About Us:

Vernon Elementary School is a public Kindergarten to Sixth grade school in Vernon, Vermont.

Staffed by one of the most educated and experiences staffs in Southern Vermont, Vernon prides itself in the education afforded to our students. With small classes and dedicated teachers, Vernon works to educate each student to their own needs. Working along side the classroom teachers are para-educators, most of whom have been with us over 15 years. In addition to the classroom teachers, Vernon has 5 highly qualified specialists teaching physical education, library and media skills, art, music, and computer technology. Each classroom has a scheduled time each week with each specialist, and they go twice to PE. We are also fortunate to have a full-time Registered Nurse and four days a week our guidance counselor is available for student issues and classroom lessons. For students with other academic needs we have 2 full-time special education teachers, 2 part-time speech and language teachers and a part-time ESL teacher.

Built in 1954 with additions in the 70s and 90s, VES is proud of its facilities. With a large gymnasium, cafeteria with full kitchen and theatrically lit stage, and large playground equipped with many play structures Vernon is a well-appointed school. In our spacious library, students can find over 10,000 volumes, periodicals, and references books, as well as 6 iMac computers. In addition to classrooms, VES also has its own art room with kiln, music room, and technology lab featuring over 20 eMac computers.

Students are also given many opportunities for non-academic pursuits. Each fourth through sixth grade student may play an instrument and be in the school band. The school band plays two concerts a year for students and parents, as well as several times at the Vernon Green Nursing Home. There are also music recess clubs, including chorus and jazz band. Every few weeks a new athletic recess club starts. Throughout the year students can play football, basketball, wiffle ball and floor hockey as well as try out new sports like turtle ball. Vernon has a student run yearbook and school store giving students the chance to try real world skills like making change, taking pictures, doing inventory, and writing informational text.

Each spring the arts are celebrated at Vernon. In April the school becomes an art gallery to student art projects created throughout the year and just before April vacation the school comes together for Theme Night. Theme Night is a celebration of art and music usually centered around the continent of the year. The lack of culture on Antarctica gives the art and music teacher an opportunity to teach about modern art and music. April also sees the presentation of the Fifth and Sixth grade play. A perennial favorite written and directed by several teachers, this production includes every student who is interested, either on or back stage. Popular with parents and students this production is hotly anticipated each year. Later in the spring, students and families are also treated to theatrical productions by the Third Grade and musical productions by the Kindergarten and First Grades.

For over 25 years, Second through Sixth graders at Vernon Elementary School have been performing on a jump rope demonstration team called the Vernon Tornadoes. The Tornadoes are coached by John Stetzel and his wife Peggy. Throughout the spring the Stetzels tour with the jumpers to schools in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. They have also performed in many other states, for several governors and at countless community events. Now on their second generation of students, the Tornadoes have even spun off a group of graduated who call themselves the Twisters and perform at various local events. The season is capped off with two Home Shows for parents and the rest of the school.