J.E. Rhodes Elementary School
Pre K - 3rd Grade
This year, we’re adding a little extra fun to our staff celebrations with a monthly attendance drawing! Staff members who are present throughout the month are entered for a chance to win a special little something extra.
We’re excited to announce Mrs. May as our August winner! 👏✨
Thank you, Mrs. May, for your dedication to J.E. Rhodes. We appreciate you and are so happy to celebrate you! ❤️
We’re excited to announce Mrs. May as our August winner! 👏✨
Thank you, Mrs. May, for your dedication to J.E. Rhodes. We appreciate you and are so happy to celebrate you! ❤️
🎉 We are so excited to celebrate our September Employee of the Month, Mrs. Merritt Brown! 🎉
Mrs. Brown plays a pivotal role in both of our buildings and is loved by so many. She is kind, dependable, and always willing to lend a helping hand with a smile and a positive attitude.
As our Littles’ librarian, she creates a welcoming place for our children, who absolutely adore her! We are incredibly grateful for everything she does and so proud to have her here at J.E. Rhodes.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Merritt Brown on this well-deserved recognition!
Mrs. Brown plays a pivotal role in both of our buildings and is loved by so many. She is kind, dependable, and always willing to lend a helping hand with a smile and a positive attitude.
As our Littles’ librarian, she creates a welcoming place for our children, who absolutely adore her! We are incredibly grateful for everything she does and so proud to have her here at J.E. Rhodes.
Please join us in congratulating Mrs. Merritt Brown on this well-deserved recognition!
We’re a little late celebrating last week’s Good News Phone Call of the Week, but we definitely didn’t want to miss the chance to recognize Ellie! 💕
Ellie is such a kind, caring, and thoughtful young lady. She is always well-mannered and respectful, never forgetting her “please” and “thank you,” “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am.” Those little things say so much about her character!
She is also a wonderful helper and a natural leader in her classroom. Ellie is always willing to lend a hand, set a great example for her classmates, and brighten the day with her sweet spirit. We are so proud of the young lady she is! 🥰
Congratulations, Ellie, on being our Good News Phone Call of the Week! Keep being the kind, caring, and amazing leader you are!
Ellie is such a kind, caring, and thoughtful young lady. She is always well-mannered and respectful, never forgetting her “please” and “thank you,” “yes ma’am” and “no ma’am.” Those little things say so much about her character!
She is also a wonderful helper and a natural leader in her classroom. Ellie is always willing to lend a hand, set a great example for her classmates, and brighten the day with her sweet spirit. We are so proud of the young lady she is! 🥰
Congratulations, Ellie, on being our Good News Phone Call of the Week! Keep being the kind, caring, and amazing leader you are!
Give it up for our Vandals of the Week and Art Award Winners! Keep up the great work! 🎉🎉🎉
🐣 THE CHICKEN CHRONICLES | DAY 1 🐣
Are you following our Chicken Chronicles at J.E. Rhodes?! 🐔❤️
Today felt a little like Christmas morning in the first-grade hallway because the countdown has officially begun!
🥚 Day 1 of 21.
Our first graders are beginning an incredible hands-on study of the life cycle of a chicken, which is part of our first-grade TEKS. Today, a representative from each first-grade class carefully placed an egg into our incubator, which is housed in the library so our students can watch, wonder, ask questions, and experience the process together.
And this isn't just a 21-day lesson. Our chickens are staying at J.E. Rhodes! 🐥
That means our first graders won't just study the life cycle in a book—they'll experience it right here at school. They'll watch their chicks hatch, grow, and change throughout the year. By the time these students are getting ready to move on to second grade, the tiny chicks they're waiting on today will be growing up right alongside them—and eventually laying eggs of their own! 🐔🥚
But our favorite part of Day 1 might just be the curiosity and wonder on their faces. ❤️ That spark—the excitement to see what happens next, the questions already being asked, the anticipation of discovering something new—is where some of the very best learning happens.
This is science they can see, touch, experience, and remember.
A special thank you to Brian McCawley for being on hand today to help us get our Chicken Chronicles started!
