Black Knight Golf Academy Scheduled

The Van Buren Golf Team will be using the dates of June 3 - 7, 2013 to teach students enrolled in grades K-8 at Van Buren the fundamentals of golf. This will be the eighth year in which the members of the current golf team spend several hours a day during the first week of June helping kids learn the proper grip, chipping, putting as well as the rules of golf. This Black Knight Golf Academy was designed to help beginners learn the fundamentals as well as teach more advanced players the skills needed to play competitively at the high school level, as many of the first time campers are beginning to enter our golf program.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) will present a rules clinic and distribute rule books to all of those in attendance. If you have or know a Van Buren student who would be interested in learning the game of golf, please consider enrolling them in our Black Knight Golf Academy. Applications for this camp can be downloaded by clicking on the link HERE.

Congratulations March Virtuous Knights!

March 2013 Van Buren Middle School Virtuous Knights

6th Graders:  Grace Hoerig, Brady Rader, Jacob Sanders, Natasha Simons, Quentin Weddell
7th Graders:  Courtney Frost, Matthew Iliff, Sara Rosenberger, Kylie Sonnenberg, Bryce Track
8th Graders:  McClain Brown, Lindsey Klausing, Marly McCartney, Zack Scarberry

Qualities of a Virtuous Knight:

Generosity; Respect; Kindness;

Pride in School; Responsibility; Enthusiasm; Pride in Self; Hard Working

Thanks to Culver's and the Van Buren Academic Boosters for their support of our students!

Summer Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Armstrong Air and Space Museum
Join us for our annual summer Space Camp! Space Camp 2013 will be August 5th - 9th at Ohio Historical Society's Armstrong Air and Space Museum in Wapakoneta, Ohio. http://www.armstrongmuseum.org

Owens Community College Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) Summer Youth Camp (ages 13-17)
Become a student detective and learn how the world of forensic science can be the key to solving a crime. Working with a forensic team, enter the re-creation of an unusual and challenging crime scene where a real crime scene investigator will direct and coach students to use deductive skills, teamwork, math and science to solve a crime.Contact: cep@owens.edu

Camp Discovery at Children's Discovery Center (ages 6-12)
Experience a unique opportunity for a summer filled with adventure, learning and fun. "Passport to Adventure" curriculum features engaging, project-based lessons, exploring world cultures, using technology to participate in international learning experiences. www.childrensdiscoverycenters.com

Toledo Metroparks Summer Camps (ages 3 to 12) week-long and day camps at area parks all over the region. Financial aid available. Call 419-407-9701 or visit website: www.metroparkstoledo.com

Toledo Zoo Safari Camps/Explore Australia!
This summer, discover and learn about the exotic wildlife and wonders of the Australian outback. Become a junior zookeeper or fish the Lake Erie islands. www.toledozoo.org/camps

Lourdes University Center for Science Education & the Environment
Summer science camp "Naturally grown" for students in grades 5-10
July 8-12, July 15-19, July 22-26
www.lourdes.edu/csee.aspx or call Sr. Rosine Sobczak, OSF at 419-824-3691

Toledo Botanical Garden
TBGeez! Summer camps immerse children in nature and the arts during week-long camps or individual classes. 419-536-5589 or: www.toledogarden.org

Imagination Station
Hot summer camps - Cool Science 2013
While its HOT and steamy outside, Imagination Station has fun-filled, weeklong summer camps loaded with COOL science to experience. 3 exciting camp options to choose from: Super Splatter Science! Catapults, Coasters and Cars!; and NEW THIS SUMMER! - Survival Camp.

Super Splatter Science!  

June 17-21 

June 24-28 

July 1-5

Survival Science (NEW!) 

July 8-12 

July 15-19 

July 22-26

Catapults, Coasters and Cars!  

July 29-August 2 

August 5-9
August 12-16 

 http://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/content/2013/01/2013-summer-camps/


Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camps
June 9 - 14 FFA
Ohio Forestry & Wildlife Conservation Camp is the place to be! Camp is held at FFA Camp Muskingum, which is situated on Leesville Lake in the beautiful rolling hills of Carroll County. Any student who has completed 8th grade and is at least fifteen (15) years of age is welcome to participate. Be prepared to obtain valuable forestry information, make many new friends and HAVE FUN! www.ohioforest.org

Circle Pines Center Summer Camp
Locally-sourced organic foods. Peace, social justice, environmental stewardship and cooperation. Delton, Michigan www.circlepinescenter.org

Computer Camp
Notre Dame College, Cleveland
Residential and Day programs
http://ohio.nccamp.com

Toledo area Catholic High Schools offer a wide variety of summer camp opportunities for elementary students:

