The holidays are approaching quickly! Please take a look at our fundraiser for our Junior class!
Vandercook Families,
Shortly before 1:00PM today, as some of the Townsend Elementary students were out for recess, a student reported that he saw "a man in the woods with a gun." The student also indicated that the man climbed up in a tree and pointed the gun at him. At that time all students were brought inside. Additionally, in an abundance of caution, all recess for the remainder of the day will be indoors. Once brought inside, a few other students reported that they saw "the man" in the woods, while others reported that they saw "something" but didn't know what it was they saw.
I was in the building at the time it was reported, so I went out to the woods. Officer Collins arrived about five minutes later and joined me. We walked the woods for about 25 minutes. We saw two deer, but nothing else. Officer Collins is currently in the process of interviewing students. We have had varying accounts from the size of the man to the color of his skin and the decriptions and colors of his clothing, along with varying reports of the "weapon" he had. We've been told it was a small handgun, a large shotgun and a crossbow "like the guy in the walking dead."
While we are taking this situation seriously, I do not have anything concrete at this time. We will continue to monitor the situation and while a decision hasn't been made yet, there is a possibility that we may keep students in for recess tomorrow (Wednesday) to be certain that there aren't any other challenges.
Whenever students return to outdoor recess, Officer Collins and I will be present in some capacity along with our usual allotment of Parapros and Teaching Assistants on the playground. Please know that whenever that happens, it will be because we know it is safe to do so. as student safety is always our number one concern.
TL
Vandercook Families,
Shortly before 1:00PM today, as some of the Townsend Elementary students were out for recess, a student reported that he saw "a man in the woods with a gun." The student also indicated that the man climbed up in a tree and pointed the gun at him. At that time all students were brought inside. Additionally, in an abundance of caution, all recess for the remainder of the day will be indoors. Once brought inside, a few other students reported that they saw "the man" in the woods, while others reported that they saw "something" but didn't know what it was they saw.
I was in the building at the time it was reported, so I went out to the woods. Officer Collins arrived about five minutes later and joined me. We walked the woods for about 25 minutes. We saw two deer, but nothing else. Officer Collins is currently in the process of interviewing students. We have had varying accounts from the size of the man to the color of his skin and the decriptions and colors of his clothing, along with varying reports of the "weapon" he had. We've been told it was a small handgun, a large shotgun and a crossbow like the guy in the walking dead.
While we are taking this situation seriously, I do not have anything concrete. We will continue to monitor the situation and while a decision hasn't been made yet, there is a possibility that we may keep students in for recess at tomorrow (Wednesday) to be certain that there aren't any other challenges.
Whenever students return to outdoor recess,, Officer Collins and I will be present in some capacity along with our usual allotment of Parapros and Teaching Assistants on the playground when students are allowed to go back outside. Please know that whenever that happens, it will be because we know it is safe to do so.
TL
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Tutoring for MS/HS will be canceled for today, Tuesday October 31st. Please have a fun and safe Halloween!
MS/HS Picture Retake Day is tomorrow, October 25th. Please remember to bring your package back to exchange if you are getting retakes. As always you can order now if you missed picture day.
Our shelves are getting bare! Please help us stock our Food Pantry!
Our annual Food Drive is here. Classes are competing for prizes.
Vandercook Lake it's HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GAME DAY! Hope to see you tonight! Gates open at 6:00PM, Kickoff at 6:30PM.
MS/HS Athletic Schedule & More for October 9th - October 14th
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6TH HOMECOMING FESTIVITIES
Vandercook Lake Community Homecoming Parade: 5:30PM (Golf to Francis to McDevitt to Maurice back to school)
Food Trucks at Football Field Gate Entrance 4:30-7:30PM
Youth Flag Football Games 7:00 & 8:00PM
High School Dance 8:00-10:00PM
IT'S GAME DAY JAYHAWKS! Hope to see you tonight at the Homecoming Game! Doors open at 6:00PM, Game starts at 6:30PM
Gino's morning bus for MS/HS is running 15-20 minutes behind on 10/5/23.
Skip making dinner this Friday, October 6th, and join us for our Food Truck Night! Food trucks will be located near the HOME side of the HS football field. Grab some dinner and stay to watch some youth football after!
Athletics & More at Vandercook Lake!
MS/HS Parent Teacher Conferences coming up next week. Hope to see you all there!
The MS/HS is currently looking for para pro substitutes!
MS/HS Picture Day coming next week! Thursday, September 14th.
NOTICE OF SCHOOL BOARD VACANCY
8/31/2023
Interested individuals must reside in Vandercook Lake School District.
Please contact our central office for more information at 517-782-9044.
The next "Listen & Learn" with Superintendent Lowder will be held on Tuesday, September 5th at 6:30PM.
To the Vandercook Lake Public Schools Community,
I apologize for the late announcement about the adjustment to our day. The last thing I wanted to do today was close a building or shorten the day in any way, especially two days in a row to start the year. However, the storm did more damage to our surrounding area than I initially anticipated. Our buses could not get up and down several streets due to down power lines and trees causing several challenges to transporting students safely.
Additionally, while we initially had all of our technology available, our phones, internet and security systems went down a little after 7:00 am. At that time, I was ready to call off the day. As I was beginning to make calls and send emails to the media outlets to announce the closings, all of our systems came back up, so I thought we were ready to roll. We lost all of them again about 7:30 am and that’s when the decision was made to close. Unfortunately, we had already picked up as many Middle School and High School students as we were able, in addition to the many that were dropped off or drove.
With intermittent technological services that pose a challenge to the safety and security of our buildings, I made the decision to close Townsend and move to a half day at the MS/HS building. Again, I sincerely apologize for the amount of confusion this week has caused our community and families.