On Friday, the middle schoolers participated in Welcome Back Day, an event helping students build connections with their peers and teachers that culminated with a newspaper fashion show at the end of the day.
Students were placed into intergrade teams and started the day rotating among classrooms every 25 minutes to participate in stations focused on developing the Traits of a Black Knight (Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience) and competing in minute-to-win-it games.
In the afternoon, students put their creativity and teamwork to the test as they had 30 minutes to use newspapers to create costumes for two of their team members.
The fashion show then brought everyone together in the auditorium, where the teams’ representatives modeled their work for judges Mr. Stanford, Mrs. Sparke, and Mr. Hafner.
It was a great experience for the students as they built connections, innovated, and accomplished principal Jennifer Barrett’s goal for the event: “Welcome Back Day is one of my favorite middle school traditions. It’s a day where competition, respect, teamwork, and responsibility come to life. Watching our students’ confidence grow as the day unfolds is the perfect way to launch a year full of energy and excitement.”
Students were placed into intergrade teams and started the day rotating among classrooms every 25 minutes to participate in stations focused on developing the Traits of a Black Knight (Respect, Responsibility, and Resilience) and competing in minute-to-win-it games.
In the afternoon, students put their creativity and teamwork to the test as they had 30 minutes to use newspapers to create costumes for two of their team members.
The fashion show then brought everyone together in the auditorium, where the teams’ representatives modeled their work for judges Mr. Stanford, Mrs. Sparke, and Mr. Hafner.
It was a great experience for the students as they built connections, innovated, and accomplished principal Jennifer Barrett’s goal for the event: “Welcome Back Day is one of my favorite middle school traditions. It’s a day where competition, respect, teamwork, and responsibility come to life. Watching our students’ confidence grow as the day unfolds is the perfect way to launch a year full of energy and excitement.”
Summer Facilities Update #3: New Practice Field Provides Much-Needed Space
Today’s update (3 of 5) highlights the new practice field on the former 209 South Main Street site purchased in 2024.
Demolition of the house and buildings started on September 11, 2024, and progress of the project from beginning to end can be viewed at https://www.vbschools.net/page/209-south-main-project1.
After demolition was completed, the following improvements were made to create a safe practice space and improve traffic flow through campus:
**Laying conduit to provide power for an irrigation controller and future electricity needs
**Installing curbs
**Installing an irrigation system
**Widening Vorwerk Street
**Eliminating and moving power poles
**Planting grass
Work was completed by November 1, 2024, but no one was allowed to use the space until practices started in late July to allow the grass to fully take root.
The boys’ and girls’ soccer and middle school football teams have used the space to practice, and it is also available to other school groups needing practice space.
Thank you to American Electric Power (AEP), Aqua Lawn Irrigation, Bowman Electric, Helms Construction, USA Lawn and Landscaping, and our facilities team for their work to provide a safe space for our students to practice.
Today’s update (3 of 5) highlights the new practice field on the former 209 South Main Street site purchased in 2024.
Demolition of the house and buildings started on September 11, 2024, and progress of the project from beginning to end can be viewed at https://www.vbschools.net/page/209-south-main-project1.
After demolition was completed, the following improvements were made to create a safe practice space and improve traffic flow through campus:
**Laying conduit to provide power for an irrigation controller and future electricity needs
**Installing curbs
**Installing an irrigation system
**Widening Vorwerk Street
**Eliminating and moving power poles
**Planting grass
Work was completed by November 1, 2024, but no one was allowed to use the space until practices started in late July to allow the grass to fully take root.
The boys’ and girls’ soccer and middle school football teams have used the space to practice, and it is also available to other school groups needing practice space.
Thank you to American Electric Power (AEP), Aqua Lawn Irrigation, Bowman Electric, Helms Construction, USA Lawn and Landscaping, and our facilities team for their work to provide a safe space for our students to practice.
The first day of school is in the books, and it was a great day of reconnecting with friends, meeting new people, and beginning another chapter of our students' educational journey!
The first episode of season six of the Joust About Careers podcast features 2015 Van Buren graduate Essma Kheiry, a Creative Production Manager at Forge Biologics. In this episode, Essma shares how her career is a mix of graphic arts and film, how internships helped her figure out what she did and didn’t want as a career, the value of certifications, 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!
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!
We’re ready to welcome students back to school on Tuesday! This is also a perfect time to remind everyone about school bus safety.
