Van Buren Local School 217 South Main Street Van Buren, Ohio 45889 Volume: 35 No.: 6 Knightly News February 2015 Published Nine Times Per Year

Van Buren Local School 217 South Main Street Van Buren, Ohio 45889 Volume: 35 No.: 6 Knightly News February 2015 Published nine times per year.

Superintendent's Office — 299-3578 High School — 299-3384 Elementary — 299-3416 CAPACITY MEASURE, LOCAL TAX EFFORT, BIENNIAL BUDGET Jenessa Miller Named Ohio Middle Tim Myers, Superintendent Summary – The state claims we are a wealthy school district. The residents are only contributing ½ of what School Student of the Year they are capable of supplying to the schools. Therefore, the state is going to provide less money to the Van Van Buren Middle School eighth grader Jenessa Miller was Buren Schools and the local tax payers should pay more to make up the difference. named the Ohio Middle Level Association female student of the The Governor has laid out his new State Biennial Budget proposal and the outlook for the Van Buren Schools is not good. In the proposed budget the Van Buren School District is ranked as the 589th wealthiest out year. In March 2013, Jenessa was diagnosed with idiopathic sco- of 610 school districts in the state of Ohio. The Van Buren Schools are included in the group of wealthy school liosis. In order to straighten her spine, she underwent spinal fusion districts located in communities such as Sharonville, Sycamore, and Indian Hills in Cincinnati, Upper Arlington, surgery and ensured a six-week recovery. Prior to having surgery, in Columbus, and Beachwood, Independence, and Cuyahoga Heights, in Cleveland. Jenessa presented an idea to her language arts teacher, Mrs. Stevie What, in relationship to school funding, makes the Van Buren School District and community so wealthy that Brown. She asked if she could share information on scoliosis to the we can be put in the same category as Indian Hills? Primarily, it was the property wealth in the district divided entire middle school student body as all students in grades 6-8 are by the number of students in the district. Property wealth is determined by the industrial plants, warehouses, businesses, and home values in our district. Traditionally, the taxes paid by the businesses and industry in our screened for scoliosis every winter and many don’t understand what district helped to lessen the tax burden on the homeowner. they are being screened for. In the new proposed budget, the Governor is adding a personal income factor with the property value creat- Over the course of a week, Jenessa presented to the school by ing a “capacity measure” to determine the wealth of the district which will be used to determine the amount of grade level. Her presentation was recorded so that our incoming financial aid the state should supply. The rest to be supplied by the residents of the school district. The personal sixth graders can watch it each year. As she researched scoliosis, income factor is determined by comparing the average income of the residents in the school district to the aver- she was able to better understand her own diagnosis and treatment. age income statewide. Currently, the state is listing the statewide average income at approximately $32,000 with the residents of the Van Buren School District having an average income of approximately $42,000. As you can Jenessa was described by teachers and peers as brave, compas- see, the new state calculations make us look even wealthier. sionate, caring, and dedicated to school and friends. Howard Fleeter of the Ohio Education Tax Policy Institute put together a study to determine the local com- Jenessa accepted the award at OMLA’s conference on February munity’s tax effort toward their school district. In his analysis, an index number greater than 1 indicates district 13 and addressed over 900 middle school educators from across residents are making an above-average effort, while those less than 1 are making a below average effort. It was Ohio during their general session. Jenessa is the daughter of Chris- very interesting to compare the index rankings to the local school rankings I used in the recent levy campaign to show how much tax burden was on the residents of our neighboring school districts in comparison with the tax tina and Eric Miller. burden on the Van Buren District residents. The rankings were eerily similar. Last November I stated that the residents of the North Baltimore District had the highest tax burden sum- marizing their local taxes (property and income) to be the equivalence of approximately 54 mills. They were the highest. I had the Van Buren tax burden at 29.65 mills, the lowest in the area. Under Dr. Fleeter’s index analysis, North Baltimore’s index number is 1.6492, approximately 1-2/3 of the state average. Of the other local school districts, 7 are above the average of 1, one is percentage points from the average of 1, and the Van Buren School District is the lowest by far with an index number of 0.5209 indicating, by state calculations, that the Van Buren residents have the capacity to be contributing nearly twice as much to the school district. The proposed new state education budget reflects that the local residents should be paying twice as much to the school district and lowering our already meager state funding even lower. Additionally, this budget reflects a renewed reduction of the reimbursement money that we are currently receiving from the state to offset the Tangible Personal Property Tax that they took away from our district. This reimbursement could be completely gone by 2018. Currently the state contributes approximately 13% of our total revenues. The new budget puts the state contribution at 6.4% next year and 5% (the state lowest) in the second year. When you look at the addition of the much needed all-day, every-day Kindergarten and the loss of current as well as any possible additional state funding, it is not hard to see that the district is sliding into a negative budget very quickly. This will mean additional local taxes, as the state is suggesting, or a cutting of staff and programs. Most state budgets are changed between first proposal and legislative adoption. Yet, the basic principles remain. While the negative impact to the Van Buren District may not be as drastic as initially proposed, you can be sure there will be a drastic, negative impact.

Van Buren Local School Nonprofit Organization 217 South Main Street U.S. POSTAGE Van Buren, Ohio 45889 PAID Published by Van Buren Local School Van Buren, Ohio Address Service Requested Permit No. 3 Page 2 Knightly News February 2015 Treasurer News HS News

Money Matter$ Cheryl Swisher, Treasurer Van Buren Academic Boosters Proudly House Bill 64, the biennial budget bill for fiscal years 2016-2017, was officially introduced on February 11, 2015. House Bill (HB) 64 (proposed by Governor Ka- Present December Awesome Knights sich) could significantly impact Van Buren Schools financial stability. In HB 64, Van Students are chosen monthly by each high school teacher based upon one or Buren School, stands to lose the equivalent funding of 1.55 mills. Even though more of the following: Academic Achievement; Positive Attitude; Class Partici- HB 64 increases funding per student, it reduces Tangible Personal Property (TPP) pation; Letter Grade Improvement; Outstanding Performance. tax reimbursements to the District. These reductions in TPP contribute most of the All students chosen monthly will be recognized for their efforts with a gift certifi- 11.1% loss in funding over the next two fiscal years. The below chart shows the cate and a certificate of recognition from the Academic Boosters organization along impact on Hancock County Schools: with having their picture posted on the wall of Knights outside the high school office. Estimated % Change Estimated % Change Total Change in in Core Change in in Core Equivalent Core State Aid State Aid Core State Aid State Aid Mills FY 15 to FY 16* FY 15 to FY 16 FY 16 to FY 17* FY 15 to FY 16 Lost/Gained

ARCADIA $(53,615) -3.0% $(53,079) -3.1% Loss 1.07 ARLINGTON $(56,782) -2.0% $(56,214) -2.0% Loss 1.34 CORY-RAWSON $(96,885) -3.5% $(69,723) -2.6% Loss 1.37 FINDLAY CITY $1,250,655 5.1% $1,451,615 5.7% Gain 3.49 LIBERTY-BENTON $(118,166) -2.3% $(116,984) -2.4% Loss 1.32 MCCOMB $(75,440) -2.0% $(74,686) -2.0% Loss 1.26 RIVERDALE $(101,684) -1.8% $(100,667) -1.8% Loss 1.33 VAN BUREN $(116,760) -4.9% $(250,280) -11.1% Loss 1.55 VANLUE $(32,462) -2.3% $(32,137) -2.4% Loss 1.30 * includes phase-out of Tangible Personal Property (TPP) tax reimbursements

