Last week, 22 members of the Van Meter Student Conservation Club (grades 8-12) visited Jester Park Outdoor Recreation Center, where they participated in a prairie seed cleaning service project. 🌿

A Polk County Naturalist led them in the handling, stripping, and gathering of a drought-resistant native prairie seed species called Rough Blazing Star (Liatris aspera). The seed will be cleaned, sold to citizens who are restoring prairie on their properties, or planted in Polk County’s production plots for transplant to county parks.

VMSCC then traveled to Dallas County Voas Wildlife Refuge, took a hike in the rain, and were lucky enough to spot migratory tiger salamanders as the rarely seen native amphibians returned to their overwintering wetland areas. Overall, it was a busy morning of service and appreciation of Iowa’s unique natural resources. ⭐
about 21 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of young people posing inside a rustic lodge with wooden walls and mounted deer heads.
Smiling girl in a white coat and gray hoodie holding a black salamander outdoors on a cloudy day.
Three young men indoors sitting around a table, filling white sacks with materials, smiling at the camera in a casual setting.
Two young women sitting on the floor indoors, sorting branches into a large white sack with orange buckets nearby.
Close-up of a person gently holding a black and orange spotted salamander outdoors near grass.
Group of young people standing outdoors on a wet stone surface with a grassy field and cloudy sky behind them.
Two teenage girls sitting indoors on black chairs, smiling and holding a large white fabric or bag between them.
Smiling child in a blue plaid jacket and green hood holding a large black insect outdoors near a white truck on a cloudy day.
Four young women sitting around a large fabric basket, smiling and engaging in a group activity inside a wooden cabin room.
Four teenage girls sitting indoors, smiling and working together on a craft project involving a large white fabric piece.
It’s National School Bus Safety Week! Whether you're driving through your neighborhood or approaching a bus stop, remember these important tips:

✅ Watch carefully for students near roads and sidewalks
✅ Avoid distractions, including cell phones, while driving
✅ Be prepared to stop when a school bus activates its warning lights

Thank you for doing your part to keep our students safe! 🚌
about 22 hours ago, Van Meter Schools
Image for National School Bus Safety Week with tips to watch for students, avoid distractions, and stop for bus warning lights.
Check out what’s happening this week and come cheer on our students! ✨
1 day ago, Van Meter Schools
Weekly schedule showing Van Meter high school sports events from October 19 to 25, including football, volleyball, cross country, and grade-level games.
GAMEDAY: Our volleyball team is traveling to compete in the Winterset Volleyball Tournament today. Go get ‘em, Dawgs! 🏐
🕖 9:00am
📍 Winterset HS
3 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Female volleyball player in blue and white uniform ready to receive serve.
Today, October 16, marks the kickoff of student artwork from TK through 5th grade being featured on coffee sleeves at The Goose Ice Cream and Coffee Shop! ☕

We encourage you to share a photo of the artwork you receive using #VMGooseVibes. Our young artists are eager to see who gets their creations! 🎨

Store hours are Sunday from 7:00am to 7:00pm, Monday through Friday from 6:00 to 10:00am and 3:00 to 8:00pm, and Saturday from 7:00am to 8:00pm.
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Interior of The Goose ice cream and coffee shop with two decorated takeaway coffee cups on the counter in front of an espresso machine.
Young girl smiling and holding a colorful sign that says 'Show your coffee with #ym Good vibes' featuring a bird and coffee cup drawing.
Smiling boy in a black hoodie holding a colorful handmade card with drawings and the message 'Have a great day!!' inside a classroom.
Smiling young girl in a Rolling Stones t-shirt holding a colorful handwritten sign that says '#VMGOOSEVIBES' in a classroom setting.
Smiling boy in a red Champion hoodie holding a handmade sign with a colorful goose drawing and the text 'Too cool for school, the coolest goose in town!!!'
Two young girls proudly display a colorful drawing of a smiling sun, a large white bird, trees, and flowers under a bright blue sky.
Best of luck to our Marching Band as they compete tomorrow, October 17 in the IHSMA State Marching Band Festival. Let’s go, Dawgs! 🎶

🕖 8:35am
📍 Waukee
🎟️ https://tickets.gobound.com/tickets/events/h202610050442324055611b98c794046/checkout
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Three marching band drummers in blue and black uniforms performing outdoors at the IHSMA State Marching Band Festival in Waukee.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our football team as they travel to take on Clarke Community tonight. Go Dawgs! 🏈
🕖 7:00pm
📍 Clarke Athletic Complex - Osceola
4 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Football game day announcement featuring Bulldogs vs Clarke Community on October 16 at 7 PM in Osceola.
Congratulations to Alice Funaro, one of our 6th grade choir students, who was selected for the Opus Honor Choir! 🎶

Over 3,000 students in 5th-9th grade from across Iowa submit recordings each year, and only a select number are chosen. Being selected for this choir is an outstanding honor!

Way to go, Alice! 👏
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Smiling girl wearing a Van Meter Softball shirt, recognized for Opus Honor Choir selection with a congratulatory message.
MEET DAY: Best of luck to our Dawgs competing at the WCAC Conference Cross Country Meet! The varsity girls will run first, followed by the varsity boys. 🏃
🕖 5:00pm & 5:30pm
📍 AC/GC HS
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Female cross country runner in blue and white uniform competing at a meet with spectators in the background.
During National School Lunch Week, we’re grateful for the people who make nutritious meals happen!

Thank you to our food service teams for providing great meals and welcoming students each day. Your work is an important part of supporting student learning and growth! 🍽️🍎
5 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Tray with a sandwich, apple, cookies, blueberries, and a milk carton celebrating National School Lunch Week.
A welcoming school is one where everyone knows they belong. During Bullying Prevention Awareness Month, let’s celebrate the everyday choices that help create that environment. This means being respectful, including others, and standing up for kindness. 🤝
6 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Group of diverse people with arms around each other under bold text promoting Bullying Prevention Awareness Month.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our volleyball team as they take on the AC/GC Chargers tonight. Let’s go, Dawgs! 🏐
🕖 6:30pm
📍 AC/GC HS
7 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Female volleyball player jumping to hit the ball during a high school game with teammates and coach in the background.

Check out what’s happening this week and come cheer on our students! ✨

Please note that the JV football game scheduled for Monday, October 12, has been updated due to field conditions.

9 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Van Meter Activities weekly schedule for October 12–18, featuring volleyball, football, cross country, and marching band events.
REMINDER: On Thursday, October 15, students will be dismissed early at 1:30pm. Parent-teacher conferences will take place that afternoon and evening from 3:00 to 7:00pm.

There will be no school on Friday, October 16.

Please plan accordingly!
11 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Reminder for early dismissal on Thursday, October 15, and no school on Friday, October 16, at VM school.
Good luck to our marching band as they compete at the Valleyfest Marching Band Competition tomorrow, October 10, at 8:00am at Valley High School. Go dawgs! 🎶
11 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Three marching band members in blue and white uniforms performing on a field during daylight at Valleyfest.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our football team as they take on Grand View Christian tonight! 🏈

We’ll celebrate our seniors who participate in football, cross country, marching band, and cheerleading before the game and during halftime.

🕖 7:00pm
📍 Van Meter - Bulldog Stadium
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/vanmeter/tickets
11 days ago, Van Meter Schools
Van Meter football players lined up on the field ready for the snap during a game night event.
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!
12 days 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/
12 days 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
12 days 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! 👟
12 days 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.