Our kindergarten classrooms have been full of holiday fun this week! Elves made a surprise visit, and students have been writing in their journals each day to track their elf’s latest hiding spot. We also celebrated Grinch Day with creative crafts, games, and plenty of green smiles. 💚

about 1 month ago, Van Meter Schools
Four children stand around a black wire stand filled with books and a grinch toy with an elf in a classroom setting.
Group of young children wearing handmade grinch hats posing in a colorful classroom with educational posters and alphabet carpet.
Students with their grinch hats on in a colorful classroom.
Three students with their festive clothing on standing in front of a door with a cut-out tree.
Three students with their Elf Adventures Journals
Two students standing in front of the white board with a Christmas scene being displayed.
Two students with their grinch hats on pointing to where the grinch toy got himself stuck at.
Three students writing in their Elf Adventures journals.
Students showing off their Elf Adventures journals.
We’re proud to share that Van Meter CSD has been rated High Performing on the Iowa School Performance Profiles and named the third-highest performing K-12 district in the state! ⭐

Strong attendance, quality instruction, high achievement, and a shared commitment to learning continue to make a difference for our students.

View the full report on the Iowa Department of Education’s website: https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ECP/StateDistrictSchool/DistrictSummary?k=9498&y=2025
about 1 month ago, Van Meter Schools
Van Meter CSD recognized as High Performing and named the 3rd highest performing K-12 district in Iowa!
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our girls and boys basketball teams as they take on the Madrid Tigers on the road! Go dawgs! 🏀
🕖 6:15pm & 7:15pm
📍 Madrid HS
🎥 https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/madrid/organization/17316/madrid-high-school
🎟️ $7/Person - Cash Only
#VanMeter
about 1 month ago, Van Meter Schools
Basketball gameday!
GAMEDAY: Our girls and boys basketball teams are taking on the Pleasantville Trojans tonight at HOME. Go get 'em, dawgs! 🏀
🕖 6:15pm & 7:15pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/vanmeter
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Basketball gameday!
GAMEDAY: Our boys varsity wrestling team is traveling to compete in the Central Decatur Tournament today. Go dawgs! 🤼‍♂️
🕖 1:00pm
📍 Central Decatur HS
🎟️ $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets can be purchased on Bound, https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/centraldecatur/tickets, or at the door with cash or card.
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Boys Wrestling Meet Day!
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our boys basketball team as they take on St. Albert Catholic. Let’s go, dawgs!🏀
🕖 7:30pm
📍 St Alberts HS
🎟️ https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/stalbert/tickets
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Boys Basketball Game Day!
GAMEDAY: Our girls basketball team is traveling to take on the Pella Christian Eagles tonight. Go dawgs! 🏀
🕖 7:15pm
📍 Pella Christian HS
🎥 http://fan.hudl.com/pceagles
🎟️ $6/person, Entry is cash or card.
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Girls basketball gameday!
Mrs. Flaws and the 3rd grade team are teaming up to spread holiday cheer with a brand-new multiplication strategy game that’s keeping minds sharp and spirits bright. Students are having a blast practicing their facts while thinking strategically and working together—holiday fun and learning, all in one! 🎄
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Two children sitting at a small round table in a classroom, working on a worksheet with a Santa hat placed on the table.
A teacher in a red sweater at the front of the room with the whiteboard displaying numbers in boxes
Two students smiling for the picture, one has a hat on
Two students sitting on the floor with their activity in their laps and smiling up at the camera
Two students on the classroom floor with their activity in front of them
Two students standing at a desk with a red plant
Two students with their whiteboards and activities
Two students on the ground with their whiteboards, markers, and activity sheet
Two students smiling for the camera with their activity on the table in front of them
2nd graders had a visit from Living History Farms this week to wrap up their social studies unit on comparing life "then and now." They learned the commands used to direct oxen that pulled wagons, made candles, and designed their own square for a class quilt! 🐂🕯️
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Four students with the oxen wood piece
A student with the quilted section
Students designing their quilt pieces on paper
Students following the leader, like oxen did
Students following the leader, like oxen did
Students making candles
Van Meter is hiring an Assistant Baseball Coach for Summer 2026! A coaching authorization is required. ⚾

For questions, contact Athletic Director Eric Trudo at eric.trudo@vmbulldogs.com.

