Von Steuben Middle School

The Viking Weekly

News and Events for the Week of September 6, 2026

⚔️ WOW, Viking Village—Way to SHOW UP!

What a week! Our Vikings ended the week even stronger than we started, reaching 98% or higher attendance on BOTH Thursday and Friday! 🎉 Even more impressive—we had two days this week with fewer than FIVE students absent in the entire school!

That is what showing up looks like! 💪

We say it often because it matters: our students must be present to learn. Strong attendance gives our Vikings access to every lesson, every opportunity, and every chance to grow. It also lines up perfectly with the academic goals we have set for this school year. Families, THANK YOU for making attendance a priority. Let’s keep this up!!! 💙💛

⚾🥎 Viking Athletics Keep Rolling!

Our baseball team remains UNDEFEATED as we head into another week of competition! 🔥 If you haven’t had a chance to see the boys play yet, consider stopping by one of their upcoming games. They would love to have some Viking fans cheering them on!

Our softball team faced another tough opponent this week against Glen Oak, and our girls continue to show tremendous fight. They brought great energy in the field and had so many hits! We continue to compete, improve, and chase that first W of the season. Keep going, Lady Vikings—we’re cheering for you! 🥎💪

🎨🎶 Creativity Is Everywhere!

This week, we will continue our 7 Mindsets lessons by focusing on encouraging creativity, and the timing couldn’t be better!

Creativity is showing up all around the Viking Village. Our art room has a new loom, and Ms. Kenyon has added new art materials and supplies thanks to her fully funded DonorsChoose project! 🎨 Our Vikings will also put their creativity to work as they help decorate a Peoria snow plow—we can’t wait to see what they create!

The creativity doesn’t stop there. 🎶 Mr. Gradberg’s band students are busy preparing for their first performances of the year, and our 7th grade musicians were sounding REALLY good this week! We are excited to see—and hear—all that our Vikings accomplish as they continue developing their talents.

📅 Stay Connected!

There is always something happening in the Viking Village, so please be sure to check out the entire newsletter. This week you’ll find information about tutoring and STEM opportunities, athletics, and important upcoming dates—including Picture Day! 📸

Whether our Vikings are showing up for school, competing on the field, creating in the art room, preparing music, or taking advantage of opportunities beyond the school day, it all adds up to growth.

Thank you, families, for continuing to support our students and our school.Let’s keep showing up, learning, creating, competing, and rising together as we live The Viking Standard! ⚔️💙💛

Arrival Procedures

Doors will open at 7:15 a.m. except for inclement weather.
All students will enter through the gym doors on the east (Prospect) side of the building.
Teachers will meet students in the gym and proceed to class when the start of school bell rings.
Grab & Go breakfast will be served.
Please note that the drop off location for students is the parking lot on the east side of the building.

Dismissal Procedures

Teachers will escort students to the front doors of the building for dismissal.
Bus riders proceed directly to the buses. Walkers are excused to walk home. Car riders proceed to waiting cars. Any car riders still waiting at 2:45 return to building with staff and wait inside front doors.
Only students who are under the direct supervision of a staff member may remain on school grounds.
Please note that the pick up location for students in the parking lot on the east side of the building.

Cell Phone Expectations & Procedures

We will still be enforcing no cell phones from 7:30 - 2:30 each day. During homeroom, students will place their cell phones in a locked case that will remain with their homeroom teacher. Each morning when students enter the building, they will either power down their phone or put it in airplane mode (to preserve the battery) to prepare for start of day procedures. Students will pick up their phones before leaving at the end of the day.

Softball & Baseball Updates

Softball

Tuesday, Sept. 8 - Von Steuben vs. Harold B. Dawson at 5:15 p.m. @ Reservoir Gifted

Saturday, Sept. 12 - Von Steuben vs. Sterling at 11:30 a.m. @ the Dome

Tuesday, Sept. 15 - Von Steuben vs. Rolling Acres at 4:00 p.m. @ C.T. Vivian

Thursday, Sept. 17 - Von Steuben vs. Liberty Leadership at 5:15 @ the Dome

Baseball

Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Glen Oak vs. Von Steuben at 4:00 p.m. @ the Dome

Monday, Sept. 14 - Von Steuben vs. Harold B. Dawson at 4:00 p.m. @ the Dome

Tuesday, Sept. 22 - Von Steuben vs. Sterling at 5:30 p.m. @ C.T. Vivian

Girls' Basketball Loading...

The Von Steuben Basketball Program is excited to welcome our student-athletes and families for the upcoming season! Our program is focused on more than basketball—we are committed to developing responsible students, disciplined athletes, strong teammates, and positive leaders.

Throughout the season, student-athletes will be expected to demonstrate respect, accountability, effort, teamwork, good sportsmanship, and academic responsibility both on and off the court. We believe that success is measured not only by wins and losses, but by the growth and character our athletes develop along the way.

We look forward to partnering with our families to create a positive, competitive, and supportive environment for all of our student-athletes.

Tryouts are being scheduled for mid-September based upon the availability of the gym. Please listen to announcements and watch the newsletter for updates from Coach Duckworth. Please be sure to have a current sports physical if you are interested in playing basketball this year.

One Team. One Standard.

Building Better Players. Building Better People.

Upcoming Events

Monday, Sept. 7 - No School - Labor Day

Wednesday, Sept. 9 - Speech & Debate Practice - 2:30 - 4:00 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 15 - HULT presentation to 5th graders approx. 8:00 - 9:00 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 24 - Picture Day

Saturday, Sept. 26 - 1st Field Trip Opportunity - Hooked on Fishing - Buses leave by 8:30 AM & return at 11:30 AM

Saturday, Sept. 26 - First fishing field trip of the year - Students will bid house points to secure one of the 25 open spaces on this trip. Watch for more information and more opportunities ahead.