In a statement released by the Office of Budget and Management, it explains the district will potentially lose funding based on our “capacity measure”. Our capacity measure shows how much money the community can afford to support the local school in relation to other schools with a lower capacity rating. The capacity December – Back Row: Branden Bell, Brendon Ring, Brandon Shepherd, Justin Phil- measure uses property valuation and median income as a measure to reflect a lips, Nick Devore, Matt Cooper, Thomas Wolford, Kialynne Bland, Jordan Trenkamp. district’s ability to meet its own needs. Front Row: Jessica Roberts, Sarah Dishong, Andy Godzak, Sadie Piehl, Kristin Con- Below is the excerpt from that statement: ner, Shaynah Selario, Morgan Drake, Brianna Barnhisel, Lauren Shaw. Not Pictured: Kara Conine (Guo Kelan), Rebekah Frampton, Mary Beth Kane, Breanna King. “Formula Adjustments to Better Reflect Local Capacity: The budget includes a firm commitment to efficiently and effectively distribute resources through the formula to the districts with less capacity to raise th revenues locally. Specifically, the governor’s proposal allows the two 7 Annual measures of a district’s capacity — property valuation per pupil and me- “Don’t Stress Over the Dress” dian income — to operate in the formula and better reflect a district’s When & Where is the event? ability to meet its own needs. When a district’s income is meaningfully above or below Ohio’s median income, the formula will more accurate- Friday, March 20, 3:00 – 8:00 P.M. ly and appropriately direct state funds as needed. When districts are Saturday, March 21, 11:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. grouped by quintile from lowest to highest capacity, analysis shows the Sunday, March 22, 1:00 - 4:00 P.M. proposed formula very effectively targets resources to districts with lower capacity to raise revenue locally. Variations in an individual district’s Findlay Village Mall, Tiffin Avenue circumstances can always have impacts on the district’s formula funding outside of these general principles. The use of guarantees and caps in Over 500 next-to-new, current gowns are available at no charge. past years can also impact the formula distributions. The effects of par- Gowns are available in all sizes and styles ticular changes in the district’s circumstances that were suppressed by and some still have the tags on them! formula revisions in previous years may now become apparent.“ Who can participate? This Bill still needs to go through the legislative process. As more information Girls attending High School prom that becomes available, the District will distribute through the website Treasurer’s page are in need of a prom dress. and future articles. If you have any questions regarding this article, please contact (Donations are also being accepted – Cheryl Swisher at 419-299-3863 x103. stop in the HS office for more information) February 2015 Knightly News Page 3 HS/MS Honors VAN BUREN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL Second Nine-Week Grading Period 2014 - 2015 School Year ALL “A's” 7th Grade DeLainie Bland, Karissa Brown, Tyler Cain, Katelyn Chu, Aaron Clark, 6th Grade Lillian Badertscher, Kaleb Bishop, Dessa Darling, Steven Franks, Hannah Davis, Noah Elliott, Felicity Hocanson, Jewelya Hutchison, Gabrielle Gearhart, Maxwell Greenawalt, Grace Heitkamp, Elijah Spencer Ingwersen, Katarina Koehler, Kendall Kretzinger, Nickolas Holman, Jonathan Hudok, Alexis Jackson, Blake Jones, Shaina Lako, McCracken, Andrew Overmyer, Madison Parker, Emma Reineke, Mia Leal, Alisa Matsuo, Jace McCartney, Lillian McKeown, Isabelle Jacob Risner, Camrie Roberts, Christopher Routson, Hailey Routzon, Pawlak, Madilyn Pawlak, Keana Rider, Justin Ring, Peyton Sendel- Zachary Seitz, Brooke Shepherd, Hunter Stone, Austin Switzer, Dalton bach, Megan Sheeks, Gage Swaisgood, Breanna Tabler, Drew Van Swope, Madison Trumbull, Kyle Van Horn, Carey (CJ) Ware, Cody Atta, Connor Waltmire Word 7th Grade Nicole Conine, Garret Drake, Agnes Durlait, Landon Forsyth, Braden 8th Grade Joshua Bishop, Dawson Carruthers, Dominick Donaldson, Emma Losiewicz, Madelyn Parsell, Amber Pisarsky, Allyson Rickenbacher, Farison, Johnathon Farthing, Johann Franks, Noah Frederick, Marisa Riley Simons, Kaleb Snodgrass, Jordan Spoon, Grayson Temple Gilbert, Natalee Harris, Wade Hiatt, Grace Hoerig, Brandon Klausing, 8th Grade Carrie Below, Hannah Betts, Faith DeWalt, Hope DeWalt, Miranda James Koehler, Tyler Lambert, Emily LeCroy, Sydney Leeper, Ethan Eaton, Nathaniel Gregory, Brady Harmon, Kyle Hoyng, Jordan Lonyo, Marialke, Issei Matsuo, Mason McMonigal, Jessica Rinehart, Jason Connor Ohlrich, Mackenzie Saltzman, Oliva Sexton, Lily Wagner, Runion, Jacob Sanders, Hope Serrano, Natasha Simons, Amanda Quentin Weddell Strapp, Daniel VanAtta, Natalie Williamson 9th Grade Madelyn Badertscher, Riley Calzada, Kara Conine, Elizabeth Con- 9th Grade Matthew Ayers, KC Critchet, Jessica DeBouver, Jacob Emerine, ner, Jared Dinarda, Sarah Dishong, Amelia Durlait, Andrew Godzak, Khail Fasone, Carl Fleck, Hunter Foltz, Samuel Frost, Anna Girdler, Matthew Iliff, Drew Insley, Morgan Jackson, Logan Kauffman, Jocelyn Quinton Graber, Mason Miarer, Samuel Phillips, Nathan Potteiger, Masters, Kailee Missler, Miranda Mowrey, Autumn Pisarsky, Cheyenne Sara Rosenberger, Joshua Seitz, Jaden Tabler, Cora Thomas, Chad Potteiger, Lydia Reineke, Kylie Riffel, Brendon Ring, Jessica Roberts, Thomason Lisa Simmons, Carrigan Stacy, Madison Swope, Maria Trusty, Brandon 10th Grade Riley Adolph, Brittany Arnold, Sydnee Atchison, Kialynne Bland, Wehrle, Drace Wilson, Hunter Wymer Brady Deitrick, Braxton Fasone, Sarah Franks, Tabatha Frost, Ivorie 10th Grade Emily Bado, Brandon Bell, McClain Brown, Kila Fultz, Aaron Keck, Garnes, Austin Hickman, Alexis Kieffer, Lindsey Klausing, Marly Mc- Matthew Nieset, Zoie Nieto, Brylie Rampe, Zachary Schiefer, Justen Cartney, Adysson Miller, Abby Patterson, Brendan Roszman, Noah Stall, Jordan Trenkamp, Cassandra Waltmire, Mercedes Williamson Schumacker, Lydia Smith, Emma Strong 11th Grade Briana Barnhisel, Kami Boney, Marcus Brand, Aric Dewey, Morgan 11th Grade Alejandro Arriaga, Elena Beitzel, Michelle Bisbee, Logan Brooker, Drake, Alexander Duran, Samantha Hagans, Andrew Kelley, Rebecca Lauren Brown, Justin Chu, Mackenzie Edler, Rebekah Frampton, Taylor Kheiry, Ruth Moon, Cole Ohlrich, Nicklaus Overmyer, Katelyn Reineke, Gilliland, Elexia Hassan, Brooklyn Hoyng, Avery Insley, Mary Kane, Carlee Schmelzer, Callie Spears, Kylie Sturgill Ian Kern, Brianne Lasley, Shelbi Leonard, Zachary Lonyo, Victoria 12th Grade Andrew Conner, Matthew Cooper, Ashleigh Farr, Maxwell Frost, Dal- Manley, Gabriele McCracken, Jaret Mowery, Thomas Rowles, Jared ton Fry, Rachel George, Bailei Hoyng, Jennifer Irving, Essma Kheiry, Smith, Mackenzie Wagner Kailey Leal, Brianna Orchard, Wade Schimmoeller, Shaynah Selario, 12th Grade Ross Adolph, Emily Anderberry, Allison Arthur, Matthew Bach, Caitlin Isaac Sexton, Schuyler Turner, Grant Wagner Brink, Kristin Conner, Desirae Cooper, Collin Coulter, Adam Endicott, Draeton Fasone, Cameron Fox, Mackenzie Howard, Bridget Jewell, ALL “A's” and “B's” Brooke Klausing, Jessica Lawrence, Travis Lewis, Dillan Ludwig, 6th Grade Taylor Adams, Kaitlyn Baer, Cody Beagle, Aaron Bresler, Skylar Alyssa Miller, Caitlin, Nieset, Abigail Phillips, Justin Phillips, Alyssen Deerwester, Mercy DeWalt, Dino Donaldson, Jonah Frederick, Mia Welch, Rachel Wymer, Alexis Youngpeter George, Aiden Haley, Jada Hicks, Andrew Kostendt, Madison Marks, Alexandra Marshall, Evelyn Masters, Alec Muzy, Travis Neumeister, Inclement Weather    Kadin Ogg, Jacob Plummer, Kennedy Rader, Reese Recker, Alex- In the event that we experience severe weather or an emergency situation, the fol- andria Reichenbaugh, Madalyn Riesen, Annika Rinehart, Samuel lowing news agencies will be contacted to broadcast any announcements to inform Seitz, Kearstin Sherick, Garret Simmermeyer, Brandon Smith, Alyssa parents of decisions affecting our school day. Stay tuned to your radio and TV! Snyder, Grant Young Tune to AM 1330 WFIN, FM 100.5 WKXA, FM 96.7 WBVI, or FM 106.3 WBUK for weather announcements and your local TV stations. No School –– Spring Break, Monday - Friday, March 30 - April 3, 2015 No School for Students –– Teacher Professional Day, Monday, April 6, 2015 Page 4 Knightly News February 2015 Middle School News Van Buren Academic Boosters Proudly Present Four VBMS Students Advance to Regional History Bee Van Buren Middle School Eighth Graders Miranda Eaton and Lily Wagner, December 2014 & January 2015 Virtuous Knights and Seventh Graders Amber Pisarsky and Zachary Seitz qualified for the Regional Qualities of a Virtuous Knight: round of the National History Bee to be held April 2, 2015, at Ohio Dominican Uni- versity in Columbus, Ohio. Generosity; Respect; Kindness; Pride in School; Responsibility; Enthusiasm; Similar to a Spelling Bee, students must prove their knowledge of World and Pride in Self; Hard Working. Thanks to the Van Buren Academic Boosters and Culver’s for their support of the American History beginning approximately 3000BC to the modern day. VBMS Virtuous Knight program. The Intramural Bee was administered to all students in grades six through eight in early January. The top four scoring students from a school qualify for the On- line Regional Qualifying Exam. This exam consists of fifty questions administered online. The top scoring students in a given region are invited to participate in the Regional Competition. The regional competition is competed similar to a quiz style game show where participants must “buzz in” to answer. High scorers in the four preliminary rounds then compete in the Regional Final Round. The top finishers in each of the thirty seven regions around the United States are invited to the National History Bee Finals in Atlanta, Georgia this June.

