Our littles have been busy! Pre-K soaking up some fun in the sun while trying out new playground equipment. Kindergarten classes enjoyed snack time with their teachers. Life is good!
Our next new teacher is Ryan Noel. His work schedule started early in the morning this summer as he led the weight sessions for MS and HS athletes. With school in session, he is now teaching 6-12 Physical Education and Health & Wellness classes. Mr. Noel can also be called Coach Noel, as he is also the Head HS Football Coach this year. Onaga is his hometown. He played basketball at Kansas Wesleyan University and finished up his Education Degree at K-State. Previous teaching positions have been at Nemaha Valley, Valley Heights, Holton, Onaga, Everest MS, and Seaman. His favorite job, however, is being a dad! He likes to help kids build confidence in themselves. He believes we have great kids and likes the small town atmosphere of Valley Falls.
When not working, he likes to hunt and fish. Coconut Creme Pie is his dessert of choice. One of his favorite life experiences was to be asked to coach in an Elite Senior game. He got to invite his High School coaches to be there with him, and that was a tremendously rewarding experience. We are glad to have him as part of our Dragon Team!
When not working, he likes to hunt and fish. Coconut Creme Pie is his dessert of choice. One of his favorite life experiences was to be asked to coach in an Elite Senior game. He got to invite his High School coaches to be there with him, and that was a tremendously rewarding experience. We are glad to have him as part of our Dragon Team!
It's not often that you know someone that went to school with a professional basketball team's coach, but that's just what our new PreK teacher, Ruth McFarland, did while growing up in her hometown of Lisbon, NY. She went to school with Rick Carlisle, coach of the Indiana Pacers. More interesting trivia is that she could see the lights of the Ogdensburg-Prescott International Suspension Bridge (1.5-mile-long) to Canada from her bedroom window in New York. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, and her Masters in Education from Baker University in Baldwin. Over the years she has taught in Lebo, Waverly, Nortonville, and Fort Leavenworth, and is now employed with Keystone Learning Services. She is looking forward to getting to know her Pre-K students and watching them grow in stature, learning, confidence, and independence as they discover new things each day.
Ms. McFarland likes Valley Falls because there is a sense of compatibility, helpfulness and a strong sense of community. She appreciates that it is a welcoming community where everyone is supportive and friendly, creating an environment where people can connect, work together and feel comfortable being themselves. When she has free time, she enjoys visiting grandchildren and family, gardening and spending time with friends. Her favorite foods are steak and French Silk pie. We welcome her to the Dragon Team!
Ms. McFarland likes Valley Falls because there is a sense of compatibility, helpfulness and a strong sense of community. She appreciates that it is a welcoming community where everyone is supportive and friendly, creating an environment where people can connect, work together and feel comfortable being themselves. When she has free time, she enjoys visiting grandchildren and family, gardening and spending time with friends. Her favorite foods are steak and French Silk pie. We welcome her to the Dragon Team!
High School Volleyball Jamboree at JCN tonight! VF will play the second and third games of the night. Hope to see you there.
Hope you are planning to join us for "Futures Night" this evening at the VFHS Football Stadium. Full night of food and football, along with cheerleaders of all ages amping up that Dragon spirit! Donations of sport drinks for MS & HS teams appreciated. See flyer for more details.
Most of us take for granted that the bus route will run smoothly every day. But in the background, there's someone that's coordinating routes each day, scheduling buses, vans and other vehicles for the many activities students and staff attend during the year, while providing leadership to our team of excellent bus drivers. That person, Dalton VanHoutan, is newer to our staff, having started in April. He is our Transportation Director and Groundskeeper, so he has a varied list of responsibilities each day. He has enjoyed meeting new people, becoming more familiar with the community and learning new skills.
Mr. VanHoutan graduated from Oskaloosa High School and was their Head HS Golf Coach for three years. Baseball has always been a big part of his life. He played college baseball at McPherson College, and after his playing career spent four years coaching a pre-collegiate baseball program with the Midwest Bruins in Topeka while also conducting hundreds of pitching lessons at Smith Baseball Academy. He currently shares (with his younger brother Trenten) the Kansas State HS record for most no-hitters in a single season with four. He previously worked for an IT firm in Topeka as an account executive.
When he's not at work, he loves to spend time with his wife, Rachel (a new teacher at VF), and their daughter. He is also an avid golfer and loves to coach and work one-on-one with student athletes. Welcome to the Dragon Team!
Welcome to new staff member Morgan Burns! She is teaching second grade with Ms. Jepson and is looking forward to building relationships with the second graders, getting to know her colleagues better, and becoming part of a supportive school community. Ms. Burns earned a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Fort Hays University, and completed her Master of Education in Teaching and Learning from Friends University. She taught eight years at Horton Elementary School prior to coming to Dragon Country.
She is married to Luke Burns and they have two children. When she has free time she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, which may include golfing, movie nights or hanging out at the pool or lake. Her favorite food is tacos and fav dessert is ice cream! We welcome her to the Dragon Team!
She is married to Luke Burns and they have two children. When she has free time she enjoys hanging out with family and friends, which may include golfing, movie nights or hanging out at the pool or lake. Her favorite food is tacos and fav dessert is ice cream! We welcome her to the Dragon Team!
Support the VFHS Volleyball team and get some new gear. Proceeds donated to the team after sales are fulfilled. Order are due by midnight 9/2/26. Click the link below to order tshirts and sweatshirts with a few different designs.
VFHS Volleyball Order
High School students worked together to develop positive words for school culture.
