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Parent Newsletter
June 12, 2015

 Congratulations Class of 2015! 
Final Grades Mailed Today 
The final report cards are NOT online.  Final grades are being mailed via United States Postal Service today, Friday, June 12.  Every student will be receiving this mailing, but report cards will not be in the envelope if that student owes money or has materials that need to be turned in (such as uniforms, books, etc.).  If you do not receive the mailing by Wednesday, June 17, please contact Mr. Rogers at 989-790-1676 or rrogers@vlhs.com.
  
Freshman Placement Test Results
Freshman placement test results will be mailed sometime in the next two weeks.  If you do not receive your results by the end of June, contact Dr. Lisa Meyers at 989-790-1676 or email lmeyers@vlhs.com.
Summer Read 
The summer read selection for 2015 is Counting By 7's  by Holly Goldberg Sloan. Students are required to read the book and follow the guidelines found here to complete the three-part project.  The assignment is due on Thursday, August 27th.
  
Contact Dr. Lisa Meyers, Academic Dean, at 989-790-1676 or email lmeyers@vlhs.com with any questions.

Literary Contest Winners Announced 

Each spring the Parent Organization sponsors a literary contest for our students.  Congratulations go to freshmen Clara Jekel (1st) and Rebecca Gehm (2nd) with the winning poetry entries.

Sophomore Sarah Kempin won 1st again in the prose catagory, with Senior Elizabeth Bierlein winning the 2nd place prize.  Click here to access the VLHS webpage where the links to their compositions can be found.

Support Trip to France in July 2016

VLHS French students who are traveling to France on an evangelism mission trip in July 2016 are willing to do yard work, babysit, return pop cans, and help with other odd jobs or summer projects to help fund their 11-day trip.  If you, or someone you know, is looking for help this summer and would like to support this effort, please contact Cris Urbytes and she'll connect you with the students.  You may reach her at urbytes@charter.net, 652-3422 or 810-423-6310. Merci beaucoup! 

Booster Club Thank You

The Valley Lutheran Booster Club would like to offer a hearty "thank you" for the many, many parents who have volunteered to make our extracurricular activities very special for our students and children.   Even though said many times, "we couldn't do it without you," it is absolutely true and appropriate in this case.  Many of you realize the time and sacrifices necessary to help out, so thank you!  The Booster Club has had another year blessed by our heavenly Father and we owe Him everything.  Please keep the Board members in your prayers as they have dedicated a good deal of their time, energy, and resources to give the Club purpose and direction. 

Summer Camp Openings
There are still some openings in upcoming summer camps:
  • June 15-18:  Boys Basketball, Boys/Girls Soccer, Computer Animation, and Powerpoint Graphics and Animation
  • June 23-26:  Volleyball and Wrestling

See the brochure link below for exact times of the camps.  Contact Mrs. Amy Cooper at 989-790-1676 or acooper@vlhs.com for further information.  No t-shirts can be guaranteed for late registrants as shirts have already been ordered.  Shirts are given to students in the order in which they registered.

 

VLHS Summer Camps 2015

Summer Camp Registration Form

Next Sport Physical Day is Aug 3rd

Attention all athletes planning on participating in sports during the 2015-16 school year:  Physicals will be given by Dr. James LaFleur in the VLHS cafeteria and locker rooms on Monday, August 3rd from 5-6:30pm.  Cost is $12 per person payable to Dr. LaFleur.  Forms are available in our office or can be found at the link below.  The form should be filled out BEFORE the physical is done.

 

 Sport Physical Form 

 

Any physical done after April 15, 2015, is valid for the coming year.  Fall sport practices begin on August 10 for football and August 12 for all other fall sports.

Summer Jobs - A Chance to Learn
Many students are hopeful about summer jobs.  The primary motivation may be nothing greater than earning some "gas" money.  However, there is much to learn on the summer job that helps establish work habits that reap benefits in the future.  Unfortunately, summer jobs are not as plentiful as they once were.  That doesn't mean that students can't learn the same lessons in a different manner.
 
This article by Tim Elmore not only explains the lessons learned in summer jobs, but also provides useful tips on how parents can teach their children the same important lessons.
Senior Picture Guidelines
Upcoming Seniors and parents of Seniors, please check out the following guidelines for submitting your photos for next year's yearbook.  

Senior Portrait Yearbook Specs                               

If you have any questions contact Miss Feldkamp at bfeldkamp@vlhs.com.
Upcoming Events 
June 13        ACT at Valley, 8am
Aug. 3          Sports Physicals at Valley, 5-6:30pm
Aug. 3          Parent Newsletter e-mailed
Aug. 10        Fall Football practice begins
Aug. 12        Boys Soccer, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Cross-   
                    Country, and Girls Golf practice begins 
Aug. 25        School begins, 8:39am
  
Do you want more information about what is happening at Valley? Go to our website by clicking here.
In This Issue
Final Grades and Freshman Placement Results
Summer Read Assignment
Literary Contest Winners
France Trip
Booster Club Thank You
Summer Camp Openings
Sport Physical Day
Summer Jobs
Senior Picture Guidelines
Upcoming Events
Devotion



Book Ends
  
     Graduation, like New Year's Eve,
 gives me the chance to take pause and contemplate the year past.  There were "big picture" moments, like recognition as an Exemplary Lutheran School, or the mortgage burning that closed a chapter in our history but also serves as the beginning a new one, or the national recognition of distinguished Lutheran educators Mrs. Amy Cooper (math) and Mr. Ben Cooper (science).  There were the immediate celebrations like the continued state-wide recognition of the excellence of the Symphonic Band and Golden Voice or the state championship for the poms.  And there were innumerable individual "victories" from lessons that really hit their mark, to students who sensed and strived toward their potential.  I am certain that you have your own "Yes!" moments.
 
     The school year was "book-ended" in the Fall by the sudden loss of son, brother, friend, and alumnus, Michael Felton, and Marylou Roekle (mother of Tom and friend to many), and in the Spring by the loss of Pastor Al Stoll (father of Barb Doyle, tutor to some at Valley Lutheran, and friend to many).  These losses, and others you may have experienced, are stark reminders that regardless the good moments that describe the year, there is one thing that is needful.  And the Apostle John said it best, 
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
 

     Sometimes the Christian faith is held in reserve for the most desperate times.  Yet it was Jesus who said, "I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  Linked here is the music video for the song Flawless, by Mercy Me, that reminds us there is forgiveness in God's amazing grace and in God's eyes we are truly flawless.  I was introduced to this video by the grandfather of one of our students.  He, like so many, is concerned about the faith of generations following him.  I shared it at our closing chapel.  I pray that God's amazing grace will impact every day, including the final "book end."
                              ~John Brandt
  
  
 
  
  
  
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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.
  
  
John Brandt
Valley Lutheran High School
3560 McCarty Rd.
Saginaw, MI  48603
988-790-1676