In an effort to reduce traffic congestion in front of our schools, we ask all parents that are dropping off their students to enter the schools from Sparta Street by the bus garage. You will be required to exit the schools going south toward the square. If you have elementary, middle, and high school students, please drop off the middle/high school students first. Student drivers need to follow this also. We ask for your patience as we work out our traffic situation. Thank you!!
Information regarding P-EBT Food Assistance can be found by going to the Van Buren County Schools website or by following this link: https://5il.co/jct2 Under the new P-EBT program, families of children who receive free or reduced meals at school or attend a Community Eligibility Provision school may receive financial assistance to replace school meals during the months of March, April, and May due to COVID-19 school closures. The program will provide parents with $5.70 per child for each day that child qualifies for P-EBT. The application period will end on August 14, 2020 at 4:30pm CT. (Parents who already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits currently, do not need to apply. The funds began arriving on the EBT card they already use beginning June 12.)
Parents as Partners Tip #4 can be found by going to the Van Buren County Schools website or by following this link: https://5il.co/j56n
This a reminder that registration is tomorrow but for NEW students only. Students can pick up their schedule tomorrow at 8 am at the auxiliary gym. Buses will not run tomorrow.
Students that plan on riding the bus need to listen closely to this next part. This will take effect Friday, August 7. Before students board the bus, a staff member will step off the bus to check the students’ temperatures. A parent or responsible adult needs to be present at the bus stop until their children have their temperatures checked and cleared to board the bus. If a child has a temperature of 100.4 degrees or higher, then that child is required to stay home. Someone from the school will the child’s family as to when the child can return to school. Siblings will be required to sit together whenever possible. Buses will be disinfected daily.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please be patient with us as we try to make returning and staying in school possible.
This weekend is a great time to pick up back to school supplies. The Tennessee Sales Tax Holiday begins Friday, July 31 at 12:01 a.m. and ends Sunday, August 2 at 11:59 p.m. Clothing, school supplies, and art supplies with sales price of $200 or less and electronic devices, including but not limited to, computers and TVs, with sales price of $3,000 or less are all sales tax free this weekend!
Parents as Partners Tip #3 can be found by going to the Van Buren County Schools website or by following this link: https://5il.co/inc0
Remember to drive thru to pick up your FREE backpack and school supplies at this year's BAM event! It's tomorrow, Saturday, July 25, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at White County High School. Children receiving items must be present with an adult with a valid driver's license.
Remember to drive thru the BAM Backpack & Supply Giveaway on Saturday, July 24, at 9 a.m. at the White County High School for White and Van Buren County students! Each child receiving items must be present with an adult with a valid driver's license.
There are a lot of new things to learn for the upcoming school year! Help your child get a head start in understanding our new ways of doing things at school by talking to them about social distancing and how it will affect them at school. Parents as Partners Tip Sheet #2 can be found by going to the Van Buren County School's website or following this link: https://5il.co/igv5
This school year, more than ever, parents and schools will need to partner together to ensure the needs of our students are met. Parents as Partners Tip Sheet #1 can be found by going to the Van Buren County Schools website or following this link: https://5il.co/ierd
VIRTUAL INSTRUCTION PROGRAM (VIP) APPLICATION NOW AVAILABLE:
Van Buren County Schools will offer an at-home Virtual Instruction Program option for families that wish to utilize it. This program will be free of charge and will be facilitated by Van Buren County Schools teachers and will allow students to remain enrolled within the school district while distance learning at home. Students enrolled in the virtual learning program option will still be held accountable for coursework completion and online attendance. This will be a very structured and rigorous at-home option for students that are accepted.
Parents that are interested in enrolling their students in the Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) will need to fill out an application that has been released today, Friday, July 17th.
This will be found on the school website, at this link: https://5il.co/icu0 or can be picked-up at the central office. Central office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00am-3:00pm and Fridays 8:00am-12:00noon. Applications are due Thursday, July, 23rd by 3:00pm. Application does not guarantee acceptance into the VIP.
The High 5's & School Supplies Donation Drive begins TODAY! Thank you for your continued support!
ADDITIONAL SCHOOL REOPENING INFORMATION:
Transportation:
Bus transportation will be provided as normal by the school district. Because we can not guarantee social distancing on buses, all bus riders are encouraged to wear a mask. Now more than ever, students are reminded of their personal responsibility to behave appropriately. Misbehavior on a bus will not be tolerated and may result in a loss of privileges.
An additional staff member will be riding the bus to check each students’ temperatures before students board the bus. Students with a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit will not be allowed to board the bus or attend school. Parents/guardians retain responsibility of the students until the students have been cleared to board the bus.
Morning Student Drop-off:
Every student will have their temperature checked by school personnel before they enter the buildings. In all cases, parents are responsible for being sure they are not sending sick students to school.
To prevent traffic congestion please do not arrive prior to 7:30am. The doors will not be unlocked at any building until 7:30am to begin student drop-off.
Parents/guardians retain responsibility of the students until the students have been cleared to enter the building.
Student drivers that provide transportation for younger siblings that are students at SES must drop them off at the front doors of the elementary school building.
Health, Safety, and Operations:
Van Buren County Schools will apply the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) guidance for Critical Infrastructure Workers to our employees and students when potential exposure to a positive COVID-19 case has been determined. Those with positive cases must be quarantined for 14 days before returning to school. Those who were possibly exposed will be contacted but will continue to come to school and be asked to wear a mask for 14 days as long as they remain symptom-free.
