Attention Vandal Sport Fans!
VCHS Home (and some away) Sporting Events will be live stream from our school partner NFHS Network. Please read the document below for more information. The 1st event is tomorrow!
VJHS Home Sporting Events will be live streamed from the District YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOOgifal-CAkylpxhEcuYg
All live stream shortcut links can be found on the main menu of our school website: www.vandals203.org
All schedules will be updated on the school website and app as soon as they are finalized.
As you are aware, announcements last week have now made it possible to begin various athletic seasons both at the Junior High and High School levels. Everyone is thrilled to be able to allow our student athletes opportunities to play and compete. There are logistical limitations and mitigation measures that all teams and schools will be following.
We appreciate your help in advance and know that although this is not ideal, everyone’s focus is on providing our students safe opportunities to participate in activities and athletic events.
Rescheduling games:
Currently, winter athletics will have shortened seasons. The limited number of games and limited number of weeks will make rescheduling games cancelled due to quarantine or other reasons difficult. Please understand that some events may not be rescheduled.
Broadcasting:
Games will be broadcast and information on how to view a streaming video of the event will be provided for both home and visiting spectators.
Contests held at Vandalia Junior High School will be live streamed from this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQOOgifal-CAkylpxhEcuYg
This link can be accessed from the Vandalia Community School District website:https://www.vandals203.org
Contests held at Vandalia High School will be live streamed via the NFHS Network School Broadcasting Program. More information will be provided soon.
Spectators:
Fayette County is located in Region 6 which is currently in Phase 4. We sincerely hope we all continue to do our part with realistic COVID mitigations to allow both our schools to continue with successful in person learning and athletic competitions to continue.
There are specific guidelines related to numbers of spectators allowed. The following are spectator limits:
When located in a region not facing specific mitigation efforts (Phase 4) outlined in the Restore Illinois guidelines:
Gatherings of up to 50 spectators, indoors or outdoors, are allowed. Face masks must be worn.
When located in a region under Tier 1 mitigation efforts per the Restore Illinois guidelines:
Gatherings of up to 25 spectators, indoors or outdoors, are allowed. Face masks must be worn.
When located in a region under Tier 2 or more restrictive mitigation efforts per the Restore Illinois guidelines:
No spectators are allowed, whether indoors or outdoors.
Vandalia C.U.S.D. #203 will only allow home spectators. We are in Phase 4 currently and will allow 50 spectators/Vandal fans. Tickets will not be distributed to visiting spectators. Each student athlete will be given two tickets for spectators entrance into the games. This will also allow us to contact trace and ensure families are socially distant. Transportation to away games will be provided for this semester only as long as a driver is available.
No concessions will be sold at indoor athletic events at Vandalia Community Unit School District.
Cheerleaders/band/dance teams:
The IDPH guidelines state: Sports organizers should direct all individuals to refrain from shouting, singing, or chanting.
There will not be cheer, dance, or the band playing at games. Alternate performance opportunities may be available.
VCHS will have their competitive cheer season. A performance will be scheduled for parents/families and it will be live streamed.
In addition, school officials will conduct temperature checks of workers prior to the games. Visiting teams will have to certify the health of all players and coaching staff prior to leaving for the game. Home teams will also certify prior to players and coaches interacting with others. Spectators will also be required to wear a mask throughout the event and may be temperature checked prior to entry into the event. Anyone that does not meet the health certification requirements will not be allowed to participate in the event. Please remember that the games will be streamed and that information will be made available to everyone.
We want our student-athletes to have this opportunity to participate and compete. In order to continue to do that, we will follow guidelines as outlined by IDPH. Thank you in advance for supporting our student athletes by following the guidelines and understanding that changes may be made based on tier mitigations and IDPH changes. Putting children first and working through this very unusual time is everyone’s focus.
Our VCHS Student Council will be sponsoring a Red Cross Blood Drive @ the YMCA in Vandalia on February 4th. Every unit donated will help our Council earn scholarship money this year. Please, consider donating and helping us reach our goal!
1/22/21 Fayette County COVID Update
VJHS Students, Parents/Guardians,
The promotion policy for Vandalia Junior High School is that students must have a passing cumulative average from all four grading periods in all core subject areas, (math, language arts, literature, science and social studies). Vandalia Junior High School will be offering summer school this June for students that fail a course for the school year. Successful summer school completion will be mandatory for students that fail one or more of the core subjects to be promoted to the next grade level. In-person attendance will be required to participate. Summer school will be from June 7-June 25, Monday-Friday from 8:00am-12:00pm.
