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Parent Newsletter
January 4, 2016
Second hour classes once again collected needed items and wrapped gifts that were delivered the week before Christmas to needy families in the area.
Scripture
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:17-24
News
Chicken BBQ THIS SUNDAY
Support the VLHS Booster Club by coming out for 34th Annual Chicken BBQ on Sunday, January 10th.
  • 11:00am - 1:30pm
  • $11 for 1/2 chicken, $8 for 1/4 chicken
  • Menu includes:  mashed potatoes with gravy, corn, coleslaw, rolls, dessert, and beverage.
  • Take outs available.
Volunteers are needed for take-out, serving, and clean-up.  Contact Charlie Wood at (216) 534-6373 or ck.wood@yahoo.com if you can help or for more information.
Fruit Sale Thank You
Thank you to all who helped with the VLHS fruit sale fundraiser:  buyers, sellers, distributors, and helpers Carlos Cisneros, Hal Gatza, Tom Mueller, and Kurt Hoffmeister. Thank you to Bill Ankoviak for coordinating the sale again this year!  

Money raised from the fruit sale helps to support music, drama, athletics and many other activities at Valley Lutheran High School.  Total boxes sold for 2015 were 640, which equals 19,000 lbs. of fruit! We are fortunate and thankful to have met our goal.  Thank You!
2016 Open Houses
Valley's annual Open House series begins on the15th of January from 5-6pm.  Faculty members will be on hand to show prospective families around the facility, as well as to answer questions about VLHS.  You don't need to make a reservation, just show up!  Feel free to let your friends and neighbors know about the opportunity to check out all VLHS has to offer.
Grandparents/Special Friends Days 
Coming in February
The tradition continues!  Grandparents and Special Friends love to visit VLHS, and our students love to share with them first hand what makes Valley Lutheran so special.  This year each Wednesday in February has been set aside to do just that, with each class encouraged to bring guests on the following dates:
  • Seniors - Feb. 3rd
  • Juniors - Feb. 10th
  • Sophomores - Feb. 17th
  • Freshmen - Feb. 24th  
 Our special guests will take a tour of the school, sit through an entire class with their student host, attend a chapel service, and taste a VLHS lunch if they would like.

For more information contact Doug Guenther at 989-790-1676 or dguenther@vlhs.com.
Auction Tickets Available This Week
Puttin' on the Ritz is the theme for the 13th Annual VLHS Benefit Dinner and Auction at the Apple Mountain Conference Center on Saturday, February 27th, 2016.  Tickets are now available in the office.  Don't delay!  Tickets for this event have sold out in past years.  For more details, check the auction brochure which should have arrived in the mail over Christmas break.
Exam Schedule for Select Classes
The following classes will hold their first semester exam on January 14th and 15th during their regular class period:  Statistics, Advanced Chemistry, Psychology, Keyboarding, 9th grade PE/Health, British Literature, and all Art courses.
Emergency School Closing Procedure  
As winter approaches, we anticipate school closings.  Since our students live in many communities, there are times when travel may be difficult close to home, yet quite easy in other areas.  Your child's safety is our primary concern and we respect your decision to keep them home, or send them to school later, if local conditions make travel difficult.  In addition to the regular cancellation announcements on TV and radio, you can check our website for information, especially concerning extra-curricular activities.

Emergency school closings due to weather and other factors will be announced on radio stations 
WSGW (790 AM), WTCF (100.5 FM), and WNEM (Channel 5).  Valley Lutheran will be announced separately and independently of any other schools or districts. You can receive school closing text alerts from WNEM by signing up here.  You can also register your cell phone, email, or both at remind.com/join/vlhs1516 to receive notifications. 
Volunteers Needed to Assemble College Care Packages
The auction committee would like to offer a college care package to be auctioned off at the annual VLHS Benefit Auction in February. A winning bidder parent would be buying a monthly care package for their college student.  The volunteer for the month (Sept-April) would be expected to send a package no larger than a medium size flat rate box filled with snacks, school supplies, treats, etc. worth about $20. You will know your month well in advance to stock up on sales and parents will pass on preferences.  Please contact Lori Milroy at lorimilroy@charter.net or (989) 412-3666 if you have questions or would like to volunteer. 
From the Athletic Director
As part of an effort to provide a safe athletic experience for all Michigan student-athletes and to enhance the health of these athletes, the MHSAA provides all of its member schools (of which Valley Lutheran is one) with an insurance policy that covers both catastrophic injuries as well as suspected concussions.  Athletes are covered with practicing or competing while under MHSAA jurisdiction.  Please contact Kurt Hofmeister at khofmeister@vlhs.com if you'd like more details on the policy.  Click here for the information letter to all parents. 

