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Parent Newsletter
August 15, 2019
Last week the Beverly Feldkamp Memorial Cross Tower was installed and the walkway cement has been poured. Soon the doors will be open for Freshman Academy on Aug 26th and then the first day of school, Aug. 27th.
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Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it.
Is 30:21 (NIV)
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It's August and We're Getting Ready!
Construction continues all over our building!
Main office hours are M-F 8:30am - 3:30pm until the start of school.
Please refrain from entering the building un-escorted.
Call 989-790-1676
and we will meet you outside the building
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We Need Your Help
The "Great Clean-Up" is coming soon. Construction workers are working hard to have our facility ready for the first day of school. Dust has piled up from the work being done on both ends of the building and the custodians need your help to be ready for the first day of school.
Keep your eye open for a special email announcing the times for the "Great Clean-Up" consisting of washing, dusting, vacuuming, and other odd jobs. We can't do it alone. Students, parents, and others are welcome to contribute some good old fashioned elbow grease.
If you have skills installing cabinets, shelving, bulletin boards etc. please contact John Brandt at
jbrandt@vlhs.com or 989-790-1676).
Special thanks already to parents, students, teachers, and other volunteers who removed the lockers. In addition, our teachers and staff completed several projects in June.
This truly is and has been a team effort.
Items Available for a Free-Will Donation:
A couple office doors have been replaced. There are two wood composite doors available. Both are in good condition. You are welcome to them if you have a use. Contact Cathy in the school office, 790-1676, to arrange pick-up.
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Sophomore/Junior/Senior & Parent Info Night
Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors, and their parents are asked to attend meetings at school on either
Thursday, Aug. 15 or Tuesday, Aug. 20 to receive information specific to those classes. The meetings will begin at 7pm and last for about one hour. The school will be open and safe for admittance during these times.
There will be another meeting immediately following both nights for National Honor Society prospects.
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Back to School Materials
Here are a couple more suggestions:
- Ear Buds - Each student should keep a set of "ear buds" at school for personal use. We have sets of headphones available for our computer towers but when students are using the Chromebooks in the classroom, it is nice for them to have their own personal ear buds.
- ESV Lutheran Study Bible - This version of the Bible is used in all religion classes all four years. Order forms will be available at home visits and orientations or you can purchase them directly on your own at cph.org. Bibles are on sale now ($24.99 for paperback and $40.99 for hard cover). We will try to have some available at school for purchase.
- Technology Devices - Many people ask if their student can bring in a technology device. The answer is, "Yes, please!" Students may use laptops, tablets, Chromebooks, etc. in classes, academic seminar, and at lunch. While students are not required to have a device, they are encouraged to bring one (if available) and use it in the academic setting. If you are interested in purchasing a device, any laptop, tablet, or Chromebook would be acceptable.
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Freshmen and New Transfer Home Visits
Every freshman and new transfer student will have a home visit from a teacher by Aug. 22. This home visit helps everyone become acquainted before school begins, and it is a good time to get those questions answered. Expect a phone call to schedule this visit.
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Remind Accounts for School Notifications
Valley Lutheran makes use of a service called Remind to send out mass notifications in the event of a school closing or other emergency. Because Remind has restructured their account management, Valley Lutheran has deleted all previous lists and each student and family will need to re-enroll.
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, send a text message to the number 81010, with the bolded text for your list:
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Seniors - Class of 2020
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Students
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@20vlst
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Parents
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@20vlprt
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Juniors - Class of 2021
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Students
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@21vlst
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Parents
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@21vlprt
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Sophomores - Class of 2022
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Students
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@22vlst
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Parents
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@22vlprt
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Freshmen - Class of 2023
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Students
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@23vlst
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Parents
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@23vlprt
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Students have about a week and a half to finish the book for their class as the 2019-20 school year soon begins.
- Freshmen (Class of 2023): Shift by Jennifer Bradbury or Guts by Gary Paulson
- Transitional Reading Students and others by permission: Monster by Walter Dean Meyers or The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba.
- Sophomores (Class of 2022): The Book Thief by Markus Zusak or The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
- Juniors (Class of 2021): Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Patillo Beals
- Seniors (Class of 2020): All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr or Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger
Students will be required to take a comprehension test on their book when they return to school. That grade will be a part of their English grade for first quarter. For students who do not have an English class in the fall, the grade will be incorporated into another class.
Be prepared to either present your book or discuss it. This may happen in family groups, English classes, or in other classes. If you have any questions about the summer read, contact Dr. Lisa Meyers at
lmeyers@vlhs.com.