Now we wait... 20 days to go! 🐣⏳
#ChickenChronicles #Day1 #HandsOnLearning #JERhodesElementary #WeAreVan #VandalProud #VandalAdVANtage
Are you following our Chicken Chronicles at J.E. Rhodes?! 🐔❤️
Today felt a little like Christmas morning in the first-grade hallway because the countdown has officially begun!
🥚 Day 1 of 21.
Our first graders are beginning an incredible hands-on study of the life cycle of a chicken, which is part of our first-grade TEKS. Today, a representative from each first-grade class carefully placed an egg into our incubator, which is housed in the library so our students can watch, wonder, ask questions, and experience the process together.
And this isn't just a 21-day lesson. Our chickens are staying at J.E. Rhodes! 🐥
That means our first graders won't just study the life cycle in a book—they'll experience it right here at school. They'll watch their chicks hatch, grow, and change throughout the year. By the time these students are getting ready to move on to second grade, the tiny chicks they're waiting on today will be growing up right alongside them—and eventually laying eggs of their own! 🐔🥚
But our favorite part of Day 1 might just be the curiosity and wonder on their faces. ❤️ That spark—the excitement to see what happens next, the questions already being asked, the anticipation of discovering something new—is where some of the very best learning happens.
This is science they can see, touch, experience, and remember.
A special thank you to Brian McCawley for being on hand today to help us get our Chicken Chronicles started!
Now we wait... 20 days to go! 🐣⏳
#ChickenChronicles #Day1 #HandsOnLearning #JERhodesElementary #WeAreVan #VandalProud #VandalAdVANtage
🎉 Make Plans to Join the 2026 Vandal Homecoming Festivities! ❤️🤍
Theme: Huntin' for a Vandal Victory!
🏆 HOMECOMING PARADE
📅 Wednesday, September 23rd
🕢 7:00 PM
Have a group that wants to participate? Apply here:
https://tinyurl.com/4rx6z7am
📌 Parade applications due FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19.
✅ Once accepted, parade passes and lineup info will be emailed.
🚫 No walkers — floats only.
🎤 COMMUNITY PEP RALLY & 🔥 BONFIRE
📍 Field across from the Van ISD Administration Building (end of parade route)
Questions: grace.moseley@vanisd.org
🏐🏈 HOMECOMING GAMES
📅 Friday, September 25th
Lady Vandal Volleyball vs. Mabank – 4:30 PM
Vandal Football vs. Atlanta – 7:30 PM
There's no place like Vandal Land! ❤️🤍
#WeAreVan #VandalPride #VandalAdVANtage
Theme: Huntin' for a Vandal Victory!
🏆 HOMECOMING PARADE
📅 Wednesday, September 23rd
🕢 7:00 PM
Have a group that wants to participate? Apply here:
https://tinyurl.com/4rx6z7am
📌 Parade applications due FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 19.
✅ Once accepted, parade passes and lineup info will be emailed.
🚫 No walkers — floats only.
🎤 COMMUNITY PEP RALLY & 🔥 BONFIRE
📍 Field across from the Van ISD Administration Building (end of parade route)
Questions: grace.moseley@vanisd.org
🏐🏈 HOMECOMING GAMES
📅 Friday, September 25th
Lady Vandal Volleyball vs. Mabank – 4:30 PM
Vandal Football vs. Atlanta – 7:30 PM
There's no place like Vandal Land! ❤️🤍
#WeAreVan #VandalPride #VandalAdVANtage
Reminder: Friday, September 4th, will be an early release day. School will be dismissed three hours before regular dismissal time.
Monday, September 7th, is a school holiday.
Classes will resume Tuesday, September 8th.
Happy Labor Day, Vandals!❤️
#WeAreVan
Monday, September 7th, is a school holiday.
Classes will resume Tuesday, September 8th.
Happy Labor Day, Vandals!❤️
#WeAreVan
We had some special guest welcome our Vandals this morning! Van Basketball boys kicked off our first Dudes at the Door for this school year!! 🎉🏀
Thank you Coach Wingo for letting us borrow your players for the morning!!
Thank you Coach Wingo for letting us borrow your players for the morning!!
