Van Middle School
4th - 6th Grade
❤️🤍 REMINDER | RED RIBBON WEEK IS NEXT WEEK! 🤍❤️
Vandals, get those outfits ready! 👕🎩😎
📅 RED RIBBON WEEK | OCTOBER 26–30
This year, we’re celebrating TOGETHER across Van ISD!
❤️ ALL CAMPUSES. SAME DRESS-UP DAYS. ALL WEEK LONG! ❤️
From our littlest Vandals at J.E. Rhodes to our seniors at Van High School — students and staff across the district will be joining in the fun as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week and encourage our students to make healthy, positive choices!
#RedRibbonWeek #WeAreVan #VandalProud #VanISD
Vandals, get those outfits ready! 👕🎩😎
📅 RED RIBBON WEEK | OCTOBER 26–30
This year, we’re celebrating TOGETHER across Van ISD!
❤️ ALL CAMPUSES. SAME DRESS-UP DAYS. ALL WEEK LONG! ❤️
From our littlest Vandals at J.E. Rhodes to our seniors at Van High School — students and staff across the district will be joining in the fun as we celebrate Red Ribbon Week and encourage our students to make healthy, positive choices!
#RedRibbonWeek #WeAreVan #VandalProud #VanISD
Each year, Van Middle School students put their hearts into honoring our local heroes. Join us for this year’s Veterans Day Program — Wednesday, November 11, at 9:00 AM in the Van ISD Auditorium! 🇺🇸 #WeAreVan
🇲🇽❤️ CELEBRATING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH | VAN MIDDLE SCHOOL
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re taking a look across Van ISD at the people, stories, traditions, and cultures that make our Vandal family so special.
Today, we’re starting at Van Middle School with someone whose story has come full circle — paraprofessional Henry Cervantes.
Henry’s connection to Van ISD began long before he became an employee. He attended Van from Head Start through 3rd grade, and as a young student, he was part of our ESL program until 2nd grade. He still remembers going to the computer lab to work on Rosetta Stone — and even arguing with his teachers that he didn’t need ESL anymore! 😂
Those experiences have stayed with him and shaped the way he sees and serves students today.
Henry shared that when he sees the time, patience, encouragement, and extra support our teachers and staff give students, he sees the people who once did the same for him.
That’s what makes Henry’s story so special. The little boy who once received that extra support at Van ISD is now one of the people providing it. ❤️
Recently, Henry helped bring Hispanic Heritage Month to life at VMS by organizing a campus-wide luncheon. Everyone was invited to bring a dish to share, but Henry and our incredible custodial staff went ALL OUT, preparing authentic dishes and giving their VMS family an opportunity to gather around the table, experience Hispanic culture, and enjoy some REALLY good food! 🌮🫔
For Henry, the celebration was about more than food. It was about sharing a piece of his heritage with the school district that has been such an important part of his own story.
We are proud that Van ISD is a place where our students can grow up, find their place, and sometimes come right back home to pour into the next generation.
Thank you, Henry and our VMS custodial team, for sharing your culture, your food, and your hearts with us. ❤️
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
#HispanicHeritageMonth #WeAreVan #VandalProud
As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re taking a look across Van ISD at the people, stories, traditions, and cultures that make our Vandal family so special.
Today, we’re starting at Van Middle School with someone whose story has come full circle — paraprofessional Henry Cervantes.
Henry’s connection to Van ISD began long before he became an employee. He attended Van from Head Start through 3rd grade, and as a young student, he was part of our ESL program until 2nd grade. He still remembers going to the computer lab to work on Rosetta Stone — and even arguing with his teachers that he didn’t need ESL anymore! 😂
Those experiences have stayed with him and shaped the way he sees and serves students today.
Henry shared that when he sees the time, patience, encouragement, and extra support our teachers and staff give students, he sees the people who once did the same for him.
That’s what makes Henry’s story so special. The little boy who once received that extra support at Van ISD is now one of the people providing it. ❤️
Recently, Henry helped bring Hispanic Heritage Month to life at VMS by organizing a campus-wide luncheon. Everyone was invited to bring a dish to share, but Henry and our incredible custodial staff went ALL OUT, preparing authentic dishes and giving their VMS family an opportunity to gather around the table, experience Hispanic culture, and enjoy some REALLY good food! 🌮🫔
For Henry, the celebration was about more than food. It was about sharing a piece of his heritage with the school district that has been such an important part of his own story.
