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Parent Newsletter
Dec. 5, 2018
Valley Lutheran students and staff filled shoe boxes with gifts as a part of Operation Christmas Child. The shoe boxes were then sent to children in struggling countries across the globe for Christmas.
Christmas
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst. 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. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
~1 Timothy 1:15-17
News
Christmas Concert
Valley Lutheran's annual Christmas Concert is being held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9 at St. Paul Lutheran-Frankenlust, 6094 Westside Saginaw Rd, Bay City.
Freshmen Vision Screening
The freshmen vision screening test by the Saginaw Health Department at Valley is scheduled for tomorrow. All freshmen are tested.
Snacks for Staff
Valley parents are bringing in snacks for teachers and staff during exam week as a thank you for all their hard work this semester.

If interested in making and/or donating a snack, please email parentsinprayer@vlhs.com or call/text Carla Belill at 989-295-3018.
EXAM SCHEDULE
The exam schedule is in the third rotation this semester. You may reference it at www.vlhs.com. Go to "calendar" then "Final Exams".

For exams, the school schedule runs from 8 a.m. until noon Wednesday, Dec. 19, Thursday, Dec. 20 and Friday, Dec. 21, unless your student is doubled up on a subject, i.e. two math or science classes. If your student doesn't have an exam on any of the days, they still need to be in school for chapel. Please call the office with any questions.
Chicken BBQ in January
You are invited to a little taste of summer on Sunday, Jan. 13. The St. John Amelith Men's Athletic Club is once again barbecuing for Valley Lutheran. The Booster's BBQ chicken dinner begins at 11 a.m. and will be served until 1:30 p.m. It includes real mashed potatoes, corn, rolls, homemade coleslaw, and pie. A half chicken meal costs $11 and a quarter chicken meal $9. You can also order a take-out meal.

Proceeds will benefit the athletic, drama, and music departments at Valley Lutheran.
VLHS Benefit Dinner and Auction
Please save the date for Saturday, Feb. 23 for Valleys annual dinner and auction at Apple Mountain Conference Center. This year's theme is, "Fabulous Fifties".

Your support has impacted Valley Lutheran with improvements in programs, equipment, transportation, school improvements, and most importantly STUDENT AID. Thank you for your past support of VLHS! We could use your help again. We are asking for items to be donated and put up for bid, i.e. merchandise, tickets, services, vacation homes, gift cards, etc.

There are also opportunities to participate by way of prayer, advertising, sponsorship, or attending the auction. Click on the auction link for more information and check out our often-updated list of items. You can also like the Valley Lutheran Auction and Benefit Dinner Facebook page.

Tickets go on sale Jan. 2. For more informations or questions, you may contact Valley Lutheran at 989-790-1676, Beth (Lambert) Kaul at bkaul@vlhs.com or 989-754-5918, or Karrie Gatza at karriekookies@aol.com or 989-415-6776.
School Closure Notifications!
To sign up for school closure notifications, please go to rmd.at/vlhs1819. You will be prompted to download the mobile app. If you don't have a smartphone but get text notifications, text the message @vlhs1819 to the number 81010. If 81010 doesn't work, try texting @vlhs1819 to 779-379-3850.
Individual Class Notifications
To sign up for individual class reminders, use the same instructions. However, use rmd.at/vlhs2019, rmd.at/vlhs2020, rmd.at/vlhs2021, or rmd.at/vlhs2022 for the specific class.
Kroger system upgrade
Kroger Co. Family of Stores has upgraded its system, which has resulted in Valley Lutheran High School receiving a new account number as a Non-Profit Organization (NPO). Our new number is MN482.

VLHS can receive donations from Kroger as a result of supporters linking their Kroger account with Valley's. From the beginning of August until the end of October, 59 households linked their Kroger account with Valley's, resulting in a donation of 252.93 to the school.

Contact the school office for more information.
Guidance Corner
PSAT/NMSQT SCORES
Scores for students who took the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October will be available to Michigan students online Wednesday, December 12th. In order to access your student's score report, you will need to create an account with Collegeboard. If you have already created an account, sign in and look for your score report.

