Last Friday, 22 members of the Van Meter Student Conservation Club visited and enjoyed local public and private conservation areas! 🌳

The group hiked at Trindle Park, transplanted native compass plant and rosinweed seedlings into cone-tainers, built oriole feeders, and viewed migrating pelicans.

Next, they learned from local citizen scientist Dan C., who welcomed them to his home and spoke about the prairie and habitat restoration efforts to which he has dedicated his retirement.

Finally, the group visited a remnant oak savannah that has been owned by a local family for more than a century. Among the massive oaks, they searched for spring ephemeral flowers and climbed on fallen oak giants while two red-tailed hawks soared above on their late morning hunt.

Thank you to our community hosts for sharing their conservation efforts. VMSCC is a club open to students in grades 8-12.

Questions? Contact Mrs. Schreck at kim.schreck@vmbulldogs.com.
about 8 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Students plant seedlings in yellow tubes at a park pavilion during an outdoor environmental activity.
Flock of white birds flies across a deep blue sky beside sunlit tree branches with fresh green leaves.
Two students smile while carrying a large fallen tree branch near a wooded gravel driveway.
Student in a blue hoodie decorates wooden blocks with markers at a picnic table in a sunny park.
Group of students listens to a guide while standing on a grassy hill overlooking rolling countryside.
Large group of students and adults pose under a sprawling tree on a sunny spring day.
Students walk along a gravel path beside a pond surrounded by grassy hills and leafy trees.
Group of students poses on a large fallen tree trunk in a wooded area filled with spring foliage.
Students gather outdoors for a group photo in a sunny clearing surrounded by tall trees.
Sunlight shines through the branches of a tall tree with fresh spring leaves against a bright sky.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our boys and girls track and field teams at the State Qualifying Track Meet this afternoon! Go get ‘em, Dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:00pm
📍 Roland-Story
🎟️ https://www.iahsaa.org/tickets/
#VanMeter
about 14 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Female athlete mid-air clearing a hurdle during a track meet with spectators in the background at an outdoor stadium.
We’re hiring a High School Head Boys Golf Coach for the 2026-27 school year! ⛳

A coaching authorization is required for this position.

If you have questions about the position or plan to apply, please contact our Athletic Director, Eric Trudo, at eric.trudo@vmbulldogs.com.

For more information and to apply, visit our hiring website: https://vmcsd.schoolspring.com/.
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Hiring announcement for a high school head boys golf coach position for the 2026-27 school year requiring coaching authorization.
Today, Mrs. Ferguson’s 3rd grade class and Mrs. Wosmansky’s Kindergarten class celebrated their final buddy class meeting!

This year has been filled with fun, laughter, learning, and friendship between the two classes, and it has been so special for the teachers to watch friendships blossom and grow throughout the year.

We are so proud of the kindness, leadership, and connections our students have built together. We love this tradition at Van Meter Elementary and the opportunities it creates for our students! 😊
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of children sitting outdoors on stone steps surrounded by greenery on a sunny day.
During National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, we want to give a big shoutout to our dedicated PE teachers!

⭐ Tyler Beving, K-8 PE
⭐ James Flaws, K-8 PE
⭐ Dustin Wright, 9-12 PE

Their passion for fitness and commitment to student wellness help shape strong, healthy learners. We appreciate all you do! 🏃‍♂️👏
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Graphic celebrating National Physical Fitness & Sports Month featuring portraits of PE teachers Tyler Beving, James Flaws, and Dustin Wright with sports equipment illustrations.
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our boys golf team at sectionals today. Let’s go, Dawgs! 🏌️
🕖 10:00am
📍 Clarinda Country Club (Clarinda, IA)
#VanMeter
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Boy swinging golf club on green field with leafless trees under blue sky during Boys' Golf Meet Day event announcement.
Van Meter High School’s production of “Newsies” has been recognized with eight awards at the 2025 Iowa High School Musical Theater Awards!

Production Awards:
✨ Distinguished Scene: “King of New York”
✨ Special Recognition: Ensemble

Student Awards for Outstanding Achievement:
✨ Principal Role: Ella King as “Crutchie”
✨ Principal Role: Gracie Beving as “Katherine Plumber”
✨ Principal Role: Cielo Sparks as “Medda Larkin”
✨ Behind-the-Scenes Role: Orion Vaughn and Brody Wiederholt for Lighting and Sound Design
✨ Behind-the-Scenes Role: Mason Bradley as Choreographer

Student Award for Special Recognition:
✨ Principal Role: Liam Newell as “Jack Kelly”

Congratulations to our cast and crew!

Orion Vaughn has also been selected as a Technical Theater Scholarship Recipient for his outstanding work in lighting design! He will receive a $2,500 scholarship to support his future studies and will be recognized during the Awards Showcase.

The Showcase will be held at the Des Moines Civic Center on Thursday, May 28, at 7:00pm and will recognize a total of 110 adjudicated schools from across the state.

Tickets to the Showcase, which start at $15, will go on sale on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 10:00am at DMPA.org, the Des Moines Civic Center Ticket Office, and by phone at 515-246-2300.