We are proud that Van ISD is a place where our students can grow up, find their place, and sometimes come right back home to pour into the next generation.
Thank you, Henry and our VMS custodial team, for sharing your culture, your food, and your hearts with us. ❤️
¡Feliz Mes de la Herencia Hispana!
#HispanicHeritageMonth #WeAreVan #VandalProud
Congratulations VMS Students of the Week! Keep up the good work!
#WeAreVan
#WeAreVan
😂❤️ WHO DUNN IT BEST?! ❤️😂
There was a little confusion at Van Middle School today…
Apparently, Superintendent Don Dunn was EVERYWHERE! 👀
In honor of Superintendent’s Day, VMS staff had a little fun celebrating Mr. Dunn by showing up dressed as the man himself — and suddenly, there were Don Dunn impersonators roaming the halls and making some pretty BIG decisions for Van ISD! 😂
📅 More school holidays!
🙌 More recess!
⏰ Later start times!
🍕 And we’re pretty sure a few other “district policies” were being rewritten before the REAL Mr. Dunn could intervene!
Thankfully, we were able to determine which Don Dunn actually has the authority to change the school calendar. 😉😂
All jokes aside, today was a fun way for our VMS family to celebrate a leader who has spent 30 years in the Vandal kid business and who never takes himself too seriously to enjoy a good laugh with his people.
Now we need YOUR help…
👇 WHO DUNN IT BEST?! 👇
Happy Superintendent’s Day, Mr. Dunn! We hope seeing a whole school full of “you” reminded you just how loved and appreciated you are in Vandal Land! ❤️🤍
#WhoDUNNItBest #SuperintendentsDay #WeAreVan #VandalProud
There was a little confusion at Van Middle School today…
Apparently, Superintendent Don Dunn was EVERYWHERE! 👀
In honor of Superintendent’s Day, VMS staff had a little fun celebrating Mr. Dunn by showing up dressed as the man himself — and suddenly, there were Don Dunn impersonators roaming the halls and making some pretty BIG decisions for Van ISD! 😂
📅 More school holidays!
🙌 More recess!
⏰ Later start times!
🍕 And we’re pretty sure a few other “district policies” were being rewritten before the REAL Mr. Dunn could intervene!
Thankfully, we were able to determine which Don Dunn actually has the authority to change the school calendar. 😉😂
All jokes aside, today was a fun way for our VMS family to celebrate a leader who has spent 30 years in the Vandal kid business and who never takes himself too seriously to enjoy a good laugh with his people.
Now we need YOUR help…
👇 WHO DUNN IT BEST?! 👇
Happy Superintendent’s Day, Mr. Dunn! We hope seeing a whole school full of “you” reminded you just how loved and appreciated you are in Vandal Land! ❤️🤍
#WhoDUNNItBest #SuperintendentsDay #WeAreVan #VandalProud
🌟 Employee of the Month – Ted Mitchell 🌟
Congratulations to one of our amazing 6th grade math teachers, Ted Mitchell! Thank you for all the hard work you put into helping our students learn, grow, and succeed. Your time and dedication make a difference in the classroom, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our VMS family! 📚
And of course, we have to give a little Sic ’em, Bears! to our Baylor teacher! 🐻
Congratulations to one of our amazing 6th grade math teachers, Ted Mitchell! Thank you for all the hard work you put into helping our students learn, grow, and succeed. Your time and dedication make a difference in the classroom, and we are so grateful to have you as part of our VMS family! 📚
And of course, we have to give a little Sic ’em, Bears! to our Baylor teacher! 🐻
EARLY RELEASE FRIDAY: Friday, October 16, 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
🏃♂️ Happy National Coaches Day to Coach Rainey and Coach Yeck, our awesome PE coaches! Thank you for all you do for our Vandals!
📚 Happy Instructional Coaches Day to Mrs. Parish, who supports our 4th–6th grade RLA teachers, and Ms. Multhaup, who supports our 4th–8th grade Math teachers! Thank you for all the help, support, and encouragement you give our teachers and students!
We are thankful for each of you and all you do to make VMS a better place! ❤️
📚 Happy Instructional Coaches Day to Mrs. Parish, who supports our 4th–6th grade RLA teachers, and Ms. Multhaup, who supports our 4th–8th grade Math teachers! Thank you for all the help, support, and encouragement you give our teachers and students!
