Van Meter Community School District

This week, our 6th graders stepped into the shoes of social scientists as they explored the role of archaeologists! Students examined mysterious artifacts and made thoughtful observations about what those objects might reveal about the people who once used them. 📝

Before diving into To Kill a Mockingbird, English 2 students built background knowledge by conducting research. Then, they created presentations and shared their findings with small groups! 📚

Today, Mr. Surratt’s 8th grade Exploratory students launched the rockets they’ve been designing and building over the past four weeks! What a fun and memorable day for our students. 🚀

Get ready to shine—this year’s Homecoming is bound to be glowing! ✨

Check out the dress up day schedules for both our Elementary and Secondary schools and start planning your brightest outfits. Let’s make this week unforgettable!

GAMEDAY: Best of luck to our girls and boys cross country teams as they travel to Panorama to run today. Go dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Panorama HS
📈 AATiming.com
🎟️ Admission: $5
#VanMeter

Homecoming Week is almost here, and we can't wait to GLOW with our students, staff, families, and alumni! Mark your calendars and join us for a week full of spirit, tradition, and fun. 🎉

Sunday, September 28:
✨ Grudge Match: 4:00 to 5:00pm in the South Gym
✨ SLT ice cream social: 5:00 to 5:30pm
✨ Powder Puff: 5:30 to 6:30pm on the North Football Field (weather permitting)

Friday, October 3:
✨ Bulldog Games: TBD
✨ Elementary/Secondary Connections
✨ Homecoming Football Game 7:00pm
✨ Coronation crowning: TBD

Saturday, October 4:
✨ High School Homecoming Dance: 8:00 to 10:00pm

Last year’s extra yearbooks sold out fast, so we're opening up a limited number of copies from both the 2022-23 and 2023-24 school years! 📚

✅ 2022-23 Yearbooks are $10. Please note, the front page is missing due to manufacturing rules, and the discounted price reflects this.
✅ 2023-24 Yearbooks are $20.

Cash or check are accepted. To reserve your copy, please contact Brittney Swartz at brittney.swartz@vmbulldogs.com.

Backpack safety starts with strong habits! In honor of National School Backpack Awareness Day, try these tips:

⭐ Use both shoulder straps—never just one
⭐ Keep backpacks light—aim for 10-15% of body weight
⭐ Lift with your legs, not your back

Learn more: www.kidshealth.org/en/parents/backpack.html

We're hiring an elementary associate! If you enjoy working with kids and want to support students in a meaningful way, this could be the perfect fit. 🏫

Apply now: vmcsd.schoolspring.com

The next meeting of the Van Meter Board of Education will take place Wednesday, September 17, beginning at 5:00pm in the new board room at the district office. The meeting is open to the public.

GAMEDAY: Our volleyball team is on the road today taking on the Pleasantville Trojans! Go get ‘em, dawgs! 🏐
🕖 6:30pm
📍 Pleasantville HS
🎥 tinyurl.com/yde4j2r3
📈 tinyurl.com/bdnawk5d
🎟️ Admission: $7
#VanMeter

Happy International IT Professionals Day! A huge thanks goes out to Technology Director Mike Linde for ensuring our teachers and students have the tools they need to succeed. 🖥️

We appreciate all you do each day!

The Van Meter Yearbook Staff has a limited number of 2024-25 yearbooks available for purchase. If you are interested in buying one, please contact Brittney at brittney.swartz@vmbulldogs.com. These are first come, first served! 📘

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we honor and recognize the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in our community and our nation. Let’s continue to learn from one another and work together to create a welcoming environment for all! 🙌

GAMEDAY: Our girls and boys cross country teams are traveling to the Ballard Meet today! Good luck, dawgs! 🏃
🕖 4:30pm
📍 Ballard Golf and Country Club
🎟️ Admission: $5
#VanMeter

Students in our 1st and 5th grade buddy classes had a great time getting to know each other while working on a Seesaw activity using their new Chromebooks! The 5th graders helped teach the Seesaw tools, and both groups are excited to keep learning together throughout the year. 💻😁

Our book vending machine is full of books and ready to go for our readers! 📚

A special thank you to VMEPC for supporting all of our readers through this amazing project each year. We appreciate all of your support, and our readers do too! 💙🤍

GAMEDAY: Good luck goes out to our football team tonight as they take on the Winterset Huskies at home. Go Dawgs! 🏈
🕖 7:00pm
📍 Van Meter HS
🎥 fan.hudl.com/usa/ia/van-meter/organization/15612/van-meter-high-school
📈 Van Meter vs. Winterset Preview
🎟️ https://www.vancoevents.com/us/DGNV
#VanMeter

GAMEDAY: Good luck to our boys and girls cross country teams as they travel to Gilbert’s cross country meet! The Varsity boys run before the Varsity girls. Go dawgs! 🏃
🕖 5:00pm & 5:25pm
📍 ISU Cross Country Course, Ames
📈 Live Results: www.aatiming.com/
#VanMeter

We honor 9/11 Remembrance Day with gratitude for the first responders, compassion for the families affected, and pride in our nation’s resilience. 🇺🇸