🇺🇸 VAN MIDDLE SCHOOL HONORING OUR HEROES 🇺🇸
Van Middle School continued its annual Veterans Day tradition with a special program honoring the brave men and women who have served our country!
Under the direction of VMS Choir Director Kelly Lockwood, our talented student choir performed patriotic songs and led the pledges.
We were honored to welcome two special guest speakers:
🇺🇸 Jake Smith, a 2005 Van High School graduate and U.S. Air Force veteran who currently serves as a Patrol Sergeant with the Canton Police Department.
🇺🇸 Captain Jeff Williams, a U.S. Army veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and currently works as a Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations.
Thank you to both gentlemen for sharing their experiences and helping our students understand the importance of service, sacrifice, and patriotism.
To all our veterans, THANK YOU for your service! We are forever grateful! ❤️🤍💙
#VeteransDay #VandalPride #VanMiddleSchool
1 day ago, Van ISD
🚨 VANDAL FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS | EARLY RELEASE FRIDAY! ❤️🤍🏈
All Van ISD campuses will release students at noon on Friday, November 13, to accommodate transportation needs for the Vandal playoff game in New Caney.
Thank you for your understanding and flexibility as we support our Vandals!
❤️🤍 GO VANDALS! 🏈
#WeAreVan #VandalProud
3 days ago, Van ISD
❤️ **VANDALS HAVE BIG HEARTS!** 🤍
A little change can make a BIG difference! We're collecting coins to support **Van Food Ministries** and help serve families right here in our community.
No donation is too small because every coin counts!
Let's rally together, Vandals! ❤️🤍
4 days ago, Van Middle School
🌟 Employee of the Month – Heidi Moore 🌟
Congratulations to Heidi Moore, one of our amazing long-term substitutes, who has been filling in for our wonderful Mrs. Shaw! Heidi has been such a great addition to our VMS family. She is amazing, truly cares about her students, and always goes above and beyond to make sure they feel supported and loved. Thank you for all you do and for the positive difference you make each day! We are so grateful to have you on our campus! 📚
And of course, we have to give a little Go Patriots to our UT Tyler teacher! Talons Up! Ahhh, Swoop Swoop! 🦅
7 days ago, Van Middle School
🔥🔥 TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT, VANDAL LAND! 🔥🔥
One of our favorite Vandal traditions is BACK, and we can't wait to see our community come together TONIGHT for the VANDAL BONFIRE!❤️🤍
🔥 VANDAL BONFIRE
📅 TONIGHT | Wednesday, November 4
⏰ 8:00 PM
📍 Field across from J.E. Rhodes Elementary and the Van ISD Administration Building
Vandals of ALL ages — students, families, alumni, and community members — come out and help us keep this treasured tradition burning bright! 🔥
#WeAreVan #VandalProud #VandalTradition
9 days ago, Van ISD
🎃🧪 **SPOOKY SCIENCE ON THE STEAM BUS!** 👻🔬
Our 6th graders climbed aboard the Van ISD STEAM Bus this week for a little **Spooky Science** — and these experiments were frightfully fun! 🧟♂️🧪
Students rotated through three hands-on activities:
🧟 **Zombie/Mummy Pull** — putting force and motion to the test and connecting the activity to Newton’s laws.
🍂 **Does Fall Float?** — experimenting with density to determine which fall items would float or sink, then using their answers to code an Ozobot through a maze.
🧪 **Bubbling Brew** — mixing baking soda and vinegar to create a bubbling reaction while exploring evidence of chemical changes.
Hands-on learning + a little Halloween fun = a pretty great day on the STEAM Bus! ❤️🤍
We love watching our Vandals **experiment, problem-solve and learn by doing!**
#WeAreVan #VandalProud #STEAMBus #SpookyScience #HandsOnLearning
12 days ago, Van ISD
🎬❤️ RED RIBBON WEEK | DAY 5 ❤️🎬
We wrapped up Red Ribbon Week across Vandal Land with plenty of familiar faces — or should we say characters! 🍿🎥
Friday's theme:
🎭 “DON’T LET DRUGS CHANGE YOUR CHARACTER!”
From superheroes to princesses and everything in between, our campuses were full of CHARACTER today! ❤️🤍
❤️ Be YOU. Make good choices. Stay drug free.
