BULLDOG BRIEF
PERSONALIZED. INNOVATIVE. GLOBAL.
COVID-19 Information
We would like to provide our families and staff a brief overview of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and influenza in order to share ways in which we can partner together to maintain a healthy learning environment.
As you may be aware, there is an expanding global outbreak of a respiratory illness caused by a COVID-19. While most COVID-19 cases are associated with travel to or from China, the person-to-person spread is now being reported in other places, including Hong Kong, Iran, Italy, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Iowa (as of 3/4/20).
The primary goal of this communication and any future communication is to inform and limit the spread of COVID-19.
We have an Emergency Operations Plan in place for Van Meter Community School District and will be ready to respond should the need arise. The plan includes strategies to reduce the spread of a wide variety of infectious diseases (e.g., seasonal influenza) and build on everyday school policies and practices.
Being uncertain and anxious about COVID-19 is normal, especially with reports of illness and death in other countries. However, it is important to understand the risk of influenza is much higher than the risk of COVID-19 in Iowa right now. The prevention measures for influenza and COVID-19 are the same:
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your upper arm/elbow.
- Avoid touching your nose, mouth, and eyes with your hands.
- Clean your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.
- Contain germs by staying home when signs and symptoms of illness are present such as fever (temperature above 100 degrees F orally), sore throat, rash, vomiting, or diarrhea. Additional signs include lethargy, lack of responsiveness, irritability, persistent crying, difficulty breathing, or quickly spreading rash.
- Students may return to school once they are symptom-free for at least 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medication (acetaminophen and ibuprofen).
- Our custodial team continues to thoroughly clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often including desks, tables, countertops, faucet handles, etc.
- Please consider routinely disinfecting your phone, keyboard, and other objects you use on a frequent basis.
Stay informed and look for information on this virus and situation from reliable and trusted sources:
As we prepare for spring break, many of you will be traveling. Please be mindful and use best practices for remaining healthy and try to do all you can to prevent the spread of illness upon your return.
Please know that we continue to monitor the situation by working closely with the Dallas County Health Department, Iowa Department of Public Health, and the Centers for Disease Control.
Thank you for your support and partnership as we work together to maintain a healthy learning environment.
Spring Break!
Spring break will be from March 16-20. We hope you are able to enjoy time with your family and friends as we get recharged for the last two months of the school year.
Access to building and district offices will be limited during spring break, so if you need to conduct any school business, be sure to call or email prior to arrival.
ISASP and School Profile Results
Iowa School Profile results can be found here. Our Elementary, MS and HS all were rated as High Performing Schools. Within this profile, our district is one of the highest performing districts in the state. We are excited about the results but we are striving to continually improve as a district. Though more than just the results of the ISASP is a part of the school profiles, these assessments help determine our overall rating. For additional information, please refer to this guide or contact Mr. Lamoureux or Mr. Tibbetts.
20-21 School Registration
For those of you planning on attending Van Meter for the 20-21 school year, we plan on opening up registration this spring. Be looking for communication in April with the details.
Raccoon River Days
Spring Sports/Soccer Update
Golf will begin sometime after spring break and both programs look to have successful seasons.
The 2020 season marks our last shared soccer season with the ADM program. It has been a great partnership over the years and we are thankful for the opportunities it has provided for many of our student-athletes. We have several students involved in both the girl and boys programs this year. Schedules for soccer can be found on the ADM athletic website.
In 2021, we will be starting our own soccer program. The school board recently approved the construction of a soccer field. It will be located on the East Athletic Complex. We hope to get the field completed this spring or early summer. It should be ready for practice and games for the start of the 2021 soccer season. Coaches have been hired for both programs. We are excited about the people willing to help us build our programs. More information will come out later this spring.
20-21 School Calendar
The 2020-2021 School Calendar has been approved by the school board. It is very similar to this year's school calendar. The first day of school will be Monday, August 24, Winter Break will be a little shorter, and the last day of classes is scheduled for Friday, May 21. The calendar is linked below.
GO DAWGS!
Athletic Website and Schedules
Contact Us
Email: firstname.lastname@vmbulldogs.com
Website: www.vmbulldogs.com
Location: 520 1st Avenue, Van Meter, IA, USA
Phone: (515) 996-2221
Facebook: https://facebook.com/VanMeterSchools/
Twitter: @vanmeterschools