🎒 Back to School Countdown: School Supply Giveaway! 📚
We’re gearing up for another amazing year at Van Buren County Schools! Join us for our School Supply Giveaway on Thursday, August 7, from 3–5 p.m. at the VBHS Auxiliary Gym!
✨ Backpacks and school supplies will be available for all Van Buren Co. students in PreK–12
👟 SHOE Giveaway by the Family Resource Center (while supplies last!)
💇 Pay What You Can Haircuts for students
🏫 Don’t forget — Open House at SES & VBHS is 4–6 p.m. that same day!
Let’s get ready for a great school year together! #VBCSBackToSchool #CountdownToClass
We’re gearing up for another amazing year at Van Buren County Schools! Join us for our School Supply Giveaway on Thursday, August 7, from 3–5 p.m. at the VBHS Auxiliary Gym!
✨ Backpacks and school supplies will be available for all Van Buren Co. students in PreK–12
👟 SHOE Giveaway by the Family Resource Center (while supplies last!)
💇 Pay What You Can Haircuts for students
🏫 Don’t forget — Open House at SES & VBHS is 4–6 p.m. that same day!
Let’s get ready for a great school year together! #VBCSBackToSchool #CountdownToClass
📣 Feature Friday: Shaping Tomorrow's Leaders at the Tennessee Teen Institute! 🌟
This summer, students from VBHS joined over 500 youth leaders from across the state at the Tennessee Teen Institute (TTI) — a powerful, five-day youth leadership and prevention camp held on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Celebrating its 38th anniversary, TTI, sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA), empowers students to tackle important teen issues like bullying, suicide, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, violence, distracted driving, and more through a peer-led model that gives youth a voice and ownership in prevention efforts.
Throughout the week, students participated in engaging activities designed to build leadership skills, deepen self-awareness, and strengthen their ability to create real change in their schools and communities. Most importantly, they left committed to promoting a substance-free lifestyle and becoming advocates for health, safety, and positive choices.
We are so proud of our students for taking the lead and representing Van Buren County with purpose and passion. 💪
💬 “To empower Tennessee’s youth to lead by example and take an active role in bringing about positive changes…” — TTI Mission Statement
#FeatureFriday #TeenInstituteTN #YouthLeadership #SubstanceFreeFuture #VBCS #PreventionMatters #EmpoweredYouth #TTI2025
This summer, students from VBHS joined over 500 youth leaders from across the state at the Tennessee Teen Institute (TTI) — a powerful, five-day youth leadership and prevention camp held on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.
Celebrating its 38th anniversary, TTI, sponsored by the Jackson Area Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency (JACOA), empowers students to tackle important teen issues like bullying, suicide, substance abuse, teen pregnancy, violence, distracted driving, and more through a peer-led model that gives youth a voice and ownership in prevention efforts.
Throughout the week, students participated in engaging activities designed to build leadership skills, deepen self-awareness, and strengthen their ability to create real change in their schools and communities. Most importantly, they left committed to promoting a substance-free lifestyle and becoming advocates for health, safety, and positive choices.
We are so proud of our students for taking the lead and representing Van Buren County with purpose and passion. 💪
💬 “To empower Tennessee’s youth to lead by example and take an active role in bringing about positive changes…” — TTI Mission Statement
#FeatureFriday #TeenInstituteTN #YouthLeadership #SubstanceFreeFuture #VBCS #PreventionMatters #EmpoweredYouth #TTI2025
2nd day of middle softball tryouts is today (Thurs, July 24th) from 3:00-5:00 p.m.
Currently, we don't have enough girls who have shown interest in the program to field a team this year. If more girls are interested, they need to be at tryouts or let the school know by 5:00 today.
💧 Stay Safe Around Water! 🌊
Coordinated School Health wants to remind everyone about the importance of water safety—whether you’re at the pool, lake, or enjoying water activities! Water can be fun, but safety should always come first.
Here are some tips to stay safe:
🛟 Never swim alone—always have a buddy and an adult nearby.