#RedRibbonWeek #WeAreVan #VandalProud #DrugFree #VandalLand
12 days ago, Van ISD
👯❤️ BETTER TOGETHER, DRUG FREE FOREVER! ❤️👯
We were seeing DOUBLE across Vandal Land today! 👀✌️
Students and staff across all four Van ISD campuses teamed up with friends for Twin Day as we continued celebrating Red Ribbon Week! ❤️🤍
Today’s theme was a great reminder that we are BETTER TOGETHER — encouraging one another to make positive choices and live drug-free! 💪
📸 Check out some of our terrific twins from across the district!
Tomorrow is our FINAL DAY of Red Ribbon Week, and we’re ending with a little CHARACTER! 🎬🍿
🎥 “DON’T LET DRUGS CHANGE YOUR CHARACTER!”
⭐ Dress as your **favorite movie character!**
We can’t wait to see who shows up across Vandal Land tomorrow! ❤️🤍🎬
#RedRibbonWeek #BetterTogether #TwinDay #DrugFree #WeAreVan #VandalProud
14 days ago, Van ISD
🏈🏀🏐⚾️ TEAM UP AGAINST DRUGS! ❤️🤍
Vandal Land showed its TEAM SPIRIT today for Red Ribbon Week! 🙌
Students and staff across all four Van ISD campuses sported their favorite jerseys for “Team Up Against Drugs!” From the pros to local teams and, of course, plenty of VANDAL RED, we loved seeing everyone get in the game! ❤️🤍
No matter which jersey we wear, when it comes to making healthy choices and staying drug-free, WE’RE ALL ON THE SAME TEAM! 💪
📸 Check out some of today’s team spirit from across the district!
And get ready to find your match for TOMORROW! 👯♀️👯♂️
❤️ BETTER TOGETHER, DRUG FREE FOREVER!
👯 TWIN DAY — Dress like a friend!
We can’t wait to see double across Vandal Land! ❤️🤍
#RedRibbonWeek #TeamUpAgainstDrugs #WeAreVan #VandalProud
15 days ago, Van ISD
🌟 RED RIBBON WEEK | OUR FUTURE IS BRIGHT! ❤️🤍
“Your Future Is Too Good to Risk!” 😎✨
And if Tuesday was any indication, the future is looking BRIGHT in Vandal Land! ❤️
Our Vandals dressed for their future careers, reminding us that they have big dreams, bright futures and so much ahead of them. The choices we make today help shape the future we’re working toward!
📣 NEXT UP — WEDNESDAY!
🏈🏀⚾️🏐 TEAM UP AGAINST DRUGS!
Wear your favorite jersey or team shirt and show that Vandals are all on the same team when it comes to making healthy choices!
❤️🤍 One team. One Vandal Family. One BRIGHT future!
#RedRibbonWeek #YourFutureIsBright #TeamUpAgainstDrugs #VandalProud #WeAreVan
15 days ago, Van ISD
❤️🦸 RED RIBBON WEEK | BE THE HERO OF YOUR STORY! 🦸♀️❤️
It was a SUPER Monday across Van ISD! 💥
Students and staff at all four campuses kicked off Red Ribbon Week by dressing as their favorite superheroes for “Be the HERO of Your Story!” 🦸♂️⚡🦸♀️
From capes and masks to some of our favorite characters, we loved seeing our Vandals have fun while celebrating the important message behind Red Ribbon Week — making positive choices and building a bright future! ❤️🤍
📸 Check out some of our favorite superheroes from across the district!
And start planning those outfits for TOMORROW! 👩⚕️👨🚒👩🏫👨🔧👩🔬
🌟 TUESDAY: YOUR FUTURE IS TOO GOOD TO RISK!
Dress like your future career!
We can't wait to see what our Vandals want to be when they grow up! ❤️
#RedRibbonWeek #BeTheHeroOfYourStory #WeAreVan #VandalProud
17 days ago, Van ISD
❤️🤍 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
21 days ago, Van ISD
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
22 days ago, Van Middle School

🇲🇽❤️ 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
22 days ago, Van ISD
Congratulations VMS Students of the Week! Keep up the good work!
#WeAreVan
25 days ago, Van Middle School

😂❤️ 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
27 days ago, Van ISD
🌟 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! 🐻
about 1 month ago, Van Middle School
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/yqdfxeoabout 1 month ago, Van ISD
🏃♂️ 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! ❤️
about 1 month ago, Van Middle School
❤️ 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
about 1 month ago, Van ISD