We are thankful for each of you and all you do to make VMS a better place! ❤️
❤️ SAVE THE DATES | RED RIBBON WEEK ❤️
📅 OCTOBER 26–30, 2026
It’s time to start planning those outfits, Vandals! 👕🎩😎
Van ISD will celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 26–30, and this year, we’re doing something a little different...
❤️ ALL VAN ISD CAMPUSES WILL HAVE THE SAME DRESS-UP DAYS! ❤️
From our littlest Vandals to our high school students and staff, we’ll be celebrating together all week long! Check out the graphic for each day’s theme and start planning—we can’t wait to see your creativity!
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running annual awareness campaign dedicated to drug and violence prevention, encouraging students to make healthy, positive choices.
For now, SAVE THE DATES: OCTOBER 26–30! 📅
❤️ One district. One week. One message. ❤️
#RedRibbonWeek #WeAreVan #VandalProud #VanISD
📅 OCTOBER 26–30, 2026
It’s time to start planning those outfits, Vandals! 👕🎩😎
Van ISD will celebrate Red Ribbon Week October 26–30, and this year, we’re doing something a little different...
❤️ ALL VAN ISD CAMPUSES WILL HAVE THE SAME DRESS-UP DAYS! ❤️
From our littlest Vandals to our high school students and staff, we’ll be celebrating together all week long! Check out the graphic for each day’s theme and start planning—we can’t wait to see your creativity!
Red Ribbon Week is the nation’s largest and longest-running annual awareness campaign dedicated to drug and violence prevention, encouraging students to make healthy, positive choices.
For now, SAVE THE DATES: OCTOBER 26–30! 📅
❤️ One district. One week. One message. ❤️
#RedRibbonWeek #WeAreVan #VandalProud #VanISD
📣❤️ IT’S OPERATIONS MONDAY IN VAN ISD! ❤️📣
Today, we’re celebrating the incredible people who work behind the scenes each day to keep Van ISD running and our students supported!
Our Operations Team includes the dedicated employees in Child Nutrition, Custodial Services, Transportation and Maintenance. Their jobs may look very different, but they share one important mission:
SUPPORTING EDUCATION THROUGH SERVICE. ❤️
Each month, we’re excited to spotlight four members of our Operations Team who have been recognized by their supervisors for the way they serve Van ISD. This month, help us celebrate:
👏 Wayne Purkey — Maintenance
👏 Mayra Gabriela Lara — Custodial
👏 Carla Smith — Child Nutrition
👏 Hailey Ferrell — Transportation
From keeping more than 100 A/C units running and making our schools clean and welcoming, to preparing meals for our students and safely getting them to and from school each day, these employees are a great example of the many people it takes to make education happen! ❤️
And check out our Van Middle School cafeteria crew proudly sporting their Operations shirts! We love seeing our teams represent the important role they play in supporting our students every single day.
Please join us in thanking Wayne, Mayra, Carla and Hailey—and ALL of our Operations employees—for the work they do for Vandal Land!
One team. One mission. Supporting Education Through Service.
#OperationsMonday #WeAreVan #TeamVISD #VandalProud
Today, we’re celebrating the incredible people who work behind the scenes each day to keep Van ISD running and our students supported!
Our Operations Team includes the dedicated employees in Child Nutrition, Custodial Services, Transportation and Maintenance. Their jobs may look very different, but they share one important mission:
SUPPORTING EDUCATION THROUGH SERVICE. ❤️
Each month, we’re excited to spotlight four members of our Operations Team who have been recognized by their supervisors for the way they serve Van ISD. This month, help us celebrate:
👏 Wayne Purkey — Maintenance
👏 Mayra Gabriela Lara — Custodial
👏 Carla Smith — Child Nutrition
👏 Hailey Ferrell — Transportation
From keeping more than 100 A/C units running and making our schools clean and welcoming, to preparing meals for our students and safely getting them to and from school each day, these employees are a great example of the many people it takes to make education happen! ❤️
And check out our Van Middle School cafeteria crew proudly sporting their Operations shirts! We love seeing our teams represent the important role they play in supporting our students every single day.
