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Building Healthy Communities

We appreciate Parents as Teachers too!

November 8th is ‘Parents as Teachers Day’! This day aims to increase parent knowledge of childhood development and improve parenting practices, provide early detection of developmental health issues, and increase children's school readiness and school success. As a parent, there are many opportunities throughout any day to influence and teach your children a new lesson outside of the classroom. Parental involvement and engagement is strongly linked to the development of critical skills such as reading and writing, as well as general life skills including patience, relationship building, and character development.

Four ways that you can positively influence the development of students and teach them something new is to:

1) Act as a role model for good behavior

2) Explain the purpose of different tasks and skills

3) Foster an intrinsic desire for learning through daily routines

4) Keep an open dialogue.

Check out BHC’s parent tip sheets featuring How to be an Active Role Model, Involving Kids in the Kitchen, Healthy Family Communication and Parent & Caregiver Self Care !

🏆 Radon Poster Competition Winners!

Four middle school students: Nevaeh Burnett, Sadie Grimes, Benji Weber-Boling, and Taelyn Swanson were named winners in a local Vandercook Lake MS Radon Poster Competition. Guided by their science teacher, Mrs. Schleich, the students created posters to raise public awareness about the health risks of radon gas in homes. The top four designs have advanced to represent their school in a statewide competition sponsored by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).

Nevaeh Burnett

Benji Weber-Boling

Sadie Grimes

Taelyn Swanson

Building Social & Emotional Skills

This month’s TRAILS initiative focuses on Self-Management, helping students learn how to identify and understand their feelings. In this lesson, students work together to establish group norms for open, supportive discussions while practicing core social and emotional skills. Throughout the lesson, students identify their personal SEL strengths and areas for growth, learning that SEL provides a valuable set of tools to support overall well-being. Please note that this month's assembly is scheduled for Friday, November 20th.

🚌 9th Grade JACC Career Center Tour

Our 9th graders will be heading out for an exciting tour of the Jackson Area Career Center (JACC) on November 10th. Buses will depart from Vandercook Lake High School at 8:05 AM and will leave JACC at 10:10 AM to return to campus, with all transportation fully provided for the trip. Dean of Students Nick Spagnol , Counselor Jada Rostic, and class advisor Max Johnson will be chaperoning to supervise the students throughout the morning. An email will be sent to all parents and guardians of 9th graders regarding student participation in the event. If you have any questions, please contact our academic counselor, Jada Rostic.

🏆 Fall Sports Banquet Celebration

The high school fall sports banquet will take place on November 10th at 5:30 PM in the high school cafeteria. Attendees will be provided with food during the event as everyone gathers to celebrate the athletes and their achievements this season 🎉.

Honoring Our Heroes: Thanking All Who Served🎖️

On November 11th, we honor and extend our deepest gratitude to all the brave men and women who have served in the United States military branches. Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the immense sacrifices made by our veterans to defend our freedom, protect our nation, and preserve peace around the world. Whether they served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force, their dedication, courage, and selfless service leave a lasting legacy. We thank our veterans and their families for their unwavering commitment and the sacrifices they have made for us all.

🚀 November Jayhawk Success- Middle School Air Zoo Museum Field Trip

Support staff and administration will pull Jayhawk Success Data on November 10th and inform middle school students of their eligibility status on November 11th. Details regarding expectations can be found on page 34 of the 2026–2027 Student Handbook. To be eligible for this field trip, MS students must have meet the Jayhawk Success criteria for September, October, and November. Qualifying 6th–8th grade science students with Mr. Jacobson and Mrs. Schleich will attend the exciting trip to the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum in Portage, MI on Friday, November 13th!

While there, students will participate in the Green STEAM educational workshop, which fulfills a key requirement for our Michigan Green Schools certification. Permission slips were sent home with MS students meeting the initial eligibility criteria.

Students, staff, and chaperones will depart campus at 7:45 AM and return before the end of the school day at 2:40 PM to ensure bus transportation for students who ride the bus home. Bus transportation to and from the venue, as well as lunch, will be provided for all attending students. If you have additional questions, please contact Erik Jacobson and/or Haley Schleich.

📊 Reality Fair Field Trip for 11th & 12th Graders

On Monday, November 16th, select 11th and 12th-grade students will travel to the JCISD Central Campus from 9:00-11:30am to participate in the Reality Fair. Hosted in partnership with organizations like Junior Achievement and local credit unions, this hands-on financial literacy event gives students the opportunity to explore career pathways, connect with local schools and community partners, and practice real-world financial decision-making. If you have any questions, please contact Troy Koszegi.

