Van Buren Local Schools

It was great to see students and staff back in the buildings for Opening Knight! #BeABlackKnight

VB students, the GROB Systems, Inc apprenticeship application window for the 2023 class of apprentices is now open. Seniors, it is never too early to apply for this outstanding opportunity to earn an Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology degree from Rhodes State College. What's even better is that while you are earning that degree that GROB is funding (which keeps you out of student debt), you are also being paid a salary and benefits for the work you are doing at GROB. Juniors and seniors, if you'd like to learn more before applying, attend the apprenticeship tour on Saturday, October 8, to get an in-depth look at what GROB has to offer. To sign up for the October 8 event and see the dates for the other apprenticeship tours, visit https://joingrob.com/apprentice/tours. Tours fill up quickly, so don't wait too long to sign up if you plan to attend. To learn more about the apprenticeship and access the application, visit https://joingrob.com/apprentice.

REMINDER! The Library book fair will be at the Opening Knight for the Elementary August 24th from 5 till 7. We will offer these options for payment: Credit/debit card and E-wallet (see information below). We will have a machine for the credit/debit cards. Please support your children's library. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Routson (troutson@vbschools.net). Scholastic Book Fairs' digital payment option is a safe, convenient alternative to cash, offered with most of our flexible Book Fair options. After the Fair, remaining eWallet funds are not returned to a credit card but instead, become a gift card balance and can be used online with Scholastic or used to fund an eWallet for a future Book Fair. (Be sure to sign in with the same email used to create the eWallet. Here is the link if you would like to do this. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html?fairID=5172375

Our Millstream Career Center students are headed back this week. We wish them luck and can't wait to see what they accomplish in their future careers! #BeABlackKnight

Our students need you! Enjoy rewarding work with a flexible schedule, competitive pay, and bonus opportunities. Visit rachelwixey.com to apply!

While we're on summer break, enjoy some past episodes of The Interviewing People Careercast to catch up with some Van Buren graduates as they talk about their career experiences. This week's rebroadcast features 2014 graduate Austin Essinger, an IT Support Technician at Wyandot Memorial Hospital. Visit bit.ly/InterviewingPeople to watch this episode and others, and enjoy the show and the last few weeks of summer!

For the past two years, the United States Department of Agriculture has offered waivers to Child Nutrition Programs across the country, allowing these programs to offer all students lunch at no cost to families. Unfortunately, these waivers expired on June 30, 2022. Van Buren Local Schools and the Ohio Department of Education cannot extend the permissions for no-cost meals for all students. Starting with the 2022-2023 school year, school meals will still be available to all students; however, they will not be free to all students. Households can begin applying for free or reduced-price meal benefits by downloading an application at https://www.vbschools.net/article/812206.

Only 20 more days until school starts! #BeABlackKnight

The Candy Striper volunteer program is back at Blanchard Valley Hospital, and it provides a great opportunity for students to practice work-based skills like communication, work ethic, professionalism; gain experience in a workplace; and begin networking with healthcare professionals. Beyond simply preparing for future career opportunities, this program could help students now if they are working toward the state OhioMeansJobs-Readiness Seal or the local Community Service Seal. Students can apply on the BVHS website (https://www.bvhealthsystem.org/education-resources/volunteers/volunteer-applications) and read the article from the August 15 edition of The Courier (https://mynewsonthego.com/courier/Reader/Story.aspx?id=0cf586da-a898-4450-adf6-680111a77f79) to learn more. If any students are accepted into the BVHS volunteer program, they should remember to track their volunteer hours using the Transeo platform they were introduced to last spring. If they have questions about the platform, they can reach out to bbratt@vbschools.net for assistance.

