A collaborative art project is brewing at our elementary school! ☕

Elementary students are decorating coffee sleeves and creating posters for The Goose, a new local coffee shop. Once the student-designed sleeves are available, customers will be encouraged to share photos of their coffee orders featuring student artwork using #VMGooseVibes.

Stay tuned to hear more about when you will be able to receive student artwork while getting your daily caffeine boost!
about 9 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Childlike drawings of geese enjoying coffee and ice cream under sunny skies with colorful backgrounds and handwritten captions.
MEET DAY: Our cross country team is traveling to compete in the Saydel Cross Country Invite this afternoon–go Dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:00pm
📍 Saydel HS
📊 http://aatiming.com/
about 10 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Runner in blue VM uniform competing in a cross country meet with spectators in the background on a sunny day.
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our volleyball team as they take the court at home tonight for the volleyball invitational and celebrate Senior Night. Go Dawgs! 🏐
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Van Meter - PAC (West, North & South Gyms)
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/vanmeter/tickets
about 11 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Female volleyball player in blue uniform jumping to set the ball during a match at Van Meter gymnasium.
Yesterday, K-12 students and staff participated in Iowa's Healthiest State Annual Walk. Students and staff took a break from the classroom to head outside and enjoy a 30-minute walk together. Walking is a great way to relieve stress, boost creativity, improve focus, and support memory retention! 👟
about 11 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Children walking in a line along a blue track beside a grassy field under large trees on a sunny day.
Children and adults gather on a blue running track near bleachers under a clear sky at Van Meter school stadium.
Crowd of children and adults walking on a blue track beside a sports field under clear skies.
Group of high school students walking on a blue running track outside Van Meter Bulldogs gym on a sunny day.
Group of young people walking on a blue outdoor sports court under clear skies near modern buildings.
Group of students walking on a blue outdoor track near bleachers and green field under a clear sky.
Group of boys walking outdoors near blue trash bins on a sunny day in a residential area.
A diverse group of teenagers walking down outdoor stairs on a sunny day near a sports field.
Group of people walking on a blue outdoor running track surrounded by trees on a sunny day.
Group of students walking on a blue outdoor track near a building labeled RESTROOMS on a sunny day.
On Friday, September 25, 13 of our high school students attended the “Creators of Tomorrow” event at Iowa State University, where they explored exciting careers in urban planning, architecture, interior design, industrial design, and jewelry design. 🎨

Students spent the day creating, collaborating, and problem-solving through hands-on activities, including designing a concept for a large-scale grain silo in Des Moines, creating wire-wrapped jewelry, completing an electrical circuit, and developing ideas for an empty lot in Ames.

It was a great opportunity for students to connect with other young creatives and discover how art, design, technology, and creative thinking come together in real-world careers!
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Person speaking into a microphone in a room with seated audience and a large wooden flying machine model overhead.
A man stands presenting in front of a seated group inside a spacious room with a large wooden skeleton hanging overhead.
Students present a design plan to classmates in a university classroom, holding a drawing beside a presentation screen.
Students gather around classroom tables, discussing and drawing design ideas on printed worksheets.
An instructor demonstrates a model to students gathered around a large worktable in a design classroom.
Students work with small craft materials, tubing, scissors, and design worksheets at a classroom table.
Students cut and assemble small materials over design worksheets during a hands-on classroom activity.
Students use pliers, wire, and small components to create jewelry around a large workbench in a studio.
A student holds up a colorful beaded necklace while seated at a jewelry-making workbench.
Two smiling students display handmade jewelry pieces at a workbench surrounded by studio tools.
Today, we’re celebrating National Instructional Coaches Day and recognizing the dedicated professionals who support teaching and learning across our district!

⭐ Abby Teigland, Elementary IS
⭐ Katie Flaws, Elementary Data Coordinator
⭐ Kelly Hagen, Elementary Data Coordinator
⭐ Renee Martin, Secondary IS
⭐ Shawn Hyer, Secondary IS

Their guidance, collaboration, and encouragement help our educators continue growing and creating meaningful experiences for students! 👏
2 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Portraits of five instructional coaches honored on National Instructional Coaches Day against a blue background with school supplies.
Last call! A limited number of 2025-26 yearbooks are still available for purchase. 📚

Yearbooks are $50 each and can be purchased with cash or check.

They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Contact Mrs. Swartz in Room 201 to get yours today!
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Last chance to purchase your 2025-26 yearbook, don't miss out on this opportunity today.
Congratulations to Spanish Teacher Stacey Wigant on being named the 2026 Iowa World Language Association Teacher of the Year! 🎉

Mrs. Wigant was selected for this honor for her commitment to creating an engaging, welcoming, and student-centered classroom, as well as for her leadership in strengthening world language education across Iowa.