🎓 Juniors Over the Circuit College Tour

On Tuesday, November 17th, 11th grade students will participate in the Juniors Over the Circuit event. During this tour, the high school juniors will visit several campuses, including Albion College, Spring Arbor University, and Jackson College, to explore post-secondary options and gain insight into college life. Students will depart at 7:50 AM and return before the end of the school day at 2:40 PM, with transportation provided. If you have any questions, please reach out to academic counselor Jada Rostic.

🍂 Food Pantry Thanksgiving Event

Join us for our Food Pantry Thanksgiving Event at the MS/HS on Tuesday, November 17, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. To ensure we have enough supplies for everyone, please contact Donna LeFaive ahead of time to reserve your spot. While at the event, you will also have access to our Jayhawk Exchange, which offers clean, washed, and gently used clothing items, shoes, and other accessories for free.

🚀 November Jayhawk Success- High School Breakfast Celebration

In addition, our high school students will be participating in a High School Breakfast Celebration during 1st period on Friday, November 20th! High school students who have met the Jayhawk Success criteria for September, October, and November will participate in the event, which is generously sponsored by our Director of Food Services, Andrew Rogers. Data for high school eligibility will be pulled and reviewed on November 19th.

🎄 35th Annual Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade ✨

The 35th Annual Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade takes place in Jackson, Michigan, on Friday, November 20, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Procession floats and participants will march right down Michigan Avenue in Downtown Jackson, celebrating this year's theme, "America's 250th Star Spangled Christmas." Following the parade, families are invited to attend an afterglow event where they can visit Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos, cookies, and hot cocoa. 🎅🍪☕

Jayhawk Success Class Meetings

Staff and administration will meet with classes on November 23rd and 24th to review expectations, discuss academic progress, and share strategies on how to finish strong for the remainder of the semester.

November 23rd

6th grade (7:45–8:15 AM)

7th grade (8:40–9:10 AM)

8th grade (9:40–10:10 AM)

November 24th

9th grade (7:45–8:15 AM)

10th grade (8:40–9:00 AM)

11th grade (12:51–1:21 PM)

12th grade (1:50–2:20 PM)

🎄 Vandercook Lake Community Christmas Parade

The Vandercook Lake community Christmas parade will take place on December 5th at 6:00 PM. 🎁 If you have any questions about the event, please reach out to Tammy Alger.

This Week

Monday, 11/9

Boys MS Basketball @ Addison, 4:30pm (7th grade only)

Tuesday, 11/10

JACC 9th Grade Tour, 8:00-10:00am

Fall Sports Awards Banquet in HS Cafeteria, 5:30pm

Wednesday, 11/11-Veterans Days

MS Boys Basketball @ Home vs. Jonesville, 4:30pm

Board Meeting– Informational in MS/HS Library, 5:30pm

Thursday, 11/12

MS Cheer @ Grass Lake Jamboree, 6:00pm

Friday, 11/13

Air Zoo Museum-MS Field Trip, 9:00am to 2:00pm

Looking Ahead...

Mark Your Calendar-Future Events

JOLC-11th Grade Trip 11/17, 8:00-2:00pm
Food Pantry Thanksgiving Event– RSVP 11/17, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Board Meeting– Regular in MS/HS Library 11/18, 5:30pm
Downtown Jackson Christmas Parade 11/20, 6:00pm
Handprint Wall-Alumni 11/23, 6:00pm
NO School –Thanksgiving Break 11/25-27
Seniors-Hot Chocolate & Scholarship in HS Cafeteria 12/4, 1:45pm
Vandercook Lake Community Christmas Parade 12/5, 6:00pm
Scholastic Book Fair in MS/HS Library, 12/7-11
Scholastic Book Fair Family Hours 12/8, 6:00pm-7:00pm
MS/HS Band/Choir Concert 12/8, 7:00-8:00pm
Board Meeting– Informational in MS/HS Library 12/9, 5:30pm
Food Pantry Christmas Event– RSVP 12/15, 6:00-7:30pm
Board Meeting– Regular in MS/HS Library 12/16, 5:30pm
Half-Day for Students (Community Outreach Event)/ Teacher Workday PM 12/17
Half-Day for Students/Teacher Workday PM 12/18
No School - Winter Break for Students & Staff 12/19-1/3
School Resumes 1/4

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