Just a few reminders for upcoming dates pertaining to the VBES! Aug. 18th-Elem. new student registration from 8AM-5PM (Only new students). Aug. 19th-Elem. new student orientation @10AM in the elementary cafeteria (Only new students). Aug. 24th-Elem. Opening Knight/Open House-5PM-7PM Sept. 6th-1st Day of School for 1st-12th Sept. 12th-1st Day of School for Kindergarten If you have not yet updated your Final Forms account for your students please do so ASAP! (https://vanburen-oh.finalforms.com/)

This Thursday, Aug. 18 from 8 AM-5 PM in the elementary main office is our new student registration. This is ONLY for new students that moved in district over the summer and those that received an acceptance letter for open enrollment. Families can begin registering by creating an account on Final Forms (https://vanburen-oh.finalforms...) and uploading all required documentation including birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residency (bill or land lease or rent for district address), and photo ID of parent registering. If there are issues uploading documents, they can be brought in on the 18th for us to make copies. Parents will also need to fill out a records release form on the 18th to send to the student's old school. On Friday, Aug. 19th at 10 AM we will hold a new student orientation, again only for those new to the district, to get a quick tour of the building to become familiar with the school. We will meet in the cafeteria right off the main office. ​

We'd like to welcome our new superintendent, Dr. Jason Inkrott. Dr. Inkrott is a graduate of Ottawa-Glandorf High School and the University of Dayton and a former principal of Northmont City Schools. He is excited to be back in Northwest Ohio and to begin his journey as a Black Knight! #BeABlackKnight

While we're on summer break, enjoy some past episodes of The Interviewing People Careercast to catch up with some Van Buren graduates as they talk about their career experiences. This week's rebroadcast features 2002 graduate Kerri Hauman, Associate Professor of Writing, Rhetoric, and Communication at Transylvania University in Lexington, KY. Visit bit.ly/InterviewingPeople to watch this episode and others, and enjoy the show and the last month of summer!

Only 25 days until school starts! #BeABlackKnight

ATTENTION PARENTS: There are required immunizations for entry to Kindergarten, 7th grade, and 12th grade. If you have questions regarding your student's immunization record, please contact the school nurse or your primary care physician as soon as possible. The deadline to have all immunization records turned in to the school nurse is September 20, 2022. After this date, possible exclusion from school may occur until records are received. Under Ohio Law, immunizations can be waived for religious or medical reasons with the appropriate form turned in to the school.

VB students attended Band Camp this week in preparation for the upcoming school year and performances. #BeABlackKnight

Yesterday, Van Buren lost a special member of the community. Jim Baughman was a dedicated teacher, leader and servant who made a lasting impact in our school and our town. Mayor May proclaimed August 7 as James Willis Baughman Day, and the community came together to celebrate a life well lived. For visitation and funeral information, visit https://www.coldrencrates.com/obituary/James-W-Baughman?fbclid=IwAR19_SWbq8bKFV7c0XnRuh7pUgZOZS05Lc6zJd4FRiS7gF1rtDwWH94VmXQ

Van Buren Schools are in need of substitute teachers for the 2022-2023 school year! To learn more about this opportunity, find out if you qualify, and/or apply, visit https://phl.applitrack.com/wixey/onlineapp/_application.aspx?starting=true.

While we're on summer break, enjoy some past episodes of The Interviewing People Careercast to catch up with some Van Buren graduates as they talk about their career experiences. This week's rebroadcast features 2005 graduate Ben Etzler of the U.S. Navy and 2004 graduate Ryan Caligiuri of the U.S. Army. Visit bit.ly/InterviewingPeople to watch this episode and others, and enjoy the show and the last month of summer!

The Library book fair will be at the Opening Knight for the Elementary August 24th from 5 till 7. We will offer these options for payment: Credit/debit card and E-wallet (see information below). We will have a machine for the credit/debit cards. Please support your children's library. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Routson (troutson@vbschools.net). Scholastic Book Fairs' digital payment option is a safe, convenient alternative to cash, offered with most of our flexible Book Fair options. After the Fair, remaining eWallet funds are not returned to a credit card but instead, become a gift card balance and can be used online with Scholastic or used to fund an eWallet for a future Book Fair. (Be sure to sign in with the same email used to create the eWallet. Here is the link if you would like to do this. https://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/parent-how-it-works.html?fairID=5172375