Please join us in thanking Wayne, Mayra, Carla and Hailey—and ALL of our Operations employees—for the work they do for Vandal Land!
One team. One mission. Supporting Education Through Service.
#OperationsMonday #WeAreVan #TeamVISD #VandalProud
🐾 HOMECOMING WEEK — DAY 3: PREDATOR vs. PREY! 🦌🐊
Day 3 of Homecoming dress-up week had Vandal Land on the hunt! ❤️🤍
From Predator to Prey, our Vandals across all FOUR campuses showed up ready for another fun day of Homecoming spirit!
And while everyone else was choosing sides… 📸 our cameras were preying on all the SMILES! 😁
There really is nothing quite like Homecoming in Vandal Land! ❤️🏹
#VandalHomecoming #WeAreVan #VandalProud #PreyVsPredator #VandalAdVANtage
Day 3 of Homecoming dress-up week had Vandal Land on the hunt! ❤️🤍
From Predator to Prey, our Vandals across all FOUR campuses showed up ready for another fun day of Homecoming spirit!
And while everyone else was choosing sides… 📸 our cameras were preying on all the SMILES! 😁
There really is nothing quite like Homecoming in Vandal Land! ❤️🏹
#VandalHomecoming #WeAreVan #VandalProud #PreyVsPredator #VandalAdVANtage
Congratulations VMS Students of the Week! Keep up the good work!
#WeAreVan
#WeAreVan
🍂❤️ FALL BREAK REMINDER! ❤️🍂
As you’re planning your week, Vandals, be sure to make note of our upcoming Fall Break!
📅 Wednesday, September 30 — Student Holiday
📅 Thursday, October 1 — School Holiday
📅 Friday, October 2 — School Holiday
After a busy Homecoming Week in Vandal Land, we hope our students, staff and families enjoy a few days to rest, recharge and spend time together!
District Calendar: https://tinyurl.com/3pcd79kb
#WeAreVan #VandalProud #FallBreak
As you’re planning your week, Vandals, be sure to make note of our upcoming Fall Break!
📅 Wednesday, September 30 — Student Holiday
📅 Thursday, October 1 — School Holiday
📅 Friday, October 2 — School Holiday
After a busy Homecoming Week in Vandal Land, we hope our students, staff and families enjoy a few days to rest, recharge and spend time together!
District Calendar: https://tinyurl.com/3pcd79kb
#WeAreVan #VandalProud #FallBreak
Vandal Cheer: Homecoming themes!!! ❤️🔥🏈📣
📸🍂 VMS Fall Picture Day is TOMORROW! 🍂📸
Mark your calendars! Picture Day is Thursday, September 17th! 📅
Picture Day forms were sent home with students this week. If your child did not receive a form, please reach out to their teacher:
📚 4th & 5th Grade: Homeroom Teacher
📚 6th Grade: 1st Period Teacher
📸 Picture Package — $20
Includes:
• ONE 8x10
• TWO 5x7s
• ONE set of wallets
Please return the completed form on Picture Day.
💳 Please pay through the Van ISD Web Store using the link below, or scan the QR code on the Picture Day form.
https://vanschools.revtrak.net/
We can't wait to see all of our VMS Vandals smiling for the camera! 🤍📸
#WeAreVan #VMSPictureDay
Congratulations VMS Students of the Week! Keep up the good work!
#WeAreVan
#WeAreVan
📸🍂 VMS Fall Picture Day is THIS WEEK! 🍂📸
Mark your calendars! Picture Day is Thursday, September 17th! 📅
Picture Day forms were sent home with students this week. If your child did not receive a form, please reach out to their teacher:
📚 4th & 5th Grade: Homeroom Teacher
📚 6th Grade: 1st Period Teacher
📸 Picture Package — $20
Includes:
• ONE 8x10
• TWO 5x7s
• ONE set of wallets
Please return the completed form on Picture Day.
💳 Please pay through the Van ISD Web Store using the link below, or scan the QR code on the Picture Day form.
https://tinyurl.com/3324ufnt
We can't wait to see all of our VMS Vandals smiling for the camera! 🤍📸
#WeAreVan #VMSPictureDay See less
Mark your calendars! Picture Day is Thursday, September 17th! 📅
Picture Day forms were sent home with students this week. If your child did not receive a form, please reach out to their teacher:
📚 4th & 5th Grade: Homeroom Teacher
📚 6th Grade: 1st Period Teacher
📸 Picture Package — $20
Includes:
• ONE 8x10
• TWO 5x7s
• ONE set of wallets
Please return the completed form on Picture Day.