IS YOUR STUDENT STRESSED?
With Christmas fast-approaching and finals looming, this is often a stressful time of year for our students. And while students often have legitimate stressors in their life, they have not always been taught how to handle stress in a healthy manner. If you are noticing your student is more stressed than normal and are looking for ways to help, take a look at Cincinnati Children's list of 7 Ways Parents Can Help Their Teens Manage Stress.

WHAT MAKES SNAPCHAT SO ADDICTIVE?
What's the big deal about the Snapstreak? These are good questions and the answers are important because the creators of Snapchat are very smart about the teenage brain. They know what makes it "tick" and how to make it want their product. Instagram isn't much different. Why are teens more anxious than ever? The answer is explained in this post about what social media does to ramp-up teenage worry. Post: Snapstreak Addiction - Why Kids Can't Put Snapchat Down.

SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES
Seniors, don't forget about the list of scholarship resources at http://bit.ly/VLScholarships. Scholarships will start to come in frequently, and this list will be updated. Also, don't forget about the Saginaw Community Foundation (one application, 200+ scholarships) at http://www.saginawfoundation.org/site/scholarships/.  

NEED YOUR TRANSCRIPT OR TEST SCORES FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS?
Seniors can email Mrs. Mueller from their VLHS email accounts and request a PDF copy of their documents. As a reminder, these can only be released directly to the students via their school email accounts in order to protect the sensitive information contained in the documents.

SCHOOLSHELF RESOURCES
Does your student need help with developing strong academic habits, starting the college process, or looking at various career options? While Mrs. Mueller is always available during school hours to help, sometimes it's nice to have resources at your fingertips. SchoolShelf is a website dedicated to helping students make the most of high school. Check out their resources at http://www.schoolshelf.com/981068-valley-lutheran/.  

SAT/ACT TESTING LINKS
SAT Information, Registration, etc. - www.sat.org
ACT Information, Registration, etc. - www.actstudent.org
Khan Academy (free test prep) - www.khanacademy.org.sat

FAFSA AND FINANCIAL AID LINKS
VL Scholarship Page - http://bit.ly/VLScholarships
FAFSA Information and submission - https://fafsa.ed.gov/
FSA ID Information and creation - https://fsaid.ed.gov
Community News
Music of the Holiday Season
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 5335 Brockway Rd. Saginaw, is presenting Music of the Holiday Season at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8. The concert features traditional and contemporary cantata, handbells, and praise team. Admission is free.
Temple Theatre to host Peace Lutheran School's Christmas concert
For the second straight year, Peace Lutheran School is going to hold its annual Christmas concert at the Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw.

Students from preschoolers through eighth grade are going to present, "The Mystery of the Manger: It's the Gospel Truth, at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19 as part of its advent series. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Seating is free, but tickets are required. Call 989-793-9025 for more information. Tickets are available until 3:30 p.m. Dec. 14 at the school or at Dec. 15-16 worship services. Parking is $6 in the structure across the street from the Temple.
Alaska Mission Trip looking for more members
Alaska Mission for Christ is sponsoring a Vacation Bible School/Bible study mission trip to Goodnews Bay, Alaska on the Bearing Sea in Southwest Alaska. The trip leaves around July 11 and returns July 22 or 23. The team consists of area Lutheran Church Missouri Synod members and Valley Lutheran students.

The trip last year cost $1,800, and expenses will be similar this year.

Team members stay in a small parsonage or community center with a private kitchen, laundry, shower, and facilities. Most importantly, team members experience sharing the Gospel with villagers -- including 50 children -- who do not have a pastor.

Visit alaskamissionforchrist.org for more information. You can also contact Lori Milroy at lorimilroy@charter.net or 989-412-3666. Pastor and Mrs. Behnke at Valley have also gone on the mission trip and can be contacted for more information.

Upcoming Events
Dec. 8 ACT, 8:30am
Dec. 9 Christmas Concert, 3pm -- St. Paul, Frankenlust
Dec. 10 Parents in Prayer, 8am
Dec. 19-21 Final Exams, 8am - Noon
Dec. 24-Jan. 4 Christmas Break

 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.

John Brandt
Valley Lutheran High School