Chapel in the Gym Returns!
After a full year of not being able to gather in the gym for daily chapels, Dr. Petzold delivered the first chapel message with the whole student body present last Friday.
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Strength Through Adversity
The topic for Theology 1 classes for the past several weeks has been adversity, which can be defined as hardships, roadblocks, difficulties, or misfortune in life. We often see adversity as bad and something we want to avoid. However, while avoiding adversity seems the easier path, is it the better path?
Scripture does speak on this topic. According to the Apostle Paul, who understood the reality of adversity, adversity should be seen as a blessing. In 2nd Corinthians 12:10, Paul writes, "For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” In other parts of scripture Paul says we should actually rejoice in hardships.
What does that mean? I recently talked to my brother who informed me that Ethiopian Christians actually pray for the church in America to experience more hardship. Wait...What? That does not seem right. As Americans we pray for the persecuted church with the thought that persecution should be taken away. Ethiopian Christians and other Northeast African Christians have been some of the most persecuted people throughout history, but they see value in their persecution. Their experience has taught them that hardship in our life can strengthen and improve our God-given faith. They pray that other Christians would also experience similar growth through persecution and adversity.
What can we learn from this? Adversity for Christians is similar to weight training. Individuals will spend countless hours and money to put their muscles through stress. This stress tears the muscle down allowing the muscle to grow back stronger and improve overall health. Adversity can have the same effect on our faith. Insults, hardships, and persecutions can tear us down, but God's strength is always present. In the end, our faith can be reinforced through adversity.
Where do we tap into God’s strength? God’s strength is found in Christian fellowship, worship, Bible study, prayer, and active discipleship. It is definitely counter cultural to see adversity as something to be thankful for, but when adversity hits, as it has this past year, count it as a blessing. In your weakness, live out your strength in Christ by surrounding yourself with Christian fellowship, attending worship, reading the Bible, developing a solid prayer life, and pursuing active discipleship through servanthood, leadership, and being an advocate for the Truth of Christ.
Is adversity enjoyable? Not really. Can it be good for us? Yes, with the help of God’s unlimited resources. We may never understand why God allows different types of adversity in life. We definitely cannot control all adversity in our life, but we can be comforted that, when we are weak, God’s strength shines through the adversity that we endure.
~Eric Smith
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March 17: 2021-22 Saginaw Career Complex registrations due to Mrs. Mueller
March 18: No School/Faculty attending MACUL Virtual Conference
March 18: Spring Information Night, 6pm
March 19: Re-enrollment form and $100 fee due
March 24: Parent Organization Fundraiser at Chipotle, 4-8pm
March 25: Sophomore Class fundraiser at Panda Express, 3-9pm
March 26: End of 3rd Quarter
March 27: ZAPS SAT Test Prep Seminar, 9am-3pm
March 31: 3rd quarter grades released
April 2-11: No School/Spring Break
April 13: PSAT/SAT testing
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Re-Enrollment Forms Due Friday!
At the Scheduling Assembly on Friday, March 5th, your student(s) received a Re-Enrollment Form for 2021-2022, along with their class selections. Please complete the front side of the form, and return with the $100 enrollment fee by Friday, March 19th.
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Segment 1 Drivers Training Offered at Valley Lutheran
Official Driving School will be offering Segment 1 Drivers Training at VLHS April 12-29th, Monday-Thursday, 3:30-5:30. There are pamphlets available in the office, or visit www.OfficialDrivingSchool.com. Use the code SNOW for $75 off!
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Spring Info Night for Prospective Students
Valley Lutheran is a place where students belong and excel! If you know a family with a 7th or 8th grader, invite them to our Spring Information Night taking place this Thursday, March 18th for a station-based, small group experience beginning at 6pm. Future Chargers and their families will have a chance to tour new spaces and meet with school leaders. Go to www.vlhs.com/InfoNight to register for a time slot. Contact Admission Counselor Amy Cooper at acooper@vlhs.com or 989.790-1676, ext. 40 for more information or questions.
