In This Issue

SPRING BREAK! All School and Administrative offices will be CLOSED Friday 4/7 through Sunday 4/16. Enjoy your Spring Break and Easter festivities, and come back refreshed for the last 6 weeks of school! 

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High School Dodge Ball Tournament
Leading up to Spring Break, our Dodge Ball Tournament got the crowds cheering!  Way to go Freshman for placing second against a strong Sophomore Team!



       
Golf Tournament | May 5
REGISTER NOW!
Valley Christian Athletics Golf Tournament, Dinner, and Fundraiser.   
Who: Open to all who enjoy laughing and having a great time
When: May 5, 2017
Where: Poppy Ridge Golf Course, Livermore
Time: Tee off at 1:00pm and Dinner begins at 6:30pm
You can see all of the details for the day here - should you have any questions, please
contact the Athletic Office at 925-560-6257. 
REGISTER NOW by printing and completing the registration form, and bringing it to the Athletic or your School Office. 
 
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Star Party Success!
The night started with pizza in the JSA, and then progressed into a game of the Amazing Race where adults and kids were doing family games such as potato bowling, shooting hoops, and licking Oreos! By 8:00pm Tri-Valley Stargazers were set up with their high-powered telescopes. We had the opportunity to view God's amazing creations in the clear night sky. Through these amazing telescopes we saw Jupiter and three of its moons, Mercury, the Orion Nebula, the Moon, and the International Space Station. The photo below of the Moon was taken with an iPhone through the high-powered telescope!



   
3rd-5th Grade Talent Show | Friday, April 21
 Mark your calendars! Our 3rd-5th grade students have the opportunity to share their talent with the entire elementary school. The talent show will be held in the JSA on Friday, April 21 at 1:30pm. 
 
Rockin' Jump Social | Thursday, April 27
Enjoy a fun time with families at Rockin' Jump from 4:00-8:00pm!  Bring your socks and be ready to jump!  Look for more information sent out the week we come back from Spring Break.

Open House | Tuesday, May 16
Please note that this is a date change for Open House.  We look forward to sharing examples of creative and rigorous student work and recognizing our  learners.  Come and celebrate your school community!  The updated Event Calendar can be seen here
 
Elementary Concert | Thursday, May 18
6:00pm in the Jeri Schall Auditorium (JSA)
What does it mean to love our neighbors as ourselves?  Part of this love is learning about the stories of our neighbors from around the world! Come hear the diverse songs students have been singing in various African languages, and see them perform dances of celebration and rhythms of blessing from West Africa!   
 
Parents in Prayer
 
Join other VCES parents to faithfully and intentionally cover the children, staff, administration and families of Valley Christian Elementary School in prayer. We meet from 9:00 - 10:00am on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, in room ES-11, to worship the Lord and pray for our beloved school. The atmosphere is always relaxed and welcoming. Come as you are!
Questions? Contact Alison Corral at la.eagle4dios@yahoo.com | (925) 334-9778 for more information.
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New Chapel Series
Today our VCS alumni hosted the second session of our new "Step" mini-series.   Six of VCS's alumni contributed to exploring the answer to this thoughtful question:  "What would I tell my Valley Christian high school self, if I could go back in time?" as they expressed to current students how Valley helped them "Step Well" beyond this Hill.

Last week our Middle and High School chapel gathering launched our final mini-series in the Mosaic theme for the 2016/17 school year. The pieces of our mosaic are represented as alumni, teachers, administration, and students. Each group has been given the task to "Step" in and lead a chapel time over the remainder of the quarter. Previously our teachers led "Step Aside." The staff and faculty shared a clear message about their desire for students to see the benefits of surrendering to God's leading in their lives. Among many highlights was a poem by our very own Mrs. O'Neil. Enjoy this abridged version:
 
STEP ASIDE  
by Emily O'Neil
 
We are so fixated on...OURSELVES,
And the world encourages this obsession.
Preoccupied with the singular pronoun "ME" and our entitlements...
. . .
Yet we are starved for affirmation, confirmation, congratulation
But what do pride, selfishness, egotism bring?
Only emptiness, discontent, and ugliness.
 
Perhaps we should rethink our priorities and what defines us...
 
STEP ASIDE
And in the spirit of humility
Put God first
Put yourself last, be unassuming
Refrain from the droning chorus of "Me, Me, Me"
. . .
Being a leader means being willing to put God at the helm
Independence means reliance on God
This is what the Lord asks of you.
 
STEP ASIDE
And in the spirit of celebration
Nobly acknowledge your fellow man
Bless others with the sweet sound of encouragement
Help them to sparkle
Give hope and inspiration
Acknowledge others' potential and grandeur
 
STEP ASIDE
This is what the Lord asks of you.
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7th grade Off-Site - Drivers needed!
 
The 7th grade Off-Site service projects needs volunteer drivers for April 27-28. Please contact Ms. Castrence at  kcastrence@valleychristianschools.org if you are able to help shuttle our students and staff.
 
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Rummage Sale | Saturday, April 29 
The Classes of 2019 and 2020 would appreciate donations of  items for the annual Rummage Sale. Smaller items can be brought to MS-32 any time before 3:30pm on Friday, April 28, and larger items  the morning of the sale between   7:00-8:00am.  Sale begins at 8:00am and ends by 2:00pm at Valley Christian's parking lot as you enter campus.  Please be prepared to purchase by cash or check made out to Valley Christian.

2017-2018 Course Selection Process
Students in grades 9-11 have learned about selecting courses as well as taking steps forward in the college process in classroom seminars. In addition, individual conferences are offered to equip parents and guardians as they guide their students in developing a 4-year plan, selecting appropriate courses, and preparing for college thoughtfully. Counselors will meet with parents and guardians of rising freshmen (currently 8th grade) by individual appointments to be scheduled via email.
 
Course registration forms are due by Friday, April 28. High school students will submit their completed course registration forms to their advisors. Eighth grade students will submit their completed forms to Mrs. Anderson.  See attached flyer for more details.


Art Wars | Weeks of May 1 through May 12
Valley Christian High School is excited to introduce a new community service opportunity: Art Wars - Creating Art to Support a Cause.
 
This fundraising project is a response to the Human Trafficking Awareness Chapels. It is a way for our community to reflect on and react to the suffering of our brothers and sisters in Christ.
 
High School students and faculty will have the opportunity to create and donate an original work of art inspired by the theme/idea of "Hope."  No professional artistic talent required.  Participants just need to be courageous, creative, and thoughtful as they create their pieces of art.
 
 Interested? Click on the flyer for the details.
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Spring Cabaret | May 5 and May 6
Performance dates:  Friday, May 5 at 7:00pm and Saturday, May 6 at 2:00pm
Rehearsals are in full swing!  Check the blog and calendar or rehearsal and production updates! Students from grades 3-12 and special guests will perform selections from Fiddler on the Roof, Aida, Annie, Cinderella, Finding Neverland, Hamilton, West Side Story, and more!
 
High School Visual Art Gallery | May 5
The High School Visual Art Gallery  will take place right before the Friday Night Spring Cabaret Performance at 6:00pm on Friday, May 5. 
 
Global Music Concert | May 6
Performance date:  Saturday, May 6 at 7:00pm at Inklings (530 Main Street, Pleasanton) Come hear the eclectic group of musicians from the Global Music class share songs from their lives and around the world!
 
Middle School Theater | May 12
Middle School Theater will perform Betweenity by Lindsay Price on Friday, May 12 at 7:00pm in the JSA. 
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