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Parent Newsletter
January 8, 2020

~ Click on the photo above to visit VL's Auction & Benefit Dinner's Facebook page ~
Anyone that 'Likes' the Facebook page will be entered into a gift card drawing.  
*The gift card drawing will take place at the auction, but you do NOT need to be present to win*
Devotion
The Right Example 
Many years ago, my son and I spent quite a bit of time riding our bikes together. This proved to be a great way to share some quality father-son time. When we first started to ride, I spent a lot of time waiting for him to catch up as he lagged behind. At the end of one ride, he snuck by me as I stopped to chat with a neighbor. When I got home he started to gloat about his "victory" of beating me home. I told him he had better learn to put his pedals where his mouth was. The next time we rode I left him so far behind I had to get off my bike and sit down to wait for him. After 5 minutes his sweaty face showed up. I smiled triumphantly. 

After that, I set out to teach him that riding wasn't about who won or lost but about enjoying time with each other and exploring new neighborhoods and bike paths. Last August my son was between his pastoral vicarage and going abroad to study for a year. We revived our biking and, needless to say, he can leave me in the dust now!

Setting the right example is more important than winning. As Christians, we are often involved in competition and non-believers are watching us closely, eager to point out our sinful errors and faults. Hebrews 12:1 says, "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."

It's not about winning- it's about running the race with perseverance and setting the correct example. As Christians, it is crucial that we are conscious of setting the correct example. 
~ Barry Wittig
Need to Know
Booster Club Chicken BBQ - THIS Sunday, Jan. 12
The Booster Club Chicken BBQ is THIS Sunday, January 12 from 11 am to 1:30 pm. Meal costs $11 for half chicken, $9 for a quarter chicken.  We still need volunteers! Please visit Valley's sign-up to see how you can donate and/or volunteer.
Main Entry Door
Valley Lutheran is committed to your child(ren)'s safety while at school.  That means the main entry doors to the building remain locked from the beginning of the school day until dismissal.  To enter the building during school hours, press the silver button on the exterior wall (near the window). This activates the system so we can release the locking mechanism. You must then enter through the school office.
While we can see you outside, we must wait to release the locking mechanism until you press the silver button to activate this request. 
Thank you for your support and patience in using this new, safer security system for your student and staff. 
Thank you, Mrs. Yantz, for your service to Valley
We are grateful for the service of Sondra Yantz as Admissions Counselor and Special Needs Aide since 2013.  We pray God's blessings on her new position at Samaritas.

Mrs. Yantz's departure leaves important positions to fill. Valley plans to fill her Special Needs position internally. We are seeking an Admissions Counselor, see below for more details on this position.  
Admissions Counselor Applications Being Accepted
Valley Lutheran High School is accepting applications for the position of part-time A dmissions Counselor. This individual will work closely with the Executive Director to implement a comprehensive student recruitment process. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with strong interpersonal communication skills, familiarity with Office software applications, able to drive, available to work some evenings and weekends, and supportive of the mission of Valley Lutheran High School. The position is for 20 hours per week. Interested applicants may request an application and send a resume' with cover letter by January 31 to Dr. John Brandt, Executive Director, Valley Lutheran High
School, 3560 McCarty, Saginaw MI 48603 or by email to jbrandt@vlhs.com. For more information contact John Brandt (989-790-1676, jbrandt@vlhs.com).
Guidance Corner

JUNIORS - START EARNING THE COLLEGE BOARD OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
The College Board Opportunity Scholarships program opens in December for juniors. Early efforts will get rewarded! Students who've already taken action to build their college list on BigFuture™ and link their College Board and Khan Academy® accounts to practice for the SAT® on Official SAT Practice will automatically earn a scholarship entry when they join the program.

To get started:
  1. Students should join the program by signing in with their existing College Board account (same one they used for the SAT and PSAT/NMSQT®) or they can create an account if they don't have one.
  2. They should click on the yellow Earn Scholarships button at the top of the homepage.
  3. They should review the official rules on the Opt In screen and click Agree. Then they're ready to start turning their efforts into scholarships!
SAGINAW CAREER COMPLEX
The sophomore class recently had the opportunity to learn more about the programs and opportunities offered to them through the Saginaw Career Complex. In late January and early February, SCC will be hosting events to give students an opportunity to explore programs on-site and to bring their parents to an open house. More information will be sent out in the new year. Students planning to attend SCC should meet with Mrs. Mueller to develop their academic plan to ensure that graduation credits are met while attending their CTE program.

PSAT/NMSQT SCORES
Scores for students who took the PSAT/NMSQT exam in October were made available to Michigan students online Tuesday, December 10th. 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. Don't forget to link your score to Khan Academy for personalized and targeted SAT practice!

IMPORTANT LINKS
SAT Information, Registration, etc. - www.sat.org
ACT Information, Registration, etc. - www.actstudent.org
Khan Academy (free test prep) - www.khanacademy.org/sat
VL Scholarship Page - http://bit.ly/VLScholarships
Upcoming Events
Jan. 12 Booster Club Chicken BBQ: 11 am to 1:30 pm
Jan. 13 Parents in Prayer: 8 - 9:30 am 
Jan. 15 Hard Hat Tour: 11 am
Jan. 17 Second Quarter Ends
Jan. 20 No School, Professional Development Day
Jan. 23 Second Quarter Grades Released: 5 pm
Feb. 13, 14, & 15
Winter Play @ Peace Lutheran: Feb. 13 & 14 @ 7 pm, Feb. 15 @ 2 pm
Feb. 29 VL Auction & Benefit Dinner @ Apple Mountain: 5 pm
Get Involved
Desserts Needed for Dessert of the Month Auction Item!
We are in need of two more bakers for the "Dessert of the Month" auction item.  The dessert should serve about 12 and is the baker's choice. Your delivery 'month' will between March 2020 and February 2021. Contact Lori Milroy at lorimilroy4@gmail.com or 989-412-3666 for more information or to volunteer.
Thrivent Member? Valley Seeks Action Team Cards 
The Booster Club is looking for some assistance in applying for Thrivent Action Team grants that can be used to help offset the cost of supplies purchased for concessions, chicken bbq, and other fundraisers. If you are a Thrivent member and are willing to share your action cards with Valley, please contact the school office. 

In order to apply for the grants, you must be a Thrivent member with online account access. If you haven't logged in online before, you'll need to create an account. This is done with your member id# and a few personal details. Once you are logged in, you can click on the "my thrivent" tab. This drop down menu will have the "Thrivent Action Teams - apply or report" section. 
Valley Lutheran vs. Lutheran North - Jan. 20 @ CUAA
Valley Lutheran's Varsity Boys Basketball Team will play Lutheran North on Monday, January 20th at 4 pm at Concordia University - Ann Arbor (4090 Geddes Rd. Ann Arbor). Admission is $5 for adults, high school students and younger get in free. 
Community Information
Sock Hop at Peace Lutheran - Jan. 17
Peace Girl Scouts invite you to a 1950s Sock Hop on Friday, January 17th from 7 - 9 pm. The Scok Hop is held at Peace Lutheran Church, 3427 Adams Ave. Tickets cost $40 for a family, $20 for a couple, and $12 for an individual.  Enjoy an evening of dancing, food, games, drag racing, photo props, raffles and more! Purchase tickets in advance in the church or school office.  Tickets purchased at the door are an additional $5 each. Funds send scouts to the Ark Encounter. 


 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