💳 Please pay through the Van ISD Web Store using the link below, or scan the QR code on the Picture Day form.
https://tinyurl.com/3324ufnt
We can't wait to see all of our VMS Vandals smiling for the camera! 🤍📸
#WeAreVan #VMSPictureDay See less
🌟 Employee of the Month – Ashton Melton 🌟
Congratulations to one of our amazing 5th grade math teachers, Ashton Melton! This is Ashton's 14th year at VMS, and most recently, she was part of our amazing 6th grade math department for the past 13 years! We are so excited to have her in 5th grade this year!
Thank you for the care, kindness, and dedication you show our students every single day. We are so grateful to have you on our campus! ❤️📚
And of course, we have to give a little WHOOP! to our Aggie teacher! 👍🏻🤍❤️
Congratulations to one of our amazing 5th grade math teachers, Ashton Melton! This is Ashton's 14th year at VMS, and most recently, she was part of our amazing 6th grade math department for the past 13 years! We are so excited to have her in 5th grade this year!
Thank you for the care, kindness, and dedication you show our students every single day. We are so grateful to have you on our campus! ❤️📚
And of course, we have to give a little WHOOP! to our Aggie teacher! 👍🏻🤍❤️
🚌✨ LEARNING IS ON THE MOVE AT VAN MIDDLE SCHOOL! ✨🚌
Who says descriptive writing has to happen at a desk?! Our 5th graders took their learning aboard the STEAM Bus for a hands-on lesson that put their senses — and their adjectives — to work!
Led by Brittany Rose, along with Van High School students Keeley Walker, Bradley White, Annabelle Reed, Jayse Wilson, Tiler Williams, and Brock Bostick, students rotated through three interactive stations, practicing descriptive writing every step of the way.
📦 Station 1: Mystery Boxes
Stick your hand in... if you dare! 😳 Students reached inside without looking and then used adjectives to describe exactly what they felt.
🐉 Station 2: Taste Testing
Lunch meat, dragon fruit, pomegranate, pork rinds, and potato chips were all on the menu! Students tasted their way through some familiar — and not-so-familiar — foods while putting words to the flavors and textures they experienced.
🥽 Station 3: VR Adventures
Students strapped on the headsets and took off on virtual adventures, using their experiences to fuel even more descriptive writing!
What an awesome day of taking concepts from the classroom and bringing them to life through hands-on, engaging experiences aboard the STEAM Bus! ❤️
Sometimes the best learning happens when we get out of our seats, try something new, and experience the lesson for ourselves!
#WeAreVan #HandsOnLearning #STEAM #LearningInAction #VandalPride #VandalAdVANtage
Who says descriptive writing has to happen at a desk?! Our 5th graders took their learning aboard the STEAM Bus for a hands-on lesson that put their senses — and their adjectives — to work!
Led by Brittany Rose, along with Van High School students Keeley Walker, Bradley White, Annabelle Reed, Jayse Wilson, Tiler Williams, and Brock Bostick, students rotated through three interactive stations, practicing descriptive writing every step of the way.
📦 Station 1: Mystery Boxes
Stick your hand in... if you dare! 😳 Students reached inside without looking and then used adjectives to describe exactly what they felt.
🐉 Station 2: Taste Testing
Lunch meat, dragon fruit, pomegranate, pork rinds, and potato chips were all on the menu! Students tasted their way through some familiar — and not-so-familiar — foods while putting words to the flavors and textures they experienced.
🥽 Station 3: VR Adventures
Students strapped on the headsets and took off on virtual adventures, using their experiences to fuel even more descriptive writing!
What an awesome day of taking concepts from the classroom and bringing them to life through hands-on, engaging experiences aboard the STEAM Bus! ❤️
Sometimes the best learning happens when we get out of our seats, try something new, and experience the lesson for ourselves!
#WeAreVan #HandsOnLearning #STEAM #LearningInAction #VandalPride #VandalAdVANtage
Congratulations to our VMS Vandal of The Week Students! ❤️
Keep up the good work! 🏆
#WeAreVan
Keep up the good work! 🏆
#WeAreVan
