📢 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
✨ 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. 🤍
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. 🤍
🔥✨ 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!
🌾🤝 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!
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!
📚✨ 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! 💙
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! 💙
🎓 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! 💙💛
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! 💙💛
🎉⚽ CONGRATULATIONS, OSMAN YANES! ⚽🎉
We are incredibly proud to congratulate Osman Yanes on being selected to participate in the CHSCA All-State Boys Soccer Games! 🏆
This is a huge honor and a testament to Osman’s hard work, dedication, and talent on the field. He has been recognized as one of the top senior soccer players in the state of Colorado and will represent our school at the 70th CHSCA All-State Games this summer at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Way to go, Osman! Your Vilas community is cheering you on every step of the way! 💙⚽ #VilasGrit
We are incredibly proud to congratulate Osman Yanes on being selected to participate in the CHSCA All-State Boys Soccer Games! 🏆
This is a huge honor and a testament to Osman’s hard work, dedication, and talent on the field. He has been recognized as one of the top senior soccer players in the state of Colorado and will represent our school at the 70th CHSCA All-State Games this summer at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley.
Way to go, Osman! Your Vilas community is cheering you on every step of the way! 💙⚽ #VilasGrit
🎉 Science Fair Winners Celebration 🎉
👏 A huge thank-you to the staff and families for supporting our students . We are incredibly proud of ALL of our participants—your curiosity and dedication are what science is all about!
Regional Science Fair Winners:
Elementary:
Eli Beecham- Best Filtration Cloth- 1st Elementary Engineering
Landen Pettinger/James Sullivan- Mentos Explosion- Go Getter Award from Dolly Morrow
Junior High:
Adalyn Pettinger- How Much ACTIVATED CHARCOAL is needed to PURIFY Water?- 1st JH Chemistry, State Qualifier
Delainey Thompson- What Fertilizers are YOU Using?-2nd JH Biology
Elizabeth Sullivan- Illuminating the Crime Scene- Forensic Award Bob Morrow, 2nd JH Chemistry
Kaliub Bear- THE BATTLE OF NUTRIENTS! Leaves vs Grass Clippings- 2nd JH Earth/Environmental
Brooklynn Coon-Design and Test Your Own Hydrating Mask- 2nd JH Engineering
Lynley Pettinger- “Mint” al Reaction: Peppermint’s Impact on Speed-3rd JH Behavior/Social
Maddyson Forgey- Trustworthy is YOUR Testimony?-Forensic Award from Bob Morrow
High School:
Nelia Yanes- Fabrics Under Different Conditions- 1st High School Living, State Qualifier
Tyfani Willis- It’s Written All Over Year Face: The Science of Facial Expressions- 3rd High School Living
Izaiah Hebberd- Making Homemade Cologne- 1st High School Non-Living, State Qualifier
Kalob Carter- Build a Circuit to Automatically Water Your Plant- 2nd High School Non-Living
Osman Yanes- Wind Turbines: Does the Blade Matter?- High School Reserve Champion- State Qualifier
Brielle Bond- Conducting Blood Splatter-Forensic Award from Bob Morrow
State Qualifiers:
Adalyn Pettinger, Izaiah Hebberd, Osman Yanes, Nelia Yanes will represent Southeast Colorado at State Science Fair April 9-11th in Fort Collins at Colorado State University
👏 A huge thank-you to the staff and families for supporting our students . We are incredibly proud of ALL of our participants—your curiosity and dedication are what science is all about!
Regional Science Fair Winners:
Elementary:
Eli Beecham- Best Filtration Cloth- 1st Elementary Engineering
Landen Pettinger/James Sullivan- Mentos Explosion- Go Getter Award from Dolly Morrow
Junior High:
Adalyn Pettinger- How Much ACTIVATED CHARCOAL is needed to PURIFY Water?- 1st JH Chemistry, State Qualifier
Delainey Thompson- What Fertilizers are YOU Using?-2nd JH Biology
Elizabeth Sullivan- Illuminating the Crime Scene- Forensic Award Bob Morrow, 2nd JH Chemistry
Kaliub Bear- THE BATTLE OF NUTRIENTS! Leaves vs Grass Clippings- 2nd JH Earth/Environmental
Brooklynn Coon-Design and Test Your Own Hydrating Mask- 2nd JH Engineering
Lynley Pettinger- “Mint” al Reaction: Peppermint’s Impact on Speed-3rd JH Behavior/Social
Maddyson Forgey- Trustworthy is YOUR Testimony?-Forensic Award from Bob Morrow
High School:
Nelia Yanes- Fabrics Under Different Conditions- 1st High School Living, State Qualifier
Tyfani Willis- It’s Written All Over Year Face: The Science of Facial Expressions- 3rd High School Living
Izaiah Hebberd- Making Homemade Cologne- 1st High School Non-Living, State Qualifier
Kalob Carter- Build a Circuit to Automatically Water Your Plant- 2nd High School Non-Living
Osman Yanes- Wind Turbines: Does the Blade Matter?- High School Reserve Champion- State Qualifier
Brielle Bond- Conducting Blood Splatter-Forensic Award from Bob Morrow
State Qualifiers:
Adalyn Pettinger, Izaiah Hebberd, Osman Yanes, Nelia Yanes will represent Southeast Colorado at State Science Fair April 9-11th in Fort Collins at Colorado State University
🎉 Vilas 2026 Homecoming – Oh, the Places You’ll Go! 🎉
Homecoming week is almost here, February 23-27th, and we’re ready to celebrate our students, school, and community! 🌟
Feb 27th Homecoming Basketball game vs Kit Carson at 4pm
Homecoming week is almost here, February 23-27th, and we’re ready to celebrate our students, school, and community! 🌟
Feb 27th Homecoming Basketball game vs Kit Carson at 4pm
🚀 FTC Vilas Matrix is Competition-Ready! 🚀
Our FIRST Tech Challenge team, Vilas Matrix, is officially at completion today and taking the field!