🚸 Watch children closely when they’re near water—stay within arm’s reach.
🏊♀️ Learn to swim—swim lessons can save lives!
🌊 Wear a life jacket when boating or in open water.
⚠️ Know your limits—don’t push yourself in deep or rough water.
📵 Avoid distractions if you’re supervising swimmers.
⚡ Stay out of the water during storms or lightning.
Let’s work together to keep our families safe and make water activities enjoyable for everyone! Enjoy this throw back picture from our 2022 Back to School Splash! Were you there?!
#WaterSafety #HealthyHabits #WellnessForLife
Coordinated School Health wants to remind everyone about the importance of water safety—whether you’re at the pool, lake, or enjoying water activities! Water can be fun, but safety should always come first.
Here are some tips to stay safe:
🛟 Never swim alone—always have a buddy and an adult nearby.
🚸 Watch children closely when they’re near water—stay within arm’s reach.
🏊♀️ Learn to swim—swim lessons can save lives!
🌊 Wear a life jacket when boating or in open water.
⚠️ Know your limits—don’t push yourself in deep or rough water.
📵 Avoid distractions if you’re supervising swimmers.
⚡ Stay out of the water during storms or lightning.
Let’s work together to keep our families safe and make water activities enjoyable for everyone! Enjoy this throw back picture from our 2022 Back to School Splash! Were you there?!
#WaterSafety #HealthyHabits #WellnessForLife
📢 Save the Date! 📢
Tennessee’s annual Sales Tax Holiday is right around the corner! 🎉 From Friday, July 25th through Sunday, July 27th, you can shop tax-free on school supplies, clothing, and computers.
It’s the perfect time to stock up for the new school year! ✏️📚💻
For more details on eligible items, visit: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday/sth-traditional.html
#VBCS #TNTaxHoliday #BackToSchool #ShopSmart
Tennessee’s annual Sales Tax Holiday is right around the corner! 🎉 From Friday, July 25th through Sunday, July 27th, you can shop tax-free on school supplies, clothing, and computers.
It’s the perfect time to stock up for the new school year! ✏️📚💻
For more details on eligible items, visit: https://www.tn.gov/revenue/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday/sth-traditional.html
#VBCS #TNTaxHoliday #BackToSchool #ShopSmart
Middle School Softball Tryouts:
Wednesday, July 23rd 3PM-5PM
Thursday, July 24th 3PM-5PM
Tryouts will take place at the softball field & are for any girl that will be in 6th-8th grade next year. Please come dressed appropriately & with a glove.
📣 Feature Friday: Spotlight on Fall Creek Falls State Park! 🌲🦅
We’re excited to highlight our amazing partnership with Fall Creek Falls State Park this week! From participating in our summer learning camps to presenting at Eagle Encounters, their team provides our students with hands-on, unforgettable learning experiences that stretch far beyond the classroom.
Recently, park staff shared their expertise with our district leadership team, leading a powerful discussion on developing leadership. In addition, they actively serve on several of our community collaboration teams, helping shape programs that benefit all of Van Buren County.
Thank you, Fall Creek Falls, for your continued commitment to our students, schools, and community! We are grateful for the opportunities you help create. 💛💚
#FeatureFriday #FallCreekFalls #CommunityPartners #VanBurenCountySchools #LearningBeyondTheClassroom #StudentLeadership
The Van Buren County Board of Education will meet Wednesday, July 23, 2025, for a Regularly Scheduled Board Meeting. This meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Van Buren County Board of Education located at 293 Sparta Street, Spencer, TN 38585. To view the Board Agenda, visit the Van Buren County Schools website.
🎒 FREE School Supply Event for Students! 🎒
Van Buren County families — mark your calendars! 📅
Benson’s Backpack Assistance Ministry (B.A.M.) is hosting a FREE Drive-Thru Event for all K–12 students in Van Buren and White County! Come receive:
✅ Backpacks
✅ School Supplies
✅ Hygiene Items
✅ Books
✅ And More!
