Announcements

Bus Route Notification

Dear Families,

We are running the bus with a sub bus driver. Please note he is learning this year's route and may run a couple minutes late or early. 

Vaughn School's Annual Brawl in the Hall Food Drive is November 16th-19th


Please bring in donations of non-perishable food, and place them into the container at the front office showing support for your favorite sports team (The Cats or The Griz). The container that is filled up the most will be the winning team!

Your donations help support the Sun River Valley Food Bank! If your family is ever in need of food assistance, you can contact the SRV Food Bank at (406)899-0635, or .

Thank you!!

Wildcats Shirts Available for Purchase

Looking to buy some Wildcats gear to support your favorite Wildcats? We now have t-shirts and sweatshirts available for purchase. If interested, please use the order form below, and return it to either Mrs. Phillips or Eudeen in the main office.

Thank you for your support!

Wildcats Gear Order Form

Internet Safety

We are seeing an increase of social media use with students. We want to remind families of the importance of internet safety and the seriousness of the use. Attached is a link to an article specific to Snapchat. I encourage families to read the article written by a colleague and mentor who has the same issues in his district. Please contact the school with any questions! 

Ms. Kasuske

How to Talk to Your Kids About Snapchat: 7 Lessons in Responsible Use

Illness & Returning to School Guidelines

Keeping your kids home when they are sick helps to keep viruses from spreading. Kids should be fever free and free of vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school after an illness. Students should be free of itching rashes, eye infections, and in the case of head lice, should be treated with appropriate treatment according to their doctor before returning to school.

Please take not of these guidelines and remember to call the school office if your child will be absent.

Thank you!

Vaughn School's Annual Brawl in the Hall Food Drive is November 16th-19th

Please bring in donations of non-perishable food, and place them into the container at the front office showing support for your favorite sports team (The Cats or The Griz). The container that is filled up the most will be the winning team!

Your donations help support the Sun River Valley Food Bank! If your family is ever in need of food assistance, you can contact the SRV Food Bank at (406)899-0635, or .

Thank you!!

Looking to buy some Wildcats gear to support your favorite Wildcats? We now have t-shirts and sweatshirts available for purchase. If interested, please use the order form below, and return it to either Mrs. Phillips or Eudeen in the main office.

Thank you for your support!

Wildcats Gear Order Form

We are seeing an increase of social media use with students. We want to remind families of the importance of internet safety and the seriousness of the use. Attached is a link to an article specific to Snapchat. I encourage families to read the article written by a colleague and mentor who has the same issues in his district. Please contact the school with any questions! 

Ms. Kasuske

How to Talk to Your Kids About Snapchat: 7 Lessons in Responsible Use

Just a quick reminder for the 2026-2027 school year:

Keeping your kids home when they are sick helps to keep viruses from spreading. Kids should be fever free and free of vomiting and diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school after an illness. Students should be free of itching rashes, eye infections, and in the case of head lice, should be treated with appropriate treatment according to their doctor before returning to school.

Please read over these guidelines and remember to call the school office if your child will be absent.

Thank you!

May 18, 2026

Dear Elementary School Families,

We are writing to inform you of an important change to our school meal program beginning in the 2026–2027 school year.

Over the past several years, our school has been able to provide breakfast and lunch meals to all students at no cost through the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP). CEP eligibility is determined through a federal application process that occurs every four years. Unfortunately, our school did not qualify for CEP for the upcoming cycle.

As a result, beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, meals will no longer automatically be free for all students. Families will need to complete a Free and Reduced-Price Meal Application to determine eligibility for meal benefits.

Please note:

• Families who qualify for programs such as SNAP may be directly certified for free meal benefits and will not need to complete an application.

• Families who are not directly certified should complete and return the application as soon as possible once forms become available.

• Completing the application is important, as meal eligibility may also help support additional school programs and services.

Applications and additional information will be sent to families before the start of the school year. We encourage all families to review the information carefully and submit forms promptly.

We understand this change may bring questions, and we are committed to helping families through the process. If you need assistance or have questions regarding meal applications or eligibility, please contact Loren Dunk or Kristi Kasuske at 406 965 2231 or or

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Sincerely,

Loren Dunk, Superintendent
Vaughn Elementary School

Please complete and return your Free and Reduced Lunch application if you have not already done so. These forms are required for the upcoming school year. Without them, students may be required to start paying for meals.