Arian Keeran, Transportation Supervisor, thinks about safety every day, which led to 100% of our buses passing the Ohio Department of Transportation inspection on August 5.
Along with the graphic below, here are a few reminders:
For Students:
**Wait for the bus driver’s hand signal before loading or unloading.
**Help your driver by staying completely silent at all railroad crossings.
**Dress appropriately for the weather conditions you will experience at the bus stop throughout the year.
For Parents:
**Please review this information with your bus riders and student drivers to ensure everyone’s safety.
Thank you for helping us keep our students safe!
Summer Facilities Update #2: Brightening & Refreshing Our Spaces
Today’s update (2 of 5) highlights improvements to lighting, ceilings, stairways, and regulatory signage across the district this summer.
The most noticeable change is the new LED lighting found in the high school math and agriculture education hallways, restrooms, and auditorium lobby. These lights are brighter, more efficient, and virtually maintenance-free for at least five years. In fact, a Department of Energy study found LEDs are 25% more efficient than fluorescent lights, but the most significant savings will come from less maintenance needed to keep the lights working.
While installing the lights, new ceiling grids and tiles were added to some of the restrooms. The ceilings were also raised in some of the restrooms, making them feel larger and, with a fresh coat of paint, increasing the brightness.
Other areas in all three buildings were also revitalized with new paint. In the elementary, all of the handrails were repainted, including the one at the exterior loading dock. The second and third floor hallways in the middle school received a fresh coat, as did multiple stairwells in the high school.
Finally, old regulatory signage was replaced between the high school and elementary to ensure safety in this high-traffic pedestrian and vehicle area.
Casey Morman and our facilities team are working every day to make our campus safer and more welcoming, and we appreciate the work they do.
Today’s update (2 of 5) highlights improvements to lighting, ceilings, stairways, and regulatory signage across the district this summer.
The most noticeable change is the new LED lighting found in the high school math and agriculture education hallways, restrooms, and auditorium lobby. These lights are brighter, more efficient, and virtually maintenance-free for at least five years. In fact, a Department of Energy study found LEDs are 25% more efficient than fluorescent lights, but the most significant savings will come from less maintenance needed to keep the lights working.
While installing the lights, new ceiling grids and tiles were added to some of the restrooms. The ceilings were also raised in some of the restrooms, making them feel larger and, with a fresh coat of paint, increasing the brightness.
Other areas in all three buildings were also revitalized with new paint. In the elementary, all of the handrails were repainted, including the one at the exterior loading dock. The second and third floor hallways in the middle school received a fresh coat, as did multiple stairwells in the high school.
Finally, old regulatory signage was replaced between the high school and elementary to ensure safety in this high-traffic pedestrian and vehicle area.
Casey Morman and our facilities team are working every day to make our campus safer and more welcoming, and we appreciate the work they do.
Maintenance and Facilities Supervisor Casey Morman and his staff have been hard at work updating and preparing our facilities for the upcoming school year, and this is the first of multiple posts we will be sharing to show their progress. We will start with three of the most visible exterior projects: installation of two new stoplights, installation of three new exterior doors, and sealing of the north parking lot.
The old stoplights, installed in 1969, became a problem last year as they needed to have the bulbs replaced every couple weeks. The new stoplights are equipped with LED bulbs, which will last several years before replacement is needed. The lights were also raised to allow safe clearance for vehicles traveling below, and a new operating panel was installed. Safety grant money Deputy Crouch and Morman secured for the district covered the entire cost of the project.
The safety grant also covered the entire cost of the installation of three new aluminum exterior doors in the weight room (one set of double doors, one single door) and industrial technology shop (one single door). Because the doors are made of aluminum, they will provide durability with little need for maintenance.
Finally, with the north parking lot heading into its third year, it was time for it to be sealed and lined. Moving forward, each of the parking lots (north; east, including the drive around the medieval garden; and west in front of the high school) will be sealed on a three-year rotation to maximize the lifespan of the asphalt.
We appreciate the work the Maintenance and Facilities team does to keep our facilities safe, up-to-date, and welcoming every day!
The old stoplights, installed in 1969, became a problem last year as they needed to have the bulbs replaced every couple weeks. The new stoplights are equipped with LED bulbs, which will last several years before replacement is needed. The lights were also raised to allow safe clearance for vehicles traveling below, and a new operating panel was installed. Safety grant money Deputy Crouch and Morman secured for the district covered the entire cost of the project.
