SES and VBHS PTO Trunk or Treat is coming soon! Please reserve your spot and make this the biggest one ever!
See attached flyer for details.
Corrected link for the book fair:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/spencerelementaryschool2
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/spencerelementaryschool2
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming! This canāt-miss event gets kids excited about reading and earns funds for our school. SAVE THE DATE for September 21 - September 25 and start exploring together:https://www.scholastic.com/bf/spencerelementaryschool
#ScholasticBookFairs
#ScholasticBookFairs
Your input shapes your childās education! Join us for our Annual Title I, Family Engagement, & School-Parent Compact Meetings. This is your chance to share your ideas, learn about our programs, and partner with us to support our students.
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: SES PTC ā 311 Sparta Street, Spencer, TN 38585
Date: Thursday, September 17, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: SES PTC ā 311 Sparta Street, Spencer, TN 38585
šš¦
Meet Our New Assistant Principal! š¦
š
Spencer Elementary School is excited to welcome our new Assistant Principal!
"I am honored to serve Spencer Elementary School as the new Assistant Principal. I am 36 years old, a proud husband to my wife, Hollie, and a father to two wonderful children. Hollie and I have been married for 15 years, and family is at the heart of everything I do.
As a lifelong resident of Van Buren County, I was raised in Spencer and am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that has always been home. I have proudly served Spencer Elementary School for the past nine years, and I am excited to continue my journey here in this new leadership role.
Outside of school, I enjoy sportsāespecially basketballāand love coaching, mentoring young people, and spending quality time with my family.
I look forward to partnering with our outstanding staff, students, families, and community as we continue building on the tradition of excellence at Spencer Elementary School. It is a privilege to serve this wonderful school, and I am excited for a fantastic year ahead!"
Spencer Elementary School is excited to welcome our new Assistant Principal!
"I am honored to serve Spencer Elementary School as the new Assistant Principal. I am 36 years old, a proud husband to my wife, Hollie, and a father to two wonderful children. Hollie and I have been married for 15 years, and family is at the heart of everything I do.
As a lifelong resident of Van Buren County, I was raised in Spencer and am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the community that has always been home. I have proudly served Spencer Elementary School for the past nine years, and I am excited to continue my journey here in this new leadership role.
Outside of school, I enjoy sportsāespecially basketballāand love coaching, mentoring young people, and spending quality time with my family.
I look forward to partnering with our outstanding staff, students, families, and community as we continue building on the tradition of excellence at Spencer Elementary School. It is a privilege to serve this wonderful school, and I am excited for a fantastic year ahead!"
Welcome to the Spencer Elementary Family, Mr. Bates!
Hello! My name is Gary Bates, and I'm very honored to have been selected to be the new principal of Spencer Elementary. I'm excited to be returning as a principal to an elementary setting. It is a role I am familiar with, having served for twelve years as the principal of a prek-6th grade elementary school. I began my career in 1991 as a fifth-grade teacher and have held many different positions over 35 years. For the last four years, I have served as an instructional coach in Bledsoe County for the middle school and high school.
I live just a few miles down the road with my wife of 35 years, two of my adult children, my mother, my mother-in-law, a dog, two cats, four ducks, six chickens, and a rooster. I'm looking forward to being part of the Spencer community and serving you. I'll see you all in August!
Hello! My name is Gary Bates, and I'm very honored to have been selected to be the new principal of Spencer Elementary. I'm excited to be returning as a principal to an elementary setting. It is a role I am familiar with, having served for twelve years as the principal of a prek-6th grade elementary school. I began my career in 1991 as a fifth-grade teacher and have held many different positions over 35 years. For the last four years, I have served as an instructional coach in Bledsoe County for the middle school and high school.
I live just a few miles down the road with my wife of 35 years, two of my adult children, my mother, my mother-in-law, a dog, two cats, four ducks, six chickens, and a rooster. I'm looking forward to being part of the Spencer community and serving you. I'll see you all in August!
š Join the TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge! š
Looking for a meaningful (and fun!) way to keep your child engaged this summer? The TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge is back!
Open to rising Kindergarten through rising 6th grade students, this annual challenge runs June 1 ā August 1 and is designed to inspire a lifelong love of serving others. š
Families will receive weekly ideas, resources, and simple ways to give backāmaking it easy for kids to support their neighbors and strengthen their communities in creative and exciting ways.
š Bonus: Students who complete the challenge will be invited to a special carnival celebration at the Tennessee Residence in September, hosted by the Governor and First Lady Lee!
š² Ready to get started?
Visit the First Ladyās website for details and registration, or contact Tennessee.Serves@tn.gov for more information.
Letās make a difference together this summer! š«
Looking for a meaningful (and fun!) way to keep your child engaged this summer? The TN Kids Serve Summer Challenge is back!
Open to rising Kindergarten through rising 6th grade students, this annual challenge runs June 1 ā August 1 and is designed to inspire a lifelong love of serving others. š
Families will receive weekly ideas, resources, and simple ways to give backāmaking it easy for kids to support their neighbors and strengthen their communities in creative and exciting ways.
š Bonus: Students who complete the challenge will be invited to a special carnival celebration at the Tennessee Residence in September, hosted by the Governor and First Lady Lee!
š² Ready to get started?
Visit the First Ladyās website for details and registration, or contact Tennessee.Serves@tn.gov for more information.
Letās make a difference together this summer! š«
Happy National Kindergarten Day! šāļø
Today we celebrate our littlest learners who bring BIG smiles, curious minds, and endless energy to our school every day! From learning their ABCs to making new friends, kindergarten is where the magic begins. š
Join us in giving a shoutout to our amazing kindergarten students and teachers who make every day an adventure in learning! šāØ
#NationalKindergartenDay #FutureLeaders #SchoolFamily
Today we celebrate our littlest learners who bring BIG smiles, curious minds, and endless energy to our school every day! From learning their ABCs to making new friends, kindergarten is where the magic begins. š
Join us in giving a shoutout to our amazing kindergarten students and teachers who make every day an adventure in learning! šāØ
#NationalKindergartenDay #FutureLeaders #SchoolFamily
Create your childās Book Fair eWallet so they can shop cash-free, worry-free, and independently! Itās easy to set up and easy for others to contribute funds! Start here: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/spencerelementaryschool
#ScholasticBookFairs
#ScholasticBookFairs
The Scholastic Book Fair is here. SAVE THE DATE for April 17 - April 24 and get your reader psyched to pick out their own books! Start exploring together: https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/spencerelementaryschool
The bookfair will open after testing is finished for the day.
#ScholasticBookFairs
The bookfair will open after testing is finished for the day.
#ScholasticBookFairs
Ready, Set...PLAY!
Save the Date! SES is excited to host our Family Fitness Night on Tuesday, April 28 from 4:00ā6:00 PM! šŖš
(Remember! There will be no LEAPS After School on this day! )
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled, interactive evening packed with games, activities, and opportunities to move, laugh, and PLAY together! šāāļøšÆ
This is a great chance to spend quality time, stay active, and make some awesome memories as a family. ā¤ļø
āØ You donāt want to miss this oneāsee you there! āØ
Save the Date! SES is excited to host our Family Fitness Night on Tuesday, April 28 from 4:00ā6:00 PM! šŖš
(Remember! There will be no LEAPS After School on this day! )
Bring the whole family for a fun-filled, interactive evening packed with games, activities, and opportunities to move, laugh, and PLAY together! šāāļøšÆ
This is a great chance to spend quality time, stay active, and make some awesome memories as a family. ā¤ļø
āØ You donāt want to miss this oneāsee you there! āØ
š£ Spencer Elementary Families ā TCAP is Here! š£
Itās time to show what you know during TCAP testing at Spencer Elementary School! šš
šļø Testing Window: April 13th ā April 24th
We are so proud of our students and know they are ready to do their best! š To help support a successful testing season, we encourage families to follow these simple tips:
Itās time to show what you know during TCAP testing at Spencer Elementary School! šš
šļø Testing Window: April 13th ā April 24th
We are so proud of our students and know they are ready to do their best! š To help support a successful testing season, we encourage families to follow these simple tips:
ššŗ Mark your calendars! šŗš
Itās time for the 4th & 5th Grade Dance! šāØ
Get ready for a night full of music, dancing, and fun with friends! š¶š
You wonāt want to miss this exciting event!
Itās time for the 4th & 5th Grade Dance! šāØ
Get ready for a night full of music, dancing, and fun with friends! š¶š
You wonāt want to miss this exciting event!
š¢ We Need Your Input, Families! š¬
Spencer Elementary School is asking all families to take a few minutes to complete an important survey. Your feedback helps us continue to improve , better serve our students, and keep our afterschool program!
š Take the survey here:
https://tiny.utk.edu/DOEFamilySurvey2026
š Program Code: 3436
(Youāll be asked to enter this when you begin.)
š± You can also use the QR code to access the survey quickly!
š¢ We Need Your Input, Families! š¬
Spencer Elementary School is asking all families to take a few minutes to complete an important survey. Your feedback helps us continue to improve and better serve our students!
š Take the survey here:
https://tiny.utk.edu/DOEFamilySurvey2026
š Program Code: 3436
(Youāll be asked to enter this when you begin.)
š± You can also use the QR code to access the survey quickly!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and support Spencer Elementary! ā¤ļø
Spencer Elementary School is asking all families to take a few minutes to complete an important survey. Your feedback helps us continue to improve , better serve our students, and keep our afterschool program!
š Take the survey here:
https://tiny.utk.edu/DOEFamilySurvey2026
š Program Code: 3436
(Youāll be asked to enter this when you begin.)
š± You can also use the QR code to access the survey quickly!
š¢ We Need Your Input, Families! š¬
Spencer Elementary School is asking all families to take a few minutes to complete an important survey. Your feedback helps us continue to improve and better serve our students!
š Take the survey here:
https://tiny.utk.edu/DOEFamilySurvey2026
š Program Code: 3436
(Youāll be asked to enter this when you begin.)
š± You can also use the QR code to access the survey quickly!
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and support Spencer Elementary! ā¤ļø
š March Lunch Menus Are Here! š
Spencer Elementary School and Van Buren County High School families ā itās time to check out whatās cooking for March!
Weāre excited to share our March lunch menus so you and your students can plan ahead for all their favorite meals. From nutritious daily options to some student-loved favorites, our cafeteria teams are ready to serve up another great month.
š Be sure to check out the attached menus for all the details!
Thank you for supporting our school nutrition programs and the amazing staff who help keep our students fueled and ready to learn every day. š
š¦
š Eagle Attendance Madness is HERE! šš¦
While everyone is getting excited about March Madness basketball, here at SES weāre getting ready for something just as exciting ā Eagle Attendance Madness!
At Spencer Elementary, itās not about basketball bracketsā¦ itās about attendance brackets! And the classes with the BEST attendance are the ones that will truly shine! āØ
Starting February 23, all 21 classes will compete to see who has the highest attendance. Every single student makes a difference!
ā Everyone Matters. Every Day.
When your child is at school and on time, they help their entire class move closer to victory!
Classes can earn:
š Ice pops
š¤ Pajama Day
ā” Special activity time
š Pizza parties
š An Attendance Celebration Day with ice cream sundaes!
Plus, any class with perfect attendance for a full week earns Weekly MVP recognition ā even if theyāre no longer in the bracket!
š” Parents, you can help by:
āļø Setting consistent bedtimes
āļø Preparing backpacks and clothes the night before
āļø Arriving at school on time
āļø Scheduling appointments outside of school hours when possible
Letās show our Eagle pride and make attendance a priority!
š¦
Be Here. Be On Time. Help Your Class WIN!
āØ Junior Planning Night āØš
Attention VBHS Juniors and Families! Please join us for an important evening designed to help you prepare for senior year and beyond.
