Dear Van Buren Elementary School Community,
It is with great honor and enthusiasm that I welcome you to Van Buren Elementary School! As Principal, I am privileged to serve this vibrant community of learners, educators, and families.
With over two decades of experience in the field of education, including 17 years within JUSD, my journey began as a 1:1 aide for students with special needs. It was through this experience that I discovered my passion for special education, leading me to obtain my special education teaching credential and later, a master's degree in Special Education.
Driven by the desire to make a lasting impact on students' lives through collaborative partnerships between parents and teachers, I pursued further education to become an administrator. For the past three years, I have had the privilege of serving as an educational leader, with one year as an Assistant Principal and the last two as the Principal of Van Buren Elementary.
As a parent of three children, each with their unique needs, I deeply understand the importance of collaboration between school and home. I am committed to fostering strong partnerships with the families of Van Buren Elementary to ensure that every child receives the support and resources they need to thrive.
Together, let us embark on a journey of learning, growth, and success. Your involvement and support are instrumental in laying the foundation for our students' future success.
For the 2024-2025 school year, the school staff is committed to fostering a sense of belonging among students. We will continue to roll out and implement teaching strategies that focus on the science of reading, fostering students' success with learning the fundamental components behind learning to read, developing them into strong readers. Additionally, teachers are focused on developing student-centered lessons in both English Language Arts and Math, fostering and enhancing student engagement in the classroom.
We will be continuing to implement our school-wide PBIS initiative to work in partnership to teach students the skills to behave and interact positively on campus with both staff and peers. This is done through our ROCK matrix, teaching students what it is to display RESILIENCE, take OWNERSHIP, work as a COMMUNITY, and spread KINDNESS.
Thank you for entrusting us with your child's education. I look forward to working together to create a positive and enriching learning environment for all our students.
Warmest regards,
Kimberly Lambert
Principal, Van Buren Elementary School