🎥 Watch them LIVE on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/live/aZ6UuRVLcXE?feature=shared
⏰ Approximate match times:
• 11:15
• 11:32
• 11:49
• 1:15
• 1:44
• 2:12
We are so proud of the grit, teamwork, and problem-solving these students have shown throughout the season. Tune in, cheer loud, and help us support Vilas Matrix! 💙🤖
The Vilas School Sophomore class is hosting a Valentine’s Day fundraiser, and we’d love your support! ❤️
Join us on the SaddleRock Sports Network today for a great match up! Here are the game links for today's games Patriots vs Longhorns in Campo starting at 5:00 PM.
Springfield @ South Baca
5:00 - Varsity Ladies - https://youtube.com/live/54giLkuQ5m0
6:30 - Varsity Men - https://youtube.com/live/JsUtJ2ft-fE
📣 Early Release
Thursday, Feb. 12 will be an early release day.
🕧 Dismissal at 12:45 PM (after lunch) for staff professional development.
📅 Upcoming Parent Events – Please Read
Friday, January 30
🔬 Science Fair Expo | 12:30–1:30 PM
Parents and community members are invited to visit with students and learn about their science fair projects.
📘 Parent-Teacher Conferences | 1:30–3:30 PM
If you are unable to attend during this time, please contact the school office at 719-523-6738 or reach out to teachers to schedule an alternate meeting.
February 27
🚫 Parent-Teacher Conferences will NOT be held on this date, as it will be our Homecoming and Parents Night. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your continued support of our students and school!
🍽️ Now Hiring: Part-Time Kitchen Assistant
Vilas School District is accepting applications for a Part-Time Kitchen Assistant position. If you’re passionate about preparing nutritious meals and making a difference in the lives of students, we’d love to hear from you! Open until filled, equal opportunity employer. Please reach out to the district for an application and questions.
📍 Position open until filled
📞 Contact: Abby Pettinger
📱 719-523-6738
📧 abby@vilask12.org
❄️ Weather Delay Notice – Monday, January 26 ❄️
Due to weather conditions, Vilas School will be on a late start on Monday, 1/26.
🕘 School will begin at 9:40 AM
🥣 No breakfast will be served
🚌 Buses will run as scheduled
Due to weather conditions, Vilas School will be on a late start on Monday, 1/26.
🕘 School will begin at 9:40 AM
🥣 No breakfast will be served
🚌 Buses will run as scheduled
Thank you to State School Board of Education members, Kathy Gebhardt and Kathy Plomer, for visiting rural districts in Southeast Colorado!
We appreciated the opportunity to share how individualized student education and innovative programming in small rural districts lead to strong, above-average outcomes for students. Thank you for supporting the amazing work happening in our rural schools—we look forward to the next visit!
💙 Thank You, Vilas School Board Members 💙
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Vilas School Board members for their continued dedication, leadership, and service to our students, staff, and community.
John Wittler, Bill Brooks, Dennis Thompson, Rebecca Schroder, and Vance Alfrey.
Serving on a school board takes time, thoughtful decision-making, and a deep commitment to doing what’s best for kids—often behind the scenes and outside of regular work hours. Our board members help guide the vision of our district, support innovative opportunities for students.
We are grateful for your willingness to serve, your thoughtful questions, and your steady leadership. Thank you for all you do to support Vilas School and the students we serve. 💙🤍
We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Vilas School Board members for their continued dedication, leadership, and service to our students, staff, and community.
John Wittler, Bill Brooks, Dennis Thompson, Rebecca Schroder, and Vance Alfrey.
Serving on a school board takes time, thoughtful decision-making, and a deep commitment to doing what’s best for kids—often behind the scenes and outside of regular work hours. Our board members help guide the vision of our district, support innovative opportunities for students.
We are grateful for your willingness to serve, your thoughtful questions, and your steady leadership. Thank you for all you do to support Vilas School and the students we serve. 💙🤍
Join us for South Baca vs Walsh In Walsh on Monday, January 19, 2026 for some basketball! Here are the links to watch the games on! SaddleRock Sports Network
Lady’s link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/M1TSnOnnP1Y?si=joOrEa7bP1N3cxuL
Men’s Link:
https://www.youtube.com/live/VAYAiRywE0w?si=5sR680vCGIynAhAR
🌱🎉 Exciting News! 🎉🌱
Vilas School District is proud to be a recipient of the Harvest of Innovation Grant! This grant supports a student-led, multi-district Farm-to-School network, where students grow, research, and share local food through school meals, community markets, and inter-district “Harvest Swaps.” We’re excited to expand hands-on learning, student leadership, and access to fresh, local foods for our community.
Vilas School District is proud to be a recipient of the Harvest of Innovation Grant! This grant supports a student-led, multi-district Farm-to-School network, where students grow, research, and share local food through school meals, community markets, and inter-district “Harvest Swaps.” We’re excited to expand hands-on learning, student leadership, and access to fresh, local foods for our community.