📢 VSD Daily Announcements
Daily announcements will be posted here as they become available. We are currently piloting this platform as a way to share timely updates with students, families, and the community. Our goal is to make communication more consistent, accessible, and effective for everyone.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Gzk321kvykqOVIEmRTm9_Yrxrn7Y3c7jJZiN_obXlMU/edit?usp=sharing

7 months ago, Abby Pettinger
🎓 Senior Spotlight: Zoey Miller 🎓

Zoey brings energy and kindness to everything she’s part of. We are proud of the impact she’s made 💙

2 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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🚀 Future engineers in action! Atrium Watch Party in full swing today—big ideas, thoughtful discussions, and students already thinking like professionals.
3 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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🚀 Student Entrepreneurs in Action! 🚀

Brock Wittler, Brooklynn Coon, and Tyfani Willis recently competed in the Ogallala Commons Virtual Entrepreneurship Fair—developing full business plans, delivering pitches, and completing interviews. 💼✨

We are incredibly proud to celebrate their success:
💥 Brock Wittler – Ballin Posters | $300
🕯️ Brooklynn Coon – Everlite Handmade Candles | $300
🥇 Tyfani Willis – Willis Catering | 1st Place & $1,000

These students are putting their creativity, leadership, and real-world skills into action—what an accomplishment! 👏🔥
4 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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April Menu
4 days ago, Abby Pettinger
April Menu
So incredibly proud of Lynley Pettinger and Adalyn Pettinger for their participation in the Regional Civics Bee! 🐝✨

A huge thank you to Lamar Community College for hosting and bringing this fantastic event to SE Colorado. It’s so important for our students to have a platform to showcase their knowledge and civic pride. Way to go, girls! 👏🎓
5 days ago, Abby Pettinger
Civic Bee
Elementary students are loving the fishing unit! 🎣 We’re so thankful to be a recipient of the Fishing in Schools grant and for the opportunity to bring hands-on learning to our students. More pictures to come as students continue to learn and grow through this experience!
8 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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🎓 Senior Spotlight: Ty Allen Brooks 🎓

Ty brings a strong work ethic, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things that makes him stand out. He’s the kind of student who quietly leads by example and takes advantage of every opportunity in and out of the classroom.

We’re proud of you, Ty—excited to see where your journey takes you next! 💙👏
9 days ago, Abby Pettinger
TY
Join a team where relationships 🤝, innovation 💡, and student opportunities 🌟 matter every day.
12 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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Brock Wittler had the opportunity to join SaddleRock Sports Media and learn more about sports media while attending the state basketball tournament. 🎤🏀📹 What a great experience to see behind the scenes, build new skills, and explore opportunities in student broadcasting and media. We’re proud of Brock for representing Vilas and taking advantage of this hands-on learning opportunity!
21 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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Our elementary students had a wonderful opportunity today to connect with a classroom in the Philippines! 🌎📚 Our students gave a presentation and shared about life and learning at our school. They also enjoyed listening as students from the Philippines shared about their education and daily school experiences.

Because of the time difference, the students in the Philippines joined their school at 6:00 a.m., which was 4:00 p.m. for us. ⏰ We truly appreciate their effort to connect with us and make this learning experience possible!

We are especially thankful for the international cultural experiences that Ms. Mary has brought to our elementary students. 🌍✨ Opportunities like this help broaden perspectives and build connections beyond our community. 🤝📖
23 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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We wrapped up Destination Imagination today with a fun skit and hands-on engineering challenge! Students showcased their creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork through both performance and engineering activities.

Our students have loved participating in this after-school program and exploring their creativity in new ways.
24 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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Our JH girls recently attended Girls in the Middle, where they explored exciting career opportunities in the STEAM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics).

Students participated in hands-on activities and learned from professionals about the many pathways available in these growing industries. Opportunities like this help our students see what’s possible for their futures and inspire them to pursue their interests and talents.
26 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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Our Vilas 4th–6th grade students had a great experience this week participating in AmeriTowne alongside students from Campo and Pritchett!

Students first learned about civic responsibility and personal finance in the classroom, and then had the opportunity to put those skills into action while running their own town. From managing businesses to earning and spending money, students experienced what it takes to make a community work.

We are grateful for opportunities like this that help students build real-world skills in teamwork, leadership, and financial literacy. Great job, students! 👏
30 days ago, Abby Pettinger
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That’s a wrap on Homecoming Week! 🎉

Spirit days ✔
Senior & Parent Night ✔
Homecoming ceremony ✔
Dance ✔

Thank you to Student Council and everyone who helped make it happen! Small school. Big spirit.
about 1 month ago, Abby Pettinger
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✨ Homecoming Night is Here! 💃🎉

We’re looking forward to a great evening celebrating Homecoming, Senior Night, and Parents Night!

Join us as we kick of the night with Pep-Rally at 3pm, BB games start at 4:30pm, and we honor our seniors and families between the varsity games, after the games will be our Homecoming ceremony. Immediately following the ceremony, we will kick off the Homecoming Dance and continue the celebration!

It’s going to be a special night full of Patriot pride, memories, and community. 🤍
about 1 month ago, Abby Pettinger
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🔥✨ It’s Homecoming Week at Vilas! ✨🔥

Celebrating with TWO great community events — and we want everyone there!

🔥 VILAS BONFIRE
📅 Thursday, February 26
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Vilas School Parking Lot

Bring a side dish and a camp chair — we’ll provide dinner, s’mores, hot cocoa, and school spirit!
South Baca Cheerleaders will lead us in cheers and we’ll announce the winner of the door contest and spirit stick.
If weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move the fun inside the gym!

🏀💡 HOMECOMING PEP RALLY
📅 Friday, February 27
⏰ 2:30 PM
📍 Vilas Gym

Come get hyped and show your Patriot pride!

🏀 Games begin at 4:30 vs Kit Carson
🎉 Parent Night/Senior Night between Varsity games
🏀 3rd/4th South Baca Rec game at halftime of Girls Varsity
👑 Homecoming Ceremony after the game
💃 Dance hosted by Vilas Rec (Elementary may stay for the first hour)

Let’s pack the gym, fill the parking lot, and show what small rural school spirit looks like!

about 1 month ago, Abby Pettinger
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🌾🤝 Rural Exchange – Vilas & Cañon City 🎤✨

We wrapped up our exchange with Cañon City as students from both districts presented together at the CASE (Colorado Association of School Executive) Conference!

Our students highlighted the differences between our districts, what they learned from the experience, and how this partnership broadened their perspectives. Most importantly, they shared why they hope exchanges like this continue — building understanding, leadership, and pride in rural education.

So proud of their courage, professionalism, and student voice on a statewide stage!
about 1 month ago, Abby Pettinger
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📚✨ 99th Day of School! ✨📚

Our Elementary students celebrated the 99th day with reading buddies and a fun scavenger hunt led by Student Council! Class projects inspired by Dr. Seuss reinforced the joy and value of reading.

The big surprise? 🎉 Ms. Edna joined as a special guest reader!

99 days smarter and still growing! 💙
about 1 month ago, Abby Pettinger
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🎓 College Rep Visit – Fort Hays State University!
Junior High and High School students had the opportunity to visit with a college representative from Fort Hays State University!

We love providing our students with real-world exposure to postsecondary pathways and helping them explore what their future can look like beyond Vilas.

Thank you to Fort Hays State University for investing time in our rural students and helping them see what’s possible! 💙💛
about 1 month ago, Abby Pettinger
Fort Hays