December - Back Row: A.J. Overmyer, Olivia Sexton, Kearstin Sherick, Ron Koehnke, Mason McMonigal, Karis Brown, Lilly Saum. Front Row: Connor Waltmire, Annika Rinehart, Keana Rider, Alyssa Potteiger, Paige Smith, Mackenzie Phillips.

Spring Break is Monday - Friday March 30 - April 3, 2015 January - Back Row: Maddie Parsell, Logan Betts-Baldwin, Aaron Clark, Brady Harmon, Noah Elliott, Bryce Smith, Jacob Sanders. Front Row: Kennedy Rader, Mia George, Lily Wagner, Alex Reichenbaugh, Blake Jones, Natalie Williamson. Class of 2015 Graduation Information about Van Buren School District can be accessed through the internet at the following address Sunday, May 24, 2015, @ 2:00 P.M. www.vbschools.net To read the daily announcements once you reach the website... in the High School Gymnasium click the box in the top black tool bar "Announcements". February 2015 Knightly News Page 5 Middle School News Power of the Pen Teams are "Write On"! – District Competition 2015 Power of the Pen is an interscholastic, creative/impromptu writing competition for public, private, parochial, and special schools open to 7th and 8th graders in the state of Ohio. On Saturday, January 24, a 7th and 8th grade team travelled to Tiffin Middle School to compete against 14 other schools in the area including Donnell, Glenwood, St. Michael’s, and Maumee Valley Country Day, to name a few. Stu- dents competed as a team and individuals, writing in three separate, 40 minute rounds.

The 8th grade team coached by Mrs. Stephanie Brown included Kira Coe, Johnny Farthing, Emily LeCroy, Allison McComas, Jenessa Miller, and Lilly Saum. These writers also brought home a trophy by taking 2nd place overall with Lilly earn- ing a 10th place medallion in the individual competition. The three 8th grade prompts were: Round I - The Hole, Why are you digging one?; Round II - The setting of your story is the day after…what?; and Round III - Discover that your best friend isn’t one. Both teams are hoping to advance to the Regional competition held on Wednesday, March 11 at Lourdes University with a chance to qualify for the state competition in May.

Three VB Students Advance in Essay Competition Sixth grade students, Grace Heitkamp and Breanna Tabler, are local winners of Our 7th grade team consisting of Bella Ayers, Karis Brown, Agnes Durliat, Ken- the ELKS Americanism Essay Contest. The students wrote an essay on “What the dall Kretzinger, Madison Parker, Maddie Trumbull, and Hailey Routzon (Alternate) Pledge of Allegiance means to Me” in 250 words or less. The Findlay/Fostoria Elks coached by Mrs. Karen Dishong placed 4th overall in the team competition. The Lodge #75 sponsored the contest for students in grades 5-8. Grace and Breanna three prompts given to the 7th grade team were: Round I – Write about something were two of the top three Division I winners for 5th and 6th grade. Their entries will you are doing for the first time; Round II – The setting for your story is a middle be submitted to the Northwest District and potentially be recognized at the State school dance; Round III – The main character in your narrative is the class clown. and National level by the Grand Lodge. Congratulations, Grace and Breanna, and Two students were given high honors with Bella placing 11th in the individual com- good luck at Districts! petition and Karis walking away with a ‘Best of Round’ piece entitled “My Day”. Eighth grader Olivia Sexton's essay was also chosen to be judged at a higher level. She was selected as the local winner of the ELKS Americanism Essay Con- test. The prompt was "What the Pledge of Allegiance Means to Me". Olivia's piece will be forwarded to the Northwest district for further consideration.

