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Parent Newsletter
February 21, 2018
Alumni athletes came out in droves and were recognized between basketball games on Friday, Feb. 16, as part of Valley Lutheran's continuing 40th anniversary celebration. Alumni were asked to wear vintage Valley Lutheran apparel and didn't disappoint the crowd.
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Wherever You Go
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
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Third Quarter Mid-Term Grades Available
Your child's third quarter mid-term grades are now available online. Go to www.mystudentdata.com and enter
the following information:
- School code: 50
- Student ID Number: The ID number is the 10-digit number under the photo of their student ID. Please call the office if you cannot locate the student ID number.
- Student's birth date
- Password: Chargers
If you have questions about your child's grades, please contact the teacher by phone (790-1676) or by email. Teacher email addresses are available on the school website:
www.vlhs.com .
Please remember that grades can only be accessed if tuition payments are current. If you have any problems, please contact the office at 790-1676.
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Dinner Auction This Saturday
The 15th Annual VLHS Benefit Dinner Auction will be this
Saturday, February 24, at the Apple Mountain Conference Center. Caribbean Nights is the theme, so dress the part!
Questions? Call the school office at 989-790-1676 or the Auction Chairwoman Beth (Lambert) Kaul at 989-754-5918 or
[email protected].
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Class Meetings For Returning Students
The process of selecting next year's classes for returning students begins with class meetings on
Wednesday, Feb. 28. For many students this is an easy process based on course selections in previous years. In some instances, there are unique circumstances which we will need to work together to address. Please contact Mrs. Mueller if you would like to discuss your child's specific schedule.
Students will bring the course selection sheet with next year's registration form home for your signature. Your pastor's signature is also required if you are eligible for the association member tuition rate. We will waive the $100 re-registration fee if your completed re-registration form is returned by
April 9.
If you are applying for financial aid be sure to complete that process by
April 1 for full consideration. Contact Heidi Behnke (
[email protected] or at 989-790-1676) for help with the application form.
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Registration Open For Incoming Freshmen
Registration is now open for incoming freshmen for the 2018-19 school year. Once registration is received, scheduling classes can take place. To schedule a visit, a shadowing experience, or for more information, contact Sondra Yantz at
[email protected] or call the office at 989-790-1676.
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Tuition Help
The recent tax law changes presented the opportunity for parents to use money in 529 plans to pay tuition for grades K-12 as well as college. It is too early to really know exactly what advantages or disadvantages there may be in this opportunity.
This article from Yeo & Yeo provides some good basic information.
Remember, you may also pay for future years of enrollment at Valley Lutheran using the 2018-2019 tuition rates. These may be purchased for current and future students.
You can find out more here.
Now is the time to apply for next year's financial aid.
It is to be completed online. Contact our secretary, Heidi Behnke, if you need help.
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Parents in Prayer Meets Tomorrow
The next Parents in Prayer meeting will be held tomorrow,
Thursday, February 22
at 8am, at the high school. Please send any requests to
[email protected].
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Saginaw Antique Society Show March 17
The Parent Organization will host the annual Saginaw Antique Society Show on
Saturday, March 17 from 9am to 4pm, at Valley Lutheran. There is a $4 admission fee that covers two free appraisals.
Luncheon available 11am-1:30pm
- Homemade Cheesy Potato Soup
- Chili
- Chicken Salad on a Croissant
- Frito Pie
Parent help is needed. Please contact the office at 989-790-1676.
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Next Open House is March 20
The next Valley Lutheran Open House is scheduled for
5-6pm Tuesday, March 20. Talk with students, teachers and administrators, tour the building, and get questions answered.
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STEM Research Program in Search of Applicants
STEM @ SVSU is excited to announce the 2018 Dow Science and Sustainability Education Center Summer Research Program. High school students currently in grades 9-11 are encouraged to apply for this paid opportunity by
March 23
. In addition, Middle School and High School STEM teachers are also encouraged to apply for this paid internship opportunity by
March 16
. Application materials are available at
www.svsu.edu/stem/students
. Contact Adrianne Cole (
[email protected]
) with questions.