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Help Us Spread the Word
Valley parents - do you know that YOU are the best Valley marketing there is? Families looking for a school want to hear authentic reviews and first-hand experiences. And that's exactly what you have to share! As you have the opportunity, we invite you to share with your friends and family what makes your Valley experience great. To help you, I made the digital business card shown here. Save the image to your phone or take a screenshot of it and have it ready when someone asks you where you send your kids to school. You can text it, post it in your neighborhood Facebook groups - share away! THANK YOU for helping spread the word about VL!
- Amy Cooper, Admissions Counselor
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Alumni News
Calling all Valley Lutheran alumni! Please share your latest highlights to be included in the next Family and Friends Alumni newsletter. New babies, recent weddings, honors and recognitions? All good reason to send a brief update, pictures welcome also! Need to update an alumni address? Send all alumni information to Heidi Behnke at hbenke@vlhs.com.
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VLHS Virtual Auction Raises Over $57,000!
Thank you to all the parents and 8th-hour students who donated to this yearly effort to support student financial aid and annual needs, in addition to purchasing specific items for the school. The 8th hour donation items raised $2,800 of the grand total!
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Eat Chipotle and Support Valley
The Parent Organization is hosting a fundraiser at Chipotle! Stop in or order online between 4-8pm on Wednesday, March 24th at the 2721 Tittabawassee Rd., Saginaw location and 33% of your total will be donated to Valley Lutheran. Use the Promo Code NY9CWDE when ordering through the app or website for your purchases to be included. Click here for the flyer to show when you order in person. Thank you for your support!
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Global Awareness Collecting Fleece Donations
The VLHS Global Awareness Club is beginning a new project after Spring Break: making fleece blankets for area pregnancy centers and women's shelters. We are in need of donations of fleece that we can use to accomplish this. If you are able and willing, please consider a donation of clean, new fleece (all designs welcome!) to the Global Awareness Club. Pieces need to be standard 54"-60" wide by 1.5 yards. Donations can be dropped off in the school office or given to Mr. Patrick Winningham. Please direct any questions to pwinningham@vlhs.com. Thank you!
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St. Lorenz Spring Fish Fry
DATE: Friday, April 16, 2021
TIME: 4-7
LOCATION: Enter through the WEC parking lot off W. Genesee and circle around to the backside of the school (by the gym).
COST: $12 per person (regardless of age)
INCLUDES: fish (hand battered cod), parsley potatoes, coleslaw, tartar sauce, bread & choice of apple or cherry pie
OTHER INFO: We can't accommodate pre-orders or special timed pick-ups this year. This is cash only, no credit cards. We prefer no checks either but have taken them in the past.
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PSAT & SAT TESTING
Just as a reminder, all freshmen and sophomores will take the PSAT as part of the State of Michigan testing on April 13th. All juniors will take the SAT with Essay on April 13th as well as part of the official Michigan Merit Exam. This is an official score that can be used for college admissions. The State of Michigan covers the cost of this day of exams and the school takes care of registering all students for the exam on April 13th.
SHOULD MY STUDENT BE TAKING THE SAT/ACT?
Students typically take these exams during the second half of their junior year or the first half of their senior year. As indicated above, all students receive one free SAT with Essay during their junior year. Many students will take the exam more than one time to try to improve their score for admissions and scholarships. Links to register for these exams are below. Need help deciding which test to take?
SCC PRIORITY ENROLLMENT
If your student is planning to attend the Saginaw Career Complex next year, their application must be handed to Mrs. Mueller by Wednesday, March 17th in order to be sent as part of our priority enrollment at the career center. Applications can be taken after Wednesday, but placement in programs will be subject to availability after that point. Applications can be found at http://www.spsd.net/scc/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/02/SCC-Application.pdf.
CLASS OF 2024 INDIVIDUAL MEETINGS
Individual meetings with current freshmen are happening now to talk about the future - career ideas, college ideas, classes, etc. Meetings are being held alphabetically by student’s Academic Seminar hours, so patience is appreciated as we work through the alphabet. Encourage your student to come prepared with questions or ideas.
ZAPS TEST PREP SEMINAR
ZAPS Test Prep seminars for the SAT will be offered in person at VLHS on Saturday, March 27 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. 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
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Click on the image above to read the latest
Valley Vision.
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Mission Statement
Preparing students for life with Christ as our foundation!
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Julian Petzold
Valley Lutheran High School
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