📍 White County High School Football Field
📆 Saturday, July 26, 2025
🕘 Starts at 9 AM
💙 Want to help? Volunteers are needed to pack backpacks:
📍 YMCA Basketball Gym
📆 Friday, July 25
🕙 10 AM
You can also give by donating hygiene items or supporting B.A.M. directly through the YMCA.
Let’s get our students ready for a great school year! 📚✏️
Questions? Contact: info@spartaymca.org | 931-836-3330
#VanBurenCountySchools #BackToSchool #CommunitySupport #BensonsBackpack #VBStrong
Van Buren County families — mark your calendars! 📅
Benson’s Backpack Assistance Ministry (B.A.M.) is hosting a FREE Drive-Thru Event for all K–12 students in Van Buren and White County! Come receive:
✅ Backpacks
✅ School Supplies
✅ Hygiene Items
✅ Books
✅ And More!
📍 White County High School Football Field
📆 Saturday, July 26, 2025
🕘 Starts at 9 AM
💙 Want to help? Volunteers are needed to pack backpacks:
📍 YMCA Basketball Gym
📆 Friday, July 25
🕙 10 AM
You can also give by donating hygiene items or supporting B.A.M. directly through the YMCA.
Let’s get our students ready for a great school year! 📚✏️
Questions? Contact: info@spartaymca.org | 931-836-3330
#VanBurenCountySchools #BackToSchool #CommunitySupport #BensonsBackpack #VBStrong
📚✨ Together Tuesday ✨📚
We’re excited to kick off our Together Tuesday series, celebrating family engagement and learning at home!
This week, we’d love to see photos of families reading together. Whether it’s bedtime stories, library visits, or reading in a cozy spot at home—show us how you make reading special!
📸 Share your photos by emailing them to socialmedia@vanburenschools.org to be featured in an upcoming post!
Let’s inspire one another and show how reading brings families together! 💙 #TogetherTuesday #FamilyEngagement #VBReads
We’re excited to kick off our Together Tuesday series, celebrating family engagement and learning at home!
This week, we’d love to see photos of families reading together. Whether it’s bedtime stories, library visits, or reading in a cozy spot at home—show us how you make reading special!
📸 Share your photos by emailing them to socialmedia@vanburenschools.org to be featured in an upcoming post!
Let’s inspire one another and show how reading brings families together! 💙 #TogetherTuesday #FamilyEngagement #VBReads
📸✨ Way Back Wednesdays are coming! ✨📸
We’re looking to celebrate the rich history of Van Buren County Schools with your help! If you’re a former student, teacher, or staff member, we’d love to feature your old school photos for our Way Back Wednesday series.
Dig out those yearbook gems, class snapshots, sports memories, or fun candid moments and send them to:
📧 socialmedia@vanburenschools.org
**Please do not add photos in the comments**
Be sure to include the year and names (if known) so we can properly credit the memory!
Let’s take a trip down memory lane together! 💙💛 #WayBackWednesday #VBCSAlumni #ThrowbackTime
We’re looking to celebrate the rich history of Van Buren County Schools with your help! If you’re a former student, teacher, or staff member, we’d love to feature your old school photos for our Way Back Wednesday series.
Dig out those yearbook gems, class snapshots, sports memories, or fun candid moments and send them to:
📧 socialmedia@vanburenschools.org
**Please do not add photos in the comments**
Be sure to include the year and names (if known) so we can properly credit the memory!
Let’s take a trip down memory lane together! 💙💛 #WayBackWednesday #VBCSAlumni #ThrowbackTime
Returning Student Online Registration Clarifying Information
1. Returning Student Registration has to be completed by a guardian/parent ONLY. This cannot be completed on the Student Access (this is currently locked). Also, Skyward Login Information cannot be given out to Non-Guardians/Custodians.
2. At this time we are still a CEP school for 2025-26, which means Breakfast and Lunch is Free. We still need Food Service Applications filled out though due to using them for other purposes such as state and federal funding.