Thank you for helping us support this program for all students! If you need another copy of the form, please contact the school office or you can print one using the link below:

Online Free and Reduced Meal Application

Free and Reduced Meal Application pdf

Attention Families:

The first bell rings at 7:55 am, and school starts at 8:00 am. Teachers begin instruction first thing in the morning and teach throughout the day. The last bell rings at 4:10 pm for dismissal. 

Please help support this by having students arrive at school on time and pick up your child at the end of the school day. Students who arrive late or are picked up early are consistently missing vital information and instruction.

If you have questions, please contact Ms. Kasuske in the main office. 

Sincerely, 

Ms. Kasuske

Principal- Vaughn Public School

Dear Families,

This is a friendly reminder to please drive slowly and use caution when dropping students off in the morning and picking them up in the afternoon.

We have several students who walk through our parking lot to and from school each day. Their safety is our top priority, and reduced speeds in the parking lot help ensure everyone arrives and leaves safely.

We appreciate your attention to this matter and your continued support in keeping our school community safe.

Warm Regards,

Ms. Kasuske, Principal

Dear Families,

We are reaching out to share a growing concern we are seeing among our middle school students regarding late-night use of electronic devices. Recently, students have reported being engaged in texting, social media interactions, and even arguments with peers as late as 2:00-3:00 a.m.

While technology can be a valuable tool, this pattern of late-night use is beginning to significantly impact students during the school day. Staff have observed increased fatigue, difficulty focusing, heightened social conflicts, and challenges with peer relationships. When students are not getting adequate sleep, it affects not only their academic performance but also their overall well-being and ability to positively engage with others.

We know that this is not an issue that can be addressed by the school alone. It requires a strong partnership between home and school. We are asking for your support in helping to establish healthy boundaries around device use, especially during nighttime hours. Some strategies families may consider include:

• Setting a consistent "devices off" time each evening

• Keeping phones and devices out of bedrooms overnight

• Monitoring social media and group chats

• Having open conversations with your child about appropriate online behavior and conflict resolution

Our goal is to work together as a team to support our students in developing healthy habits that promote success both in and out of school. We appreciate your partnership and your attention to this important matter.

Please see the attached flyer to help support families with healthy screen time habits in students.

If you have questions or would like additional resources or support, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your continued collaboration and support.

Sincerely,

Ms. Kasuske

Vaughn School Principal

Social Media Usage Notification and Suggestions Flyer

Dear Parents and Guardians,

We are writing to inform you of an important update regarding student use of school-issued devices.

After careful review, our school technology team and administration have made the decision to restrict access to Spotify on all school devices. While Spotify is a widely used music streaming platform, it is not a regulated educational resource. During a recent review, our technology staff identified content—including lyrics and audio material—that is not appropriate for a school setting.

Additionally, we have observed instances of misuse during the school day that interfere with student learning, focus, and appropriate use of instructional time. Because we are responsible for ensuring that school-issued devices are used in ways that support a safe and productive educational environment, we must limit access to platforms that do not meet these standards.

This decision was made collaboratively by school administration and our technology department with the goal of maintaining a focused, respectful, and age-appropriate learning environment for all students.

We understand that music can be an important part of students’ lives, and we encourage families to guide and monitor music choices at home. At school, however, device use must remain aligned with educational purposes and district expectations.

We also understand this is causing frustration among students.

Thank you for your continued support as we work together to provide a positive and effective learning environment for all students.

Sincerely, 

Kristi Kasuske

You Are Invited to Attend an Internet Safety Presenation

Parents and community members are invited to attend an Internet Safety Presentation* offered by the Montana Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force on November 24, 2026 from 2 pm - 3 pm in the school gym.

*This community presentation is for adults only - students and other children will NOT be allowed at this presentation.

Students in grades 7th and 8th will be attending an age appropriate presentation from 10 am - 10:30 am, and 5th - 6th grades will attend from 11:15 am - 12 pm.

The ICAC Task Force presentation’s primary purpose is to raise awareness of potential online dangers and help students, families, and community members use the internet more safely.

Register online for the Salvation Army Giving Tree Christmas program beginning October 1, 2026.

• Register online only: Do not apply both online and at the office. Go to SAANGELTREE.ORG; no invitation code is required. Enter your ZIP code to begin an application with the local Salvation Army office.
• Prepare uploads: Take a photo of every required document before applying: 
  • Photo ID, such as a driver’s license or passport
  • Proof of address, such as a utility bill or rental agreement
  • Income verification for every adult, including employment income, TANF, SNAP, or similar documentation
  • Birth certificates or medical cards showing birth dates for children age 12 and under
• Eligibility/service area: The document lists several covered communities, including Great Falls, Malmstrom, Belt, Monarch, Stockett, Sun River, Black Eagle, Cascade, Ulm, Sand Coulee, Vaughn, Fort Shaw, Simms, Neihart, and Lincoln.
• What to expect: Everyone who registers will receive food. Requested gift items are not guaranteed and depend on donations received.