St. John's Jesuit:  www.sjjtitans.org  

St. Ursula Academy: www.toledosua.org 

Notre Dame Academy: www.nda.org

Penta Career Center STEM SUMMER CAMP June 10-14
A summer career exploration career activity for students currently in grades 7 - 9 from the following districts: Anthony Wayne, Bowling Green, Eastwood, Elmwood, Genoa, Lake, Maumee, Northwood, North Baltimore, Oak Harbor, Otsego, Perrysburg, Rossford, Springfield, Swanton and Woodmore.
For more information contact: Kristie Reighard kreighard@pentanet.k12.oh.us   

Thanksgiving (a few months early)

I think I may be walking the line between early and late.  It's April and I'm sharing what I am thankful for.  Whether it's five months late or 7 months early, in the flurry of the last months of the school year, I work with our staff to reflect on what we've accomplished since August and what we can improve upon.  While reflecting, it's a perfect time to also appreciate the positive things that pop-up along the way.  We know that sharing stories over facts and statements is much more impactful, and honestly, more fun to write!

• During the Washington, DC trip last year, I received a phone call while waiting to enter the Newseum, the last venue we visited on that trip.  The number wasn't familiar, but on the trip, I answer them all in case it's a chaperone or student.  On the other end was a Van Buren alum who was on our first D.C. trip as an eighth grader.  As this student moved through high school, when Spring rolled around he would ask me about the upcoming trip:  What we were doing, how it was different.  He was interning in D.C. and asked about the trip and if we were able to meet up.  Unfortunately, the meeting didn't come to fruition as we were departing within the next hour or so.  However, the Washington, D.C. trip was impactful to this young man and speaking with him renewed my enthusiasm in providing the opportunity to our students.  This year marks our seventh Washington, DC trip.  We have a number of families and community members that generously donate scholarships for our Put-in-Bay, Outdoor Education, and Washington, D.C. experiences.  I never want a student to miss out on these essential experiential learning opportunities due to finances and I truly appreciate those willing to help others make these trips a reality.
• As a principal, when a staff member tells you they need to talk about a student, unfortunately your mind often turns to either a discipline issue or suspected abuse, the negative parts of the job.  However, as she shared, my rocky Monday was transformed:  Our exploratory mod classes, like physical education include students from the multiple disability classrooms that include students from all of the Hancock County schools and are housed here at Van Buren.  While these students brighten your day, some of these kids have cognitive and/or physical set-backs that would crush those with less strength.  I love that they are able to be with peers in these classes.  During sixth grade physical education that day, a sixth grade boy was finished with his activity and waiting at the door.  When he noticed a group of students from the MD classroom sitting on the floor, he walked over to them, sat down, and genuinely began a conversation.  This wasn't the first time he's walked away from his friends to include others.  We hear so much negativity through the media and even on the bleachers at the soccer game.  I have the amazing opportunity to spend 180 days a year with 250 young adolescents and each of them has a tender heart.  Although it may be tough to find in some, masked by confusion and indecision, it's there.  

One of my goals moving forward is to share these stories - maybe only one at a time - through the eNews blog.  This is "therapeutic" for me and keeps me focused on the young adolescents passing my door all day long - not just student numbers tied to test scores and paperwork.

Important Letter to Parents Sent Home 4/9/13

See the letter here regarding Whooping Cough (pertussis).

Buy-One-Get-One-Free Book Fair is Coming!!!

The Buy-one-get-one-free Book Fair is coming!  From Monday, April 15 thru Thursday, April 18 we will be hosting the BOGO Summer Reading Book Fair in the MS/HS library.  These are the same books (or newer ones) that were offered full price at previous Scholastic fairs during this school year.  Plan on taking advantage of these great buys to stock up for summer reading or gift giving.

Spring Pictures - Friday, March 22

Van Buren Middle School will have spring pictures for students on Friday, March 22.  Spring pictures are pre-pay.  Order forms were distributed to students on Tuesday 3/19 or parents can order online with the Picture Day ID# AW022151Y0 here.  

Mr. Frost to Retire

Mr. Jack Frost, our eighth grade science teacher, will retire at the end of March.  Mr. Frost has been an important part of our staff, here at his alma mater, for sixteen years.  We wish him the best.

Beginning April 2 and for the remainder of the school year, Mr. Seth Schaffer will be a long-term substitute for eighth grade science.  Mr. Frost will be working closely with Mr. Schaffer to ensure a smooth transition and ensure that our students have positive learning experiences for the next two months. 

Mr. Schaffer’s email address will be sschaffer@vbschools.net and can also be reached at 419-299-3384, extension 312.