More Positive Behavior Referrals!
#BeABlackKnight
Congrats to Everly for her Positive Behavior Referral!
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Join our team for the 2026-2027 school year as a High School Paraprofessional! Learn more here: vbschools.net/page/employment
📬 Want to stay connected to Van Buren Schools?
The Knights in the Know signs are back! If you live on McKinley, Fairfield, or Elwood Street, look for the signs in your neighborhood, scan the QR code, and sign up to receive our monthly email newsletter.
Want to just sign up here?
🔗 https://mailchi.mp/vbschools/sign-up-for-knights-in-the-know.
Congrats to Noah for his Positive Behavior Referral!
#BeABlackKnight
Building Connections & Character at VB!
Part of our mission is to help students build connections, and senior Sadie Thorla-Lopez is doing just that. After approaching high school guidance counselor Mrs. Holli Sattler with an idea, Sadie added a heartfelt twist to last Friday’s Buddy Reads. 📖✨
In addition to the elementary and high school students spending time reading together during Buddy Reads, they created personalized cards to show their appreciation for our dedicated custodians and maintenance staff. To brighten their days, Sadie then transformed those cards into collages she is hanging in our buildings.
We focus on helping students become more respectful, responsible, and resilient every day. Thank you, Sadie, and all of our students, for leading with kindness and helping us remember daily how important our facilities team is to our Black Knight family! 🖤🧡
Part of our mission is to help students build connections, and senior Sadie Thorla-Lopez is doing just that. After approaching high school guidance counselor Mrs. Holli Sattler with an idea, Sadie added a heartfelt twist to last Friday’s Buddy Reads. 📖✨
In addition to the elementary and high school students spending time reading together during Buddy Reads, they created personalized cards to show their appreciation for our dedicated custodians and maintenance staff. To brighten their days, Sadie then transformed those cards into collages she is hanging in our buildings.
We focus on helping students become more respectful, responsible, and resilient every day. Thank you, Sadie, and all of our students, for leading with kindness and helping us remember daily how important our facilities team is to our Black Knight family! 🖤🧡
Congrats to Chelsea for her Positive Behavior Referral!
#BeABlackKnight
Congrats to our April Knights of the Round Table!
#BeABlackKnight
#BeABlackKnight
Congrats to Abram for his Positive Behavior Referral! Also a big thanks to our lunch monitors Bev, Candy, and Heidi for all their help during lunches and recess times!
#BeABlackKnight
Congrats to our Tell-A-Tale contest winners, Dakota in 1st and Gavin & Isaac in 5th!
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Congrats to to Christina for her Positive Behavior Referral!
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Congrats to our March Knights of the Round Table!
#BeABlackKnight
More Positive Behavior Referrals!
#BeABlackKnight
Van Buren High School staff and students will be conducting our community service day on the morning of Friday, May 15, 2026. We are currently seeking ANY requests for service from the Van Buren school district, community, and the surrounding area. No jobs are too tough or too small. We will do our best to fulfill all requests.
Please consider completing this form for yourself or an organization that you represent:
bit.ly/VBserves26
Please consider completing this form for yourself or an organization that you represent:
bit.ly/VBserves26
Congrats to Clara and Daniel for their Positive Behavior Referrals!
#BeABlackKnight
What would lead a person to shift career paths from finance to sales? In the latest Joust About Careers episode, 2020 VB graduate Tyler Arbaugh answers that question and many more.
In episode 112, Tyler shares how a part-time job shifted his career path from finance to sales, what it was like to be a student-athlete at the University of Oregon, how being a building science nerd helps him in his career, 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!
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! 🧡🖤