The Awards Showcase will be livestreamed at IowaPBS.org as part of a collaboration with Iowa PBS. Iowa PBS will also broadcast a highlights special of the event later this summer on dates to be announced.
2 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Blue awards graphic featuring two stage photos from Newsies: a large cast celebrating during “King of New York” and the ensemble performing onstage. Text reads “Distinguished Scene” and “Special Recognition Ensemble.”
Blue awards graphic featuring Ella King as Crutchie in a group scene and Gracie Beving as Katherine Plumber performing solo under colorful lights. Text recognizes both for “Outstanding Achievement” in principal roles.
Blue awards graphic featuring Cielo Sparks as Medda Larkin singing in a red sequined costume and a cast performance recognizing Orion Vaughn and Brody Wiederholt for lighting and sound design achievements.
Blue awards graphic featuring dancers leaping across the stage to recognize Mason Bradley for choreography and Liam Newell as Jack Kelly performing on an elevated set piece. Text highlights “Outstanding Achievement” and “Special Recognition.”
Blue scholarship recognition graphic featuring a portrait of Orion Vaughn standing in front of a brick wall wearing sunglasses and a gray shirt. Text reads “Technical Theater Scholarship Recipient.”
Join us for an evening of music as our High School Band and Choir students take the stage for their spring concert! 🌷🎶

The show starts at 6:00pm on Tuesday, May 12, in the South Gym. Awards will follow the performance.
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Blue poster announcing a high school band and choir concert on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00pm in the South Gym with musical notes decoration.
Join us in recognizing our dedicated board members during Iowa School Board Recognition Month!

🌟 John Gilliland
🌟 Sarah Moore
🌟 Luke Reimers
🌟 Meredith Scott
🌟 Katie Fischer

We want to take this opportunity to thank them for their leadership, dedication, and support of our students and staff! 👏
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Graphic celebrating Iowa School Board Recognition Month with portraits of John Gilliland, Sarah Moore, Luke Reimers, Meredith Scott, and Katie Fischer.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our boys soccer team as they take on Perry at home tonight. Go Dawgs! ⚽
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎟️ $7/K-12 Student & Adult - Cash Only
#VanMeter
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Goalkeeper in orange jersey prepares to kick soccer ball during a game on a grassy field with a player in white in the background.
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our boys track and field team as they compete at AC/GC’s meet tonight–let’s go, Dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:15pm
📍 AC/GC HS
📊 aatiming.com
🎟️ $5 per K-12 Student & Adult
#VanMeter
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Male athlete in blue Van Meter uniform sprinting on a track during a boys' track meet event.
Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms in our community! 🌼❤️
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Blue Mother's Day greeting card with white roses and delicate blossoms framing the text.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our girls soccer team as they take on Treynor this morning. Go get ‘em, Dawgs! ⚽
🕖 9:00am
📍 Treynor HS
#VanMeter
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Female soccer player in blue kicking a ball during a game against Treyner, with game day details on the right side of the image.
In social studies, 6th graders played “Domination,” a game in which they traded different products like the Mayans and worked to gain control over the area. They also had to contend with unfortunate events like drought, war, deforestation, and overpopulation. 🎲
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Student holds several printed cards with images and labels during a classroom trading activity.
Three students stand in a classroom comparing and reading cards during an interactive learning game.
Two students smile while exchanging printed cards in a classroom activity beside bookshelves and maps.
Two boys trade and examine printed cards during a classroom economics or trading simulation activity.
Two students exchange cards in a classroom while participating in a hands-on trading game.
Student types reflections on a laptop after completing a classroom trading and economics activity.
This spring, preschoolers have been busy exploring the world of insects and gardening! Students enjoyed a field trip to the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and continued their learning in the classroom by exploring worms and butterflies. 🦋
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of young children in blue shirts gathered around and touching a large green banana leaf on a paved surface outdoors.
Teacher shows a young child a small bowl of dried flower petals during a hands-on classroom activity.
Children in matching blue shirts smell and examine potted plants during a greenhouse field trip.
Children balance and climb on large fallen logs in an outdoor nature play area under a cloudy sky.
Young student carefully sketches a worm beside a magnifying glass and red plate holding the worm.
Three children observe and point at worms on paper plates during a classroom science activity.
Two young girls smile excitedly while watching worms move across paper plates in a classroom.
Good luck to our band students as they participate in the IHSMA State Large Group Band Competition tomorrow at 1:50pm at Dallas Center-Grimes High School! 🎶

Tickets can be purchased through Bound: https://tickets.gobound.com/tickets/events/h2026042808280452957b3fbf808ee42/checkout.
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Blue poster wishing good luck for the IHSMA State Large Group Band Competition on May 9, 2026, at Dallas Center-Grimes High School.
GAMEDAY: Our boys soccer team is traveling to take on Kuemper Catholic today–Go Dawgs! ⚽
🕖 5:00pm
📍 Kuemper Catholic
#VanMeter
7 days ago, Van Meter Schools
High school boys' soccer players in blue uniforms on the field during a game, with spectators seated in the background.
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our girls soccer as they take on Waukee NW at HOME! Let’s go, Dawgs! ⚽
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/vanmeter
#VanMeter
7 days ago, Van Meter Schools
A female soccer player in blue kicks the ball while a player in white defends on a sunny field.
MEETDAY: Good luck to our boys and girls track and field teams at Panorama’s Meet. Go Dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Panorama HS
🎟️ Admission: $7.00 for adults and students K-12
#VanMeter
8 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Athlete in blue uniform crouched at starting blocks on a blue track preparing for a race at Panorama High School meet.
MEETDAY: Our boys golf team is traveling to compete in their meet today. Good luck, Dawgs! 🏌️
🕖 4:00pm
📍 River Valley Golf Course (Adel, IA)
#VanMeter
8 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Boys' golf players on green preparing for a putt during practice at River Valley Golf Course.