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Parent Newsletter
September 30, 2020
Thank you to the Valley Lutheran Booster Club for outfitting
all students, faculty, and staff with VL masks!
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Three Buckets
Life is chaotic. Our world has so much going on, and it seems like every week someone opens up a new level of Jumanji and all of the sudden we are thrown another curveball. For someone like me who thrives on control, routine, and predictability, this is hard. Really hard.
Imagine with me for a moment that you carry three buckets. These buckets are used to sort out situations - ones you can control, ones you cannot control, and ones over which you have influence. Are you guilty of trying to put every situation into the bucket you can control? I know I can be. But this simple illustration helps us to prioritize those situations that warrant our time and energy over those situations that require us to let go and trust in God.
Jeremiah 17:7-8 states: "Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit."
The imagery used in Jeremiah is incredible. Even when times get tough - heat comes and drought is upon us, we remain healthy and bear fruit. Why? Because we are connected to the source of all life - Christ Jesus. I cannot always control the situations around me. Perhaps I can influence them, but more often than not right now I have to relinquish control and focus on what I can do: connect to my Savior, draw close to His Word, and rest in that peace that passes all understanding. May you find opportunities to connect to Christ as we travel through this strange and unusual time together trusting in the Lord.
~Lindsay Mueller |
First quarter midterms have been emailed to parents and students using the email address on file with the school.
The email subject will be First Quarter Midterms. If you do not see this email in your inbox, please check your SPAM folder before contacting Valley. If you do not have a current email on file, you may need to reach out to us.
If you do not receive an email, please contact School Counselor Mrs. Lindsay Mueller for assistance.
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October 14th is State Testing Day
On October 14th all students will be participating in free testing (SAT or PSAT) provided by the state. This testing is being offered because of the canceled state testing last spring. While Valley Lutheran is not required to administer these tests, we do so for a number of reasons:
- all students have the opportunity to practice taking the college admission test,
- seniors receive a free college-reportable SAT score,
- juniors have the opportunity to try for the National Merit Scholarship,
- we have the chance to evaluate our different curricular programs,
- and we can obtain an average score that allows us to be compared with other local schools.
In short, our participation in this program can benefit individual students as well as the school. Please make every effort for your student to be at school on October 14th as make-up tests will not be available for grades 9 - 11 and the makeup for seniors would pull them out of classes on a later date.
Students are dismissed from school after their test has been completed. Lunch will not be served that day however students may bring water and a snack for any breaks during testing. They should also bring with them several #2 pencils and a calculator. We will be testing students using the smallest group numbers possible. Our teachers will serve as the test proctors. Students and parents will receive test results in approximately 6 - 8 weeks after the testing day. Please contact Dr. Meyers ( lmeyers@vlhs.com) or Mrs. Mueller ( lmueller@vlhs.com) if you have additional questions.
See the chart below for the timing for each grade.
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Grade Level
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Test Taken
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Start Time
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Approx. Ending Time
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9
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PSAT 8/9
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8:00 am
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11:45 am
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10
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PSAT/NMSQT
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8:00 am
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12:00 noon
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11
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PSAT/NMSQT
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8:00 am
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12:00 noon
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12
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SAT
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8:00 am
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1:00 pm
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FREE SCORE SENDS
Students who are taking the SAT with Essay (seniors) can send their scores to up to four colleges or scholarship programs at no cost. Score sends are optional, but students are encouraged to demonstrate their interest in their chosen schools early. Parental consent is not required for students to utilize their four free score sends. Students will indicate their schools of choice the day of testing.
STUDENT SEARCH SERVICE
Student Search Service connects students with colleges and scholarship organizations by sharing their information with participating organizations. This offers you and your student:
- Information about colleges and universities that match your student's academic interests
- Information on financial aid and scholarships to help deserving students access scholarships they've earned
- Information about majors, courses, and degree options
The College Board only shares student data with eligible colleges, universities, scholarships, and educational opportunity programs that have signed an agreement to only communicate with students for the purposes listed above. To participate in Student Search Services, your student should register at https://studentsearch.collegeboard.org/. This is the only way to register for this service. Students WILL NOT submit this information as part of their demographic information on test day.
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Lunch Program Change
VLHS participates in the National School Lunch Program. We are now able to provide a free lunch to ALL students beginning Thursday, September 24th. A second lunch may be purchased with a lunch card, or $3.75 cash. Please retain any unused cards, as we do not know how long this program will be available.
Any underage children not enrolled at VLHS can go to www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup to find a locator site map where they can go for free meals. |
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Invite an 8th grader to Fall Information Night
The format has changed, but the message is the same: Valley Lutheran is a place where students belong and excel! If you know a family with an 8th grader, invite them to our Fall Information Night taking place next Tuesday, October 6th (rain date will be the 8th) for a station-based, mostly outdoor, small group experience beginning at 5pm. Future Chargers and their families will have a chance to tour new spaces and meet with school leaders. Go to www.vlhs.com/FINregistration 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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Picture Retakes
Picture Retakes will be Tuesday October 6th, 7:30-9am. Also, if you did not order pictures, but would still like to, please bring the packet in on this day with your order and payment.
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Mum Sale this Friday
Fall is here! Consider adding some gorgeous color to your yard and supporting the VLHS Parent Organization by purchasing potted mums from Boehler's Greenhouse. Mums cost $10 each, and the sale runs this 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.
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School Spirit Tastes Great!
Wednesday, October 7th is the day to grab a bite to eat at Chipotle between 4:00-8:00pm and support Valley Lutheran at the same time. Click here for the flyer to present to the cashier so that 33% of the proceeds will be donated to VLHS.
Please help out the Parent Organization. Our 2 biggest fundraisers are cancelled this year, so we are trying something different to help support teacher & classroom needs. Last year the Parent Organization purchased 2 large TVs for new classrooms and 3 desks for the Special Needs area totaling just over $10,000.00. Your help to replenish the funds is greatly appreciated! Show the flyer on your phone or pick one up in the office. Thanks for your support!
The next Parent Organization meeting will be on October 20th at a location to be determined. Look for more information in the next Parent Newsletter.
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Booster Club Fruit Sale
The VLHS Boosters annual fruit sale will run October 12th through November 10th.
- Navel Oranges, Pink Grapefruit, Mandarins, and Mixed Boxes will be sold in 20 lb. and 40 lb. boxes.
- The fruit will be boxed bulk, with no trays, except Citrus Delight.
- ALL fruit will be from Florida.
Watch for envelopes to be distributed to your students October 12th. Fruit will be distributed December 3rd, 4th and 5th. Call the office at 989.790.1676 for more details.
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Parents in Prayer Meeting Schedule
Parents in Prayer will be meeting in the Track Barn (the building at the north end of the football stadium) this year from 8-9:30 am on the following Wednesdays: Oct. 14th, Oct. 28th, Nov. 11th, Nov. 18th, and Dec. 9th. COVID rules will not keep us from praying! Please join in at any time during the 8-9:30am window, and dress for the weather. Please direct any questions or prayer requests to Carla Belill at 989.295.3018 or at parentsinprayer@vlhs.com. |
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
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 |
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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
Valley Lutheran High School
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