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Parent Newsletter
September 7, 2020
Students wear bracelets commemorating the life of former Junior classmate Dawson that bear a reminder of the powerful hope that we have in Jesus and his resurrection.
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Greetings!
"Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 1:2
In the New Testament, Paul wrote many letters to the early church (Christians) in particular cities. When he would write to them, he always included a greeting before he would address the issues at hand in the lives of the believers. I have been blessed to have been greeted very warmly here at Valley Lutheran. I've been greeted with great kindness by faculty, staff, parents, board members, and even some people in the Saginaw community. Did you even notice that I didn't include students in that list of people?
Well, now that school has started, that has changed. I get to greet the students every morning, and they have been greeting me. That has been a real joy for me, and I pray it is meaningful for students as well. Admittedly, not every student responds to my cheerful greeting that early in the morning, and that's to be expected!!
The greeting, or beginning, of a conversation is important. The beginning of a relationship has value. The beginning of a school year sets the tone. When Paul wrote to the early Christians, he wanted two things to be evident through his letters - grace and peace. Perfect grace and peace only come from "God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." However, may we seek to begin this school year, and all our interactions with others, with God's grace and peace.
For all of you I haven't had the opportunity to meet yet, I look forward to a greeting filled with grace and peace when I do get to meet you.
Julian Petzold
Executive Director
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Back to School Night in Digital Format
Yes, Back to School Night is still happening Tuesday, September 8th! Since we cannot invite parents into the building at this time, your brief journey through a day in the life of your Valley student will be a digital slide presentation loaded with lots of information you need to know. Hear from Dr. Meyers, see what chapel looks like these days, and click on links for each of your student's classes. There will also be information presented about our school support organizations such as the Booster Club, Parent Organization, Parents in Prayer, and the Golf Outing.
While we will all miss the in-person fellowship and the giant cookies, your "attendance" at Back to School Night is a great way to learn more about how Valley Lutheran is adapting to the challenges of this school year, as we Press On in meeting the academic, physical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of our students and their families.
So how do you "attend" this fantastic event? Click on the link here anytime after 6pm, Tuesday, September 8th. You can view at a time that is convenient for you! Look for an email from Guidance Counselor Lindsay Mueller after 10am tomorrow with your student's schedule attached so that you know what classes to check out. At the end of the presentation you will have an opportunity to give feedback and ask questions through a survey link. Thank you so much for investing your time in this important event! |
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Remind Accounts - Text & Email Alert Sign Up
If you haven't yet enrolled in the Remind account for the 2020-21 school year, please do so soon! We ask that individual parents and students sign up for one parent and one student list only, as each list will receive the same notifications and lists are limited to 150 members. Remind is used only in the event that we would contact the entire student body with the same message. Families are limited to a maximum of two (2) parent accounts, and families with students in multiple grades should only sign up for one grade's list. Please help us be good stewards of our available memberships on each list.
To sign up for email alerts, go to rmd.at/your code and follow the instructions.
To sign up, send a text message to the number 81010, with the bolded text for your list:
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Seniors - Class of 2021
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Students
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@21vlstu
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Parents
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@21vlpar
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Juniors - Class of 2022
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Students
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@22vlstu
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Parents
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@22vlpar
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Sophomores - Class of 2023
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Students
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@23vlstu
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Parents
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@23vlpar
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Freshmen - Class of 2024
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Students
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@24vlstu
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Parents
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@24vlpar
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VL Apparel Sale Deadline is TONIGHT
You have until 11:59pm tonight, September 7th, to order your Valley Lutheran apparel through the Sandlot Sports online store. Orders will arrive by the end of the month and proceeds benefit the VL Booster Club. Click here to order! |
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Class of 2021: Senior Photos
We want to make sure we get the best picture to put into the Yearbook, so submit pictures that present your senior as he or she wants to be remembered. Submissions are due by Nov. 1st. Please remember these guidelines as you have your senior's pictures taken:
- Format: Digital Submissions ONLY
- Email all submissions to yearbook@vlhs.com
- Resolution: No less than 300
- Photos will be cropped for you. Only head and shoulders will be visible in the Yearbook.
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E-Learning on Fall Service Day
Putting faith into action is an important part of the mission of Valley "to serve in the world". Valley Lutheran students will still have an opportunity to serve the community, but our usual Service Day format with students going out into the community with their Family Groups has to be altered. While the specifics of this service are still in the planning stages, please note that the original Service Day on the calendar for Wednesday, September 23rd will be an e-learning day, and students are not required to be in the school building. More information will be coming soon!
