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Parent Newsletter
April 6, 2016

Valley Lutheran's Michigan Envirothon Team participated in their first competition of the season at the Shiawassee Natural Wildlife Refuge on March 18th.  Students were tested on forestry, aquatic ecology, soil, wildlife, and invasive species.  They now advance to the State Competition that will take place at Sault Ste. Marie in May.  Congratulations Envirothon Team!
Devotion
Spring Has Come!
I love the season of spring, but unfortunately, this year's spring break both began and ended with snow.  I suppose that's not entirely unusual for Michigan, but at this point I'm frustrated and beginning to feel a bit like a character from C.S. Lewis's allegorical masterpiece, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.  Like Mr. Tumnus, Mr. and Mrs. Beaver, and the Pevensie children in Narnia, I'm left wondering if spring will ever return to Saginaw and if winter will ever end.  When will spring finally win the battle of climates?
In literature (like The Chronicles of Narnia) Winter is often meant to symbolize death, hopelessness, and despair.  And while we might feel like our Michigan winter is never going to end, thanks be to God that Christ has defeated the metaphorical winter of death and despair.  What a beautiful reminder we had of that on Easter Sunday.  The grave is empty!  The White Witch loses!  Winter is over and Spring has come!  We can rejoice with all believers and say, "Death has been swallowed up in victory!" (1Corinthians 15:54b) and this victory doesn't last just for a season, but for eternity! 
He is risen!  He is risen, indeed!  Alleluia!
~Jeanette Weilnau
News
Third Quarter Grades Available Online 
Third quarter grades can be accessed by going to www.mystudentdata.com and entering the following information:
  • School code: 50
  • Student ID Number:  Call the office or e-mail Nora Krueger ([email protected]) if you cannot locate the student ID number.  
  • Password: Chargers 
  • Student's birth date
If you have questions about your child's grades, please contact the teacher by phone (790-1676) or by email.  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.  If you have any problems, please call 790-1676.
Unique Day on Tuesday, April 12th
On Tuesday, April 12th  most of the VLHS students will be participating in a variety of testing.  The juniors will be taking a real SAT as part of the Michigan Merit Exam.  The freshmen and sophomores will be taking a real PSAT.  Testing will begin promptly at 8:00 am - please note that students will need to be at school before 8:00am even though it is a Tuesday.  They should bring #2 non-mechanical pencils and an approved calculator.  Students are dismissed after their test has concluded.  No lunch will be served.  Estimated release times are listed below:
                                Juniors                                  SAT              8am-1pm
                                Freshmen/Sophomores       PSAT           8am-noon

In addition, AP English and AP Spanish students will be taking their final exam during the following times:  AP English: 8am-noon
            AP Spanish: 2pm-6pm
Seniors who are not in AP English or AP Spanish do not need to report to school on April 12th.

All testing is paid for by the State of Michigan.  We are once again participating in the state testing for several reasons:

         1.  To give our juniors a free opportunity for the SAT college entrance exam

         2.  To give freshmen and sophomores a practice opportunity for the college entrance exam

         3.  To receive valuable, detailed information about how our students perform on specific skills that               can be used to evaluate and improve our curriculum


 

Juniors Taking the MME

The Juniors are once again participating in the Michigan Merit Exam.  We opted out for two years when the testing process became extreme in length (over 15 hours of testing).  When the state dramatically reduced the testing in August, we applied to be readmitted. The benefit of participating is that the juniors will receive a free SAT, taken during the school day, that they may use for college entrance and scholarships.  Additionally, VLHS will receive detailed information on how well the juniors perform on many academic skills.  These reports are a valuable tool used by the faculty to evaluate and improve our curriculum.

The schedule for the MME is as follows:
         Tuesday, April 12th          SAT                  8am-1pm      Students are dismissed at 1:00 pm
                                                                                                 (no regular classes).  Students take
                                                                                                  tests in reading, writing, and                                                                                                                       mathematics.

