Vandalia Microschool

What a SWEET day for our Vandalia Microschool students! 🍁🥞

This week, our learners headed out on a field trip to Ronk Family Farm where they got a firsthand look at the incredible process of making pure maple syrup. From learning how trees are tapped to seeing how sap is collected and boiled down into delicious syrup, students experienced every step of the journey from tree to table!They even had the chance to practice tapping trees themselves and sample different varieties of maple syrup — each with its own unique flavor.

When we returned to school, our adolescent students put their culinary skills to work by making fresh pancakes for everyone. Together, we enjoyed a delicious treat topped with the very maple syrup we purchased from the farm!

Experiences like this bring learning to life — combining science, teamwork, hands-on practice, and (of course) a little sweetness along the way.

🌿 Service Day at Vandalia Microschool! 🌿

This week, students and parents joined together for a Service Day to clear the backyard and prepare it for a new outdoor play and work space.

So many hands made light work—and so many skills were learned along the way! Students practiced using a w**d eater, swinging a mattock, and digging with a shovel. We’re proud of their effort, teamwork, and determination to help create a space our whole community can enjoy.

We can’t wait to see this area transformed into a place for outdoor learning, play, and connection!

At the beginning of every school year, our students take an active role in creating their classroom rules and guidelines. Using the Positive Discipline approach, students work together to reflect on what kind of community they want to build and how they can support one another in learning and growing.

Rather than being handed a list of rules, our students engage in meaningful conversations, practice empathy, and contribute their voices to create agreements that everyone feels ownership of. This process not only sets the tone for the year but also helps nurture responsibility, respect, and collaboration in our classroom community.

We’re proud of the thoughtful and caring guidelines our students created this year!