Bella Ayers Karis Brown Lilly Saum

Grace Heitkamp, Breanna Tabler Olivia Sexton Page 6 Knightly News February 2015 Yearbook News MS/HS News Yearbook Orders Van Buren High School/Middle School Guidance Thank you to all who purchased a copy of the 2014 Knight and Squire. Last year’s staff put in a lot of hard work to create a book that our community can be proud of, and • Those juniors planning on going to college after graduation are encouraged this year’s staff is working hard to do the same. to take the ACT test at least once before entering their senior year of high The 2015 Knight will include the high school and middle school, and the 2015 Squire school. Sophomores should also think about taking the ACT at the conclu- will included elementary events. The price for the HS/MS yearbook is now $55 this year. sion of this year. The April 18 testing deadline is March 13 and the June 13 A student can have his/her name stamped onto the book for $5, and protective plastic testing deadline for registration is May 8. covers can be purchased for $3. The price for the 2015 Squire (elementary) yearbook • This is the time of the year when scholarships for seniors start coming in on is $20. Unfortunately no extras can be purchased with this as it has a soft cover. A a regular basis. Seniors should stop in the guidance office weekly to pick student can fill out the form on this page and give it to his/her teacher (elementary) or up applications. Also, all Hancock Community Foundation scholarships are give it to Mr. Bratt in Room 235. When your student makes an order, please make sure available online at www.community-foundation.com. that if he/she is paying by check, the check is made payable to the 2015 Knight and/or • Scheduling for next year is taking place this month. It is important that the 2015 Squire for the number of books purchased. student, parent, and teachers are all involved in the student’s course selec- Another purchase option is to buy online. Simply go to www.vbschools.net, click on tion for next year. the Buy a Yearbook button, and follow the on-screen instructions. • There will be a scheduling meeting for all 8th graders in the high school The yearbook staff thanks you for your support of the Knight and Squire, and we cafeteria on March 4 at 6:30 P.M. We will be selecting classes for those look forward to serving you in the future. If there are any questions, please contact Mr. students entering Van Buren High School as a freshman for the 2015-2016 Bratt, yearbook adviser, at (419) 299-3384 (ext. 407). school year. The student and at least one parent are expected to attend. If you are unable to attend the meeting, you need to contact Mr. Zender in Order Form for the 2015 Knight and Squire the guidance office. Information was being sent home with all Van Buren Van Buren Elementary, Middle School and High School 8th graders on February 27. • If any student in grades 6-11 is interested in taking college classes next year Name ______through the College Credit Plus program (the old Post Secondary Education Grade/Teacher ______Date ______Options program), they need to contact the guidance office by March 31 to participate. Information has been sent home with the students with their $55.00 each Price of the 2015 Knight in FULL COLOR (coverage of the scheduling information. Also, applications to colleges will be due by April 1. middle school and high school) We will also schedule a district informational meeting sometime in March with more information. I will also send this information home with students $5.00 each Price to have your name put on your yearbook (2015 Knight only) Write how you would like your name to appear when scheduled. • Reminder that OGT tests will be given the week of March 16 to all sopho- ______mores and upperclassmen still needing to pass a section. It is important to get plenty of rest and nourishment that week. $3.00each Plastic protective cover for your book (2015 Knight only) • All 8th graders will be visiting Millstream on March 26 to view the new facili- $20.00 each Price of the 2015 Squire in FULL COLOR (coverage of the ties and see possible educational options for the future. elementary school) • Juniors are also reminded that they are given one college visitation day in the spring to be used up by May 1 if they choose. See Mr. Zender for Please fill out the following form and return it to your teacher (elementary) paperwork. or Mr. Bratt in room 235 (middle and high school). Thank you, and enjoy your yearbook!

Quantity Item Price/Unit Total Amount Teacher Professional Day has been scheduled for 2015 Knight $55.00 the following date. Name on Book $5.00 Students will not attend school this day. Plastic Cover $3.00 2015 Squire $20.00 Please mark your calendar: Please make all checks payable to: TOTAL Monday, April 6, 2015 2015 Knight and/or 2015 Squire.

PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED COPIES OF THE 2014 KNIGHT Follow the Van Buren Yearbook on Twitter The following alumni needs to pick up his copy of the 2014 Knight that he ordered: Laike Matthes. Please stop to pick this up in the high school office at your earliest con- for all of the latest yearbook venience. Thank you again for your support of Van Buren and our yearbook. updates and pictures! @VBYearbook February 2015 Knightly News Page 7 Elementary News January Knights of the Round Table 5th Grade Spelling Bee Winners Move On Students selected by their noon monitors enjoyed lunch and an ice cream treat Congratulations to Abigail Losie- as “Round Table Knights” — a reward for their positive attitude and behavior during wicz for winning the 5th grade elemen- the month of January. Students were also able to invite a friend or family member tary spelling bee which was held on to join them at the round table. Congratulations to these students! January 16 in the elementary cafeteria. Jared Hocanson was the runner-up and acted as an alternate for the Hancock County Spelling Bee which was scheduled for Thursday, February 5, 2015, at 7:00 P.M. at Glenwood Middle School in Findlay. Congratulations to Abigail and Jared on their fine representation of Van Buren at the County Bee! Van Buren Students Excel Outside of the Classroom "Congratulations to the Van Buren Master Builders Team on a great season! The FIRST Lego League team (through Snapology of Findlay, LLC) worked together to come up with a new way adults can help kids want to learn! Their project was an App that helps kids learn how to do sentence diagramming. This, along with designing and programming a robot for the robotic competition gained them a top finish at their Regional Tournament and secured a spot at the District Tournament in Dayton. Members of the team were Josh Bishop, Brady Harmon, Brenden Hamari, Gage Swaisgood, Samuel Seitz, Kaleb Bishop, Evan Van Vorhis and Dalton McCo- mas. Also, Kendall Kreztinger, was part of the Findlay Brick Breakers team, which took home the Gracious Professionalism Award." January – Back Row: Madison Elliott, Hudson Sendelbach, Carter Miller, Andrew Parsell, Jared Hocanson, Keagan Wymer, Megan Pisarsky, Brianna Adkins, Emily Weber. Middle Row: Kierra Miller, AJ Griffith, Mikey Pendergast, Brylee Ponn, Gra- cie Webster, Baylor Wilkin, Natalie Treece. Front Row: Carter Fry, Andre Brassell, Jamie Cavera, Lily Ayers. Elementary Physical Education News: Ms. Breitigam The Elks Club Hoop Shoot We have been quite active in the gymnasium over the past few months. We have completed the Elks Club Hoop Shoot again this year. Our local winners were Zoe Fruth, Sophia Reineke, Jake Bishop and Elijah Seitz. These fine free throw shooters went on to the University of Findlay to compete against other shooters in their age divisions on January 5. Zoe finished 2nd in her age division and Jake finished 1st in his age division. Jake then moved on to the next round of competition, also at the University of Findlay, on January 11. This round brings in kids from all of Northwest Ohio. Jake did an awesome job, but came up a little short in his quest of heading to Columbus for the State competition. Congratulations to all of the students who competed in the Elks Club Hoop Shoot! Jump Rope for Heart Over the next few weeks, the elementary students will be participating in Jump Back Row: Josh Bishop, Brady Harmon, Brenden Hamari, Gage Swaisgood. Rope for Heart in Physical Education. This is a fund-raiser for the American Heart As- Front Row: Samuel Seitz, Kaleb Bishop, Evan Van Vorhis, Dalton McComas. Not sociation that Van Buren Elementary students have been participating in, every other Pictured: Kendall Kreztinger. year, since 1999. To this date, we have raised $40,016.74 for the American Heart As- sociation, to help save lives. My students are “jumping at the chance” to fight heart disease and stroke, our nation’s #1 and #4 killers. Jump Rope for Heart teaches stu- Reminder to Elementary Parents: dents how physical fitness benefits the heart and shows them that volunteering can be a fun and positive experience for the whole community. Please look for information to Cookie dough pickup will be in the elementary cafeteria be coming home in your child/children’s folders. Thanks for all of your support, both in the past and in the future. on Tuesday, March 3 from 3:20 - 6:20 P.M. Page 8 Knightly News February 2015 Elementary News

