World's Finest Chocolate fundraiser kicking off today at VBES!
#BeABlackKnight
#BeABlackKnight
🚗 Physics Students Are on the Case!
Students in Mr. Schumaker’s physics class recently used what they have learned to identify who was at fault in a hypothetical accident.
In this hands-on project, student groups were tasked with analyzing the accident using complex kinematic equations and momentum calculations to prove their findings.
To wrap up the project, teams presented their evidence to a panel of guest judges, defending their mathematical models and conclusions.
We appreciate our teachers providing opportunities for our students to apply what they are learning to real-world situations and the willingness of our students to tackle difficult problems! 👏
A message from the Hancock County Sheriff's Office:
Join us for "Choices & Challenges: A Community Wellness Series" on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Arcadia High School to hear directly about the behavioral health and risk issues our youth are facing and why these concerns demand our attention.
Mental health remains one of the strongest concerns. Countywide, 15.44% of youth reported seriously considering suicide in the past year, and 29.88% reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks. Among youth who considered suicide, 20.35% reported an actual attempt. Source: 2025 Hancock County OHYES! summary.
Vaping continues to outpace traditional smoking. Countywide, 16.85% reported vaping in the past 30 days, compared with 2.31% who reported smoking.
Alcohol and marijuana remain active risk areas. Countywide, 6.61% reported alcohol use in the past 30 days, 2.76% reported binge drinking, and 5.23% reported marijuana use in the past 30 days.
Risk does not occur in a vacuum. Countywide, 24.29% reported three or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), 39.15% reported bullying in the past year, 37.92% reported electronic bullying, and 31.28% reported verbal bullying.
Protective factors are present, but some are weakening. Countywide, 71.89% said they feel comfortable talking with a trusted adult and 71.15% participated in extracurricular activities, but only 40.40% reported a sense of belonging at school.
These issues do not happen in isolation, and the solution will not come from one person or one organization alone. Come hear from community stakeholders, learn what our children are telling us through the data, and find out how you can be part of the solution for Hancock County’s youth.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution.
Hosted by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Join us for "Choices & Challenges: A Community Wellness Series" on Sunday, April 12, 2026, from 3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at Arcadia High School to hear directly about the behavioral health and risk issues our youth are facing and why these concerns demand our attention.
Mental health remains one of the strongest concerns. Countywide, 15.44% of youth reported seriously considering suicide in the past year, and 29.88% reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks. Among youth who considered suicide, 20.35% reported an actual attempt. Source: 2025 Hancock County OHYES! summary.
Vaping continues to outpace traditional smoking. Countywide, 16.85% reported vaping in the past 30 days, compared with 2.31% who reported smoking.
Alcohol and marijuana remain active risk areas. Countywide, 6.61% reported alcohol use in the past 30 days, 2.76% reported binge drinking, and 5.23% reported marijuana use in the past 30 days.
Risk does not occur in a vacuum. Countywide, 24.29% reported three or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), 39.15% reported bullying in the past year, 37.92% reported electronic bullying, and 31.28% reported verbal bullying.
Protective factors are present, but some are weakening. Countywide, 71.89% said they feel comfortable talking with a trusted adult and 71.15% participated in extracurricular activities, but only 40.40% reported a sense of belonging at school.
These issues do not happen in isolation, and the solution will not come from one person or one organization alone. Come hear from community stakeholders, learn what our children are telling us through the data, and find out how you can be part of the solution for Hancock County’s youth.
Be part of the conversation. Be part of the solution.
Hosted by the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
🤝 70 Advance to Second Round of The Amazing Shake!
Congratulations to our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who have advanced to the second round of the Amazing Shake contest that will be held on May 4!
In the next round, titled “The Gauntlet,” students will participate in a fast-paced series of real-world scenarios, such as mock interviews, problem-solving challenges, and professional interactions, that will require quick thinking and adaptability.
If you would like to get involved as a judge for the second round, please contact Mrs. Jenn Barrett, middle school principal, at jbarrett@vbschools.net.
We are so proud of the hard work our students have done so far and can't wait to see them shine in the next round! 🧡🖤
Congratulations to our sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who have advanced to the second round of the Amazing Shake contest that will be held on May 4!
In the next round, titled “The Gauntlet,” students will participate in a fast-paced series of real-world scenarios, such as mock interviews, problem-solving challenges, and professional interactions, that will require quick thinking and adaptability.
If you would like to get involved as a judge for the second round, please contact Mrs. Jenn Barrett, middle school principal, at jbarrett@vbschools.net.