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MSU Hosting Veterinary Exploration Day
Michigan State University is hosting a Veterinary Exploration Day from 10am to 3pm on
Saturday, March 24,
in East Lansing at the College of Veterinary Medicine. This is a free opportunity to learn more about veterinary medicine and the program at MSU. Registration closes
March 9
and space is limited, so sign up early at
cvm.msu.edu/events/veterinary-exploration-day
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Michigan Tech Offering Engineering Camp Scholarship
Michigan Technological University is partnering with Hemlock Semiconductor to offer scholarships for students to attend an engineering summer camp - for free. The scholarship will cover all costs (including transportation) required to attend the Engineering Scholars Program (ESP) at Michigan Tech. A total of 30 students from Midland/Bay/Saginaw counties will be selected.
Last year, one student from Valley Lutheran did attend with this award.
All students currently in grades 9-11 can apply. The application deadline is
April 10 at 5pm. The
cover letter and
application contain more information about the program.
ESP is a weeklong investigation of engineering careers. Students will learn about nine types of engineering, working on group projects, touring labs, and working with Michigan Tech faculty, staff, and graduate students on exciting engineering activities.
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Camp Concordia Seeks Applicants for Junior Counselor
Camp Concordia is looking for Junior Counselors for the summer. You will spend up to 12 days volunteering at Camp Concordia, where you will serve and laugh and lead and love.
You will spend each week in hands on training with a camper group, working with a college age summer ministry leader, and helping behind the scenes to make this an incredible week for all attending.
Each session has a limit of seven Junior Counselors. Applications are available at the
Camp Concordia website.
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| Are You Missing a Special Serving Platter or Dishes?
The office has two
Pfaltzgraff Winterberry dishes, a clear pie plate, and a Rubbermaid container left from the treats brought in for the Feldkamp Memorial Service. If any of these are yours, please notify the office so we can send them home with your child.
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Tortured For Christ Movie in Saginaw on March 5
Richard Wurmbrand was a pastor in prison for 14 years. After being released, he wrote a book and started the
Voice of the Martyrs ministry. There is a one-night showing of a movie based on his experience at the Goodrich Quality 10 GDX Theater at 7:30pm on March 5. Visit the On Buzz website for details and to purchase tickets.
When searching for a location, type in Saginaw, MI or 48603.
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Bookkeeper Opening at Peace
Peace Lutheran Church in Saginaw has an opening for a part-time bookkeeper (Monday through Friday, 20 hours per week). Responsibilities include: Assisting with the day-to-day financial operations of the church and its ministries, including data entry, maintaining files, working with payables, reconciling accounts and generating reports. Basic requirements: Experience with general bookkeeping duties using Microsoft Word and Excel, willingness to learn Shepherd's Staff accounting software, and ability to work independently and in confidence. Fill out an application and apply in person at the Peace Church Office, 3427 Adams Ave., in Saginaw.
Click here for the full job description.
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From the Dean of Students
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More About Vaping
This is part 2 of Mr. Vincent sharing vaping (e-cigarettes) information.
In this segment, I would like to share with you some signs that could indicate a teenager has become interested in or involved with vaping.
- Having or using unfamiliar objects - Vaping devices come in a variety of shapes and sizes, including pens and flash drives. Packaging for flavored or nicotine liquids can also look like USB sticks or eye dropper type bottles.
- Mysterious or unusual aromas - Vapor from a vape pen does not have the same offensive smell that cigarette smoke does. It can even smell quite good, like candy, mint, vanilla, fruit punch, etc. However, this can become confusing as it is often difficult to tell the difference between vaping smells and different scents of lotion and perfumes students use.
- Unquenchable thirst - This might be more than just a desire to be healthier. Chemical characteristics of propylene glycol, one of the ingredients in vaping flavors, often gives users dry mouth.
- New or unusual batteries or chargers - Vaping devices often use a smaller battery or charger that is different than what you'd typically see for a phone or tablet.
- Cravings and/or withdrawal symptoms - Teens who are using e-cigarettes might become dependent on them. You know your child; if things seem out of the ordinary it could be cause for concern.