💛 Grandparents Day Lunches Are Coming! 💛
We are excited to welcome our wonderful grandparents and special guests to celebrate Grandparents Day with lunch at our schools!
📅 Please refer to the schedules pictured below to find your student’s class and scheduled lunch day/time.
Because of the size of our cafeterias and the number of special guests we are excited to welcome, our Grandparents Day lunches will be spread across several days:
🍎 Littles (Pre-K–1st Grade): Lunches will take place over two days (Sept 14th & 15th).
📚 Bigs (2nd–3rd Grade): Lunches will take place over four days (Sept 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th).
Spreading our celebrations out allows us to comfortably accommodate our students and all of the grandparents and special guests joining us!
During your student’s scheduled time, you are welcome to bring lunch for yourself and your child, join them for lunch, or simply come sit with them, enjoy some conversation, hear about their day, and spend this special time together. ❤️
⏰ Please allow extra time to check in at the office before lunch. For the safety of our students and staff, each adult visitor will need to be checked in through our Raptor system before joining us for lunch. Following lunch, students will head to recess. Grandparents and guests will not be able to join students on the playground for recess.
We can’t wait to celebrate the grandparents and special people who mean so much to our students! 💛
We are excited to welcome our wonderful grandparents and special guests to celebrate Grandparents Day with lunch at our schools!
📅 Please refer to the schedules pictured below to find your student’s class and scheduled lunch day/time.
Because of the size of our cafeterias and the number of special guests we are excited to welcome, our Grandparents Day lunches will be spread across several days:
🍎 Littles (Pre-K–1st Grade): Lunches will take place over two days (Sept 14th & 15th).
📚 Bigs (2nd–3rd Grade): Lunches will take place over four days (Sept 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th).
Spreading our celebrations out allows us to comfortably accommodate our students and all of the grandparents and special guests joining us!
During your student’s scheduled time, you are welcome to bring lunch for yourself and your child, join them for lunch, or simply come sit with them, enjoy some conversation, hear about their day, and spend this special time together. ❤️
⏰ Please allow extra time to check in at the office before lunch. For the safety of our students and staff, each adult visitor will need to be checked in through our Raptor system before joining us for lunch. Following lunch, students will head to recess. Grandparents and guests will not be able to join students on the playground for recess.
We can’t wait to celebrate the grandparents and special people who mean so much to our students! 💛
🎉🎉 Congratulations to our Vandals of the Week & our Music Award!! Keep up the great work, Vandals! ❤️🎶
💛 WEAR YELLOW FOR CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS 💛
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and on Wednesday, September 2, we’re asking Vandal Land to WEAR YELLOW. 🎗️
For us, this fight is close to home.
On Wednesday, let’s fill our campuses with yellow as a visible reminder that no child fights alone. We wear yellow to support every child fighting cancer, stand with their families, and raise awareness for all those impacted by childhood cancer.
💛 Vandal Land stands together.
🎗️ Wear Yellow. Raise Awareness. Support the Fight.
#ChildhoodCancerAwareness #WearYellow #VandalStrong #WeAreVan
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and on Wednesday, September 2, we’re asking Vandal Land to WEAR YELLOW. 🎗️
For us, this fight is close to home.
On Wednesday, let’s fill our campuses with yellow as a visible reminder that no child fights alone. We wear yellow to support every child fighting cancer, stand with their families, and raise awareness for all those impacted by childhood cancer.
💛 Vandal Land stands together.
🎗️ Wear Yellow. Raise Awareness. Support the Fight.
#ChildhoodCancerAwareness #WearYellow #VandalStrong #WeAreVan
❤️ Happy FriYAY, Vandals! ❤️
We hope all of our Vandal families have a fun, safe, and relaxing weekend! 🎉
Before you head into the weekend, be sure to check out our NEW Bigs & Littles Bulletin! 📰✨
This will be a monthly link throughout the school year for staying connected and in the know! Each bulletin will include:
📅 Monthly updates & pictures from the month
📚 9-weeks instructional information
📣 Upcoming events & activities
❤️ Counselor news, reminders & more!
We are excited to have another way to keep our Vandal families informed about all the great things happening with our Bigs & Littles!
