community. Thank you for the heart, hard work, and unwavering support you bring to our schools each and every day.
A new year always brings a sense of fresh starts, new beginnings, and hopeful resolutions. Whether your goal is to learn something new, try something bold, or simply continue being your amazing self, we’re excited to cheer you on every step of the way.
Here’s to a year filled with growth, laughter, learning, and success. Let’s make 2026 our best year yet—together! 💙📚✨
#HappyNewYear #VBCSchools #NewBeginnings #TeamVBC

📺 News Channel 5 is coming to Spencer! 🎄
Join us Monday, December 22 at 5:00 PM on Spencer’s Historic Square for a festive holiday gathering hosted by the Greater Van Buren County Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy our famous Hot Dr. Pepper, warm food, and plenty of Christmas cheer with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Didn’t get to add an ornament at the tree lighting? Bring one and help us finish decorating the Christmas tree! Come celebrate with family and friends and help us show off our amazing community on the news.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🎄✨

Ms. Shawna’s 1st grade class had the cutest time today with their adorable pigeons and their holiday read-aloud, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh! 📚✨
The kiddos loved sharing their pigeons while diving into this fun and festive story.
So many smiles, giggles, and sweet moments—our hearts are full! ❤️
#FirstGradeFun #ReadingJoy #SweetMoments #MsShawnasClass #HolidayReads






Today, Ms. Copeland’s 1st grade class had a WHOVILLE-WORTHY surprise…
They heard How the Grinch Stole Christmas read by the Grinch himself! 😱💚📚
And the best part?
Every student got to snuggle up with their very own Grinch stuffy while listening! 🧸✨
There were giggles, gasps, and lots of green Grinchy cheer.
Safe to say—our hearts grew three sizes today! 💚💚💚
#GrinchDay #FirstGradeFun #HolidayJoy #ReadAloudMagic #MsCopelandsClass



📺 News Channel 5 is coming to Spencer! 🎄
Join us Monday, December 22 at 5:00 PM on Spencer’s Historic Square for a festive holiday gathering hosted by the Greater Van Buren County Spencer Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy our famous Hot Dr. Pepper, warm food, and plenty of Christmas cheer with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Didn’t get to add an ornament at the tree lighting? Bring one and help us finish decorating the Christmas tree! Come celebrate with family and friends and help us show off our amazing community on the news.
We can’t wait to see you there! 🎄✨

Even Sheriff Brock got in on the holiday fun today! While attending our DARE graduation ceremony, he had the chance to visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus—adding a little extra Christmas magic to an already special event. 🎄✨
It’s always great to see community leaders connecting with our students and sharing in the celebration. Thank you, Sheriff Brock, for your support and for spreading some holiday cheer!
#VBCSchools #DAREGraduation #CommunitySupport #HolidayFun #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities

Today, our 5th and 7th grade students proudly celebrated their DARE graduation, marking an important milestone in making safe, responsible choices for their future. We are so proud of their hard work, participation, and commitment throughout the program!
A huge thank you to SRO Officer Brent for his dedication, leadership, and passion for educating our students. His impact on this program—and on our school community—is truly appreciated. 👏💙
We were also honored to have special speaker Abby Walling, Class of 2026, who delivered an inspiring message to our graduates. Thank you, Abby, for sharing your experience and encouraging our students as they continue to grow and make positive choices. 🌟
Our gratitude extends to the many special guests in attendance today, including representatives from:
⭐ Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP)
⭐ Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department
⭐ Department of Homeland Security and Safety
⭐ District Attorney’s Office
⭐ Senator Blackburn’s Office
Your support and presence mean so much to our students and community.
And a BIG shoutout to all of our sponsors who make this program possible each year—thank you for investing in the safety, education, and well-being of our students!
Congratulations to all our graduates! 🎓✨
#VBCSchools #DAREGraduation #CommunityPartners #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities







