📬 Want to stay connected to Van Buren Schools?

Look for our Knights in the Know signs on Meadow Ridge Drive, Chickory Drive, and the corner of Cedar Lake and Township Road 229 and scan to sign up to receive our email newsletter!

Want to just sign up here?
🔗 https://mailchi.mp/vbschools/sign-up-for-knights-in-the-know.
about 3 hours ago, Brian Bratt
Knights in the Know signs on Meadow Ridge Drive.

✨ We’re excited to share our latest Quality Profile with you!

📬Our 2024–2025 Annual Quality Profile has been delivered to homes across the district, and we are excited to share the incredible work happening in our schools.

Inside, you’ll find highlights from the past year, including information about all three of our buildings, finances, alumni, fine arts, athletics, and more.

When you are finished reading the Quality Profile, please take a moment to scan the QR code found on both the front and back to complete our Community Communications Survey. Your feedback helps us strengthen how we share information with you and continue building meaningful connections.

If you live outside our district but have a connection with VB, use the following links to access the Quality Profile and Communications Survey.

Quality Profile - https://www.vbschools.net/page/quality-profile
Communications Survey - https://forms.gle/SQfkHtyn4vyGGt9G6

We appreciate everyone who has played a role in the success of our district! 🖤💛

2 days ago, Brian Bratt
2024-2025 Van Buren Local School District Annual Quality Profile Cover
Page seven from the 2024-2025 Van Buren Local School District Quality Profile featuring the Class of 2025 and our alumni.
The back cover of the 2024-2025 Van Buren Local School District Quality Profile.
Congrats to Cassidy for her Positive Behavior Referral! #BeABlackKnight
2 days ago, Michael Newcomer/Van Buren Elementary
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"When people think about psychology, a K-12 school probably doesn’t immediately come to mind, but every school in Ohio is required to have a school psychologist. Many schools, including Van Buren in the past, contract with educational service centers to meet this requirement; however, we determined, because there is no additional cost to our district, it is beneficial to employ our own psychologist and hired Mr. Ryan Borger at the March 20, 2025, Board of Education meeting."

Read the whole story to learn how the addition of Mr. Borger is enhancing how we serve our students: https://www.vbschools.net/article/2553244.
3 days ago, Brian Bratt
Mr. Ryan Borger, School Psychologist, and Mrs. Bridgett Bunn, Director of Student Services, meet to discuss how to most effectively serve our students.
Knight Insight with Mrs. Bridgett Bunn & Mr. Ryan Borger - Enhancing Our Student Services
Our 8th graders recently wrapped up Mr. Yunker Day of Service, helping community members through leaf cleanup across the village. Their work was supported by the Van Buren Lions Club, whose generous donation of four tarps reflects their ongoing dedication to serving others. We are grateful for community partners who model the values we hope to instill in our students.
3 days ago, Van Buren Schools
Group of students standing behind leaves on tarp
Group of students carrying leaves on tarp
Group of students raking leaves on tarp
This past week reminded us once again what it means to be a Black Knight! 🖤💛

Our Student Council members kicked things off by filling almost 3,000 bags of food for Feed-A-Child, lending their hands and hearts to support families in our community.

Students also had the opportunity to stretch their creativity at the Arts, Entertainment, & Design Career Expo, where they connected with industry professionals and explored future pathways in creative fields.

To close out the week, students in Mrs. Obenour and Mr. Woodard’s classes helped respectfully take down the American flags displayed for Veterans Day this past Tuesday.

We are proud of our students for showing leadership, curiosity, and appreciation in all they do!
6 days ago, Brian Bratt
Student Council members fill bags with food for Feed-A-Child.
Student Council members pose for a group picture after filling the bags of food.
Students at the Arts, Entertainment, and Design Career Expo learn about using a green screen at the UF TV studio.
Students from Mrs. Obenour and Mr. Woodard's classes help remove the flags after Veteran's Day.
Happy 50's Day! #BeABlackKnight
6 days ago, Michael Newcomer/Van Buren Elementary
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Congrats to Theo for his Positive Behavior Referral! #BeABlackKnight
7 days ago, Michael Newcomer/Van Buren Elementary
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Happy World 🌎 Kindness Day/Mr. Roger's Cardigan Day! ❤️ #BeABlackKnight
7 days ago, Michael Newcomer/Van Buren Elementary
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💛🖤 The Knights in the Know signs have landed among the golfers and stones!

If you live on Palmer, Woods, Hogan, or Nicklaus Drive or Bluestone, Milestone, Heatherstone, Cobblestone, Greystone, Stonecliff, or Stonehedge Drive, look for the signs so you can scan the QR code and stay in the know regarding everything happening in Van Buren Local School District.

Want to just sign up here?
🔗 https://mailchi.mp/vbschools/sign-up-for-knights-in-the-know.

7 days ago, Brian Bratt
Knights in the Know Sign at the corner of  Nicklaus and Stonehedge Drive.
Knights in the Know signs at the corner of Bluestone and Timberstone Drive.
🎖️Honoring Our Veterans at Van Buren Middle School

On Tuesday, November 11, middle school students and community members gathered for a Veterans Day assembly.

Ms. Christina Csernyik and the sixth grade choir started the event when they led the audience in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Middle school students then introduced videos highlighting the history behind Veterans Day and the dedication of the soldiers who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. They also read the poem “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae before showing a video highlighting veterans who are Van Buren graduates and relatives of current students and teachers.

The assembly concluded with a powerful moment of reflection as senior trumpeter Andrew Puperi played “Taps.”

We are proud of our students for their thoughtful participation and grateful to all who have served and sacrificed for our country.
8 days ago, Brian Bratt
Students led the Pledge of Allegiance and singing of "The Star-Spangled Banner."
The poem "In Flanders Fields" by John McCrae was recited for the audience.
"Taps" was played to end the assembly.
Facilities Update #5: Remodeled High School Greenhouse 🌱

Today’s facilities update (5 of 5) highlights the updates made to the greenhouse over the last five months.

Because the greenhouse had been leaking and inoperable for over a decade, Altimate Outdoors from Glandorf removed the existing greenhouse structure and replaced it with tempered glass and powder-coated aluminum beams meant to extend the lifespan of the structure. They also gave us a discount of over 15% on their work, which we greatly appreciate.

After the replacement of the exterior made the greenhouse water-tight, Mr. Casey Morman and the maintenance staff undertook the interior renovation. The walls were repainted, baseboard heat and a humidifier were installed to ensure the greenhouse's functionality, and the door into the greenhouse from Room 236 was replaced.

In addition to creating learning opportunities in agriculture education and science classes, students are also helping plan how the items in the greenhouse will be arranged. Sophomores Rachel Betts and Paightyn Craft, members of the Greenhouse and Floriculture Management class, shared how they and their classmates are exploring how the food they grow could be used in the cafeteria. They are also considering how plants they start in the greenhouse could be used in the village community garden in the spring. Betts said, “We are excited to be growing plants at school so everyone can benefit from them, not just the FFA students.”

In order to fund the students’ plans, Director of Teaching and Learning Mrs. Cassie Schaffer is applying for grants to purchase furniture and other educational tools. They will also be able to incorporate tools agriculture education teacher Mrs. Hailey Cunningham purchased last year with funds she received from the AgCredit Mission Fund grant.

It has been a while since our greenhouse was up and running, but we’re thrilled to see it come back to life! The possibilities it provides for hands-on learning and new educational experiences for our students are endless.
10 days ago, Brian Bratt
Greenhouse Before/After 1
Greenhouse Before/After 2
Greenhouse Before/After 3
Greenhouse renovations included heating and humidifier improvements.
What does an archivist do? If you don't know, you'll find out from 2018 VB graduate Maria Trusty in the latest Joust About Careers episode.

In episode 104, Maria shares how a campus job at Ohio State led her to her career, the many places archivists can work, how her career goals have changed, and much more.

To watch on YouTube, visit bit.ly/JoustAboutCareers. To listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other podcast platforms, search Joust About Careers.

Have a great week!
11 days ago, Brian Bratt
Maria Trusty Joust About Careers Thumbnail
More Positive Behavior Referrals! #BeABlackKnight
13 days ago, Michael Newcomer/Van Buren Elementary
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🎓 Honoring Excellence in Our Schools!

On Thursday, November 6, Van Buren High School and Middle School held their National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society induction ceremony.

✨ Congratulations to the 20 middle school students inducted into NJHS and the 18 high school students inducted into NHS!

NHS members Emily Bishop, Ben Heitkamp, Ashlyn Rickle, Jake Schroeder, and Sadie Thorla-Lopez spoke during the ceremony, and the guest speaker was VB graduate Kaylee (Arbaugh) Schleucher.

These students have all demonstrated the core values of outstanding scholarship, leadership, service, and character that make our Black Knight community proud. 💛🖤
13 days ago, Brian Bratt
The high school inductees are recognized.
The middle school inductees are recognized.
Middle school principal Mrs. Jenn Barrett welcomes a student into National Junior Honor Society.
Van Buren graduate Kaylee (Arbaugh) Schleucher speaks at the induction ceremony.
🍂Our eighth graders honored the memory of former school employee Mr. Brent Yunker yesterday by raking leaves for village residents on the Mr. Yunker Day of Service. 🍂

Students raked over 20 yards throughout the village as a way to give back and celebrate the legacy of Mr. Yunker.

The eighth grade teachers spent the day working alongside their students, and English teacher Mr. Adam Greer said, “This day isn’t just about raking leaves. It’s a great way for our students to get to know the people in our community and for the community to see what great kids we have in our school.”

We’re proud of our students for rolling up their sleeves to make a meaningful impact!
13 days ago, Brian Bratt
Students rake on Market Street.
Students carry a tarp full of leaves.
Students return to school after a day of raking.
Students rake leaves in front of the school.
🏡 Our Knights in the Know signs are visiting Thornwood Drive, Township Road 212, and Township Road 243 this week!

📲 Know someone who lives in those areas? Encourage them to scan the QR code to stay in the loop with Van Buren Local School District.

Want to just sign up here?
🔗 https://mailchi.mp/vbschools/sign-up-for-knights-in-the-know.
14 days ago, Brian Bratt
Knights in the Know signs can be found on TR 212, Thornwood Drive, and TR 243 this week.  This picture shows the signs on TR 243.

🎓 VB Career Day: Building Thinkers, Connections, and Experiences 💼✨

On Tuesday, November 4, our high school students participated in VB Career Day, an important step in helping them make informed choices about their futures beyond high school. Days like this give students meaningful opportunities to explore potential pathways, build essential skills, and connect with leaders in our community and beyond.

🧠 Freshmen completed their YouScience Brain Games to identify their aptitudes and explore careers where their skills will be valued. They also learned how to track their community service hours in PortfoliOH and began developing their career portfolios.

👥 Sophomores took part in Sophomore Shadow Day at businesses and organizations across Hancock County and Northwest Ohio. We truly appreciate all of the community partners who welcomed our students and helped them gain real-world insight into future careers.

📝 Juniors spent the morning taking either the Practice ACT or the Armed Services Vocation Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). In the afternoon, they created LinkedIn profiles after hearing from VB graduate Alexis Kelley, who shared her experience as a recruiter and offered insight into how students can use LinkedIn to develop a professional social media presence.

🎯 Seniors could choose from one of four options: a college visit, a job shadow day, taking the ASVAB (and experiencing aspects of physical training in the military in the afternoon), or visiting three local businesses (GROB Systems, Inc. in Bluffton, Freudenberg-NOK in Findlay, and RPM Carbide in Arcadia).

We are proud to provide real experiences that help our students discover their strengths, explore opportunities, and take confident steps toward their career goals.

15 days ago, Brian Bratt
Students visited GROB Systems, Inc., in Bluffton to learn about opportunities in their apprenticeship program.
VB graduate Alexis Kelley shared her career experience and use of LinkedIn as a recruiter during the LinkedIn Workshop for juniors.
Seniors who took the ASVAB in the morning had the opportunity to see a Navy drone in action and experience some of the physical training the military requires in the afternoon.
More Positive Behavior Referrals! #BeABlackKnight
15 days ago, Michael Newcomer/Van Buren Elementary
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🌧️Update: Mr. Yunker Day of Service 🌧️ The Van Buren 8th grade class is rescheduling their annual Mr. Yunker Day of Service due to the forecasted rain. The new date is Thursday, November 6th. Students will be raking yards throughout the Village and giving back to the community. Thank you for supporting their hard work and dedication!
17 days ago, Cassie Schaffer
Mr Yunker Day of Service Date Change