Vandalia Junior High School

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.

VJHS Baseball at Highland St. Paul and home softball vs. Mulberry Grove is canceled for this evening due to inclement weather.

VJHS Families, VJHS will be offering an after school program, BOOM, beginning Tuesday, September 7. We will meet M-Th until 5:00pm. We are partnering with the YMCA on Tues and Thurs again this year. More information and registration forms can be picked up in the VJHS office

VJHS Picture Day is Monday, August 30th!

Today is a great day! VJHS first student attendance day is today for 4th-8th grade students!

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.

Attention VJHS Baseball: Practice for tonight, Monday, August 9th is cancelled.

Attention 4th Grade parents and students: This is a reminder that VJHS will have 4th grade orientation on Monday, August 9 from 5-6pm. Fourth grade teachers will be in attendance and students will be able to visit their classrooms. Orientation will begin in the gymnasium.

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

The IESA and DICKS's Sporting Goods event will be happening this weekend- August 6-9. We hope that you will be able to use the 20% off coupon to help gear up for the school year! Here is the link: https://www.iesa.org/news/2021-2022/dicks.asp

The IESA and DICKS's Sporting Goods event will be happening this weekend- August 6-9. We hope that you will be able to use the 20% off coupon to help gear up for the school year! Here is the link:: https://www.iesa.org/news/2021-2022/dicks.asp

7th and 8th grade boys baseball try-out will finish at 4:00pm today, Monday 8/2.

Health requirements for Vandalia Junior High 21-22: 6th Grade: Physical exam, Dental exam, Tdap & Meningococcal Immunizations, Proof of MMR#2 and Varicella #2 Immunizations New Student: Birth certificate, Physical Exam, Immun. Record, Eye exam if transferring from out of state

If you ordered a 2020-2021 VJHS yearbook, it can be picked up at the junior high office beginning Monday, 8/2 through Thursday, 8/5 between 8am-3pm and on Friday, 8/6 between 8am-12pm.

Attention 4th Grade parents and students: VJHS will have 4th grade orientation on Monday, August 9 from 5-6pm. Fourth grade teachers will be in attendance and students will be able to see their classrooms. Orientation will begin in the gymnasium.