Our new Family & Consumer Science Teacher & FCCLA Sponsor is Brianna Gough. She graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelors of Science in Family & Consumer Science education. While at KSU, she spent a semester on the rowing team! She taught for one year at Perry-Lecompton High School and now that she's in Dragon Country, is looking forward to building connections in the Valley Falls community. She chose this area of teaching to follow in her mom's footsteps, who is a FCS teacher at Piper High School.
Ms. Gough grew up on her grandparents farm in Natoma, KS. When she has free time, she enjoys crocheting, cross stitch and spending time with her two-year-old niece. Her favorite foods are steak, potatoes and cookies. Welcome to the Dragon Team!
Ms. Gough grew up on her grandparents farm in Natoma, KS. When she has free time, she enjoys crocheting, cross stitch and spending time with her two-year-old niece. Her favorite foods are steak, potatoes and cookies. Welcome to the Dragon Team!
It's time to start introducing our new staff for the school year, and some interesting facts about them. Rachel VanHoutan joins us as a First Grade Teacher with Ms. Pickerell. She graduated from Washburn University with a Bachelor of Education in Elementary Education and an emphasis in Middle School Mathematics. While at Washburn, she played basketball for the Lady Ichabods. After graduating, she taught Kindergarten at Randolph Elementary for four years. She is looking forward to teaching a new grade level and being back in her hometown to teach.
Her family includes Dalton, a newer staff member, their daughter, Mazie, and two pets, Tad and Ruby. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking treats, reading books, and going on walks. You might also catch her enjoying her favorite foods, butter chicken and pad thai, followed by chocolate ice cream. Interesting trivia is that her birthday is the last completely odd date (all odd digits) until January 1st of 3111. We welcome her to the Dragon Team!
Her family includes Dalton, a newer staff member, their daughter, Mazie, and two pets, Tad and Ruby. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, baking treats, reading books, and going on walks. You might also catch her enjoying her favorite foods, butter chicken and pad thai, followed by chocolate ice cream. Interesting trivia is that her birthday is the last completely odd date (all odd digits) until January 1st of 3111. We welcome her to the Dragon Team!
Are you ready for some football?? Your Valley Falls Dragons have a great home schedule with at least 5 HS games and 3 MS games. USD 338 is again offering premium parking for football games in the east parking lot. The cost remains at $100 with all the money going for improvements at the football field. Please contact john.hamon@vfalls338.com to reserve your spot(s). The first home game is Friday, September 4 so don't delay in getting your spot reserved!
High School Volleyball Week Two Announcements
1. Monday 8/24 we will finish posters immediately after practice.
2. Tuesday 8/25 is the Father/Daughter Scrimmage with Taco Bar after
3. Thursday 8/27 is the Jamboree, at JCN starting at 5:00 pm. Departure time 4:30pm
4. Friday 8/29 the practice theme is "Halloween"
1. Monday 8/24 we will finish posters immediately after practice.
2. Tuesday 8/25 is the Father/Daughter Scrimmage with Taco Bar after
3. Thursday 8/27 is the Jamboree, at JCN starting at 5:00 pm. Departure time 4:30pm
4. Friday 8/29 the practice theme is "Halloween"
Second grade finished the week learning how to make ice cream for their science lesson. They said the best part was eating it! Yum!
Mr. Courter's middle school science class did a STEM challenge
Valley Falls students ended their first week.
The school year is going to quickly get busier with lots of fun activities planned to support the Dragons. Be sure to read the Weekly Parent Update so that you don't miss out on important news and activities. https://docs.google.com/document/d/14JKXeUBJU_QPrELY317dtiNinFdJ60TTz4-5Smd_aN8/edit?usp=sharing
Dear Parents/Guardians,
As part of our school health screenings, vision and dental screenings will be performed at school for our students.
If you do not want your child to participate in either of these screenings, an opt-out form must be completed and returned to the school nurse.
DENTAL SCREENING FORM: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PGL3s_9kFOVtzBp-q8azAW5QcbWgdnyC/view?usp=sharing
VISION SCREENING FORM: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EYQLdePHTPXG8x3knqV3U69wiCOljXJx/view?usp=sharing
The deadline to return opt-out forms is September 7th.
If you have any questions regarding the screenings or the opt-out process, please feel free to contact Emily Esser at emily.esser@vfalls338.com
Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and well!
As part of our school health screenings, vision and dental screenings will be performed at school for our students.
If you do not want your child to participate in either of these screenings, an opt-out form must be completed and returned to the school nurse.
DENTAL SCREENING FORM: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PGL3s_9kFOVtzBp-q8azAW5QcbWgdnyC/view?usp=sharing
VISION SCREENING FORM: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1EYQLdePHTPXG8x3knqV3U69wiCOljXJx/view?usp=sharing
The deadline to return opt-out forms is September 7th.
If you have any questions regarding the screenings or the opt-out process, please feel free to contact Emily Esser at emily.esser@vfalls338.com
Thank you for helping us keep our students healthy and well!
Give back to Valley and participate in Match Day 2026! The In-Person event is from 9am-2pm on September 19th at the JF Co. Fairgrounds. If you can't make it to the In-Person event, there are other ways to give! On-line giving, mailing your donation, or dropping it off at the Delaware Township Library as of August 23rd to be held until the event. Or maybe, you could do a fundraising campaign from August 23rd to September 18th. See the flyer for more details!
Special BOE Meeting tonight at 6pm in the library. Agenda: https://files-backend.assets.thrillshare.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/931/Valley_Falls_Usd_338/cd2e9b37-dbad-44f1-b1a1-8c128e56e08e/2a.-Special-Board-Agenda-8.17.26.pdf?disposition=inline