OAEA Young People's Art Exhibition/Ohio Art Van Buren 2015-2016 Kindergarten Registration Education Association –– James Homan Honored Kindergarten Registration signups will be held March 9, 2015, through Van Buren Elementary School is proud to announce that James Homan, a third March 20, 2015. Please contact the Van Buren Elementary office at 419-299- grader, has had artwork chosen to be exhibited in the 2015 Ohio Art Education As- 3416 during these dates between 9:00 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. to set up your ap- sociation's Youth People's Art Month Exhibition. The exhibit represents Ohio students pointment for Kindergarten Screening. Screenings are done on a first-come, in grades kindergarten through eighth and is on display at the Rhodes State Office first-serve basis. The screenings will take place Monday, March 23, 2015, in Tower in Columbus, Ohio from February 28 - March 21. the Van Buren Elementary School. All youngsters must be five years of age on One hundred twenty-three pieces were selected or before August 1, 2015, to attend. for the juried show from the nine regions of the state This registration/screening is only for in-district residents. Those gaining that represent OAEA. The exhibit is sponsored by possibly acceptance through open enrollment will have a scheduled time in the Ohio Art Education Association which is the August to come in but still need complete kindergarten registration with their professional organization for art teachers in Ohio. home district. OAEA works to promote the arts and recognizes With the addition of all-day, every-day kindergarten for the 2015-2016 quality student art throughout the state through school year, it is imperative for parents to sign up for registration/screen- various exhibits at state and regional levels. The ing so that we may have an accurate count of our incoming class size for Young People's Art Exhibition comes about through the upcoming year and set bus routes in a timely fashion. many volunteer hours by art teachers in the state of Ohio. Parents or Guardians should bring on the day of the screening the child’s: James's art work was submitted for the shows • Birth certificate by Ms. Erin Troyer, art educator at Van Buren El- • Actual dates of immunizations ementary School. A reception and awards ceremony • Social security number will be held at Rhodes Office Tower on Saturday, • Custody Papers (if applicable) March 14, 2015, for the young artists, their families, and teachers. Centers will be set up to accommodate speech, hearing, language and vi- sion development. Please be advised of the necessary immunization requirements: DTaP/ Findlay Art League Student Art Exhibit DTP – 5 doses, Polio – 4 doses, MMR – 2 doses, Hepatitis B – 3 doses, and 2 Congratulations to the following students for being selected to have their art- doses of the Varicella vaccine or a letter from your doctor with verification that work displayed at the Student Art Exhibit for the Findlay Art League; Gavin Fruth, your child has had the disease. Geneva Lewandowski, Sophia Endicott, Carlie Roeber, Schae Deerwester, Claire For more information on immunizations, please contact the Hancock County Recker, Anna Durliat, Grant Welte, and Brooklyn Wilkin. Health Department at 419-424-7869. Please call for a clinic appointment. You These students had their artwork displayed at the Findlay Art League Gallery are encouraged to do this as soon as possible. Summer clinics tend to be very located at 117 West Crawford Street in Findlay on February 12, 2015. Third place busy. was awarded to Anna Durliat, 3rd grade, for her artwork “Color Forest”. Congratula- tions to all the students who participated in this exhibit for the outstanding artwork! Preschool Openings Available for 2015-2016 School Year Preschool classes for special needs students have been available to our students for several years. Enrollment in the preschool class as a special needs student requires screening to es- tablish the presence of developmental delays or other special needs. The Hancock County Educational Service Center will hold a county screening for 3 and 4 year old children for whom there may be concerns in the areas of gross or fine motor skills, speech-language or conceptual development in May. Please watch for more information about registering for this screening in March or April. These special needs classes have provisions to include a limited number of “typical developing” students also. This number is 12 students for the 2015-2016 school year. A typically developing preschooler would be described as any 3 or 4 year old child who is developing appropriately (socially, physically, and verbally) according to their age. These children will serve as peer role models for the children in our program who have special needs. Currently, tuition for “typical students” is $85 per month. Parents interested in enrolling their child for participation in the “typical” program should complete an application by March 13, 2015. Not all children will be accepted. Only 12 typical students will be placed in the preschool for next year. Please contact the elementary secretary, Mrs. Stumpp, or the preschool teacher, Mrs. Shelly Barger, bargerm@hancockesc. org if interested at 419-299-3416. February 2015 Knightly News Page 9 3 on 3 Basketball News Van Buren Senior Class 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament 2015 Waiver/Release

3 on 3 Basketball Tournament Parents/Guardians Name ______

Tournament Date: Saturday, April 11, 2015 Phone (Home): ______Time: 6:00 P.M. Where: Meet in the High School Gym Address ______

The Senior Class 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament will involve students in grades ______9-12 and teachers at Van Buren Local Schools. (No outside students will be permitted to play). PARTICIPANT’S NAME AGE Teams will consist of 3 randomly selected team members and play by rules set in place prior to the tournament. These rules will be explained in great detail beginning at 5:30 P.M. on Saturday, April 11, 2015, in the high school gymnasium. The cost of participation is $10 per individual. The deadline to sign up is: Friday, RELEASE / WAIVER March 27, 2015 (Friday before spring break). In consideration for being permitted by Van Buren Local Schools to participate in The tournament will be a double elimination with teams broken up into the following the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, I hereby waive, release, and discharge any and divisions: all claims for damages, for personal injury, death or property damage which I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of participation in the said • Boys/Male Teachers Only Grades 9-12 activity. This release is intended to discharge in advance Van Buren Local Schools • Girls/Female Teachers Only Grades 9-12 and employees from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any with • If not enough girls, there will be co-ed teams the my participation in this activity, even though that liability may arise out of negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities mentioned above. It is understood that this activity involves an element of risk and danger of accidents DIVISIONS (check one) and knowing those risks I hereby assume those risks.

HS Boys/Male Teachers HS Girls/Female Teachers PARENT CONSENT: (to be signed by parent/guardian, even for those stu-   dents 18 years of age or older)

Sign here: ______ROSTER INFORMATION (please print) I hereby consent that my myself/son/daughter ______Player Name ______may participate in the 3 on 3 basketball tournament, and I hereby execute the above agreement, waiver and release on his/her behalf. I state that said student is physically able to participate in said activity. I hereby agree to indemnify and hold Individual Fee Enclosed (IN ENVELOPE): $ ______checks harmless the persons and entities mentioned above free and harmless from any made payable to Van Buren Senior Class. loss, liability, damage, cost, or expense which may incur as a result of death or any injury or property damage that said student may sustain while participating in said Print Name ______Signature ______activity.

Teams will be randomly selected to encourage participation and limit “stacked” I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE AND teams. Forms must be turned in to the office by Friday, March 27 at 3 P.M. Keep FULLY UNDERSTAND, ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE TO ITS CONTENTS. I in mind that entries will be taken in sets of 3, if the amount of entries is not divis- AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT BE- ible by 3, then the last 1 or 2 entries will be refunded and unable to participate. TWEEN MYSELF AND VAN BUREN LOCAL SCHOOLS AND I SIGN IT OF MY Teachers are eligible to play and must also pay the $10 fee. Teachers will be in the FREE WILL. same random poll as the students, so students will have the opportunity to be on the same team as teachers. Team combinations will be released on Wednesday, Student Signature______Date ______April 8. Once teams are posted please meet with your team and come up with an appropriate team name. E-mail your team name to [email protected] by Thursday, April 9 at 3:00 P.M. Brackets will be handed out on the night of the Visit Van Buren Local School at our website tournament. All registration forms and fees should be enclosed in an envelope with your name on it and turned in to the office by March 27 at 3:00 .M.P www.vbschools.net Page 10 Knightly News February 2015 Dodgeball Tournament Information 10th Annual Van Buren Van Buren Dodgeball 2015 Waiver/Release Black Knight Dodgeball Tournament Parents/Guardians Name ______

********ALUMNI TEAMS BEING ACCEPTED******* Phone (Home): ______Saturday, March 14, 2015 Address ______Registration – See below for details @ Games begin @ 1:30 P.M. for middle school and ______4:00 P.M. for high school and alumni Meet in the high school cafeteria PARTICIPANT’S NAME AGE

The 10th annual Van Buren Dodgeball Tournament will involve students in grades 6-12 at Van Buren Local Schools. (No outside students will be permitted to play.) Teams will consist of 5 team members and play by the rules and regulations of the National Amateur Dodgeball Association. The cost of participation is $10 per RELEASE / WAIVER individual or $50 per team. The deadline to sign up is: Wednesday, March 4, In consideration for being permitted by Van Buren Local Schools to participate 2015. in the tenth annual Dodgeball tournament, I hereby waive, release, and discharge The tournament will be a double elimination with teams broken up into the fol- any and all claims for damages, for personal injury, death or property damage which lowing divisions: I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of participation in the • Boys Only Grades 9-12 - registration begins at 4:00, play begins at 3:00 P.M. said activity. This release is intended to discharge in advance Van Buren Local • Girls Only Grades 9-12 - registration begins at 4:00, play begins at 3:00 P.M. Schools and employees from any and all liability arising out of or connected in any • Middle School Co-Ed (must consist of a ratio of at least two boys) - regis- way with my participation in this activity, even though that liability may arise out of tration begins at 1:00, play begins at 1:30 P.M. negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities mentioned above. • Alumni/Community/Teachers (No requirements) - registration begins at 3:00 It is understood that this activity involves an element of risk and danger of accidents play begins at 4:00 P.M. and knowing those risks I hereby assume those risks.

