Vandercook Lake Public Schools

Our school, Vandercook Lake MS/HS is hosting a Scholastic Book Fair from Monday, Dec. 1st, 2025 – Friday, Dec. 5th, 2025.

Did you know that access to books in the home is one of the strongest predictors of student achievement? You can make a real difference in the lives of our students through Share the FairTM, the Book Fair’s giving program that supports kids who need help buying books.

Visit our school’s Book Fair homepage through Friday, Dec. 5th, 2025 to contribute: https://shop.scholastic.com/stf/fund?orgUCN=600066007.

Here’s a look at how your support can have a lasting impact:
● $35 supports one student
● $75 supports two students
● $1,000 supports an entire classroom
● $5,000 supports a whole grade

Ms Simpson's 2nd grade class enjoyed a day of celebration. We learned about the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, watched a short video about how the balloons are made, listened to a "Balloons Over Broadway" read aloud, & then designed our own balloons to use in our hallway parade! Although we won't be together on Thanksgiving Day, we will be watching the parade, as a classroom, in spirit. Watch with us ❤️ . Happy Thanksgiving from my 2nd Grade turkeys!!! 🦃

Miss Hilling's Kindergarten class enjoyed learning about and celebrating Thanksgiving! The students wrote things they are thankful for on leaves to make a "thankful tree." They also wrote thank you notes for the people they appreciate. We practiced some high-frequency words with a color-by-word activity. Today, we learned about the Macy's parade, and the students made their own balloons out of papers and plastic bags. They had a great time walking in a parade around the halls!

Mrs. Lackey's class read Balloons Over Broadway and learned the history of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade and how the balloons are made and handled. We also made doughnut turkeys together.

Ms. Salenbien's 3rd graders enjoyed a class Thanksgiving feast today! 🦃They also had fun participating in a Thanksgiving Day parade! 🎈Lastly, they reached their class goal of non-perishable food items for the Jackson County Interfaith Shelter. Way to go Jayhawks! ❤️🤍

📢 **Community Fitness Center Update**

The Community Fitness Center will be **closed on Thursday, November 27th** in observance of Thanksgiving.

We hope everyone enjoys a safe, relaxing, and family-filled holiday. 🦃🍂
**Happy Thanksgiving, Vandercook Lake!**

Vision Screening - VCL MS/HS
Wednesday, Dec. 17th, 2025
7th & 9th Grade Students

The middle school and high school classes are competing in the VCL Dodgeball Tournament of Champions today as part of our TRAILS and Community Building Initiative. Go Jayhawks!

Come join the Jayhawk family! School of Choice student registration is going on now!
Scan the QR or use the link to apply.
Link: https://forms.gle/h5Wp8W8Z4d2sjAq37

Reminder: No School November 26th-28th. Have a safe and happy holiday!

Scholastic Book Fair is coming next week and we need your help. Please see the attached letter with details. You can sign up to help using this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeVXqXuaQkYiTIeqBSCL3nB5LI7jZRV7lybEFgMjg_Wn9lyCg/viewform?usp=publish-editor

We had some Jayhawk alumni stop by today, all the way from Idaho and Alaska! Vandy Pride!

Our 14th Annual Thanksgiving Food Pantry & Jayhawk Exchange for Jayhawk student families was a huge success! We were able to help over 40 families. Thank you to all the families for your patience getting everyone served. We couldn't have done it without the support of the Vandercook Lake Lions Club, John George Trust, Brookside United Methodist Church, community member donations and the countless hours of our staff and volunteers from JFM to get everything organized.

Reminder...Music Bingo Night in the HS cafeteria tonight 11/19 @ 6pm. Come join in on the fun!

Our middle school students are earning their Vandy Bucks with great character and good deeds. It's fun to spend their earnings in the spirit corner. ❤️🤍❤️

Early Release

Due to unforeseen circumstances the 7th grade basketball team will not be playing tonight at Manchester. The 8th grade game will now take place at 4:30pm.

Our Jayhawk Exchange is in need of gently used or new (any size) coats, boots, and belts. If you have any to donate, please drop off at the HS office between 7:30-3:30. Thank you!