Enjoy your weekend, Vandals! ❤️
https://augustgazette.my.canva.site/the-bigs-littles-bulletin?fbclid=IwcGRvZgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrVlQ2RHlSb2s5SndZWUVyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtyBXa_-yF59uqU7s_Oi8k_J_nyXWrMSYtMphGYn6pyxnOUTABy0KNyRvHPz_aem_lXg8netl45r1To04MKN0Aw
We hope all of our Vandal families have a fun, safe, and relaxing weekend! 🎉
Before you head into the weekend, be sure to check out our NEW Bigs & Littles Bulletin! 📰✨
This will be a monthly link throughout the school year for staying connected and in the know! Each bulletin will include:
📅 Monthly updates & pictures from the month
📚 9-weeks instructional information
📣 Upcoming events & activities
❤️ Counselor news, reminders & more!
We are excited to have another way to keep our Vandal families informed about all the great things happening with our Bigs & Littles!
Enjoy your weekend, Vandals! ❤️
https://augustgazette.my.canva.site/the-bigs-littles-bulletin?fbclid=IwcGRvZgFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrVlQ2RHlSb2s5SndZWUVyc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtyBXa_-yF59uqU7s_Oi8k_J_nyXWrMSYtMphGYn6pyxnOUTABy0KNyRvHPz_aem_lXg8netl45r1To04MKN0Aw
🏆 We have a winner! 🏆
Our Pre-K superstars earned the Golden Footsteps Award this week!
This special award (officially the Awesome Line Behavior Award!) goes to the class that demonstrates what it means to be safe, kind, and responsible in our school hallways.
Our little learners showed everyone how it's done by using their best "marshmallow feet"- walking soft, quiet, and safe wherever they go. We are so proud of their incredible hallway manners!
Keep shining, Mrs. Curry’s Class!🌟
Our Pre-K superstars earned the Golden Footsteps Award this week!
This special award (officially the Awesome Line Behavior Award!) goes to the class that demonstrates what it means to be safe, kind, and responsible in our school hallways.
Our little learners showed everyone how it's done by using their best "marshmallow feet"- walking soft, quiet, and safe wherever they go. We are so proud of their incredible hallway manners!
Keep shining, Mrs. Curry’s Class!🌟
The Big Kahuna Fundraiser is officially underway!
Parents, be sure to check your student’s backpack today for their Big Kahuna fundraiser packet!
As your student sells items, don’t forget to sign their prize tickets and send them back to school. We’ll be handing out prizes every morning, so students will have lots of chances to earn some fun rewards!
Thank you for supporting our students and our school! We’re excited for a great fundraiser!
Parents, be sure to check your student’s backpack today for their Big Kahuna fundraiser packet!
As your student sells items, don’t forget to sign their prize tickets and send them back to school. We’ll be handing out prizes every morning, so students will have lots of chances to earn some fun rewards!
Thank you for supporting our students and our school! We’re excited for a great fundraiser!
Don’t forget about the Van ISD Immunizations Clinic on September 2nd!
The deadline to sign up is TOMORROW!
Sign up here! https://form.jotform.com/auroraconcepts/student-vaccine-consent?School=Van%20ISD
The deadline to sign up is TOMORROW!
Sign up here! https://form.jotform.com/auroraconcepts/student-vaccine-consent?School=Van%20ISD
EARLY RELEASE FRIDAY: Friday, August 28, 2026, is an early release day. All Van ISD campuses will dismiss 3 hours early!! #WeAreVan
District Calendar: https://sl1nk.com/yqdfxeo
District Calendar: https://sl1nk.com/yqdfxeo
🌟 Good News Call of the Week! 🌟
We are so excited to celebrate Carson as our very first Good News Call of the Week! 📞🎉
Carson has been an exceptional Vandal as he transitions into 2nd grade! Every time we see Carson, he is helpful, listening, and following expectations. He consistently demonstrates what it means to Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. ❤️
We are so proud of you, Carson! Keep up the amazing work and showing everyone what it means to be a Vandal!