          Wednesday, April 13th    WorkKeys         8am-11am     Students will rejoin their regular
                                                                                                   schedule (in progress) starting at 11am. 
                                                                                                   Students take tests in Reading, Math,                                                                                                        and Locating Information.

          Thursday, April 14th        MSTEP         12:55-3:05pm    Michigan testing on science and social
                                                                                                   studies done on computer.  Students                                                                                                          may stay after 3:05 if they wish to have                                                                                                      more time.

It is crucial that students are in attendance on these days as make-up testing is required.  Students who attend a career technical school have been excused from those schools so that they may participate in testing.  Students must be on time as the testing rules mandate an 8am start.  Students should bring #2 non-mechanical pencils and approved calculators (lists posted at school) for Day 1 and Day 2 of testing.  Please contact Lindsay Mueller or Lisa Meyers at 790-1676 with any questions.
Spring Musical Tickets On Sale Soon!
The Valley Lutheran Drama Department will be presenting the musical The Pajama Game on April 28th, 29th, and 30th at 7pm.  Tickets go on sale starting Tuesday, April 12th.  Limited reserved tickets are $9 for adults and $7 for students.  General admission is $8 for adults and $6 for students.  Seating is limited and advanced purchase is encouraged!
Time to Sign Up for Tuition Assistance
Tuition Assistance Applications for the 2016-2017 school year can be picked up in the office or downloaded by clicking here.  Applications are due May 1st for full consideration.  Applications received after May 1st will be considered as funds are available with a minimum late penalty reduction of 10% of the recommended grant.  
Parent Organization Meeting
The next VLHS Parent Organization meeting will be on Tuesday, April 19th, 7pm, in the cafeteria.  We are in need of new members as we have some very faithful servants who will be moving on next year with their graduates. Detailed information regarding each Parent Organization event will be given out at this meeting. Please consider attending.
Charger Post Prom Party 2016
The annual POST PROM PARTY is planned for April 23rd  beginning at 11pm.  Your child doesn't need to attend Prom to come to the Post Prom Party!  There will be lots of food and fun!
NOTE:  There will be a secure place to put all prom attire if you are coming right from Prom. 
  • Location:  Saginaw Valley State University Ryder Center
  • Time:  Saturday 4/23 11:00pm - Sunday 4/24 4:30am
  • There will be TWO cash machines and a Belly-Flop contest.  
  • The pool will be available (bring your suit and towel) and as will the racquetball courts (bring your own racquets).
  • Lots of prizes and money will be given away:  every Junior and Senior from Valley will leave Post Prom with a prize!
  • Cost is $15.
  • Tickets will go on sale during lunch hours on Tuesday 4/19, Wednesday 4/20 and Thursday 4/21.
Summer Camps & Classes at VLHS 
Summer camps and classes return to Valley this summer: 
  • Six-week Credit Recovery Classes in June and July for Valley students who have failed classes during the school year 
  • Sports and extra-curricular camps during June (June 14-30) for students entering grades 4-9
  • New camps this summer include Drama camp and two new computer-based camps, Computer Programing, and Computer Web Design, for 6th-9th graders.
A detailed flyer and registration form is available here.  Please share with any friends and family who are looking for fun and affordable camps for their middle schoolers!
12th Annual Handbell Concert
You are invited to attend the 12th Annual Handbell Concert on Sunday, April 17th, 4pm in the VLHS gymnasium.  Come and hear Valley's own Glorify bell choir, as well as bell choirs from several other area churches.  
STEM Scholars Summer Camps at SVSU
SVSU is hosting four "free" STEM Scholars Summer Camps this summer. The camps are Growing in the Future with Plant Science, STEM Exploration Camp, SVSU Robotics and Beyond, and Fruits as Natural Bleaches. Please see Mrs. Behnke for the application and dates.
Next VLHS Open House on THURSDAY, April 28th
Who do you know who would benefit from an outstanding, Christ-centered high school experience?  Invite them to our next Open House on Thursday, April 28, from 5:30-6:30pm, for a personalized tour of our building, an opportunity to meet some of the faculty, and an overview of all the opportunities available to our students.  No reservations are required--just stop by.  If you have any questions, contact Heath Vincent at 790-1676 or [email protected].
MANS Summer Internship
The Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (MANS) is seeking applicants for its Summer Intern Program in 2016.  This is an exciting opportunity for undergraduates studying at faith-based colleges and universities in Michigan.
 