Cleaning protocols will be enhanced and other procedures will be altered to mitigate coronavirus concerns. The use of masks will be encouraged especially in hallways and common areas. Those showing signs of illness will be isolated and parents will be called. If any person tests positive for COVID-19, the health department will work with the school to provide the relevant information to those exposed to risk.
Updates:
There will be more information to come. Regular updates will be released from the school district via phone calls, the district website at www.vanburenschools.org and other media outlets. If yo have immediate questions you may contact your child’s school or the Van Buren County Board of Education. In order to stay informed as information is released it is imperative that parents and guardians notify their child’s school with any updated contact information.
The High 5's & School Supplies Donation Drive is being held July 17-August 7 to collect much needed school supplies for our students. Donations may be dropped off at Van Buren Co. School Board. Collected supplies will be given out at school to students in need. Please share the letter regarding the Donation Drive (on the school Facebook page) with your business, church, or organization.
The BAM Back to School Celebration will be a DRIVE THRU EVENT at White Co. High School on Saturday, July 25, at 9:00 a.m. for White and Van Buren Co. K-12 students. Each student will receive a FREE backpack filled with school supplies. Each student receiving items must be present with an adult with a valid drivers license.
Any homeschool child who is planning on playing sports for Van Buren County Middle or High School during the 2020-2021 school year should contact Dustin Sullivan as soon as possible so he can get them eligible with TSSAA. This does not apply to students who choose the virtual learning option through the school system.
Coach Sullivan can be reached at sullivand1@vanburenschools.org
2020-2021 SCHOOL REOPENING PLAN:
Overall Plan:
Van Buren County Schools will open the 2020-21 school year on a traditional schedule with all students attending on a regular schedule Monday - Friday. Social distancing will be practiced when practical, daily temperature checks will be taken for employees and students, and masks will be encouraged to be worn.
Virtual Learning Option:
Van Buren County Schools will offer an at-home Virtual Instruction Program option for families that wish to utilize it. This program will be free of charge and will be facilitated by Van Buren County Schools teachers and will allow students to remain enrolled within the school district while distance learning at home. Students enrolled in the virtual learning program option will still be held accountable for coursework completion and online attendance.
Parents that are interested in enrolling their students in the Virtual Instruction Program (VIP) will need to fill out an application that will be released this Friday, July 17th. This will be found on the school website or can be picked-up at the central office. Applications are due Thursday, July, 23rd by 3:00pm. Application does not guarantee acceptance into the VIP.
Registration Day:
Registration Day will be Wednesday, August 5th between 8:00am-9:00am. Buses will not run on this day. ONLY new incoming students that were not enrolled in the district last year need to attend with a parent/guardian. Students who were enrolled in the district last year DO NOT need to attend. Pre-K and Kindergarten students that pre-registered by phone or online DO NOT need to attend. Pre-K and Kindergarten students will receive a card in the mail explaining their “phase-in” days around the last week of July.
If you are a middle or high school student and would like to pick up your schedule you may come through the schedule pick-up line at the auxiliary gym on Registration Day between 8:00am-9:00am. All families and students are also welcome to check their Skyward accounts on or after that day to view their schedule.
We will follow the original approved school calendar for this year. The first full day of school will be as originally scheduled on Friday, August, 7th, 2020.
Additional information will be forthcoming.
REMINDER - VAN BUREN COUNTY SCHOOLS - FALL 2020 REOPENING COMMUNITY SURVEY:
The survey is still open. Please take the time to voice your opinion on our school system's reopening this fall.
This survey is open to all community members, parents/guardians, students, and employees to participate in. We would greatly appreciate your feedback as we try to make preparations for these uncertain times.
We hope you are enjoying your summer break and we hope we can all be together again soon!
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/hUDCSMWaihNgWNFY6
VAN BUREN COUNTY SCHOOLS - FALL 2020 REOPENING COMMUNITY SURVEY:
All Van Buren County Schools stakeholders,
Please take the time to complete a brief survey regarding your opinion on our school system's reopening this fall.
This survey is open to all community members, parents/guardians, students, and employees to participate in. We would greatly appreciate your feedback as we try to make preparations for these uncertain times.
We hope you are enjoying your summer break and we hope we can all be together again soon!
Survey Link: https://forms.gle/hUDCSMWaihNgWNFY6
Tennessee families are now eligible to receive financial support for their children’s nutritional needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This support is provided through the Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) program.
Under the new P-EBT program, families of children who receive free or reduced meals at school or attend a Community Eligibility Provision school may receive financial assistance to replace school meals during the months of March, April and May due to COVID-19 school closures. The program will provide parents with $5.70 per child for each day that child qualifies for P-EBT.
Parents who already receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) benefits currently, do not need to apply. The funds began arriving on the EBT card they already use beginning June 12. Parents who do not receive SNAP benefits, but whose children do qualify for free or reduced school meals, will need to apply for P-EBT online here beginning June 15. The application period will end June 29, 2020.
Both Van Buren County Schools are Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which means every child that attends Van Buren County Schools is eleigible to recieve these benefits.
To apply click on the following link: https://tdhs.service-now.com/relief?id=relief_registration
For more information from the state press release follow this link: https://5il.co/hcb6