š March 24th
ā° 5:30 PM
š VBHS Auditorium
Hosted by the Ayers Foundation Trust
During this session, we will share crucial information about:
āļø College search
āļø Applications
āļø Financial aid processes
This is a valuable opportunity to get ahead and ensure youāre 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! ā¤ļøš #VBHSPride #JuniorPlanningNight #CollegeReady
Attention VBHS Juniors and Families! Please join us for an important evening designed to help you prepare for senior year and beyond.
š March 24th
ā° 5:30 PM
š VBHS Auditorium
Hosted by the Ayers Foundation Trust
During this session, we will share crucial information about:
āļø College search
āļø Applications
āļø Financial aid processes
This is a valuable opportunity to get ahead and ensure youāre 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! ā¤ļøš #VBHSPride #JuniorPlanningNight #CollegeReady
šāØ Scholastic Book Fair ā Coming Soon! āØš
The Scholastic Book Fair is coming to Spencer Elementary School Friday, February 6 through Friday, February 13! š
Get ready for an exciting week of books, stories, and reading fun for all ages.
š Special Shopping Hours:
The Book Fair will be open for parents and students during Parent-Teacher Conferences on
š
Thursday, February 12, 2026
ā° 3:30 PM ā 7:00 PM
This is the perfect time to shop together, discover new books, and support our school! šš
š Shop online or preview the fair here:
https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bf/spencerelementaryschool2
We canāt wait to see you thereāhappy reading! šš
#AdventureAwaits #SmallSchoolBigOpportunities #ScholasticBookFair
š Spencer Elementary Candy-Gram Sale! š
The Spencer Elementary PTO is selling Candy-Grams for Valentineās Day! This is a fun and easy way to surprise your child at school while also supporting our school.
š Whatās included?
š A jumbo Pixy Stix (approx. 14" long)
š¦ Delivered directly to your childās classroom
š Delivery date: Friday, February 13
Candy-Grams are a great alternative to balloons or glass vases, which are not permitted on school buses.
š Students can also send Candy-Grams to friends or teachers!
š² Cost: $2.00 each
š Please complete the order form and return it with payment by February 9.
Thank you for supporting Spencer Elementary and helping us spread some Valentineās Day cheer! š
ā Spencer Elementary PTO
The Spencer Elementary PTO is selling Candy-Grams for Valentineās Day! This is a fun and easy way to surprise your child at school while also supporting our school.
š Whatās included?
š A jumbo Pixy Stix (approx. 14" long)
š¦ Delivered directly to your childās classroom
š Delivery date: Friday, February 13
Candy-Grams are a great alternative to balloons or glass vases, which are not permitted on school buses.
š Students can also send Candy-Grams to friends or teachers!
š² Cost: $2.00 each
š Please complete the order form and return it with payment by February 9.
Thank you for supporting Spencer Elementary and helping us spread some Valentineās Day cheer! š
ā Spencer Elementary PTO
šŖš„¤ Sweet Treats for a Sweet Cause! š§š
Spencer Elementary familiesābe sure to stop by our Bake Sale & Dirty Soda Fundraiser during Parent-Teacher Conferences!
š Thursday, February 12
ā° 3:30ā7:00 PM
Enjoy delicious cookies and brownies or try a fun, flavorful drink from our Dirty Soda Bar with creamy add-ins and yummy mix-ins. Itās the perfect treat while you visit classrooms and meet with teachers!
ā¤ļø All proceeds support our students and staff, so every sip and snack helps make a difference.
Thank you for supporting Spencer Elementary School and helping make our events extra specialāwe canāt wait to see you there!
Spencer Elementary familiesābe sure to stop by our Bake Sale & Dirty Soda Fundraiser during Parent-Teacher Conferences!
š Thursday, February 12
ā° 3:30ā7:00 PM
Enjoy delicious cookies and brownies or try a fun, flavorful drink from our Dirty Soda Bar with creamy add-ins and yummy mix-ins. Itās the perfect treat while you visit classrooms and meet with teachers!
ā¤ļø All proceeds support our students and staff, so every sip and snack helps make a difference.
Thank you for supporting Spencer Elementary School and helping make our events extra specialāwe canāt wait to see you there!
