Page 34 - 2024 Community Profile

EDUCATION

Academy. The online conversion charter
school was the first K-12 virtual academy
in Arkansas. RVVA participants complete
courses independently, allowing them to
work at a pace best suited to their learning
style. Students can receive support virtually
or by visiting RVVA’s campus. They are also
eligible to participate in VBSD programs,
such as sports and choir, and given
opportunities to volunteer and engage with
their peers.
The commitment to excellence extends
to VBSD’s extra-curricular programs. The
Pointer Marching Band has captured the
state championship title five of the last
seven years. Both the band and choir
programs have recently experienced
record-breaking years for All-Region
and All-State qualifiers. VBSD’s wrestling
program won back-to-back state individual
and team titles. Multiple other programs,
including baseball, soccer, tennis, and track Campus gardens are an extension of classroom learning at several VBSD schools. The District
have also earned state championship or proudly partners with FoodCorps to teach elementary students about nutrition and the vast
runner-up titles in recent years. benefits of gardening. In 2023, Central and Rena Elementary Schools were recognized at the
None of Van Buren’s impressive programs Arkansas Farm to School Ceremony for their on-campus gardens. Photo courtesy VBSD.
would be possible without dedicated
educators. VBSD’s highly-qualified staff
help create supportive environments that
are conducive to learning. Numerous VBSD
teachers hold the prestigious National
Board for Professional Teaching Standards
certification, and all take part in dozens
of hours in training and professional
development each year. The District greatly
values its team members and has worked
diligently to increase certified and classified
pay over the past five years. Such efforts
have positively impacted staff retention
rates and positioned VBSD as one of the
top paying districts in Arkansas.
VBSD aims to be a leader at every level,
especially regarding school safety. VBSD
invests in technologies to help ensure
schools are secure and equipped with the
tools students need to learn and thrive.
In cooperation with the Van Buren Police
Department and the Crawford County
Sheriff’s Department, VBSD became one
of the first districts in the state to employ
full-time school resource officers at every
campus. Such partnerships exemplify the 479-484-7200
value of schools and community working seuboldchiropractic.com
together for the benefit of all stakeholders.

34 Van Buren Chamber 2024 Directory vanburenchamber.org