 |
|
Parent Newsletter
August 23, 2017
Students picked up their schedules and hit the ground running today for the first day of the 2017-18 school year. Valley is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. Look for upcoming events in this newsletter or at www.vlhs.com/40.
|
What's In A Name?
Names are personal. They have a part in shaping identity. Individuals take pride in their name and can typically give you the meaning of their name. One of the first things you learn about a new person is their name. We give people nicknames - sometimes as a term of endearment but others as a form of teasing. Either way, a person's nickname can tell you something about him or her.
Our theme this year is "Blessed to be a Blessing," based on Genesis 12:2 where God calls Abram to get up and go to a new land where He promises to make Abram a great nation that will be a blessing to others. When Abram is 99 years old, God makes a covenant with him and changes his name to Abraham. Why the name change? One of the connections that I made when studying this passage was that naming someone is a very intimate action. This privilege and responsibility is typically given to parents. In this covenant, God promises that Abraham will be the father of many nations. Additionally, God is proclaiming His commitment to His people as their Heavenly Father. In our baptism, we are renamed as a child of God. This blessing changes us and allows us to be a blessing to others - sharing Jesus and what He has done. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, "calls His own sheep by name and leads them out" (John 10:3). God has named us, claimed us, and saved us. We are richly blessed!
- Dr. Lisa Meyers
|
Summer Read Assignment Due Tomorrow
Tomorrow is the deadline to turn in the Summer Read assignment. All incoming students were asked to read
Lol...OMG! What Every Student Needs to Know About Online Reputation Management, Digital
Citizenship, and Cyberbullying BEFORE the beginning of the school year. The writing/research project is to be completed by
tomorrow. It will be graded and count toward the student's English grade. A copy of the project guidelines can be found
here.
Contact Dr. Lisa Meyers, Academic Dean, at 989-790-1676 or email [email protected] with any questions.
|
|
School Pictures
Picture day will be
Wednesday, Aug. 30. Order forms will be sent home this week. Seniors are required to have their photo taken for their student identification cards.
|
|
Concession Help Needed for 2017-18 School Year
Before reading further, please understand this request is more than working a game or two during a season or event. We will need that, too, at some point. What we need is for someone (maybe a husband and wife team?) to help open the concession room/building for our parent helpers. This is a VERY important position and would require arriving early on game night. PLEASE call or email if this request "moves" you to help. The Booster Club relies on concessions revenue for a good chunk of the money they give back to extracurricular activities every year. Please contact Stacy Smith, Booster Club Chair, at
[email protected] or Eric Smith at
[email protected]. We'd be happy to share more details. Thank you!
|
|
Class of 2018 News: Senior Photos, Retreat
- Save the date! The Senior Class Retreat will be held Oct. 20-22 at Camp Timbers. We hope to see you there!
|
|
Special Chapel Service Sept. 6
Valley Lutheran High School is celebrating its 40th anniversary and you're invited to take part in the excitement. The first big event is a special chapel service at
10 am on Wednesday, Sept. 6
, in the VLHS gymnasium, marking the first day of school in 1977. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The theme for the year is "Blessed to be a Blessing," from Genesis 12:2, which will be the subject of the message from Rev. Dean Davenport. There will also be special music, the installation of two teachers and a rededication of the faculty.
Please join us in recognizing four decades of service in the Great Lakes Bay Region.
|
|
Parent Organization Mum Sale Sept. 8
Fall is right around the corner. Add some gorgeous color to your yard and support the VLHS Parent Organization at the same time. Plants will sell for $10, one evening only -- before the first Valley home football game from
3-7pm Friday, Sept. 8 in the school parking lot. They will be sold on a cash and carry basis.
Also this year, you can purchase a voucher for the same price to Kutchey Greenhouse of Midland and give it as a gift for later pickup. Half of the money generated goes to the Parent Organization for projects it funds throughout the year.
The Parent Organization's next meeting is
Sept. 21, from 6-7pm, in the cafeteria. The group is looking for parents to help throughout the year. Questions can be directed to Dr. Lisa Meyers at 989-790-1676 or
[email protected].
|
Parent Open House Tuesday, Sept. 12
It's "Back to School Night" for parents at
6:30pm Tuesday, Sept. 12. Experience a day in the life of your child by going through their entire day at an accelerated pace. Meet teachers and other parents, hear course requirements and learn how to get involved. Your attendance sends a clear message that you think school is important. We hope all parents will attend. Class schedules will be waiting at the front entrance. The bell rings at 6:30pm. Don't be tardy! Your "day" will end at 9pm.
|
|
Peeks at Valley
Join us for an hour of Peeks at Valley for an insightful view of our school. The one-hour visit is led by students and faculty. The first Peeks is Sept. 13 at 8:15am. To reserve your spot for a Peeks at Valley experience, call us at (989) 790-1676 or email
Krista Flory
.
|
|
Parents in Prayer Meetings Begin Sept. 14
Parents in Prayer is a group of parents who gather to pray at Valley twice each month. The group will meet at the school from 8-9:30am (can be finished by 9am upon request) on Sept. 14 and 28. The group prays for the needs of your children, as well as the needs of al the students at Valley. Parents can attend any or all of the dates. Prayer requests can be sent to [email protected]. Confidential requests can be sent to this address or can be submitted in the prayer box in the RC. If you have questions, please call or text Carla Belill at 989-295-3018.