We are so proud of the hard work our students have done so far and can't wait to see them shine in the next round! 🧡🖤
🌏41 Countries. One Family.🌏
On Friday, March 27, our district came together to celebrate the diversity that makes our Black Knight family so special. We are proud to share that our own students and their families from 41 countries around the world were featured during our fourth annual International Knight!
Building connections is a pillar of our mission, and seeing our community engage with so many different cultures was truly exciting. The 600+ attendees enjoyed a variety of cultural experiences:
🥗Sampling authentic cuisine from many of our represented countries.
🎶Watching live performances where students shared their heritage and talents with the audience.
🌏Celebrating the global perspectives that enrich our classrooms every day.
Thank you to Mrs. Mackenzie Leonard, TESOL coordinator and teacher, for her dedication to our international families and in organizing this spectacular event. Her hard work ensures our students have the platform to be respectful, responsible, and resilient global citizens.
We are so grateful to the families and staff who volunteered and shared their stories, food, and traditions with us. Thank you for helping us build a more connected Van Buren!🧡🖤
On Friday, March 27, our district came together to celebrate the diversity that makes our Black Knight family so special. We are proud to share that our own students and their families from 41 countries around the world were featured during our fourth annual International Knight!
Building connections is a pillar of our mission, and seeing our community engage with so many different cultures was truly exciting. The 600+ attendees enjoyed a variety of cultural experiences:
🥗Sampling authentic cuisine from many of our represented countries.
🎶Watching live performances where students shared their heritage and talents with the audience.
🌏Celebrating the global perspectives that enrich our classrooms every day.
Thank you to Mrs. Mackenzie Leonard, TESOL coordinator and teacher, for her dedication to our international families and in organizing this spectacular event. Her hard work ensures our students have the platform to be respectful, responsible, and resilient global citizens.
We are so grateful to the families and staff who volunteered and shared their stories, food, and traditions with us. Thank you for helping us build a more connected Van Buren!🧡🖤
Who ensures medical devices are safe for people to use? In the latest Joust About Careers episode, 1994 VB graduate Amy (Kuhn) Hoffmann answers that question and many more.
In episode 111, Amy shares how chemistry has played an important role in her career journey, how a wide variety of degrees can help a person get started in the medical device field, how her current employer, Project Medtech, started as a podcast, 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!
In episode 111, Amy shares how chemistry has played an important role in her career journey, how a wide variety of degrees can help a person get started in the medical device field, how her current employer, Project Medtech, started as a podcast, 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!
🤝 The Amazing Shake Round 1: The "First Impression" Challenge!
Our middle school students stepped up to the plate today for the first round of The Amazing Shake! This competition is a core part of how we build thinkers and connections, focusing on the professional skills, like a firm handshake and eye contact, that help our students become respectful, responsible, and resilient leaders.
🏆 What’s Next?
The competition was fierce! Between 60-75 students will find out on Monday that they have advanced to the second round.
🧡 A Huge Thank You
We want to extend a thank you to Anchored Sports, the Van Buren PTO, and the Findlay Service League for donating the t-shirts students wore today. We also appreciate all of the volunteers who served as judges. Their time and feedback were vital to helping our students grow from this experience.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue toward the final round of competition on May 13!
Our middle school students stepped up to the plate today for the first round of The Amazing Shake! This competition is a core part of how we build thinkers and connections, focusing on the professional skills, like a firm handshake and eye contact, that help our students become respectful, responsible, and resilient leaders.
🏆 What’s Next?
The competition was fierce! Between 60-75 students will find out on Monday that they have advanced to the second round.
🧡 A Huge Thank You
We want to extend a thank you to Anchored Sports, the Van Buren PTO, and the Findlay Service League for donating the t-shirts students wore today. We also appreciate all of the volunteers who served as judges. Their time and feedback were vital to helping our students grow from this experience.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue toward the final round of competition on May 13!
Happy Friday! More Positive Behavior Referrals to wrap up the week!
#BeABlackKnight
We hope to see you at International Knight!
⚙️ Building Thinkers & Connections at UT Engineering! 🚀
Last Friday, 30 of our middle school students visited the University of Toledo’s College of Engineering for the "Introduce a Middle Schooler to Engineering" event.
This experience was a perfect reflection of our mission to build thinkers and connections:
**Hands-on Learning: Students rotated through three stations, tackling 30-minute engineering challenges that tested their problem-solving skills and creativity.
**Expert Insights: After lunch, the group engaged in a panel discussion to explore the diverse career paths within the world of engineering.
By connecting our students with collegiate partners like UT, we are ensuring they have the experiences they need to plan for their futures!
Last Friday, 30 of our middle school students visited the University of Toledo’s College of Engineering for the "Introduce a Middle Schooler to Engineering" event.