The safety grant also covered the entire cost of the installation of three new aluminum exterior doors in the weight room (one set of double doors, one single door) and industrial technology shop (one single door). Because the doors are made of aluminum, they will provide durability with little need for maintenance.
Finally, with the north parking lot heading into its third year, it was time for it to be sealed and lined. Moving forward, each of the parking lots (north; east, including the drive around the medieval garden; and west in front of the high school) will be sealed on a three-year rotation to maximize the lifespan of the asphalt.
We appreciate the work the Maintenance and Facilities team does to keep our facilities safe, up-to-date, and welcoming every day!
The Van Buren Local School District Board of Education recently recognized local business DNC Hydraulics for its strong support of Van Buren Local Schools.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Inkrott presented the award to the owner of DNC Hydraulics, Cody Conaway, who has supported the district by offering many career exploration opportunities to students.
The honor is part of the Ohio School Boards Association’s (OSBA) 2025 Business Honor Roll program. The program gives school districts a way to thank local businesses and recognize them for their valuable contributions to schools. OSBA provides personalized certificates and other resources to help school districts with their recognition activities.
Van Buren Local School District and its board members, administrators, staff, and students would like to express our sincere appreciation for all our OSBA Honor Roll recipients do for our district.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Inkrott presented the award to the owner of DNC Hydraulics, Cody Conaway, who has supported the district by offering many career exploration opportunities to students.
The honor is part of the Ohio School Boards Association’s (OSBA) 2025 Business Honor Roll program. The program gives school districts a way to thank local businesses and recognize them for their valuable contributions to schools. OSBA provides personalized certificates and other resources to help school districts with their recognition activities.
Van Buren Local School District and its board members, administrators, staff, and students would like to express our sincere appreciation for all our OSBA Honor Roll recipients do for our district.
Sign up for our elementary blood drive, Sept. 23rd, 2025, starting at 2:30 PM in the elementary cafeteria!
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive
https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/find-drive
🎒 Van Buren Families – Get Ready for Back to School! 🏫
Our Back to School Hub is now live! This one-stop resource has everything you need to prepare for the upcoming school year—school supply lists, calendars, and more. Check it out here: https://www.vbschools.net/page/back-to-school-hub
✨ Save the Date! ✨
Mark your calendars for Opening Knight on Tuesday, August 19th!
📢 Stay tuned – building principals will be sharing more specific details with families soon.
We can’t wait to welcome our Black Knights back for an amazing year!
Congratulations to Van Buren Local School District Resource Officer Deputy Matt Crouch for receiving his Master SRO lapel pin and certificate this week at the 2025 Ohio School Resource Officers Association (OSROA) annual conference in Sandusky.
To learn more, visit https://www.vbschools.net/article/2029055.
To learn more, visit https://www.vbschools.net/article/2029055.
Members of the Class of 2015, are you ready for a walk down memory lane?
It is time to send the letters you wrote to yourselves ten years ago, so email your name and mailing address to Brian Bratt (bbratt@vbschools.net) at your convenience so you can flash back to your senior year and remember the good old days!
It is time to send the letters you wrote to yourselves ten years ago, so email your name and mailing address to Brian Bratt (bbratt@vbschools.net) at your convenience so you can flash back to your senior year and remember the good old days!
Join our team for the 2025-2026 school year as a HS Science Teacher! Learn more here: vbschools.net/page/employment
Join our team for the 2025-26 school year as the High School/Middle School Secretary! Learn more here: vbschools.net/page/employment
Congratulations to our retiring teachers, Michael Daniels, Lisa Kendrick, and Linda Schwemley. We appreciate your years of service to our district and wish you well in retirement!
Join our team for the 2025-2026 school year as an Elementary Teacher! Learn more here:
vbschools.net/page/employment
Congratulations, Class of 2025! Today we celebrated your hard work, resilience, memories you created over the last 13 years, and positive impact you will have on the world. The future starts now, but you will always be Black Knights!
Have a great summer! Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
- VBHS Staff
James Hoops, District 81 representative in the Ohio House of Representatives, visited Van Buren on Thursday, May 29, to meet with superintendent Dr. Jason Inkrott and Van Buren mayor Ed May to discuss ways he can assist the excellent students, staff, and community of Van Buren Local School District.
We appreciate Representative Hoops advocating on behalf of our school and community!
Have a happy and safe summer!
-VBES Staff
#BeABlackKnight
