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Parent Newsletter
September 30, 2015
Today Valley Lutheran family groups spread out all over the Great Lakes Bay Region serving in many different capacities during the fall service day.
Devotion
In today's society there has been a push towards healthy living.  With all the self help books, training videos, and yoga classes there is an overwhelming number of health options to choose from.  How are individuals able to navigate the many health aids?  How do they figure out which ones are worth pursuing and what areas of health to focus on?  While healthy living will not gain entry into heaven, it is extremely important.  The Bible clearly instructs God's children to take care of their bodies.  
"Don't you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)  With this in mind, it is of great importance that individuals make Biblically sound choices in regard to personal health.  This can happen with a Biblical understanding of wellness.  Wellness is a proactive approach to health that encompasses healthy living.  With a holistic or well-rounded view of health, it fosters good habits in all areas of life.   

A helpful tool for Christians trying to improve Biblical wellness is the Christian Wholeness Wheel. This wholeness wheel consists of six key areas of well being: social/interpersonal, emotional,
physical, financial, vocational, and intellectual.  Each area is of equal importance and springs out of our Christian self-worth given to us through Baptism.  When true Christian self-worth is realized, it has motivational power to assist individuals towards excellence in each area of wellness. (Click here for  more information about the Christian Wholeness Wheel.)         
                                                             
Surrounding the wholeness wheel is spiritual well-being, which keeps our focus on Christ and provides a healthy balance. We are blessed as God leads each area of our lives. "The Lord will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry and keeping you healthy, too.  You will be like a well watered garden like an ever-flowing spring."  (Isaiah 58:11)  Motivated by our Baptism and guided by the cross of Christ, choices of personal health will strive toward excellence and stay inside Biblical boundaries helping to avoid negative consequences.  
~Eric Smith
News
Tuition and Midterms
First quarter mid-term grades are released to all students even if their tuition payments are not current.  However, grades for students with past due accounts will be held when grades are released at the end of the first quarter.  Please contact Royce Wegener at rwegener@vlhs.com if you are unsure of the status of your tuition account.
Midterm Grades Now Available
Midterm grades can be accessed by going to www.mystudentdata.com and entering the following information:
 
School ID: 50
 
Student ID Number:
All students will use the FULL 10-digit State ID number, printed at the bottom of their ID cards. Please call the office or e-mail Nora Krueger at nkrueger@vlhs.com if you cannot locate the numbers.
 
Student's birth date

Password: Chargers 
 
This system only offers midterm, quarter and semester report cards. We have chosen not to make grade books available on-line for several reasons: In conversation with other educators who have implemented on-line grade books, we have learned that grading grows in importance while planning and teaching lessons is diminished in importance. We want our teachers to provide an excellent lesson each day.
 
We also heard that students and families can become very reliant on this feature, which has slowed the growth of independent learners. In fact, we know of schools that have eliminated on-line grade books in high schools for this very reason. Our goal is to prepare students to be independent learners in college, a level where parents only are informed of student grades if the students allow them to be!
 
Finally, we believe that the best solution to class problems is direct communication between teacher, parent and student. If you sense a problem, please do not hesitate to contact your child's teachers by e-mail, by phone, or with a personal meeting. 
Social Security Workshop
The VLHS Foundation is hosting a workshop on Getting the Most from Social Security on Tuesday, October 20th from 6-8pm.  Presented by Troy Martlock (VL parent), the workshop will focus on:
  • Strategies to maximize your Social Security benefits
  • How you may be able to avoid paying taxes on Social Security benefits
  • Factors to consider when applying for Social Security
  • How benefits are calculated...and simple ways to increase them
  • The current state of the Social Security system...what might happen in the future
  • How to coordinate Social Security benefits with your spouse
Please RSVP to Krista Flory at kflory@vlhs.com or 790-1676 by October 13th.  A light supper will be served.