The key requirement is to submit one complete online application with clear uploads of all required documents.

The Sun River Valley Holiday Food Drive is collecting donations and confidential referrals to support local families and older residents during the holiday season.

• Dates: November 9–December 11.
• Needed donations: New children’s clothing and gifts, food, and financial contributions.
• Drop-off locations: Simms Lions Hall and Valley Schools for clothing and gifts; food donation boxes are also available at the Sun River Valley Food Bank and local churches.
• Financial gifts: Mail to Friends of the Sun River Valley Food Drive, P.O. Box 398, Simms, MT 59477.
• Referrals for help: Community members can confidentially refer families or older people who may need holiday assistance.
• Contact: Call or text Lynn at 970-290-7452 or email .
• Organization status: Friends of the Sun River Valley Food Drive is an IRS-certified 501(c)(3) nonprofit; EIN 20-3902314.

To sign up for food this holiday season please fill out the following form: Holiday Meal Sign-Up Form

Mobile Device and Dress Code Policies Summary

Cell Phones and Smartwatches

• Devices may not be used during school hours unless a teacher approves.
• Students must turn phones and smartwatches in to designated teachers at the beginning of the day for security.
• On school trips or activities, students may carry devices only if the supervisor or coach permits it.
• Devices capable of taking or transmitting images are prohibited in bathrooms and locker rooms.
• Noncompliance can result in confiscation; the principal decides whether the device is returned to the student or parent/guardian.
• Repeated violations lead to consequences determined by administration, consistent with school board policy 3630.

Dress Code

• Headwear: Hats, caps, and other headgear are not allowed indoors without permission. Hoods may not be worn on the head; repeated issues may result in the hoodie being stored in a locker or held in the office for the day.
• Bottoms: Shorts and skirts are allowed year-round but must extend beyond the wearer’s fully extended fingertips. Pants must stay at the natural waist.
• Tops: Footwear is required. Tops may not expose shoulders or midriff; halter tops, tube tops, and straps narrower than three fingers are not permitted.
• Pants and undergarments: Pants must be clean, worn at or above the waistline, and must not expose skin or undergarments. Pajama pants are allowed only on designated pajama days.
• Prohibited clothing: Clothing promoting alcohol, drugs, tobacco, or vaping, or containing obscene, vulgar, or suggestive content, is not allowed.
• Administrative authority: Staff may require a student to change if their clothing is disruptive or inappropriate, with administration making the final decision.

Vaughn School’s policies are designed to keep the school safe, respectful, and focused on learning.

The overall expectation is that students show respect, responsibility, and readiness to learn while helping maintain a positive school community.

2026-2027 School Year

Teaching Staff for 2026-2027

Kindergarten/1st Grade: Mrs. Duhinog

2nd Grade: Mrs. Neumann 

3rd Grade: Mrs. Ballou

4th Grade: Ms. Tapayan

5th Grade Homeroom: Mrs. Wagner (Social Studies)

6th Grade Homeroom: Mrs. Werber (ELA)

7th Grade Homeroom: Mrs. Phillips (Science) 

8th Grade Homeroom: Mrs. Rosipal (Math)

Art/Library: Mrs. Buley

PE K-8/Music: Ms. Bayabao

Music Apprentice Teacher: Mrs. Galloway

Special Education K-4: Mr. Luna

Special Education 5-8: Ms. Marreel

Hillcrest Colony: Mrs. Hasenkrug

Special Education Hillcrest Colony: Mr. Sagaral

Counseling: MT Small School Alliance

Please visit our Athletics Page for sports information and requirements.

The Out-of-District Student Enrollment Application Period Has Ended

Vaughn School is no longer accepting applications for out-of-district enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year. The out-of-district enrollment application deadline was May 11, 2026.

If interested in enrolling yours students at Vaughn School for the 2027-2028 school year, please plan to apply in April 2027. 

Disclaimer: Although Vaughn School strives to include the most up-to-date information on our website, changes in event dates, times, and locations may not be immediately reflected. Please contact the school office with any questions at 406.965.2231. Thank you!