3. Also, a big thank you to all who have completed their Online Registrations!!!
1. Returning Student Registration has to be completed by a guardian/parent ONLY. This cannot be completed on the Student Access (this is currently locked). Also, Skyward Login Information cannot be given out to Non-Guardians/Custodians.
2. At this time we are still a CEP school for 2025-26, which means Breakfast and Lunch is Free. We still need Food Service Applications filled out though due to using them for other purposes such as state and federal funding.
3. Also, a big thank you to all who have completed their Online Registrations!!!
High School Baseball Tryouts:
Monday, July 14th 12PM-2PM
Tuesday, July 15th 4PM-7PM
Tryouts are for any boy going into high school next year. It's best to be at both days of tryouts, but if you can't make both days for some reason, please let the coaches know ahead of time.
📣 Online Registration Now Open! 📣
Online registration for returning students in grades 1st-12th opened today! 🖥️🎒 Be sure to log in and complete your child’s registration for the upcoming school year.
✅ Complete your registration here: https://sis-vanburen.tnk12.gov/scripts/wsisa.dll/WService=wsVANStu/seplog01.w
👉 New students (including those who were previously enrolled but left before the end of last school year) will need to register in person on August 5th.
If you need assistance or help with your Skyward Family Access information, please email 📧 registration@vanburenschools.org.
We’re excited to welcome everyone back soon! 🍎 #VBCSProud #BackToSchool #OnlineRegistration
📣 Attention Van Buren County Families!
Online registration for returning students for the 2025–2026 school year opens July 8th!
If you need help with your Skyward username or password, please email us at:
📧 registration@vanburenschools.org
🗓️ New students will register in person on August 5, 2025.
Please note: This does not include returning PreK and Kindergarten students.
#VanBurenSchools #StudentRegistration #BackToSchool2025
Van Buren County's Early Bird Preschool still has openings for income eligible students who will turn 4 years of age by August 15, 2025. If you are interested in your student applying this year, please call Denise Whittenberg at (931)946-2242 ext. 23 to pick up an application.
Van Buren County Schools is pleased to announce several administrative changes that have taken place during the 2024-25 school year and upcoming for the 2025-26 school year.
In March 2025, Mrs. Katina Simmons was officially appointed as Director of Schools. Mrs. Simmons brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously served as interim director, principal and assistant principal of Van Buren County High School, as well as a biology teacher at VBHS.
Following her appointment, Mr. Drew Campbell was named principal of VBHS in April 2025. Mr. Campbell formerly served as the assistant principal and, prior to entering administration, taught middle school math.
Looking ahead to the 2025-26 school year, Ms. Amanda Cronin will step into the role of assistant principal at Van Buren County High School. Ms. Cronin previously taught 7th grade math and is excited to begin this new chapter in educational leadership.
We look forward to the continued growth and success these leaders will bring to our district.
Van Buren County Schools is proud to welcome Dr. Jody Hensley as the new Director of Transportation and Safety. Dr. Hensley steps into this role following the retirement of Mrs. BB Grissom, who dedicated 39 years of service to the district. A familiar face in VBCS, Dr. Hensley previously taught 6th grade math at Van Buren County High School and also served as a bus driver. We are excited to have Dr. Hensley bring his experience and commitment to student safety into this new leadership position.
Van Buren County Schools is excited to welcome Jessica Hillis as our new speech teacher, working under the guidance of SLP Carly Ratley.
Jessica is a proud Van Buren County native with a bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from MTSU and is currently pursuing additional certifications.
We’re thrilled to have her on our team and look forward to the impact she’ll make with our students!
📢 July Summer Feeding Program 🍎🥪
Van Buren County Schools will be hosting Summer Feeding Days on Wednesday, July 10th and July 24th from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM with pickup behind Van Buren County High School.
📞 If you'd like to be added to the list, please call the Board of Education at 931-946-2242 no later than Wednesday, June 25th.
Let’s make sure every child stays nourished this summer! 💛
#VBCS #SummerFeeding #CommunityCares
