Vandalia CUSD #203

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

Vandalia CUSD #203 is hiring a bus mechanic! This is a 12 month position with benefits. Applicants must be 21 and able to obtain a CDL with bus endorsement. For more information on how to apply and job duties, please contact Mrs. Smith, Transportation Director, via email at wsmith@vandals203.org or call (618) 283-8110.

VCUSD#203 Online Registration will begin Wednesday, July 21, 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

The district's phone lines are back up and running.

Our phone lines have been down since noon today we have contacted our service provider and appears to be an area outage. We are waiting for the issue be resolved by our provider. Sorry for the inconvenience we will message out when our phone lines are active again.

Good evening. I am pleased to announce that CDC/IDPH/ISBE recognizes local control during Phase 5 as stated in the following paragraph. "Together with local public health officials, school administrators should consider multiple factors when they make decisions about implementing layered prevention strategies against COVI-19. Since schools typically serve their surrounding communities, decisions should be based on the school population, families, and students served, as well as their communities". The 21-22 school year will begin with a mask optional policy based on our current conditions. We removed layers of mitigations one at a time during the 20-21 school year as we returned to in person learning 5 days a week during the second semester. We are in an excellent place to take this next step. We will continue to monitor the health of our students and staff and adjust accordingly if needed. Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you in August! #VandalStrong

This month we are offering 20% off on your Sideline Store purchase of $70 or more! The below promotion is good for the entire month of July. This will end on 7/31/21 at 11:59 P.M. EST. http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/vandalia/vandalia-high-school

Vandalia CUSD #203 is hiring for the position of VJHS Secretary. This is a 12 month position with benefits. Please submit a cover letter, resume, and 3 references to Mr. Kern, VJHS Principal, at bkern@vandals203.org or reach out to him via email for more information.

https://forms.gle/ephtBSLjcXsRMgxe7 Fall Transportation Form to fill out for the 2021/2022 School Year. Please fill out the form by August 1, 2021. Just a reminder that if you live within 1.5 miles without an approved hazardous area you are not eligible for transportation.

Vandalia #203 is hiring! Special Education Teacher's Aide positions available for the 21-22 school year.  Please contact Dana Bivens at dbivens@vandals203.org or (618) 283-5166 to apply.

This month we are offering 20% off on your Sideline Store purchase of $85 or more! The below promotion is good for the entire month of June. This will end on 6/30/21. http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/vandalia/vandalia-high-school