AGE DIVISIONS (check one) PARENT CONSENT: (to be signed by parent/guardian, even for those students HS Boys HS Girls MS Co-Ed Alumni/Teachers/Community 18 years of age or older.)

Sign here: ______ROSTER INFORMATION (please print) I hereby consent that my son/daughter/myself ______may participate in the tenth annual Dodgeball tournament, and I hereby execute the Team Name: ______above agreement, waiver and release on his/her behalf. I state that said student is Captain’s Name:(1)______Email:______physically able to participate in said activity. I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the persons and entities mentioned above free and harmless from any Team Members: (2)______(3)______loss, liability, damage, cost, or expense which may incur as a result of death or any (4)______(5)______injury or property damage that said student may sustain while participating in said activity. FILL OUT AND SIGN ROSTER INFORMATION WAIVER ON THE OTHER SIDE It is understood that there is to be no consumption of drugs or alcohol or being OF THIS PAGE. under the influence of drugs and alcohol on school property. Make checks payable & mail to: Those found under the influence are subject to disqualification, non-refund of Van Buren High School entrance fees and will be removed from the event and property. C/O Eric L. Heitkamp 217 South Main Street I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, WAIVER, AND RELEASE AND Van Buren, OH 45889 FULLY UNDERSTAND ITS CONTENTS. I AM AWARE THAT THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY AND A CONTRACT BETWEEN MYSELF AND VAN BUREN LOCAL Individual / Team Fee Enclosed: $ ______SCHOOLS, AND I SIGN IT OF MY OWN FREE WILL.

Print Name______Student/Alumni Signature ______Date ______Signature ______February 2015 Knightly News Page 11 Community News

th Ice Classics Monopoly - Ruby Edition 8 Annual Larry Beagle Memorial 5K Findlay's Silver Blades Figure Skating Club will be presenting its 40th annual Saturday, April 18, 2015 - Arlington Local School ice show on Friday, March 20; Saturday, March 21; and Sunday, March 22. Perfor- mances will start at 7:00 P.M. on Friday and Saturday and 2:00 P.M. on Sunday. Registration - 8:45 – 9:45 A.M. Proceeds Benefit Arlington Track Ice Classics is the only annual Ice Show in Northwest Ohio and spotlights the 5k – 10:00 A.M. Program and Annual talent of our local youth. This year’s show ‘Monopoly - Ruby Edition’ will feature Tot Trot/Peddle Race – 9:30 A.M. Scholarships Family fun event! 95 area skaters ranging in age from 4-18 with 15 skaters representing Van Buren T-Shirts Great DOOR PRIZES Race Location: Arlington Local School, School. Mr. Monopoly will be taking them around Findlay for an adventure on ice. 336 South Main St. Arlington, Ohio. Our Van Buren skaters include: Jordan Trenkamp who is in the 10th grade and has Directions: St. Rte. 68 South of Findlay, been skating for 8 years. Megan Muzy, 8th grade, is a 9th year skater. Katarina Koehler is a 7th grader and a 10th year skater. Madelyn Parsell is a 4th year skater St. Rte. 103 East of Bluffton th th th and in the 7 grade. Keana Rider, 6 grade, is a 7 year skater. Ella Webster has been skating for 6 years and is in the 5th grade. Gabrielle Parsell is a 3rd grader Special Awards for: 1st & 2nd Female and Male Runners and has been skating for 4 years. Grace Webster and Keely Parsell are both in Top male and female finishers for each age division: 10 and under, 11-14, 15-19, nd th st 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-60, 61 and over 2 grade and this is their 4 year skating. Morgan Walters is in 1 grade and her 2nd year skating. Silver Blades is also very excited to welcome our 1st year Van Buren skaters. Melissa Coutinho, 5th grade; Jillian Clymer and Cassie Saltzman, Cost: 5K Pre-Registration: $15 w/shirt or $10 no shirt by March 20, 2015; after th nd st March 20- $20 w/shirt or $15 no shirt; Tot Trot/Pedal Race: $2 no shirt - (goodie 4 grade; Olivia Coutinho, 2 grade and Addyson Adams is in the 1 grade. In addition to the wonderful local skaters, the show will feature nationally and interna- bags for all participants 7 and under). Registration form below. NEW THIS YEAR tionally recognized guest skaters. – Childcare AVAILABLE for $20 for up to 3 children per family – an additional $5 th for more than 3 children – only for children 3 and older and potty trained. These girls would like to invite you for an adventure, as we celebrate our 40 year as a club, traveling the streets of Findlay on our very own Monopoly board. Tickets go on sale February 23, 2015. Prices are $16 for reserved chair seats. Age Groups: 5K Run/Walk: any age; Tot Trot/Pedal Race: 3-4, 5-7 General Admission tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students and senior citi- zens (60 and older). Tickets can be purchased through any of these skaters or by Questions: Contact Wendi Morey, Race Director at 419-721-3479 or email at [email protected] contacting Cassie Muzy at 419-299-3503.

Return Registration Forms to: Wendi Morey, 4319 CR 140, Findlay, Ohio 45840 or register online at www.active.com – search for Larry Beagle Memorial 5K. Make checks payable to Larry Beagle Scholarship Fund

Larry Beagle Memorial 5K Run/Walk

Check one: _____5K _____Tot Trot 3-4, 5-7 (circle one) Payment Amount: ______Date of Birth: ___/___/_____ M___ F___ Shirt: S M L XL XXL (circle one) XXL add $2.00 Name: ______Ph: ______Email:______Address: ______City: ______State: ___ Zip: ______

I hereby for myself and my executors in consideration of the acceptance of this en- try, waive for myself and my heirs any and all claims for damages against the event hosts, sponsors, their representatives, and all race officials, for all claims of injury growing out of participation in this event. I attest and verify that I am physically fit to participate and am aware of the possible hazards of running in this event.