|
|
18th Annual Golf Scramble Set For Sept. 16
Valley's 18th Annual Golf Scramble will be
Saturday, Sept. 16
, at Apple Mountain Golf Course in Freeland. Brochures are available in the school office or can be downloaded
here
. The Golf Scramble helps raise money for the Student Aid Fund, which provides tuition assistance for students in need.
|
|
Fall Service Day Wednesday, Sept. 27
Putting faith into "action" is an important part of the mission of Valley "to serve in the world". Students get the opportunity to do just that on Fall Service Day,
Wednesday, Sept. 27. Between 8-9 a.m. they will join their family group, at a location, to help others in the Great Lakes Bay Region. The day will conclude between noon and 1pm. Permission slips with specific site location and times will be sent home with students as the date approaches. All students are required to attend Service Day, so mark this day on your calendar and keep it open.
|
|
Hot Lunch Price for 2017-18
Hot lunch prices for 2017-18 are $30 for a 10-punch card. Individual lunches are $3.50. Cards may be purchased in the office before school. Applications for free and reduced lunches are available on our website.
Download here.
|
|
Athletic Passes Available for Purchase
Athletic passes are a great way to save money when attending Valley Lutheran sporting events. Passes cost
$20 for 10 entries to a regular season home game. Passes can be purchased at the entrance of athletic events. Without a pass, single-game admission is $5 for adults and students. The cost is the same for away games. Please note that admission for all-conference and division tournaments is $5 and athletic passes are not accepted.
|
|
Storage Space Needed
Valley is in need of immediate storage space for post prom items, which include three
14-gallon tubs, three large tricycles, and four bean bag toss boards. If you can store some or all of these items, please contact
Christian Wilke at 989-790-1676.
|
Valley Students Selling SaveAround Coupon Books
Valley Lutheran students are selling Save Around coupon books as a fundraiser for the school. The books, which cost $25, are filled with discounts from famous national chains to local mom-and-pop shops, SaveAround offers savings everyone will love. Purchase one from any Valley student or in the school office.
|
PSAT/NMSQT EXAM
Valley Lutheran will be offering this exam on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 8am. Students will test, then return to their regular schedules for the remainder of the day. The PSAT/NMSQT is an elective exam that students can take in preparation for the SAT. It is also the only way for current juniors to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. Interested students should register with Mrs. Mueller in the office ASAP as there are a limited number of exams available. Payment is due at the time of registration. Exams cost $18.
SAT & ACT TESTING RESOURCES
A limited number of student testing guides and practice exams are available from Mrs. Mueller in the Guidance Office. These are free to students on a first-come, first-served basis.
SCHEDULE CHANGES
The final day to change schedules for the Fall semester is Tuesday, Aug. 29. Contact Mrs. Mueller to adjust your academic courses. Unfortunately, changes will not be made to accommodate different academic seminar hours or lunch periods unless there is a medical or other serious reason for change.
HAVE SMART PHONES DESTROYED A GENERATION?
As the school year starts, there's a good chance you are setting new household and family routines. Check out
this article
on the use of smartphones by adolescents and how it can potentially impact their mental health. As always, moderation is key in many areas of life.
A NEW APP YOUR STUDENT MAY BE USING
Heard of "Sarahah"? This new app is creating buzz with adolescents, but not always for a good reason. The UK Telegraph has published
a great article
for parents to stay in the loop. If your child is online, be sure to check it out.
"THE TALK"
As parents of high school students, it can sometimes be easier to brush over difficult topics with your student than address them head-on. If you find yourself in a position of needing to have "the talk" with your student, be sure to check out
this article
, which offers tips on making it a little less uncomfortable for all involved.
IMPORTANT LINKS
|
Good Shepherd Hosting Dance Sept. 8
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5335 Brockway Road in Saginaw, is hosting its second annual Cotillion in the Pavilion on Friday, Sept. 8, from 6:30-9:30pm. There will be music, dancing, games, a photo booth, light refreshments and fellowship. All ages are welcome at this free event. Please RSVP by calling the office at 989-793-8201.
|
JME Memorial Run/Walk Sept. 9
The St. Paul Lutheran Church and School's 6th Annual JME Memorial Run/Walk will be held
Saturday, Sept. 9
. There are five races: quarter-mile run (10 and under),
1-mile and 2-mile run/walk.
All races will begin on Ziegler Road (just next to the church at 6100 Westside Saginaw Road in Bay City). Registration forms are available at
www.stpaulbaycity.org
. Registration deadline is
Aug. 25
to guarantee a race T-shirt.
|
| Aug. 24 |
Summer Read Assignment Deadline |
| Aug. 26 |
SAT Testing, 8am |
| Aug. 30 |
Picture Day |
| Sept. 1-4 |
No School, Labor Day Weekend |
| Sept. 6 |
Special Chapel Marking 40th Anniversary of First Day of School, 10am |
| Sept. 9 |
ACT Testing, 8am |
| Sept. 12 |
Back to School Night, 6:30pm |
| Sept. 13 |
Peeks at Valley, 8:15am |
| Sept. 16 |
18th Annual Golf Scramble, 8am |
| Sept. 23 |
Lutheran Grade School Volleyball Tournament |
| Sept. 26 |
National Honor Society Induction, 7pm |
| Sept. 27 |
Service Day, 8am |
| Sept. 28 |
Peeks at Valley, 11am |
|
 |
|
Click on the image above to view the latest Valley Vision. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mission Statement
Valley Lutheran High School believes that Christ is the foundation of our school and everything that we do. We prepare our students as children of God academically, physically, socially, emotionally and spiritually to serve in the world today and tomorrow.
|
|
|
John Brandt
Valley Lutheran High School
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
