BULLDOG BRIEF
PERSONALIZED. INNOVATIVE. GLOBAL.
Inclement Weather Guidelines
The safety and well-being of students and staff is our top priority and the decision to close, delay or
release school is no simple matter. Before deciding to modify the school day due to extreme
weather conditions, the Superintendent consults with a variety of experts both inside and outside of
the District. Our commitment is to keep students, families and staff safe, as well as keep the
community informed of weather-related school closings, delays and cancellations.
Please note that we continually monitor the forecast from the National Weather Service (NWS) in
order to make the best decision for students, staff and families in a timely manner. The District
utilizes information from the NWS for Des Moines. The NWS’s National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) wind chill and heat index charts are utilized in the District’s
decision making process. The NOAA wind chill and heat index charts can be found under
Appendix A of these guidelines.
Announcements of District weather-related decisions are communicated through local media
outlets (television, radio, newspaper) and multiple District communication platforms. Notification
will be sent directly to families by phone and email through the District’s Infinite Campus system
and posted on the District’s website www.vmbulldogs.com . To receive notification through the
District’s Infinite Campus system, please ensure your contact information (e-mail and phone) is
accurate in Infinite Campus and is set up correctly. Announcements will also be posted to Van
Meter Schools social media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, etc.). High school activity and athletic
event decisions are communicated by the building administrator/designee.
Mr. Tibbetts will send out information in regard to preschool classes directly to parents of preschool children.
We try to make decisions as early as possible, but sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. Hopefully, we won't have to make too many weather related decisions this winter:). More information about inclement weather and hard surfaced bus routes can be at vmbulldogs.com under the menu and weather related guidelines.
Congratulations to Coach Trudo and the Bulldog Football Team
I am borrowing this information from our statistician and football historian, Trey Armistead. It is just too impressive not to share.
The Van Meter Bulldogs won their fourth football state title and their third consecutive title.
The Bulldogs have won state titles in four of the last seven seasons (2017, 2021, 2022, 2023).
The title was Van Meter High School’s fifteenth team state championship and the thirteenth since 2016. Van Meter’s previous state titles came in 1946 (fall baseball), 2003 (baseball), 2016 (softball), 2017 (football), 2018 (girls’ golf), 2019 (baseball), 2020 (baseball), 2021 (girls’ golf, baseball, & football), 2022 (baseball, girls cross country, & football), & 2023 (girls track and now football).
Van Meter joins Regina (2010-15), Dowling (2013-2019), Solon (2007-10), Harlan (1982-84 & 2003-05), Decorah (1987-89), Pella (2014-16), and Southeast Polk (2021-23) as the only schools in Iowa history to win three or more consecutive state titles.
The Bulldogs are only the second team in Iowa history to win a state title after moving up into a new class for the first time. While North Fayette Valley won the 2014 2A title in their first year in that class after a mid-classification cycle consolidation had them in 1A for a single season, the only school to win a title in their first year moving up to a class they had never played in previously was Solon, winning the 2009 title in their first year in class 3A. (Grundy Center won the 1A title this season after over a decade in class A, but was a class 2A and 1A school in the 1970s through the 2000s.)
The win solidifies our football program as one of the premiere football programs in history of Iowa High School Football. Congratulations again to Coach Trudo, his staff, and our football players for a remarkable season!
Get Involved
Van Meter Education Foundation- Contact Luke Haverstick at lhaverstick@hotmail.com
Van Meter Elementary Parent Committee Contact Katie Gionet at vmepc01@gmail.com
Van Meter Performing Arts Boosters Contact Scott Prickett at prickettsd@gmail.com
Van Meter Athletic Boosters Contact Jason Pleggenkuhle at vmathleticboosters@gmail.com
Athletic Website and Schedules
Contact Us
Email: firstname.lastname@vmbulldogs.com
Website: www.vmbulldogs.com
Location: 520 1st Avenue, Van Meter, IA, USA
Phone: (515) 996-2221
Facebook: https://facebook.com/VanMeterSchools/
Twitter: @vanmeterschools