Fruit Sale Dates Set 

Valley Lutheran's Booster Club is again selling Florida Indian River seedless oranges, pink grapefruit and tangelos.  Last year $7,000 was raised for the Music, Drama, and Athletic Programs.
  • Oct. 15th           Order packets come home
  • Nov. 10th          Orders due
  • Dec. 5th            Order pick-up, 7:30am - 2pm
Questions?  Call Valley Lutheran at 790-1676 or Bill Ankoviak at 781-5796.
Buzz Books
Buzz books were distributed last week, one per VLHS family.  If you did not receive one or your information was printed incorrectly, please contact Heidi Behnke at hbehnke@vlhs.com or 790-1676.  The page with contact information for the custodial and kitchen staff was inadvertently omitted.  If you need to contact them please call the office or find their email addresses on the VLHS webpage.
Tables Available at Holiday Bazaar
The annual Valley Lutheran Holiday Bazaar is being held on Saturday, October 31st from 9am-3pm.  
Limited rental tables are available.  Click here to find the vendor contract.  Deadline is October 12th.
Guidance Corner
As we get into a routine this school year, it is important to remember that the grades you earn for this quarter impact what colleges see on your transcripts! Here are a few thoughts for each class:

Freshmen: Find a place to get connected here at Valley - whether a club, music group, sports team, or drama production. It's important to find something you are passionate about and get involved! If you don't see something that fits you, talk to a teacher about starting something new.
Sophomores: Need a work permit? See Mrs. Mueller or Mrs. Behnke in the office. Also, make sure to record any volunteer hours and extra-curricular activities for college and scholarship applications.
Juniors: Now is the time to start thinking about your future. What type of career do you want to pursue? What type of schooling does that require? Consider job shadowing - it's a great way to get a feel for a particular career before you spend four years and lots of $$$ on a college degree!
Seniors: Now is the time to submit college applications. Many schools offer merit-based scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis. Also consider re-taking the ACT or SAT to try and improve your test scores

Exploring college and career options? Check out www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org for free resources!

Articles, Information, and Resources
  • College Financial Aid Night:  Tuesday, October 13th from 7:00-8:30pm at Valley Lutheran High School. Hear presentations from a college Financial Aid Advisor, as well as local community organizations that provide grants, scholarships, and resources for college-bound students.
  • Money and College - Eight Crucial Questions for Parents and Children from the Wall Street Journal - some great information and discussion topics are included as you begin to look at the cost of college.                                                                                                                                  
  • Did you know that many car insurance companies will give students a "good student" discount for their GPA? Check with your insurance company on their policy and with Mrs. Mueller for your current GPA.
  • We are now able to send transcripts via the US Postal Service or online through websites like CommonApp, SENDedu, and Parchment. Check with Mrs. Mueller in the Guidance Office for more information.                                                                                                                              
  • SAT - Test Info, Registration, & Test Prep                                                              
  • ACT - Test Info, Registration, & Test Prep

Important October Dates:
October College Visits:
October 3 - SAT Exam
October 1 - Delta College
October 9 - Registration due for the 
November 7 SAT
October 5 - Saginaw Valley State University
October 13 - Jr/Sr Financial Aid Night (7:00pm)
October 15 - Michigan State University
October 14 - PSAT exam for Juniors (8:00am)
October 21 - Bethany Lutheran College
October 24 - ACT Exam
October 26 - Concordia University Nebraska
October 27 - Concordia Ann Arbor, US Air Force
October 28 - Grand Valley State University

Upcoming Events
Sept. 30      First Quarter Midterm grades available after 5pm
Oct. 1          Homecoming Soccer Game, 7pm
Oct. 2          Homecoming Tailgate and Parade, 5pm
Oct. 2          Homecoming Football Game, 7pm
Oct. 3          Homecoming Dance, 8-11pm
Oct. 5          Moms in Prayer, 8am
Oct. 5          Biology Field Trip, all day
Oct. 6          Entertainment Book sale ends
Oct. 14        Peeks at Valley, 11am
Oct. 15        Booster Club Fruit Sale Kick-off
Oct. 15        Moms in Prayer, 7pm
Oct. 16-18   Senior Retreat
Oct. 19        Moms in Prayer, 8am
Oct. 20        Social Security Workshop, 6pm
Oct. 22-23   NO SCHOOL - Faculty at MANS Conference
Oct. 29        PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am
Oct. 30        NO SCHOOL - End of 1st Quarter
Oct. 30        Musical Extravaganza at VLHS
Click on the image above to view the latest Valley Vision.

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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