Annual Events and Fantastic Fridays

This page provides descriptions of the Village School’s main annual events. Please check the VSNB News & Events page for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the timing and scheduling of current events.  

Noted below are also Fantastic Friday themes for certain times of the year. Fantastic Fridays are all-school assemblies held in the gym and open to the community. Many of these assemblies include classroom and student presentations, and sometimes they incude special guest speakers.

September

Fantastic Friday focuses on kindness and community.

First Day Celebration
At the Village School, we believe that learning and discovery are joyous events and something to be celebrated. Nowhere is this belief more evident than in our “First Day” celebration. Each year, we mark the return to school with a community-wide celebration that includes a parade and BBQ picnic. The idea of celebrating the return to school as a planned event called “First Day” has been adopted in communities across the country and has led to the creation of a “First Day” foundation. All of this began here in the Village of North Bennington.

Annual North Bennington Block Party
Families, friends and neighbors gather on the Park McCullough and Hiland Hall Farmhouse lawn for a potluck dinner, live music, art, and more. The Village School is a partner in this event and encourages students and their families to attend.

October

Track and Treat Fun Run
The Village School’s Track and Treat event is fun for the entire family. The event includes a 5K run/walk, a Family Fun Run, and a special obstacle/adventure course for the younger children throughout the morning! Runners are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes and prizes are given in several categories. There’s also pumpkin painting for the kids!

November

Fantastic Friday focuses on Veterans Day.

Invention Convention
Each year students are challenged to create an invention for this school-wide event. Projects are often related to topics discussed in the classroom (manufacturing methods, weather, etc.) and are intended to encourage creativity and an interest in the STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). It’s also an inspiration to think “out-of-the-box” and to share ideas that may help to solve problems. Students work together in teams and are often aided by by both their classroom teachers and VAE teaching artists. The community is invited to the annual Invention Convention night to marvel at students’ projects.

December

Village School Holiday Bazaar
The Holiday Bazaar is an event the whole school looks forward to. It has two purposes: to give students a chance to have fun shopping for their families and to raise money for charity. Profits are split between the local Food and Fuel Fund and The Greater Bennington Peace and Justice Center’s initiative to send children to school in Somotillo, Bennington’s sister city in Nicaragua. Families are asked to donate items in good condition that can be given as gifts, and handmade items are gladly received, too. FVS volunteers help wrap gifts for students and everyone walks away with smiles on their faces.

Holiday and Winter Concerts
Village School students share the gift of music in this annual holiday concert led by Village School Music Director Leslie Koelker. The concert features the the Band, the Chorus and class performances by students in grades Pre-K through 2nd. This spectacular evening brightens the holiday season!  Our String Program students present a separate Winter concert in December as well and faculty and guest performers often  join our students for this event.

January

Winter Carnival
During the North Bennington WinterFest, sponsored by the Bennington Area Chamber of Commerce, the Village School is filled with all sorts of fun activities—from interactive STEM games to a bounce house, face painting, games of skill and chance, a video game tournament, a photo booth, and prizes. Carnival food is available for purchase, and there’s a well-stocked White Elephant Sale with gently-used clothing, games, toys, kitchen items, knick-knacks, household items, and much more!

February

Fantastic Friday focuses on Martin Luther King, Jr. and the concepts of tolerance, justice and peace.

March

Fantastic Friday focuses on Dr. Suess and celebrating books.

Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday. The Village School participates with an all-school assembly, a parade of student book characters, a reading of a Dr. Seuss book, and more Dr. Seuss-themed presentations. Students, staff and family are encouraged to come to school wearing a costume of a book character.

Science Fair Night
This special event showcases students’ individual and/or group science projects. The whole school gets involved, from pre-K to sixth grade, in experimenting and everyone has an opportunity to learn about all topics science through fascinating demos and presentations.

April

Fantastic Friday focuses on Earth Day and respect for the environment.

Spring Band & Chorus Concert
Celebrate the spring season with a delightful evening performance open to the community.

Village School Lego Contest
Lego enthusiasts anticipate this event each year!  Students get the chance to enter their best original Lego creation in this fun, annual competition. There’s an opening reception at which the winners are announced and all entries are on display.

June Strings Concert
The community is invited to hear students perform a wonderful array of pieces in celebration of the end of the school year.

End-of-School Hike at the Mile-Around Woods
Celebrate the end of the year with an optional community walk in which family members accompany students. There are two trail options: one shorter hike with a scavenger hunt geared toward younger kids and a longer hike, including a reflective component, for older kids. Following the hike is a potluck dinner, bonfire, s’mores and music at Lions Park.

6th Grade Graduation
Family, friends and educators are always welcome to attend this milestone ceremony and a special reception.

End-of-Year BBQ
Families are invited to join students for a BBQ at the school. Hamburgers and hot dogs will be served, along with all the fixings, as well as garden pasta salad, baked beans, watermelon and dessert.

Field Day
Village School staff set up traditional yard games, sporting events, obstacle courses, the bounce house, and more for all students (except pre-K) to come together for friendly competition and loads of fun.