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21st Annual Golf Outing
FORE!! Look out! You may not have seen this coming, but the 21st Annual VLHS Golf Outing is still a go!
We've all been going through a rough couple of months with the global pandemic. So what better way to get out of the house, stretch your legs, and enjoy the late summer weather than to play some golf, have some fun, and support a great school in the process?
Cost per golfer is $70, which includes 18 holes of golf with cart and a lite lunch at the turn.
We realize it may look and feel different than in the past, due to the group gathering restrictions (no post-round banquet). But, we are committed to holding this important event which generates valuable scholarship funds for VL students. And, we will work diligently to ensure a safe environment for all participants.
We still intend to pass out any course-game prizes after the outing.
If you are unable to join us but would like to sponsor/donate for the raffle (such as baskets, gift certificates, etc.), please contact Heidi Behnke at 989.790.1676.
Looking FOREward to TEEing with you on September 19th!
Stay safe and God Bless,
Jeff Roscoe
VL Golf Scramble Chairman
Click here for the registration form. |
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Mum Sale is October 2nd
Fall is just around the corner! Consider adding some gorgeous color to your yard and supporting the VLHS Parent Organization with their potted mum sale. Mums cost $10 each, and the sale runs Friday, October 2nd from 1 pm until the last mum is sold. The mums will be sold in the parking lot on a cash and carry basis. Thank you to Boehler's Greenhouse in Saginaw for being this year's vendor.
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STARTING THE NEW YEAR!
A new school year is a great way to get a fresh start or to reinforce good habits. So how can you make this year great?
-Set goals for the school year. What do you want to accomplish this year? Write it down, then break it down into smaller steps towards achieving your goal.
-Be prepared. Do you have the materials you need to be successful in your classes? Most students are successful when they have a separate folder or binder for each of their classes. And don't forget your planner!
-Create (new) good habits. Maybe it's being on time for school, or writing down your assignments in a planner. Whatever you want to improve on, go for it!
-Go out of your way to make someone feel welcome. We are all part of the Valley family. Build new friendships or intentionally strengthen the ones you already have. Be that person who lifts others up!
-Take a deep breath. You've got this. The start of the year can be stressful, but you've got your team in place, cheering you on at home and in the classroom. Take it one day at a time, and don't forget to smile!
SENIOR PARCHMENT ACCOUNTS Valley Lutheran uses a secure digital document service called Parchment to send transcripts and test scores to colleges and other academic institutions. If your senior is ready to start sending these documents in tandem with college applications, they can go to www.parchment.com and create a learner account using a personal email address (not their school email). Mrs. Mueller will also be going into senior classes to demonstrate how to set up an account and order transcripts with students. Parchment Quickstart Guide
SENIOR RECOMMENDATION LETTERS Throughout senior year, it is common for students to ask teachers, coaches, and other mentors for letters of recommendation. Each senior has been sent a template through Google Classroom for a Brag Sheet that they can complete. These documents are designed to be given to those writing letters in order to provide strong, personal recommendations. Mrs. Mueller is happy to provide copies to students as needed.
AP EXAMS CollegeBoard has changed the process for students to register for the AP Exams that take place each May. All students currently taking an AP course have been given information on registering online for the exam for their class, and AP teachers are helping students with this process. Any student wanting to take an AP Exam in a subject area we do not offer as an official AP course should speak to Mrs. Mueller ASAP, as students must be registered online by October 1.
AP Exams are $94 each, and payment should be given to the office by October 1st as well. Students who qualify for Free/Reduced lunch also qualify for a reduced exam fee of $53. These students will be notified individually. (If the payment deadline poses a difficulty for your family, please make other arrangements with Mrs. Mueller.)
ZAPS TEST PREP SEMINAR ZAPS Test Prep seminars are now being offered virtually for both the SAT and ACT. The seminar will focus on test strategies and tips for approaching any subject area of the exam, as well as short practice tests to put those strategies to use immediately. To register for the seminar, go to www.doorwaytocollege.com or call 877-927-8378.
IMPORTANT LINKS Khan Academy (free test prep) - www.khanacademy.org/sat |
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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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Julian Petzold
Executive Director
Valley Lutheran High School
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