Congratulations, Carson! 🎉📞❤️
We are so excited to celebrate Carson as our very first Good News Call of the Week! 📞🎉
Carson has been an exceptional Vandal as he transitions into 2nd grade! Every time we see Carson, he is helpful, listening, and following expectations. He consistently demonstrates what it means to Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. ❤️
We are so proud of you, Carson! Keep up the amazing work and showing everyone what it means to be a Vandal!
Congratulations, Carson! 🎉📞❤️
Starting the week off with Vandal Pride! ❤ Congratulations to our Vandals of the Week and PE All-Stars‼️
Beginning Monday, August 24, J.E. Rhodes Elementary will implement a new morning drop-off procedure designed to improve student safety, efficiency, and traffic flow around our campus.
🚗 ALL PK–3 STUDENTS WILL NOW BE DROPPED OFF BEHIND THE CAMPUS.
New Drop-Off Route:
➡️ Enter the drop-off line from Texas Street or Highway 110 onto Pecan Street
➡️ Turn RIGHT onto Pennsylvania Street
➡️ Turn RIGHT onto Bois 'D Arc
➡️ Follow the line to the designated drop-off area behind the campus
➡️ All PK–3 students will be dropped off together
➡️ After drop-off, loop through the parking lot and exit the same way you entered via Bois 'D Arc
As we transition to this new procedure, we know there may be a few hiccups along the way. We greatly appreciate your patience, grace, and cooperation as our staff and families adjust to the new traffic flow.
❤️ You can help us keep the line moving!
Please stay alert while in the drop-off line and have your child ready to exit the vehicle when you reach the unloading area.
Our goal is to make morning arrival as safe and efficient as possible for every J.E. Rhodes student and family. Thank you for working with us as we make this important change!
📅 NEW PROCEDURE BEGINS MONDAY, AUGUST 24
#JERhodesElementary #WeAreVan
VIDEO: https://canva.link/d7mukfyqf1vazgx
🚗 ALL PK–3 STUDENTS WILL NOW BE DROPPED OFF BEHIND THE CAMPUS.
New Drop-Off Route:
➡️ Enter the drop-off line from Texas Street or Highway 110 onto Pecan Street
➡️ Turn RIGHT onto Pennsylvania Street
➡️ Turn RIGHT onto Bois 'D Arc
➡️ Follow the line to the designated drop-off area behind the campus
➡️ All PK–3 students will be dropped off together
➡️ After drop-off, loop through the parking lot and exit the same way you entered via Bois 'D Arc
As we transition to this new procedure, we know there may be a few hiccups along the way. We greatly appreciate your patience, grace, and cooperation as our staff and families adjust to the new traffic flow.
❤️ You can help us keep the line moving!
Please stay alert while in the drop-off line and have your child ready to exit the vehicle when you reach the unloading area.
Our goal is to make morning arrival as safe and efficient as possible for every J.E. Rhodes student and family. Thank you for working with us as we make this important change!
📅 NEW PROCEDURE BEGINS MONDAY, AUGUST 24
#JERhodesElementary #WeAreVan
VIDEO: https://canva.link/d7mukfyqf1vazgx
🐣 HANDS-ON LEARNING AT J.E. RHODES! 🐥
There are some exciting new additions at J.E. Rhodes Elementary — CHICKENS! 🐔❤️
Our first-grade classes are bringing science to life with a hands-on study of the life cycle of a chicken! As part of their first-grade TEKS, students are getting an up-close look at the different stages of the life cycle and making real-world connections to what they’re learning in the classroom.
There’s nothing quite like watching learning come to life — especially when it’s this cute! 🐣
We love seeing our youngest Vandals observe, discover, ask questions, and LEARN!
#WeAreVan #VandalProud #HandsOnLearning #LearningComesToLife
There are some exciting new additions at J.E. Rhodes Elementary — CHICKENS! 🐔❤️
Our first-grade classes are bringing science to life with a hands-on study of the life cycle of a chicken! As part of their first-grade TEKS, students are getting an up-close look at the different stages of the life cycle and making real-world connections to what they’re learning in the classroom.
There’s nothing quite like watching learning come to life — especially when it’s this cute! 🐣
We love seeing our youngest Vandals observe, discover, ask questions, and LEARN!
#WeAreVan #VandalProud #HandsOnLearning #LearningComesToLife
