Mr. Rutter’s AP Biology class spent the morning at Des Moines’ Ape Initiative—one of only two facilities in the world devoted exclusively to bonobo research.
From learning about and observing intricate social behaviors to chatting with scientists about experimental design and conservation challenges, our students saw real‑world biology in action and left inspired to protect these amazing primates!
Congratulations to our girls' Drake Relays qualifiers! They’ll compete on Thursday and Saturday this week—way to go, girls!
Thursday, April 24
✨ 3000m Final (Laura Streck) – 6:07pm
Saturday, April 26
✨ 4x100 Prelims (Makenzie Dubbin, Haedyn Rebelsky, Teya Speltz, Avery Banks) – 9:40am
✨ 4x800 Final (Emma McCoy, Liv Halfpap, Lizzy McCann, Laura Streck) – 10:44am
✨ 400m Hurdles (Madi Boese) – 2:12pm
✨ 1500m Final (Laura Streck) – 4:14pm
MEET DAY: Our girls and boys track & field teams are traveling to the Atlantic Meet! Go Dawgs!
⏲️ 4:30pm
📍 Atlantic HS
#VanMeter
GAMEDAY: Our girls soccer team is taking on the Greene County Rams at home! Go Dawgs!
⏲️: 4:30pm
📍: Van Meter HS
#VanMeter
MEET DAY: Our girls and boys golf teams are traveling to the Pine Knolls Country Club for today’s meet! Go Dawgs!
⏲️: 4:15pm
📍: Pine Knolls Country Club
#VanMeter
Each day, our bus drivers play an incredibly important role in keeping our students safe! We’re thankful for all they do as they transport students to and from school—as well as to a variety of school events. 🚌
Happy National School Bus Driver Appreciation Day!
Happy Earth Day! Today we reflect on the beauty of our planet and the importance of preserving it for future generations. 🌎
The 6th grade spent the morning working at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery for Earth Day. Thank you for volunteering, students!
MEET DAY: Our girls golf team is traveling to Lakeview Country Club for today’s meet! Go Dawgs!
⏲️: 1:00pm
📍: Lakeview Country Club (Winterset)
#VanMeter
MEET DAY: Our girls and boys track & field teams are hosting the Bill Miller Invitational! Go Dawgs!
⏲️ 4:30pm
📍 Van Meter HS
#VanMeter
During Public School Volunteer Week, we express our gratitude to the people who give their time and energy to support our students, staff, and schools throughout the school year. 😀
Thank you so much for all you do and the impact you make! 🙏
Warm wishes to our Van Meter school community for a happy Easter! 🌷
GAMEDAY: Our girls' soccer team is traveling to take on Valley and ADM! Go Dawgs!
⏲️: 10:45am & 12:30pm
📍: ADM HS
#VanMeter
MEET DAY: Our girls and boys golf teams are traveling to take on Gilbert for today’s meet! Go Dawgs!
⏲️: 4:00pm
📍: Ames Country Club
#VanMeter
Interested in our 2025-26 Kindergarten/Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program? Fill out the interest form below today!
📌 If your child will be 5 years old by September 15, 2025, please complete the form linked below.
📌 If your child currently attends TK at Van Meter, there’s no need to fill this out.
📌 Considering TK? This is the correct form for you!
Interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaYxGVVF5jC6BSssYjofh7DWE7kdo6jURRRi7py0BYcbj_vQ/viewform.
Note: This is not official registration; it helps us plan for next year. Official registrations will be sent out later this spring to families that have completed this form.
Welcome, Chris Guess, our new girls basketball coach!
Coach Guess brings a 489-219 overall record, 15 state tournament appearances with 2 state titles, and was inducted into the Iowa Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2022.
We're excited to have you on board, coach! 🏀
MEET DAY: Our girls and boys track & field teams are traveling to the Clarke Meet! Go Dawgs!
⏲️ 4:30pm & 5:00pm
📍 Clarke HS
#VanMeter
GAMEDAY: Our girls and boys soccer teams are traveling to take on the Winterset Huskies! Go Dawgs!
⏲️: 5:30pm & 7:00pm
📍: Winterset HS
#VanMeter
Thank you to the Jensen Family for generously donating 'Just Like Caitlin' books to all of our 3rd grade students at Van Meter Elementary yesterday! Our students were thrilled to receive their very own copy. 📚
We’re so grateful to the Jensen Family—not only for this special delivery, but also for gifting the same book to our 2nd graders earlier this year.
It's a great day to be a Bulldog! 💙 #justlikecaitlin
The next meeting of the Van Meter Board of Education will take place Wednesday, April 16, beginning at 5:00pm in the Elementary Collaboration Space. The meeting is open to the public.