Apply online at https://vmcsd.schoolspring.com/
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Van Meter_Social_Hiring Asst HS Baseball Coach Dec 2025_v2
Our 9th to 12th grade students had the chance to explore a variety of career paths and meet professionals from fields such as aviation, healthcare, law enforcement, business, real estate, construction, sports media, and the arts during our Career Day last week! Students were able to ask questions, gain practical insights, and learn about the skills and experiences needed for a variety of careers. 🤝

It was a great day of learning and connection, giving students a clearer picture of the opportunities ahead as they think about their futures!
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Panel with Professionals
Andy Garman talking to the students in that session
Sargent Paul Parizek talking to students in the gym
Ben Ackerman of Nevada Monument Company
Col. Tony Bradley of 132nd Fighter Wing with the Iowa Air National Guard
Tori Smiley (VM Alumni), Water/Wastewater Design Engineer and Craig Hennager of Bolton & Menk, Inc.
GAMEDAY: Good luck to our girls and boys basketball teams as they take on the AC-GC Chargers at home! Let’s go, dawgs! 🏀
🕖 6:00pm & 7:15pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
🎟️ https://www.vancoevents.com/us/eventlist/vanmeter
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Girls basketball gameday!

Last week, the Van Meter Student Conservation Club (VMSCC) had to forego harvesting prairie seed due to extreme cold temperatures and instead took a last-minute field trip to Perry to explore the Forest Park Museum! 🦉

Students were graciously hosted by Dallas County Naturalists and the Museum Curator, who gave short presentations on DCCB's High School Summer Wilderness Trek, native Iowa birds, snakes, and reptiles. Next month, VMSCC will travel to Winterset to meet with a local nature photographer. We'll also learn about soil and water conservation in Madison County.

about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
A group picture outside of the building
A demonstration with an owl
Students listening to the speaker while sitting at desks
While High School students had a Career Day, Middle School students had a fun day in the gym with knock out, hula hoop pass, tug of war, and dodgeball! 💪
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Student sitting at the scoreboard table with the clock controls
Students playing pass the hula hoop!
Students playing pass the hula hoop!
Students playing pass the hula hoop!
Tug of war between two groups over the half-court line.
Tug of war between two groups over the half-court line.
Tug of war between two groups over the half-court line.
Tug of war between two groups over the half-court line.
Students playing dodgeball!
Students playing dodgeball!
GAMEDAY: Our girls' and boys' basketball teams are traveling to take on the Interstate 35 Roadrunners tonight. Good luck, Dawgs! 🏀
🕖 5:45pm & 7:15pm
📍 Interstate 35 HS
🎥 https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/truro/organization/20073/interstate-35-high-school
🎟️ Entry is $7 per person, cash only.
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Girls and Boys basketball game day!
GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our boys' wrestling team as they travel to today's varsity wrestling tournament at Humboldt. Let's go, Dawgs! 🤼‍♂️
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Humboldt HS
🎟️ Entry is $8 for adults and $5 for K-12 students, cash only.
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Boys Wrestling Meet Day!
International Volunteer Day reminds us how fortunate we are to have dedicated volunteers throughout Van Meter Schools. These individuals strengthen learning, bring energy to events, and support memorable field trip experiences.

We also celebrate our students who give back through ongoing community service. Their willingness to step up benefits our entire community. 🙌

We appreciate every volunteer who helps our schools shine. 🌟
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
International Volunteer Day 2025
GAMEDAY: It’s day 2 of the Dan Gable Donnybrook Tournament! Go get 'em, Dawgs! 🤼‍♀️
🕖 9:00am
📍 Xtream Arena (Coralville)
#VanMeter
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Girls wrestling meet day!
Our preschoolers explored coding with Sphero Indi Robots during tech time with Mrs. Miller! They had a blast working together to code paths for the robots. 🤖
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
Mrs. Miller with a group of students with some raising their hands.
Students playing with the robots on the carpet.
Students playing with the robots on the floor.
Students playing with the robots on the floor.
Students playing with the robots on the floor.
Two students playing with the robots on the carpet.
Student playing with the robots on the carpet.
Two students playing with the robots on the carpet.
Two students playing with the robots on the carpet.
Two students playing with the robots on the carpet.
The 1st grade classes proudly presented their Reader’s Theaters! Students loved practicing their reading fluency, creating fun character headbands, and designing backgrounds to bring their stories to life. They were so excited to share their hard work with their classmates! 🎭
about 2 months ago, Van Meter Schools
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group of 1st graders in a line for presenting their Reader’s Theaters!
A group presenting there story
A group presenting there story