Van Buren Local Schools

Van Buren was recently awarded two grants, totaling $10,000, from the Ohio STEM Learning Network. One of the grants will be used to support elementary STEM education, and the other will be used to purchase a Glowforge to expose students in grades 4-12 to printing and engraving.

If you know of any students who are interested in learning more about healthcare careers, the Cleveland Clinic's Career Connected Rounds resource could provide them with valuable information about those careers. Each episode contains an on-demand video about the topic of the episode and testimonials from people in the careers discussed in the episode. The first five episodes of Career Connected Rounds were on the following topics/careers and are now available on-demand: "Bad Blood: The Surgical Team That Wants to Save a Dying Leg" - careers as a Cath Lab Nurse, Physician Assistant, Radiology Technician, Surgical Technologist, Ultrasound Technician (sonographer), Vascular Surgeon "Essential Support: Non-Clinical Caregivers" - careers as a Patient Transporter, Environmental Services, Sterile Processing Technician, Data Analyst "Diabetes and Those Who Treat It" - careers as a Dialysis Technician, Medical Assistant, Registered Nurse "Pharmacy: Not Just Pills" - careers as an Inpatient Pharmacist, Outpatient Pharmacist, Pharmacy Technician "When Life Takes Us Down: The Emergency Room" - careers as an Emergency Room Physician, Respiratory Therapist, Registered Nurse, EMS Coordinator, EMT/Paramedic, Emergency Dispatcher Future episodes will focus on what happens in an operating room (available December 13), the results of vaping (January 10), working in cardiology (January 24), working in a pathology lab (February 7), and finding cures through research (March 7). To access the resources, go to the Cleveland Clinic Healthcare Education and Training page (https://healthcareedu.ccf.org/login/index.php). When there, students can log in as a guest (see image - do NOT create an account). If students have any questions about these opportunities in healthcare, they are welcome to reach out to Brian Bratt at bbratt@vbschools.net or set up a meeting with him at bit.ly/VBCareerAdvising.

VBHS Student Council is hosting a Parents' Night Out on Saturday, December 10 from 6-9 pm for district residents who are potty trained through age 10. Use the link for more information and to pre-register! https://forms.gle/934ah3iWbFgjjw5U8

This week's episode of the Joust About Careers podcast features the 10-minute highlights of the interview with Matt Mutchler, a 2002 Van Buren High School graduate who is an architect with F5 Design. The highlights include how a typical day looks for an architect, the surprising number of architecture graduates who actually become licensed, Matt’s goal to “make cool stuff,” and much more. If these highlights make you want to learn more about Matt’s career journey, check out the full interview. To watch full interviews and highlights on YouTube, visit bit.ly/JoustAboutCareers. To listen to full interviews on your favorite podcast platform, simply search "Joust About Careers" to listen to this episode and others. Have a great week!

Had a lot of fun with our staff and students at the winter pep rally today! Good luck to our winter sports teams. #BeABlackKnight

Congrats to our Positive Behavior Referrals! #BeABlackKnight

Let's see how fast we can fill Deputy Crouch's office with toys! Bring your new, unwrapped toys to Deputy Crouch's office between December 2 and December 14 for our Toys for Tots drive. #BeABlackKnight

Sophomore Parents - Millstream Career Center is holding an open house on Thursday, December 1, for sophomores and their parents so parents can learn more about the opportunities Millstream offers before the January 15 application deadline. The early session runs from 5:00-5:30, and the late session runs from 6:00-6:30. You are welcome to attend whichever session works best for your schedule. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about the various programs offered, including Automotive Technology, Business Essentials, Computer Networking & Cybersecurity, Computer Programming & Software Engineering, Construction Skills, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Engineering & Design, Health Professions, Hospitality & Restaurant Services, Job Training, Media Production & Visual Design, Performing Arts, Teaching Professions, and Welding. Depending on the program, students could have the opportunity to earn college credit and/or certifications, which can give them an advantage when they graduate.

My name is Zachary Goodspeed! I just recently graduated from BGSU last spring and I am the new elementary intervention specialist. While I am not here at school, I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my wife. I enjoy anything to do with sports. I was part of the junior high Black Knight football coaching staff this past season and I am currently the 8th grade head boys' basketball coach. I am so excited to be teaching and coaching here at Van Buren! #BeABlackKnight #TeamTuesday

And the Musical is… MAMMA MIA! This Spring Van Buren will put on a wonderful musical! #BeABlackKnight #Musical

The latest episode of the Joust About Careers podcast features a conversation with Matt Mutchler, a 2002 Van Buren High School graduate who is now an architect with the architecture firm F5 Design. Matt shares about what he does as an architect, how many people who graduate with architecture degrees don’t become licensed architects, how he focuses on creating buildings that use as little energy as possible, and much more. Anyone interested in an architecture career will find information related to getting started down that path in this episode, so feel free to share it. To watch on YouTube, visit bit.ly/JoustAboutCareers. To listen on Anchor, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or other platforms, simply search "Joust About Careers" to find the podcast and listen to this episode and others. Have a great week!

Have a safe and Happy Thanksgiving/Holiday with family and friends! #BeABlackKnight

For this Team Tuesday, please enjoy hearing about Mr. Marshall! He teaches many classes, such as Social Studies and A&R. He is known as Van Buren's unofficial historian. He has been teaching for 25 years with 23 of them being at Van Buren. He is a hardworking teacher who has always cared for his students. VBMS is very thankful to have him as one of our teachers! #BeABlackKnight

Van Buren Middle School was recently recognized as a 2022 Ohio School to Watch by the Ohio Middle Level Association. VBMS met the four criteria for high-performing schools: academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structures and processes. Karen Dishong accepted the award on the school's behalf. #BeABlackKnight #VBPROUD

After last years Students of the Year Program through The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and all the great support that was received from the Local Communities, Co Candidates McKenna Morey and Lainey Bahn decided to run again this year while also adding Brooke Ingwersen to the team! They are looking for team members of any age, adults too! They are also looking for “grade” team leaders from grades 5-10! To get more information on the fundraiser and being a team member, Fill out this google form: https://forms.gle/MSM6FVsz69RJHDxA7 Join Knights Against Cancer to win this fight! #BeABlackKnight #LLS #KnightsAgainstCancer

Congratulations to our Respectful, Responsible, and Resilient Black Knights! #BeABlackKnight

This week's episode of the Joust About Careers podcast features the 10-minute highlights of the interview with Ryan Brauneller, a 2013 Van Buren High School graduate who is now an Environmental, Health, and Safety Manager for ICU Medical. The highlights include what an EHS manager does, the personal characteristics which make EHS managers successful, opportunities to move into an EHS career without a four-year degree, and much more. If these highlights make you want to learn more about Ryan's career journey, you can always check out the full interview. To watch full interviews and highlights on YouTube, visit bit.ly/JoustAboutCareers. To listen to full interviews on your favorite podcast platform, simply search "Joust About Careers" to listen to this episode and others. Have a great week!

Van Buren Schools would like to send some good luck to our winter sports this season! Coach Roman Williams, as the new wrestling head coach. Coach Mark Bunn, as the new boy’s basketball head coach. Coach Jaden Tabler, as the new girl’s basketball head coach!

Congrats to our Positive Behavior Referrals and K students with their alphabet parade today! #BeABlackKnight

Look at this Thanksgiving Feast going on in Ms. Homan’s room! We love the Holiday Season! #BeABlackKnight #WeAreVB #Thanksgiving