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Parent Newsletter
January 20, 2016
Miss Feldkamp's Global Issues students recently presented their country projects and brought in food so that the classes could sample cuisine from other cultures.
Devotion
Patience
It's what many people don't have much of right now.  January is supposed to be the time for new things. A new year, new resolutions, a fresh start, new adventures, but what does it seem we are stuck with?  We have new worries, broken resolutions, new stresses, and plain frustration with dark, cold, lifeless days. Many times we want to say, "Can we just get on with the year and get to spring?  There are so many things to look forward to, why do we have to go through this period of purgatory?"

I see this time of year as a planning period. It's a time to patiently wait to contemplate what God is doing.  I love what He says in Isaiah 43:19:  Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?  Instead of being frustrated with the time of year, I try to be a productive planner, accomplishing tasks that I can do now, planning for the future, and waiting patiently for the things to come.  When I become impatient I try to reflect on what Christ has done for me and his immense patience with me, a sinful human being who wants to serve Him in whatever way He wants me to serve.  But many times I even mess that up.  Despite my faults, I take great hope in the great patience He has taken with me as He says in 1 Timothy 1:16:  But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Barry Wittig
News
First Semester Grades Available Online 
First semester grades can be accessed by going to www.mystudentdata.com and entering the following information:
  • School code: 50
  • Student ID Number:  10 digit state ID number found on student ID card 
  • Student's birth date
  • Password:  Chargers
If you have questions about your child's grades, please contact the teacher by phone (790-1676) or by
e-mail.  Teacher e-mail addresses are available on the school website: www.vlhs.com.
  
Please remember that grades can only be accessed if tuition payments are current.  Contact Royce Wegener at 790-1676 about the balance due, or Dr. John Brandt if there are special circumstances that should be considered.
Dessert Theater Set for Feb. 11th-13th
Join the Valley Lutheran High School Drama Department at a new location, Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave., Saginaw, as they present the winter one-act plays, How to Succeed in High School Without Really Trying and Who Calls?, on February 11th-13th at 7 pm.
 
Tickets are $7/Adults and $5/Students.  Prices include dessert during the intermission.  They will be available in the school office or at the door prior to each performance.
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 (not Thursdays as in past years) has been set aside to do just that, with each class encouraged to bring guests on the following dates:
  • Seniors - Wednesday, Feb. 3, 8:15am
  • Juniors - Wednesday, Feb. 10, 8:15am
  • Sophomores - Wednesday, Feb. 17, 8:15am
  • Freshmen - Wednesday, Feb. 24, 8:15am  
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.
Freshman/Sophomore Parents' Night
All freshmen and sophomore parents are invited to attend the JV girls' and 9th grade & JV boys' basketball games on Thursday, February 25th, beginning at 4:30pm.  Free passes to get into the game will be sent via email in a few weeks.  Meet us in the Cafeteria between games for some pop and popcorn and the opportunity to mingle with other 9th & 10th grade parents.
BBQ Pulled Pork Dinner, Feb. 21st
 The Parent Organization is once again hosting the BBQ Pulled Pork Dinner:
  • Menu includes: BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Beans, Coleslaw, Chips, and Dessert.
  • Come on in for a sit-down meal or take out a meal "to-go".  
  • Serving times are from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm. 
  • Cost is $8 for a meal with one sandwich, $10 for a meal with two sandwiches, and $3 for just a sandwich.
  • All funds raised go toward the 21st Century Classroom Initiative which includes collaboration, critical thinking, literacy, and technology.
Auction News 
Puttin' on the Ritz is the theme for the 13th Annual VLHS Benefit Dinner and Auction at the Apple Mountain Conference Center:  
  • Saturday, February 27, 5pm  
  • Tickets available in the office for $65.  
  • Donations are welcome!  Consider offering merchandise, tickets, services, vacation homes, or $25 gift cards to area gas stations or grocery stores.  Auction items can be dropped off in the school office.
  • For more information or ways you can help, click here for the auction brochure.
Questions?  Call the school office at 989-790-1676 or the Auction Chairwoman Beth (Lambert) Kaul at 989-754-5918 or kaulfarm@airadv.net.
Honors Diploma
The Board of Directors recently approved a new Honors Diploma.  Freshmen and Sophomores have an opportunity to pursue this diploma by completing additional graduation requirements focused on preparation for college and career. Students earning the Honors Diploma will receive an Honors sticker on their diploma, a notation on their transcript along with an explanation, and will wear a special Honor stole at graduation.  Unfortunately, because the requirements are both lengthy and rigorous, it would be difficult for juniors and seniors to complete the requirements.  However, if a junior or senior finds that they have already completed a number of the requirements, they may contact the Academic Dean to determine the possibility of completion.  More information about the Honors Diploma and the requirements will be available in February.  Questions can be directed to Lisa Meyers, lmeyers@vlhs.com. 
Guidance Corner
The FAFSA for college 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.govand clicking the "FAFSA: Applying for Aid" link. The applicationopened 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 23 - National SAT testing date (old test format)
January 26 - US Air Force Recruiters visit during lunch hours
February 3 - PSAT/NMSQT Results night - 7:00pm
February 5 - Registration deadline for the March 5 SAT (new test format)
February 6 - National ACT testing date
February 12 - Delta College FAFSA Workshop
You Should Know...
When we introduced this column several parents immediately contacted us about addressing the issue of pornography.  The links below are to the online publication "Cultural Translator" published by Axis, a Christian organization that addresses cultural issues.  These are the first two parts of a five-part series.  The remaining links 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.

You can also sign up for a free subscription to "Cultural Translator," which our faculty reviews as well, by clicking here.
Community News
Preschool Teacher Needed for 3-Year-Olds
St. John's Lutheran School in Midland is looking for a teacher for their 3-year-old pre-school program.  The position would be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-11am.  The pre-school director would assist with lessons and planning, as well as training for the position.  If you are interested, please contact Brenda Otto, principal, at (989)835-7041 ext. 1300 for more information, or email a resumé to botto@sjlmidland.org as soon as possible.  The position would start immediately. 
Upcoming Events
Jan. 23         SAT at VLHS, 7:30am-1pm
Jan. 23-24    Grade school girls' basketball tournament at VLHS
Jan. 25         Moms in Prayer, 8am 
Jan. 28         PEEKS at Valley,11am
Feb. 3           PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am (Senior invite)
Feb. 6           ACT at VLHS, 7:30am-1pm
Feb. 8           NHS Blood Drive at VLHS
Feb. 8           Moms in Prayer, 8am
Feb. 9           Open House, 5-6pm
Feb. 10         PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am (Junior invite)
Feb. 11-13    Winter Plays at Peace Lutheran Church, Saginaw, 7pm
Feb. 13-14    Grade school boys' basketball tournament at VLHS
Feb. 15         NO SCHOOL-President's Day
Feb. 17         PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am (Sophomore invite)
Feb. 18         Moms in Prayer, 7pm
Feb. 21         Pulled Pork Dinner at VLHS, 11am-1:30pm
Feb. 24         PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am (Freshman invite)
Feb. 24         Midterm grades available online after 5pm
Feb. 27         Benefit Dinner and Auction, 5pm at Apple Mt.
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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