Signature: ______Date: ______

Parent/Guardian Signature: ______Date: ______February 2015 Knightly News Page 13 Athletic Booster News Music Booster News Van Buren Athletic Boosters Reverse Raffle Van Buren Music Department Off to Great Start Saturday, April 25, 2015 Congratulations to the Show Choir Association and Essentials on their First place finish for Class C at the Findlay Fest, January 24, 2015. Mark your calendar for Saturday, April 25, 2015. This year’s event will be held Varsity Choir Sopranos Katelyn Reineke and Mary Beth Kane participated, Fri- at The Humane Society of Hancock County, 4550 Fostoria Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. day, February 6, in the OMEA Doors open & dinner begins at 6:00 P.M. Raffle starts at 7:00 P.M. $5,000 grand All-State Choir, held in Cleve- prize and $4,000 in other monetary prizes. land Ohio. Vocal Bass Ian Raffle tickets are $50 each, which includes a catered meal. Meal tickets are Kern also qualified, but due to also available at $25 each. In order to guarantee your meal, purchase your tickets illness, was unable to attend. before April 11. Under the direction of the If you would like reserved seating, please email Linda Bishop at labishop@ Portland State University con- coopertire.com or call 419-722-2749 and provide names of all to be included in your ductor Dr. Ethan Sperry, the party. 158-member choir rehearsed You are encouraged to make this raffle another great success by helping out 48 intense hours prior to the with ticket sales, black & orange raffle, silent auction, or door prizes. If you can Friday afternoon concert. The help or would like to donate something, please contact any of the Athletic Booster All-State Choir performed seri- Board members. ous and sacred pieces, includ- The Reverse Raffle is one of our biggest fundraisers and due to its tremendous ing "Illumina Le Tenebre" and success in the past, our organization has been able to contribute over $25,000 concluded with the get-out-of- annually to support our middle school and high school athletes, cheerleaders, and your-seat-to-dance "Balleilak- coaches. ka," to which they received a standing ovation. 2015 Reverse Raffle tickets are now available to be purchased online. The process Pictured with Katelyn & is as follows: Mary Beth is Van Buren's Cho- ral Director, Mr. James Vaughn. 1. Log on to the VB Booster website at https://sites.google.com/site/vanbure- nab/ The Van Buren Concert and Marching Bands are grateful for the 2. Select the link called "Buy Tickets Online" 3. Enter the required data on the website, which is needed to track the orders new instrument purchases made possible by the Music Boosters and 4. You have the option to pay by check or via PayPal with any major credit School Board. The recently acquired instruments include: a Pearl con- card cert snare drum and stand, a pair of 18" Viennese crash cymbals and 5. If by check, print the form as instructed and mail the check to the PO Box stands, an HHX suspended cymbal, a Treeworks windchime with bag indicated and damper, a woodblock and various triangle beaters. This wonder- 6. If by credit card, you will link to PayPal where you can enter your credit card ful support of the fine arts at Van Buren will continue to shape lives information. Be sure to re-enter the # of tickets 7. The "Sales Tax" is simply a processing fee that we are charged from PayPal through music. and is equal to 2.5% 8. Submit order and it will be routed to the Boosters for tracking 9. The Booster organization will contact you about ticket delivery Van Buren Girls Softball Team will host its annual Olive Garden Dinner Fundraiser This approach is now required due to State regulations that do not allow any on Friday, March 27, 2015, from 4:00 - 6:00 P.M. school employee or coach to handle booster money. Please support this approach in the Elementary Cafeteria. Dine-in or Take-out and buy your tickets online or send your payment to the PO Box. If you are printing An adult meal ticket is $8 and includes spaghetti, 2 breadsticks, the form and sending it in and would like to have your tickets mailed to you, please salad, dessert, and a drink. A kid ticket (10 and under) is $4 and provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope. includes a smaller portion of spaghetti, 1 breadstick, salad, dessert, Please direct any questions to a booster board member. Board members’ contact and a drink. information is listed on the website. Thank you for your generous and continued support of Van Buren High School If you are interested in purchasing tickets, and Middle School Athletics. GO KNIGHTS!!! please contact Coach Stacy Sharp [email protected] Your VB Athletic Booster Officers: Todd Roberts, Steve Gilliland, Steve Endicott, or see any high school softball player. Linda Bishop, Shelly Fasone, Curt Cramer, and Jerry Saltzman. For those of you that cannot have meat on Fridays during lent, there isn’t any meat in the sauce! February 2015 Knightly News Page 13 Art News Looking for a New Home The High School Art Department is conducting a silent online auction to raffle off the ‘ole BVC Mascot Placards that hung in the V.B. Gymnasium since 1998. The project began as a collaborative endeavor between Art Teacher, Mrs. Rhonda Nye and Head Basketball Coach, Mr. Geoff Palmer as they brain- stormed a way to honor the Blanchard Valley Conference schools by designing and producing unique mascots on 5’ x 5’ wood panels. The project became a reality when eight Art IV students and Mrs. Nye agreed to tackle the challenge and began designing and painting the stylized mascots. “Finding a similar style was one of the most difficult parts of the design process as some mascots are figure-based and others are animals or objects.” quotes Mrs. Nye. The group decided it would be best to portray the mascots in a striking “black and white” format and incorporate the individual school colors simply by striping on the edges. Each student worked on 2 or more mascots and the project took two months to complete. The 1998 Art IV students included: Gary Lee Beach, Bobbie Jo Edinger, Megan Griffith, Heath Keller, Heather McDougle(Lackey), Rachel Moser(Sterling), Jason Smith, and Jason Wagner. Other community members who contributed to the project by donating time or equipment were Jim Gosche, J.V. Basketball Coach Jack Frost, Michael Nye, and former A.D. Steve Mays. The Van Buren Athletic Boosters contributed by purchasing the materials. With the recent addition of the 3 new schools to the BVC, it ended that era and was decided to dismantle the placards. “Although it’s a bit sad to see the signs come down because it added a uniqueness, personal touch to our gym, Van Buren nothing is forever.” said Mrs. Nye. She is putting a positive spin on the situation by finding new homes for the individual mascots through an online silent auction. The auction is NOW in effect until Friday March 20, 2015, at midnight. The minimum bid is $100 per sign. If you wish to place a bid on one or more of the signs, please email your name, the amount of the bid, which sign you are interested in, along with a phone number to [email protected] by the deadline. You may also send a bid through the U.S Postal Service, but the letter must be postmarked by March 16. Letter bids should be addressed to: Van Buren H.S./ Attn. Mrs. Rhonda Nye, 217 S. Main St., Van Buren, OH 45889. Profits from the auction will be used to fund the annual Juried Art Show which portrays our current students’ works. The show will take place on April 17 and 18, along with the Show Choir’s Cabaret Performance. Mark your calendars now for this event and don’t forget to place a bid on your favorite mascot by midnight of March 20. You may be lucky enough to give a mascot a new home!

All are welcome ~ Join us every Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. at the Van Buren United Methodist Church

Experience the joy of replacing anxiety with peace and hope when you pray for your children with other moms. Arcadia Page 14 Knightly News February 2015 Art News

Arlington Cory-Rawson

Hardin-Northern Leipsic February 2015 Knightly News Page 15 Art News

Liberty-Benton McComb

Pandora-Gilboa Vanlue Page 16 Knightly News February 2015 March & April Menu/Calendar