Children spend more time online which exposes them to many digital risks, online predators being one of them. We've put together our expert's top three insights for combatting online predators.
http://vandals203.familyzone.com/
@FamilyZoneUSA @FamilyZoneUS
See below for our new discount! Promo lasts until Feb. 15th.
http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/vandalia/vandalia-high-school
Here is the link to tonight's Board Meeting at 5pm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zweg1yOgFzM
VJHS Students and Parents,
7th and 8th grade boys' basketball may begin practicing at this time. Try-outs will begin tomorrow, Wednesday 1/20 and Thursday, 1/21 from 2:45pm-4:30pm. Practice will be on Monday through Thursday from 2:45pm-4:30pm. There will not be practice on Friday as long as games are not permitted. We will continue to wait on direction from IDPH and IESA for the return to competition versus other schools for the sport of basketball.
Proof of a physical in the last calendar year should be turned in to the office by Monday, 2/1.
Boys' wanting to try-out are reminded to bring appropriate shoes, gym shorts and t-shirt. Locker rooms will be available for changing purposes.
We have some exciting news to share. Our Covid Region has moved from Tier III mitigation status down to Tier I. What this means for athletics is that girls' volleyball at VJHS may begin practice and have competition against schools in our same region.
Try-Outs for 7th and 8th grade volleyball will be Thursday, 1/21 from 2:45pm-4:30pm and Friday, 1/22 from 1pm-3pm. If your student has not had a physical in the last calendar year, they will need to get one soon. We will waive this requirement to try-out. We ask that if your daughter makes the team and does not have a physical to have one by Monday, 2/1.
Boys' basketball will be permitted to begin try-outs/practice as well. At this time, competition versus other schools is not permitted. We will be sharing more information about the beginning of basketball practice in the next couple days.
1/15/21 Fayette County COVID Update
Please see below for our next flash sale! This sale will start on 1/17 and end on 1/18 at 11:59 pm EST. We are offering 20% off EVERYTHING, no minimum order required.
http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/vandalia/vandalia-high-school
VJHS Parents/Gurdians/Students,
Since students will be attending school four days/week in-person beginning Wednesday 1/20/21, we will no longer have required Friday school for struggling students. Fridays will continue to be remote learning for all students. We feel confident the increased seat time with our teachers will dramatically increase student achievement. Please continue to encourage your student and make their education a priority. We can do this together!
VJHS will resume the after school program, BOOM, beginning Monday, January 25. School will dismiss at 2:32pm daily beginning Wednesday 1/20/21. The after school program will run until 4:15pm Mondays-Thursdays. If you have a student participating in BOOM, please arrange for your student to be picked up at 4:15pm at the junior high school.
VJHS Parent/Guardians,
We are very excited to have students return 4 days per week beginning January 20. Our 1st hour will continue to begin at 8:08am. Dismissal time will be 2:32pm for 5th-8th grade. Fourth grade pick-ups/walkers and early bus will dismiss at 2:15pm. Fourth grade late bus will dismiss at 2:32pm. Students and staff will continue to wear face coverings when in the building.
There are a couple of requests we have to help keep the numbers of students allowed in an enclosed space more manageable.
Riding on a bus with a friend will not be allowed
If you will be bringing your student to school in the morning, please do not drop-off before 7:50am
Please drop-off your student in the small south lot nearest the football field (back side of gym)
Clarification:
If you signed up to be all-remote for 2nd semester, you will still be all-remote.
This morning’s announcement about the school’s decision to move to the 100% All-In learning model starting Jan 20th applies to the students who have chosen to be in person.
We have a lot to celebrate as we enter 2021! We hit a Trifecta to begin the new year. What is the Trifecta you might ask? We hit our COVID metrics two weeks in a row AND all staff that had signed up for the COVID vaccination clinic on 1-9 were able to receive the first dose of the vaccine. Thank you FCHD! On the metrics, our positivity rate for data released on 1-8 once congregate setting positive cases are backed out is 7.2%.
We will be returning with all our students 4 days a week on January 20th. Please join me in celebrating this wonderful news! #VandalStrong
1/8/21 Fayette County COVID Update
Please see below for our first flash sale of 2021! This sale will start on 1/9 and end on 1/10 at 11:59 pm EST.
We are offering 20% off EVERYTHING, no minimum order required.
http://sideline.bsnsports.com/schools/illinois/vandalia/vandalia-high-school
VJHS Parents/Guardians and Students,
I feel the need to follow-up on the information sent out yesterday in regards to returning to in-person learning. The decision to return to in-person learning on 1/20/21 will be based on the Fayette County Covid metrics whether that be in a hybrid form or the 4 day/week 100% model. My previous correspondence was not intended to read that a 100% return was not possible. For more information about VCUSD #203 Covid plans, go to https://www.vandals203.org/page/covid-information.
I apologize for any confusion that may have been caused. If you have any questions, please contact me via email at bkern@vandals203.org or at 283-5151.