MANS offers a meaningful and enjoyable work experience for a student over the summer months.  The intern will serve as a professional staff member of MANS from mid-May to mid-August and report directly to the Executive Director.  The intern will work in a collaborative manner with the Executive Director, Director of Constituency Services, and Executive Assistant on projects that provide services and resources that enhance our member schools as well as influence the standard of education for all children in the state of Michigan.

For more information about this internship opportunity contact Brian Broderick at (517) 372-9315.  Click here for a detailed description of the position.
Latex Allergy Reminder
Due to severe latex allergies of some of our students, please do not bring latex balloons to school for birthdays or special occasions.  Mylar balloons are ok.  Thank you for your cooperation.
Guidance Corner
SCHEDULING FOR THE 2016-2017 SCHOOL YEAR
Scheduling is now in full swing for next school year. Re-registration forms may be turned into the office with the $100 registration fee. Mrs. Mueller is available to meet with students and families to help in the process of course selection, or to answer any questions regarding academic plans and the honors diploma. Please contact Mrs. Mueller for an appointment time.

Just as a reminder, contracts must be completed for AP and Dual Enrollment courses. See the office.

CAREER TECH (SCC, etc.)
Applications for the Saginaw Career Complex, Bay/Arenac ISD, and Tuscola Tech Center are due by tomorrow, Thursday, April 7th. Late applications are not accepted! All students, new and returning, must complete an application each year. These programs are considered a full-year commitment.

CLASS OF 2017
If you have not already, you should consider taking either the SAT or ACT test this spring. This will allow you to obtain at least one score before you begin applying to colleges in the fall. You are allowed up to four score reports being sent to various schools - I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to send those scores to schools you might be interested in attending. Score reports are required for admission to most schools, and additional score reports requested after testing come with a fee.

Fee Waivers for the ACT and SAT are available for families with financial need. See Mrs. Mueller for information.

College and Career Resources

You Should Know
     Schools are seeing an increase in the number of hours students (especially young men) spend on video games.  While video games are not "all bad", there are some things that parents should know in order to help their teenager use games discriminately and also find good balance between time spent in the virtual world vs. time spent in the real world.  Tim Elmore is a well-known author on the Millennial generation.  We would like to share a few articles by him in upcoming newsletters that address issues relevant to parents of students who are between the ages of 13 - 19.  This first one is on "How to Parent a Gamer."  We hope you find these articles to be helpful in your most important work - that of parent!
Upcoming Events
Apr. 9           ACT testing at VLHS, 8am
Apr. 12         Spring Musical tickets go on sale
Apr. 12         "Unique Day" testing, 8am, NO LATE START!
Apr. 13         PEEKS at Valley, 11am
Apr. 14         Moms in Prayer, 7pm
Apr. 17         12th Annual Handbell Concert at VLHS, 4pm
Apr. 18          Moms in Prayer, 8am
Apr. 19          Parent Organization meeting, 7pm
Apr. 23          Prom at SVSU, 6pm
Apr. 23-24     Post Prom Party at SVSU, 11pm-4:30am
Apr. 28          PEEKS at Valley, 8:15am
Apr. 28          Open House, 5:30-6:30pm
Apr. 28-30     Spring Musical,
 The Pajama Game
, 7pm
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


Valley Lutheran High School | 3560 McCarty | Saginaw | MI | 48603