Welcome to Vandyke - School by the Lake.
Vandyke School Hours

****School Bells **** 8:25 am - 3:00 pm (M, T, Th, F)

8:25 am - 2:25pm (Wed)

****Office Hours **** 7:30am - 3:30pm

Attendance Line 218-245-6245

Welcome Back! 2024-2025 School Year

Vandyke Families,

It is my honor and a pleasure to welcome you to the 2024– 2025 school year! I hope you all have had a relaxing and fun summer break.

I am extremely proud to serve as the Principal of this amazing learning community for my first full year and to continue to support our Vandyke and  Invest Early students ! As has been our vision at Vandyke, we will continue  to increase student achievement by providing a positive learning environment in order to nurture lifelong learners.

I would like to welcome all of our new families, whether you are joining us from another school in the region or have relocated from another city, state, or country. We are excited to share with you all that Vandyke has to offer and believe you will soon feel as we do, that Vandyke, the school by the lake,  is a special place for all students. Our educators, support staff, families, and other education partners are ready to welcome you into the Raider Family!.*

Our teachers and staff are eager to meet their new students and begin this year’s journey with them. The dedicated staff at Vandyke has been working tirelessly to finalize classes and schedules, engage in professional learning opportunities, and update our instructional models, class routines, and expectations, all with the goal of fostering academic success and a true sense of connectedness and belonging for our students. Our primary goal is to ensure student proficiency in core academic subjects, so we will continue to refine Tier I instruction, analyze data, conduct observations, and review classwork to guide instruction and intervention. We will work together to create a solid foundation for our students so that they have the opportunity to become self-directed learners, collaborative teammates, critical thinkers, and responsible citizens. We will continue to offer intervention services for all learners through specialized programs, counseling when appropriate, and the implementation of Tier II and Tier III programs and teaching and learning strategies.

Please be sure to read the ‘Vandyke Parent/Student Handbook’ on our website. Please let me know if you have any questions.

We will be holding our in-person Open House on Thursday, August 29th from 8:00 AM-3:30 PM at Vandyke Elementary School. Your student’s teacher will be contacting you starting August 15th to set up a conference time with you for this day. If you have not been contacted by August 23rd or have any questions, please contact me at 218-245-2510. The district calendar and school supply list along with other important information are available on our school website.

*Information pertaining to the following will be available at Open House.

  • Transportation
  • Food Service
  • Indian Education
  • Community Education
  • FRAM Application *Please make sure to fill out one of these forms as this contributes to our school funding.
  • **Lifetouch Pictures ** **Please have your student get their picture taken even if you do not plan on purchasing a package. ***If you do not want your student’s picture to be published, please make sure to complete a ‘No Photo’ form available in our main office. If you are unable to attend Open House, retake pictures will be available in October.
  • Infinite Campus
  • Parent Square
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Health Services *Please provide our health staff with any changes, additions, or pertinent information for our records**.**

Vandyke’s outstanding educators create the foundation for your student’s academic success. In addition, a large part of the Vandyke Learning Community’s success can be attributed to its active and engaged parents who are involved in the PTC.** **

I look forward to the start of the new school year and to continuing our collaboration of providing your student(s) with an effective and engaging educational experience. As always, we will look to our families to be positive partners in their student’s educational journey. The Vandyke staff has always made a priority of working together as a caring and compassionate learning community with professionalism, teamwork, action, and expertise. We will always put the best interests of our students at the center of our purpose. Join us in ensuring the success of all Vandyke’s students. Stay healthy, stay positive, and stay connected.

Open House will be a very busy time and I would like to present the opportunity to meet you all prior to school commencing. I will be hosting ‘Popcicles with the Principal’ on Wednesday, August 21st from 4:00 PM-6:00 PM at Longyear Park adjacent to the school.  If you have that evening open, I would welcome the opportunity to meet you and celebrate the upcoming school year!

As always, my door is open and our staff welcomes your input. Please feel free to contact me via email or call to make an appointment to speak with me to discuss any ideas you feel will make this the best year yet! ****

GO RAIDERS!

~Ms. Heimdal

Readiness - Respect - Responsibility

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
About Vandyke

Greenway pride is alive and well in the classrooms of Vandyke Elementary and there is plenty to be proud of!

Vandyke received the 2005 and 2009 Blue Ribbon School from the U.S. Department of Education for continuous growth on the state assessments.

Vandyke received a third Blue Ribbon award in 2018 as an exemplary high performing school. Vandyke Elementary was also designated as a Minnesota School of Excellence in November of 1996 and 2005, and 2018, an award presented by the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association.

WCN Member School
Hiring Paraprofessionals

Rewarding opportunity to support teachers and students! Work schedule aligns with your child's school schedule. Come join a fabulous staff and learning community! Apply here.

Greenway ISD 316 Announces New Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten and Early Childhood Program for 2025-2026 School Year

Greenway ISD 316 is excited to announce the introduction of two new programs for the upcoming 2025-2026 school year, designed to provide a strong educational foundation for young learners in our community.

Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) for 4-Year-Olds

Greenway ISD 316 will be offering Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) for children who will be 4 years old on or before September 1, 2025. This program will give our youngest learners the opportunity to engage in a structured, nurturing environment that focuses on early literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development. The district aims to make early education more accessible, providing families with a high-quality learning experience that helps prepare children for success in Kindergarten and beyond.

Early Childhood Program at Marble Elementary

In addition to Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, the district is proud to announce the launch of its Early Childhood Program for the 2025-2026 school year. This program will be hosted at Marble Elementary and will offer comprehensive early childhood education tailored to meet the developmental needs of children. The district’s vision is to create an inclusive learning environment that addresses the social, emotional, and academic needs of our youngest students.

Partnership with Head Start

Greenway ISD 316 is also committed to collaboration and will be partnering with Kootasca Head Start to enhance early childhood programming. This partnership will help provide a well-rounded support system for our youngest learners, offering families additional resources and ensuring that children have the tools they need to thrive in school.

The district is enthusiastic about these new programs and the opportunity to support the developmental growth of young children in our community. More information on how to register for these programs or to learn more about eligibility requirements,will be out within the next few weeks. 

Stay tuned for further updates, and we look forward to serving your children as they embark on their educational journeys!