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

•Fiestada Pizza, Corn, •Chicken Nuggets, Mashed •Hamburgers, French •Mini Corn Dogs, Tater •Tomato Soup, Grilled Boys Basketball District Finals **Menu subject to Fruit, Milk Potatoes w/Chicken Gravy, Fries, Fruit, Milk Rounds, Carrot Stixs w/Dip, Cheese Sandwich, Fruit, Tournament, Anthony Wayne HS, Fruit, Milk Fruit, Milk Cookie, Milk 7:00 PM change** •Beefy Nachos, Corn, •Hamburgers, French •BBQ Chicken, Corn, Fruit, Milk or Salad •Chicken Fried Steak, Fries, Fruit, Milk or Fruit, Milk or Salad Bar •Tomato Soup, Grilled Var Girls Basketball Regional Finals Bar Mashed Potatoes w/Old Salad Bar Boys Basketball District Semi-Final Cheese Sandwich, Fruit, @ Elida HS, 7:30 PM Daylight Savings Fashion Gravy, Peas, Tournament @ Anthony Wayne Milk or Salad Bar Var Wrestling State @ OSU Fruit, Milk or Salad Bar Time Begins, Elem Wax Museum, 6:15 PM HS, 8:00 PM Show Choir at Wapakoneta Var Girls Basketball Regional Semi- Var Wrestling State @ OSU Spring Ahead Music Boosters - 7:00 PM, Fine Boy Scout Troop 313 - "Music and More" Competition, Arts Wing Finals @ Elida HS, 6:15 PM 8:00 AM 7:00 PM, Allen Twp. Center Var Wrestling State @ OSU th Board of Education meeting, 10 Annual Dodgeball Tourney, HS Gym, 1:00 - 8:00 PM 8 MARCH 9 10 11 12 7:00 PM, Community Rm 13 14 •Chicken Noodle Soup, •Tacos, Corn, Fruit, Milk •Chicken Breast Sandwich, •French Toast Stixs, Eggs •Cheese Pizza, Green NEW Lunch Prices: & Sausage, Hash Browns, K-5 $2.25 Peanut Butter & Jelly •Teriyaki Chicken, Tater Rounds, Green Beans, Beans, Fruit, Milk Sandwich, Fruit, Milk Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Fruit, Milk Fruit, Milk •Cheese Pizza, Corn, 6-12 $2.50 •Salsbury Steak, Mash- Boys Basketball Regional Finals •Ham, Egg, & Cheese Fruit, Milk or Salad •Shredded Chicken Sand- Fruit, Milk or Salad Tournament @ BGSU, 7:00 PM Ala Carte $2.75 wich, Baked Beans, ed Potatoes w/Beef Gra- Salad Bar $2.75 Sandwich, Hash Bar vy, Dinner Roll, Fruit, Bar Var Girls Basketball - State Finals @ Fruit, Milk or Salad Bar rd Adult $2.90 Browns, Fruit, Milk or Milk or Salad Bar End of 3 Nine Weeks OSU, 10:45 AM Salad Bar OGT Testing, 7:50 AM - 12:00 PM Milk $0.50 Elementary PTO - Elementary OGT Testing, 7:50 AM - 12:00 PM OGT Testing, 7:50 AM - 12:00 PM Var Baseball @ Lakota Boys Basketball Regional Semi- Sandwich $1.80 OGT Testing, 7:50 AM - 12:00 PM Cafeteria, 6:30 PM Var Girls Basketball - State OGT Testing, 7:50 AM - 12:00 PM (scrimmage), 11:00 AM French Fries $1.65 Finals, BGSU, 8:00 PM Semi-Finals Tourney @ OSU, Music Dept Trip to NYC Music Dept Trip to NYC Ice Cream $0.90 Boy Scout Troop 313 - 1:00 PM 15 16 17 St. Patrick's Day 18 7:00 PM, Allen Twp. Center 19 Music Dept Trip to NYC 20 21 •Pepperoni & Cheese •Ham, Egg, & Cheese Sand- •Chicken Teriyaki, Rice, •Hamburgers, French Fries, •Fish Sandwich, Tater Breadstixs, Green Beans, wich, Tater Rounds, Fruit, Broccoli, Fruit, Milk Fruit, Milk Rounds, Fruit, Milk Fruit, Milk Milk •Hamburgers, French •Chicken Breast Sand- •Fish Sandwich, Tater •Tacos, Corn, Fruit, •Sausage Gravy over But- Fries, Fruit, Milk or wich, Mashed Potatoes Rounds, Fruit, Milk or termilk Biscuits, Green Milk or Salad Bar Salad Bar w/Chicken Gravy, Fruit, Salad Bar Music Dept Trip to NYC Beans, Fruit, Milk or Milk or Salad Bar Salad Bar Academic Boosters - 7:00 PM, Var Baseball @ Upper Sandusky Boys Basketball State Semi-Finals Tournament @ OSU, 8:30 PM Home Resourse Management (scrimmage), 5:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 313 - Softball Olive Garden Dinner, Var Baseball w/Columbus Grove Boys Basketball State Finals Classroom 121 Var Softball @ Upper Sandusky 7:00 PM, Allen Twp. Center Elem Cafeteria, 4:00 - 6:00 PM Tournament @ OSU, 1:30 PM (scrimmage), 5:00 PM (scrimmage), 4:30 PM Show Choir OWL Performance @ Var Softball @ Kalida (scrimmage), 22 23 24 First Lutheran Church, 6:00 PM 25 26 5:30 PM 27 28 Regular Print - SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK SPRING BREAK Elementary Menu (K-5) Var Track @ Carey Relays, Good Friday 10:00 AM Italicized Print - Var Baseball w/Pandora Gilboa Var Baseball w/Bluffton & Dixie Var Baseball @ Elmwood, 4:45 PM Var Baseball w/Patrick Henry Var Softball w/Pandora Gilboa MS & HS Menu Var Baseball @ Miller City Heights, KY (DH) 10:00 AM Var Softball @ Elmwood, 4:45 PM Var Softball w/Patrick Henry Boy Scout Troop 313 - 7:00 PM, (6-12) Var Softball @ Miller City Var Softball w/Columbus Grove Var Track w/Kenton, 4:30 PM Allen Twp. Center (DH) 10:00 AM

29 30 31 1 APRIL 2 3 4 NO SCHOOL for •Cheese Pizza, Corn, Fruit, •Chicken Fries, Carrot •Macaroni & Cheese, •Hot Dogs, Tater Rounds, Happy Easter Milk Stixs w/Dip, Fruit, Milk Mixed Vegetables, Dinner Fruit, Cookie, Milk students •Sweet & Sour Chicken, •Pepperoni Pizza, Roll, Fruit, Milk •Mini Corn Dogs, Tater •Hamburger Gravy, Var Baseball @ Tiffin Columbian Rice, Broccoli, Fruit, Corn, Fruit, Milk or Rounds, Fruit, Milk or (DH), 11:00 AM Teacher Professional Milk or Salad Bar Salad Bar Mashed Potatoes, Salad Bar Green Beans, Dinner Var Softball @ Ayersville (DH) Day Roll, Fruit, Milk or Doug Mowrey Memorial 11:00 AM Var Baseball @ Liberty Benton Var Baseball w/McComb Salad Bar HS Track Invitational, 4:30 PM Senior Class 3 on 3 Basketball Var Softball @ Liberty Benton Var Trackl @ Hardin Northern w/ Var Softball w/McComb Var Baseball - Lake HS @ BG Tournament, HS Gymnasium, Athletic Boosters - 7:00 PM, Cory Rawson & Arlington, 4:30 PM Boy Scout Troop 313 - Var Softball w/Lakota Park, 7:00 PM 6:00 PM Community Room 7:00 PM, Allen Twp. Center 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 •Beefy Nachos, Corn, •Spaghetti w/Meat •Hamburgers, French •Sweet & Sour Chicken, •BBQ Pork Sandwich, 8th Annual Larry Beagle Memorial Fruit, Cookie, Milk Sauce, Green Beans, Fries, Fruit, Milk Rice, Mixed Vegetables, Tater Rounds, Fruit, Milk 5K Run, 8:45 AM •BBQ Pork, Tater Garlic Toast, Fruit, Milk •Hamburgers, French Fruit, Milk •Taco Salad, Corn Var Baseball w/Fostoria & New This institute is an Rounds, Fruit, Milk or •Spaghetti w/Meat Fries, Fruit, Milk or •Chicken & Noodles, Chips, Fruit, Milk or Riegel (DH), 10:00 AM equal opportunity Salad Bar Sauce, Tossed Salad, Salad Bar Mashed Potatoes, Din- Salad Bar Var Softball @ St. Wendelin (DH) Garlic Toast, Fruit, provider and employer. ner Roll, Fruit, Milk or 5:00 PM Var Baseball @ Cory Rawson Milk or Salad Bar Var Baseball w/Arington Salad Bar Var Softball w/New Riegel Var Track @ St. Wendelin Invite, Var Softball @ Cory Rawson Var Softball w/Arlington Cabaret Performance, 7:00 PM, Public Hearing, 6:30 PM; Board 9:00 AM Music Boosters - 7:00 P.M., Fine VBPTO Muffins with Mom, 6:30 AM Boy Scout Troop 313 - Auditorium Cabaret Performance, Auditorium, of Education meeting, 7:00 PM, Juried Art Show, Community Room Arts Wing 7:00 PM, Allen Twp. Center Elementary Library 7:00 PM 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Juried Art Show, Comm Rm