To read the full news release, visit https://drive.google.com/file/d/13RN35GZc7ftllnCnuhWKMeAVe3IK34LX/view?usp=sharing
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Portrait of Stacey Wigant smiling, honored as 2026 Iowa World Language Association Teacher of the Year with school logos and congratulatory text.
Last week, Junior High students spent their mentoring time rolling newspapers for puppies at AHeinz 57 Animal Shelter in De Soto. Way to go! ⭐️
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Four teenage boys standing in a classroom holding rolled-up posters, smiling at the camera.
At the beginning of the school year, SLT provided every freshman with a free Van Meter shirt. The goal of this initiative was to ensure that every student had Bulldogs gear to wear throughout their high school years and to help build school spirit and pride. 👏🐾
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Smiling young woman holding up a white Van Meter Bulldogs t-shirt in a busy indoor setting.
Tutors provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and extra support that help students strengthen their skills and reach their goals. We appreciate everything they do to help learners feel confident and capable.

Happy National Tutor Appreciation Week! 📖✨
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Blue poster celebrating National Tutor Appreciation Week with hands holding a magnifying glass, pen, notebook, and light bulb icons.
In honor of World Teachers Day, we’re celebrating the dedicated educators who make a difference for our students. Their guidance helps build confidence, spark curiosity and create opportunities for the future.

Thank you to all of our teachers for the important role you play in our schools and community! 🙏
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Teachers engaging with students in diverse classroom activities celebrating World Teachers Day 2026.
MEET DAY: Good luck to our cross country teams as they run in the North Polk Cross Country Invite later today! Let’s go, Dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:00pm
📍 North Polk HS
📊 http://aatiming.com/
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/northpolk/tickets
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Runner in blue Van Meter uniform competing in a cross country race on a grassy field with spectators in the background.
Check out what’s happening this week, and come cheer on our students! ✨
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Weekly schedule of Van Meter school sports and band events from October 5 to 11, listing games and times for cross country, volleyball, football, and marching band.
Fire Prevention Week is a great time to refresh a few simple fire safety habits at home. 🔥

Families can help stay prepared by:

✅ Testing smoke alarms regularly
✅ Keeping cooking areas clear of anything that can burn
✅ Making sure you have working fire extinguisher
✅ Making sure everyone knows what to do when an alarm sounds
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Red fire extinguisher with safety instructions next to tips for families to stay prepared during Fire Prevention Week, October 4-10, 2026.
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our volleyball team as they compete in Greene County’s tournament today. Go get ‘em, Dawgs! 🏐
🕖 9:00am
📍 Greene County HS - Main Gym
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/greenecounty/tickets
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Female volleyball player in white and blue uniform preparing to serve during a match.
At the end of September, our kindergarten classes visited Center Grove Orchard. Students made many science and math connections throughout the day, learning about different types of apples and how apples are produced on the farm! 🍎
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Two young boys in blue shirts feed baby goats through a metal fence at a petting zoo.
Young girl in pink boots happily feeding baby goats through a wooden fence at a petting zoo.
Four smiling children stand in front of a barn enclosure with a small calf resting inside on straw bedding.
Two smiling children pose beside a shaggy brown Highland cow behind a wire fence on a cloudy day.
Three young boys smiling and posing with arms around each other in front of a rustic wooden barn on a cloudy day.
Three smiling boys sit together on a wooden floor, holding bags of freshly picked apples; one proudly displays a red apple.
Young boy feeding black baby goats through a wire fence at a petting zoo or farm area.
Two young boys smiling and posing together on a wooden deck with a farm field and cloudy sky in the background.
Congratulations to September’s Lead Dawgs in 6th-8th grades! Great job! 🐾
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of ten smiling students standing in a gym holding certificates of achievement.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our football team as they travel to Chariton tonight. GO DAWGS! 🏈
🕖 7:30pm
📍 Chariton - Reynolds Field
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Two football players in blue uniforms sprint on the field during a night game, promoting the VM vs Chariton match on October 2 at Reynolds Field.
On National Custodian Day, we’re sending a big thank you to our amazing custodians! ✨

They help create clean, comfortable, and welcoming spaces where students can learn and teachers and staff can do their best work. Their days are filled with everything from preparing classrooms and maintaining facilities to helping with special events and seasonal projects.

Thank you to:
🌟 Mekhail Baker
🌟 Gilmar Guerra
🌟 Drew Minshall
🌟 Jacob McNair
🌟 Tom Von Rentzell
🌟 Conraddo Reyes
🌟 Esteban Romero
🌟 Carlos Solorzano
🌟 Sandra Solorzano (not pictured)

We appreciate all you do!
7 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group photo of eight custodians celebrating National Custodian Day on October 2, 2026, with cleaning supplies graphics and names listed below.