Vandalia CUSD #203

Active COVID + cases as of 10-22-21: VES= No active positive cases; VJHS= 0.97% of the student population; VCHS= No active positive cases; Staff= No active positive cases.

On Friday, Oct. 22, admission to the Varsity Football game against Greenville is a donation of food to the Nourishing Greatness weekend backpack food program. Donations will also be accepted. This event is sponsored by Peoples State Bank.

Active COVID + cases as of 10-15-21: VES= No active positive cases; VJHS= 0.38% of the student population ; VCHS= No active positive cases; Staff= 0.45% of staff.

VCHS Football Playoff Shirts can be ordered online at https://www.bsnteamsports.com/shop/vandalsfp Ordering closes Monday, October 18th at 12:00 am.

Active COVID + cases as of 10-8-21: VES= 0.20% of the student population; VJHS= 0.19% of the student population; VCHS= 0.25% of the student population; Staff= No active positive cases.

Due to wet field conditions, tonight’s homecoming flag football and bonfire events have been postponed to Wednesday, October 20th from 6-10pm. The Homecoming Parade for today is still on starting at 5:00pm.

It's the first week of National Bullying Prevention Month, and our partners at Linewize by Family Zone have created this infographic to help you learn more about children and teens' experiences with cyberbullying. For an in-depth parent guide on cyberbullying head over to our cyber safety hub, and stay tuned for more helpful resources coming your way throughout the month of October. Link: https://vandals203.cybersafetyhub.com/cyber-safety-topics/cyberbullying

Active COVID positive cases as of 10-1-21: VES= 0.81% of the student population; VJHS= 0.57% of the student population ; VCHS= 1.01% of the student population; Staff= 0.45% of staff.

VCUSD #203: We will be dismissing school early on Friday, October 1st. VES-11:30am, VJHS-11:30am 4th grade walkers/pick-ups/early bus students, 11:45am Grade 5-8, VCHS- 11:45am. No Pre-K Classes.

In an effort to open communication to the community the Vandalia School Board has decided to start Vandal Board Chat. Videos/updates will be available on our district YouTube channel and website https://www.vandals203.org under the News section on the home page.

Active COVID positive cases as of 9-24-21: VES = 0.61% of the student population; VJHS = 0.95% of the student population; VCHS = 2.27% of the student population; Staff = 1.34% of staff. Link to the local plan we continue to advocate for: https://www.vandals203.org/browse/148552

The internet and social media can be a place that amplifies positive emotional states when tweens and teens have quality interactions online. Check out our tips to encourage a more positive online life. @FamilyZoneUSA @FamilyZoneUS https://vandals203.familyzone.com

Good afternoon. Here is our data for active COVID positive cases: VES= 0% of the student population; VJHS= 1.7% of the student population ; VCHS= 5.6% of the student population . VCHS began increased distancing at lunch today. Staff= .005% of the staff Our local plan states physical distancing will be increased at lunch and in the hallways when 5% or more of the student body is COVID + counting only the active cases. We hit this metric two weeks in a row at VCHS. Link to the plan here: https://www.vandals203.org/browse/148552 Our next regular Board of Education meeting is Monday, September 20th at 6:00 p.m. in the board room at the unit office. The entrance is at Door 9 at VCHS.

Vandalia School district conducted a test of our intruder alert today around 9:45 AM. This was only a test of the system. There was no intruder. All students and staff are safe.

The following is a link to our e-Learning Day plan: https://5il.co/x8dg An e-Learning day could be used instead of an emergency day (think snow day). To clarify, this was an option that was available to school districts before COVID came. This simply gives us a choice to take a snow day OR implement an e-Learning Day. We might all want a snow day or two to enjoy but if and when the big winter storm comes, this gives us an option.

Vandalia Alumni & Friends is excited to host the All School Reunion on October 9th! All retired teachers of Vandalia Schools get to attend for free! https://5il.co/rtup *Questions & More Information: https://www.facebook.com/VandaliaAlumniAndFriends

This message is to remind you to call (618)283-8135 or email transportation@vandals203.org, the Vandalia Schools Transportation number, in order to set up your child's transportation for the Year if you have not filled out the google form or arranged it with Whitney or Donna before now. Please hold on to this number in order to contact transportation for possible transportation changes, and address changes.

Dear Vandalia #203 Staff and Families, We are so excited to start the 21-22 school year! I know there is a lot of noise around COVID mandates, recommendations, and mitigation measures. My request is that we focus on having an excellent start to the school year. I believe this is the best thing we can do for the mental health of our children. Going to school five days a week on a normal schedule will be my priority. We believe in local control and that is why I signed on as a leader of #MakeItLocalIL. My recommendations regarding how to start the school year have not changed. There is not a one size fits all model in IL as each community is different. My ask is that we figure this out in Vandalia together as a community. #VandalStrong is not something we hang our hats on only when times are easy, but we do the same and come together during difficult times as well. We can do this for our children. If we start school and see a spike of COVID cases being spread inside our walls and into our community, we will adjust to the specific situation. To our staff and students getting vaccinated so you do not have to wear a mask or quarantine, I hear you. To the families of children in grades PreK-6 who are not eligible for the vaccine and have concerns over the variants, I hear you. To the parents who oppose masks, quarantines, or vaccines, I hear you. Every single voice is important. The vaccine is available for those 12 and above now so families have choices that we did not have in August of 2020. We may not all get exactly what we want each day of the school year but please help me in coming together to do this as ONE Town, ONE School, and ONE family. I will end by emphasizing once again that my priority is going to school five days a week on a normal schedule. The rest will fall into place. Yes there will probably be some bumps in the road but I am ready for the buses to roll and welcome our students to the 21-22 school year! #VandalStrong Jennifer Garrison

Vandalia CUSD #203 is hiring a 2nd shift custodian for VCHS. This is a 12 month position with benefits. Please email jgarrison@vandals203.org for an application or fill one out at the district office located at VCHS Door 9. Deadline for applying is July 29th.

"DATE CHANGE": VCUSD#203 Online Registration will begin "Friday, July 23, 2021". Registration will take place online using our school management system, Teacherease. To complete registration items, please sign in to the Parent Portal at https://www.teacherease.com/. If you do not have a Parent Portal Account, please contact your child's school. You may also register in-person at the following buildings and times: VES In-Person Registration Times ● 8/4/21 - 8am-3pm ● 8/5/21 - 10am-6pm VJHS In-Person Registration: ●8/4/21 - 8am-3pm ●8/5/21 - 10am-6pm VCHS In-Person Registration: ●8/4/21 - 8am-3pm ●8/5/21 - 10am-6pm Overflow day for all buildings 8/6/21 8am-12pm. Registration Information and School Supply lists can be found on our school website: www.vandals203.org : Click the 2021 VCUSD REGISTRATION INFORMATION link