Other things to keep in mind:
- It is illegal for any minor to consume nicotine, regardless of whether it is through a traditional cigarette or e-cigarette.
- Students are able to get these products pretty easily. They can buy them online by simply clicking a button that identifies them as being 18 or older. They can also purchase them at gas stations which might not card their customers. Students can also have someone else buy vape products or order them online.
- The nicotine in e-liquids is harmful. It is addictive. It is harmful to the developing adolescent brain, and it is poisonous if swallowed.
Resources:
"A Parent's Guide to Vaping" by Axis
- Heath Vincent, Dean of Students
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WHAT GOOGLE LOOKS FOR IN PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES
Google recently researched what made its employees successful in an effort to discover what future hires might look like. One might think a large tech company is looking for skills in STEM or other technology-specific skills sets. But what they found is the exact opposite. While skills in STEM are certainly valuable and necessary for success within the tech world, the top seven characteristics were all considered "soft skills," like "Communicating and listening well, having empathy ... being a good critical thinker and problem solver." Those skills that make us humans and good citizens can also lead to a great skill set for any career! You can check out the
full article from the Washington Post here.
SENIORS - MICHIGAN COMPETITIVE SCHOLARSHIP
Students who have
earned a 1200 or higher on their SAT and demonstrate financial need can qualify for up to
$1,000 per year at an approved Michigan higher education institution. In order to fully qualify, students must have their Social Security Number on file with the Student Scholarships and Grants office and have a FAFSA on file by
March 1. More information can be found
here or at
http://www.michigan.gov/mistudentaid.
CLASS OF 2019
The MME is quickly approaching - are you preparing to do well? The MME (Michigan Merit Examination) consists of three exams over three days: an official SAT with essay, the ACT WorkKeys career readiness certification, and the M-STEP science and social studies examination. The SAT taken on the first day is likely the initial score that will go to colleges you apply to in the fall, so it is important to give your full effort. Remember that free SAT prep materials are available at Khan Academy online.
SAT PREP COURSE AT VLHS
Valley Lutheran will be hosting a ZAPS Test Prep seminar on
Saturday, March 17, from 9am to 3pm. Students attending the seminar will experience practice test scenarios, learn tips on eliminating wrong answers, and receive materials to use at home in their own test prep. Information will be mailed home in the next few weeks or you can check it out
here. This is a great opportunity for our current juniors, who will be taking the SAT in April as part of the MME. Scholarships are available for students with financial need. Contact Mrs. Mueller for more information.
FOUR-YEAR PLANS
Before you know it, we will be talking about course options for next year. Now is a good time to explore options and put a plan in place, especially if your student is thinking about taking courses through the Saginaw Career Complex, Bay-Arenac Career Center, or dual enrollment options through CUAA or Delta. Mrs. Mueller is more than happy to sit down with students and talk about options or develop a plan!
IMPORTANT LINKS
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| Feb. 21 |
Third Quarter Grades Available Online, 5pm |
| Feb. 22 |
Parents in Prayer, 8am |
| Feb. 22 |
Grandparents/Special Persons Day for Freshmen, 9am |
| Feb. 24 |
Benefit Dinner Auction at Apple Mountain, 5pm |
| March 8 |
Parents in Prayer, 8am |
| March 8 |
Peeks at Valley, 11am |
| March 10 |
SAT Testing, 8am |
| March 14-17 |
Golden Voice/Symphonic Band Lenten Tour |
| March 17 |
Saginaw Antique Society Show, 9am to 4pm |
| March 18 |
Golden Voice/Symphonic Band Homecoming Concert (Trinity Reese), 3pm |
| March 19 |
No School, Winter Break |
| March 20 |
Open House, 5-6pm |
| March 21 |
Peeks at Valley, 8:15am |
| March 22 |
Parents in Prayer, 8am |
| March 23 |
No School, End of Third Quarter |
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Click on the image above to view the latest Valley Vision. |
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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.
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John Brandt
Valley Lutheran High School
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