Time Management Tips for Student-Athletes
Many student-athletes quickly learn that there aren't as many hours in the day as they would like.  Time management is a crucial life skill for anyone, but especially busy athletes in season.  Here are a few tips, with more to be shared in later publications:

1.  Spend less time on social media: as we all know, they can be extremely time-consuming.  Consider knocking of one hour off a day and using it in another way.
2.  Spread out the work: take time to divide the work and do a little each day rather than cramming.
3.  Use a calendar/ organizer: need it in writing??...use a planner.  Prefer it electronically??...many free apps are available to sync your activities to your phone or other device.
4.  Plan ahead: talk with the important people in your life ahead of time to ensure you're getting the things done that need to be done.
You Should Know...
When we introduced this column several parents immediately contacted us about addressing the issue of pornography.  The link below is to the online publication "Cultural Translator" published by Axis, a Christian organization that addresses cultural issues.  This is the first edition of a five-part series that will be included in future parent newsletters:  


Parenting and sexual issues have never been easy.  Unfortunately, pornography is not only an issue for high school students.  It is an issue for all ages and it is quietly invading our homes through the internet.  I hope this series helps.  

You can also sign up for a free subscription to "Cultural Translator," which our faculty reviews as well, by clicking here.
Guidance Corner
The FAFSA is now open for the 2016-2017 academic year. All students who plan on receiving any type of financial aid need to apply. You can find the application here or by going to https://studentaid.ed.gov and clicking the "FAFSA: Applying for Aid" link. The application opened January 1st, 2016, and should be submitted by March 1, 2016 for consideration for state aid as well as federal aid.

Delta College is hosting a FAFSA Workshop open house on Friday, February 12th from 5-7pm. Their financial aid advisors will be available to help you in filing your FAFSA, regardless of the college you plan to attend. More information can be found at http://www.delta.edu/financial-aid-office/events.aspx.

PSAT/NMSQT Results Night will be held on Wednesday, February 3rd at 7:00pm. Students who took the exam in October AND their parents should attend. You will receive a paper copy of your score report at the event, as well as information on interpreting what each of the numbers mean and how to continue to prepare for the upcoming SAT testing. Students should be able to access their scores through their online Collegeboard account starting January 7th.

Interested in the latest scholarship opportunities that have come into Valley? Check out our Scholarship Opportunities page online or on the Guidance Board. These will be updated as we receive more!

Parents of male seniors: Don't forget that your student needs to register with Selective Services on his 18th birthday. Registration is required in order to receive government financial aid for college. Register online today!

College and Career Resources

Important Dates
January 1 - FAFSA opens for the 2016-2017 academic year
January 8 - ACT registration for February 6 testing due
January 15 - End of 1st Semester
January 20 - Grades released online by 5:00pm
January 23 - National SAT testing date (old test format)
Upcoming Events
Jan. 10    BBQ Chicken Dinner, 11am-1:30pm
Jan. 11    Moms in Prayer, 8am
Jan. 13    PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am
Jan. 14    Moms in Prayer, 7pm
Jan. 15    First Semester Ends
Jan. 15    Open House, 5-6pm
Jan. 18    NO SCHOOL-Professional Development Day
Jan. 20    First Semester Grades online after 5pm   
Jan. 25    Moms in Prayer, 8am
Jan. 28    PEEKS at Valley, 11am
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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