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Class of 2020 News: Senior Photos, Retreat
- Senior Portraits: Upcoming seniors and parents of seniors, please check out the guidelines for submitting your photos for next year's yearbook. If you have questions, contact Jennifer Blake at jblake@vlhs.com.
- Save the date! The Senior Class Retreat will be held Oct. 18-20 at Camp Timbers. We hope to see you there!
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Saginaw Township Transportation
Residents of Saginaw Township who would like transportation to Valley Lutheran High School need to contact Saginaw Township Transportation at 989-797-1840.
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Parent Organization Meeting Moved to Sept. 17
The next Parent Organization meeting has been rescheduled to
Sept. 17 at
6pm at
G's Pizzeria on Bay Road in Saginaw. Mark your calendars and join our great group to discuss upcoming events for the school year and enjoy dinner at the same time.
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20th Annual Golf Scramble
V
alley's 20th Annual Golf Scramble will be Saturday, Sept. 14, at Apple Mountain Golf Course. The rate remains at $85 per person to encourage and facilitate a fun and full event that is accessible to as many as possible! 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.
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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.
2019-2020 STUDENT SCHEDULES
Schedules for all students are released at 5:00 pm on Friday, August 23 via My Student Data. All students will have access to their schedule online. Schedules for the Class of 2023 will be printed and handed out at Freshman Orientation. To make a change to your requested courses, contact Mrs. Mueller at
lmueller@vlhs.com. Please note that, per the VLHS Student Handbook, all course changes require parent approval.
SENIOR PARCHMENT ACCOUNTS
All seniors should check their VLHS emails for an invitation to create an account with Parchment, a company that securely sends electronic copies of your transcripts and test scores to colleges and scholarship organizations at your request. This is a service that is free to students through their senior year of high school.
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 and for a Resume that they can complete before the start of school. 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.
SAT/ACT TESTING LINKS
Khan Academy (free test prep) - www.khanacademy.org/sat
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Community Job Opportunites
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Resource Room Aide: Peace Lutheran School, 3161 Lawndale Road in Saginaw Township, is looking for an energetic, caring person to help in our Resource Room. If you love kids and want to help them succeed, this may be the place for you! It would involve working with reading, math, phonics and grammar for Grades 1-8. You would be working in small groups or one-on-one with students under the direction of the Resource Room teacher. The position is in the mornings, 15 hours per week. Interested? Contact Mrs. Ann Witchger at
awitchger@peacesaginaw.org.
Substitute Teachers: Peace Lutheran School, 3161 Lawndale Road in Saginaw Township, is looking for caring, energetic and spiritual individuals who have a passion for teaching, as we are expanding our substitute teachers list for those times that teachers need to be out of the classroom. Applicant must have an active Teaching Certificate from the state of Michigan, a Substitute Teaching Permit from the state of Michigan, or have completed at least 60 semester hours at a credible two- or four-year college or university. Interested? Contact Mr. Keith Trent at
ktrent@peacesaginaw.org.
Infant & Toddler Aides: Peace Lutheran School, 3161 Lawndale Road in Saginaw Township, is hiring part-time classroom aides in its Early Childhood Center. We are seeking aides in our Infant and Toddler Rooms for 15-20 hours per week. Afternoons preferred. Must be dependable. Also required: Experience working with children. Childcare hours are 6:30am-6pm. Interested? Email resumes directly to
kpearson@peacesaginaw.org.
After-School Aide: Faith Lutheran School, 3033 Wilder Road in Bay City is looking for an after-school aide for its After School Care Program for the hours of 3-6pm. Call the office at 989-684-3448 if interested.
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| Aug. 15, 20 |
Sophomore, Junior, Senior Parent/Student Night, 7pm |
| Aug. 20 |
Transfer Student Orientation, 5:30pm |
| Aug. 23 |
Freshman Orientation followed by Lock-In, 7pm |
| Aug. 24 |
SAT, 8am |
| Aug. 26 |
Freshman Academy, 8am-Noon |
| Aug. 27 |
First Day of School, 8:39am
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| Aug. 29 |
School pictures |
| Aug. 30 - Sept. 2 |
No School - Labor Day Weekend |
| Sept. 3 |
School resumes, 8:39am |
| Sept. 10 |
Back to School Night for Parents, 6:30pm |
| Sept. 14 |
ACT, 8am |
| Sept. 14 |
Golf Scramble, 8:00am registration, 9:00am shot-gun start |
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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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