This experience was a perfect reflection of our mission to build thinkers and connections:
**Hands-on Learning: Students rotated through three stations, tackling 30-minute engineering challenges that tested their problem-solving skills and creativity.
**Expert Insights: After lunch, the group engaged in a panel discussion to explore the diverse career paths within the world of engineering.
By connecting our students with collegiate partners like UT, we are ensuring they have the experiences they need to plan for their futures!
What a great way to start the week with more Positive Behavior Referrals!
#BeABlackKnight
Join our team for the 2026-27 school year as a Gifted Teacher and Coordinator! Learn more at https://aptg.co/f7RhD0
We are one week away from the 4th annual Van Buren International Knight! We hope to see you on Friday, March 27, from 5:30-8:00 pm!
It’s Opening Night for our spring musical, The Little Mermaid!
Our elementary students enjoyed a special preview performance this week—they had a blast cheering on the cast and can't wait to come back this weekend to see the full show! We are incredibly proud of our students, from the performers on stage to the crew working behind the scenes, for their hard work, dedication, and the many hours they’ve invested to bring this production to life.
Join us this weekend, Thursday through Sunday, for an entertaining weekend of music, storytelling, and live theater.
Show times and purchase tickets: http://bit.ly/VBMusical26
Tickets will also be available for purchase at the door.
Join our team for the 2026-2027 school year as a High School English Language Arts teacher! Learn more here: vbschools.net/page/employment
🖤🧡We are grateful for the continued support of our community partners who help enhance opportunities for our students and staff.
Thank you to Whirlpool Corporation for generously donating a new range for Mrs. Hailey Cunningham’s agriculture education classroom. This valuable addition will support hands-on learning experiences for our students, and the donation saved the district $1,500.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Deshler American Legion for their $1,000 donation for appliances to our kitchen staff. Their generosity made it possible to purchase a new clothes dryer, which will be used to dry towels and other materials essential to our kitchen operations. The remaining money will be used to purchase a new clothes washer.
Support like this makes a meaningful difference in our schools. Thank you for investing in the success of our students and staff!👏
Thank you to Whirlpool Corporation for generously donating a new range for Mrs. Hailey Cunningham’s agriculture education classroom. This valuable addition will support hands-on learning experiences for our students, and the donation saved the district $1,500.
We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Deshler American Legion for their $1,000 donation for appliances to our kitchen staff. Their generosity made it possible to purchase a new clothes dryer, which will be used to dry towels and other materials essential to our kitchen operations. The remaining money will be used to purchase a new clothes washer.
Support like this makes a meaningful difference in our schools. Thank you for investing in the success of our students and staff!👏
What would lead a person to become an athletic trainer after planning to be a physical therapist? In the latest Joust About Careers episode, 2020 VB graduate Alyssa (Potteiger) Stewart answers that question and many more.
In episode 110, Alyssa shares how her love of sports led her to become an athletic trainer instead of a physical therapist, how CCP classes affected her college academics and athletics, the wide variety of places where an athletic trainer can work, 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!
In episode 110, Alyssa shares how her love of sports led her to become an athletic trainer instead of a physical therapist, how CCP classes affected her college academics and athletics, the wide variety of places where an athletic trainer can work, 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!
More Positive Behavior Referrals!
#BeABlackKnight
March 16-20th, VBES will be challenging LBES to see who can bring in the most change to benefit Cancer Patient Services of Hancock County! VB and LB are tied 1-1, so let's see if we can raise more money than LB for this amazing cause! Please see the image for each day's theme!
#BeABlackKnight
#BeABlackKnight
The Van Buren Middle School Amazing Shake just received a boost from the community! 🤝
Ms. Nicole Schneider, Charities and Service Chair of the Findlay Service League, presented a $1,500 donation to middle school principal Mrs. Jenn Barrett today to help purchase T-shirts that all students will wear during the first round of the Amazing Shake competition on March 27.
“We appreciate this donation as it will allow both the students and judges for the first round of the Amazing Shake to focus on skills rather than appearance,” Barrett said.
Thank you to the Findlay Service League for supporting our students and helping create an environment where professionalism, confidence, and character can shine. 👏
Ms. Nicole Schneider, Charities and Service Chair of the Findlay Service League, presented a $1,500 donation to middle school principal Mrs. Jenn Barrett today to help purchase T-shirts that all students will wear during the first round of the Amazing Shake competition on March 27.
“We appreciate this donation as it will allow both the students and judges for the first round of the Amazing Shake to focus on skills rather than appearance,” Barrett said.
Thank you to the Findlay Service League for supporting our students and helping create an environment where professionalism, confidence, and character can shine. 👏
