WELCOME BACK-TO-SCHOOL!

LETTER FROM THE PRINCIPAL:

Dear VCJH Families,

It is the final countdown to the new 2023-24 school year! We are just a couple of weeks away from the first day of school. Our administrators, counselors, teachers, and staff are busy preparing to launch an exciting school year ahead. The goal is to make your transition into this new year as seamless as possible. If you are brand new parents to Valley Christian Schools, I cannot wait to see you at the New Parent Orientation on Wednesday, August 2. 

VCJH Student Orientation is on Wednesday, August 9. This is for students only. 

ALL 6^th grade students are coming on campus 9-12:00pm. Please drop off at 9am in front of the Football Stadium drive-thru area (do not park), and pick them back up at 12:00pm in front of the Football Stadium drive-thru area. This is great practice for the typical school day. Your child will meet in the Large Gym for an introduction rally, meet their WEB Group, take a tour, pose for their school photo, and receive access to their Class Schedule.

ALL Brand New 7^th and 8^th grade students are coming on campus 12:30-2:00pm. Please drop off at 12:30pm in front of the Football Stadium drive-thru area (do not park), and pick them back up at 2:00pm in front of the Football Stadium drive-thru area. This is great practice for the typical school day. Your child will meet in the Small Gym for an introduction rally, take a tour, pose for their school photo, and receive access to their Class Schedule.

ALL Returning 7^th and 8^th grade students will do a drive-thru event anytime between 2-5:00pm. As you drive through the car loop, your child will get out of the car where instructed. They will proceed into a modular classroom to take their photo, get their student ID, and receive access to their schedule while you continue to drive around the loop. Once you come back around your child will get back in the car and you are all set to exit campus. 

Please mark your calendars for Back to School Night, Thursday, August 24, at 6:30pm. All junior high parents are welcome to see your child’s classrooms and teachers and meet other VCJH parents. 

Please also plan for your whole family to attend our returning Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, August 26th from 8-11am. Enjoy some great food, fun, and fellowship. I look forward to connecting with you as we kick off the year.

We are praying for a great year! May God continue to bless you in the remainder of these summer weeks and into this new school year. I cannot tell you how excited I am to partner with you!

God bless,

Mr. Eric Maxwell

Principal

Valley Christian Junior High

Encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11b

WELCOME LETTER FROM OUR CAMPUS PASTOR STEVE DANG

“Anything but Awkward”

Those junior high years get a bad rap. For many, me included, junior high conjures up memories of awkward changes, awkward interactions, and awkward moments. I still cringe remembering tearing my sweat shorts in P.E. from the back and doing everything I could to hide it from the class, especially since it was a co-ed class. But what if junior high is where God does some of his most formative work in us? What if our faith development in our junior high years was anything but awkward?

It may not seem like it, but junior high is when we begin to develop our identity, shape our character, orient our moral compass, practice social skills, understand our emotional process, and establish spiritual foundations we will carry into adulthood. According to Barna, 94% of people who choose to follow Jesus do so before the age of 18. To break it down further, Barna indicated 32% follow Jesus before the age of 13. Bottomline: God is working in the hearts of our junior high students.

Click here to continue reading this welcome letter.

Click here for the 2023-2024 Valley Christian Junior High A/B Schedule.

Click here for the VCS K-12 Holidays and Key Dates for the 2023-2024 school year.

Please click here to see the 2023-2024 Valley Christian Junior High Bell Schedule.

WARRIORTIME

REDESIGNED PARENT PORTAL

Our newly redesigned Parent Portal was thoughtfully crafted with you in mind, making it easier than ever to stay connected and informed about your child's education and our vibrant VCS community. Click here for instructions, and click below to login. 

VCJH PREPARATION FOR THE START OF SCHOOL

2023-24 VCJH DRESS CODE

2023-24 VCJH STUDENT HANDBOOK AND HELPFUL TIPS

2023-2024 TEXTBOOK FEE WAS DUE JULY 14

The Junior High Administration manages the process by undertaking all book and online subscriptions, as well as the purchasing of other materials. Payment of the $350 fee buys you peace of mind that your child has ALL of the eBooks, workbooks, and digital subscriptions required for the 2023-2024 school year.

All student books, including digital texts, workbooks, IXL (online English program), and ALEKS (online math program), will be supplied through the Junior High School. The $350 fee does not include specialized apps that may be required by your child's teacher. 

***Each teacher will assist your child during class to access their digital textbooks!

1. Log in to the VCS.net Parent Portal 

2. Click on “Your VCS Account” and then click on “Pay Fees”.

3. Follow the directions on the page to pay with your credit card (no check or cash payments will be accepted).

If you have questions about your child's JH Textbook Fee, please contact the VCJH Office at 408-513-2460.

All grade 8 families must pay the $200 grade 8 fee, which was due by July 14. This fee covers the Grade 8 Breakaway Retreat that will take place during the school day on Friday, August 25. This fee will also cover the graduation gown for the Grade 8 Graduation on Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

1. Log in to the VCS.net Parent Portal 

2. Click on “Your VCS Account” and then click on “Pay Fees”.

3. Follow the directions on the page to pay with your credit card (check or cash payments will not be accepted).

SUPPLY LIST AND PE CLOTHES

NEW WARRIOR WEAR STORE

We are announcing the Grand Opening of our Warrior Wear Sideline Store. Take advantage of the Grand Opening Sale during the month of August. Use code SPIRIT at checkout to score our deepest discount of the year on fan wear & accessories!

IS YOUR IPAD READY FOR SCHOOL?

New and returning students must complete the New iPad Setup or iPad Maintenance Checklist prior to the first day of school. Please go to the VCJH Required iPad Setup Page on the VCS website for more information about iPad requirements and textbook details.

We do not recommend you buy an Apple Pencil, as they often get lost. If you decide to purchase one, please be sure you label it with your student's first and last name!

VCJH LUNCH ACCOUNTS

If your child plans to buy lunch at school, all on-campus food purchases are digital! Students will be assigned a Valley Christian Lunch ID number to use when purchasing from VCS Food Services. These personal lunch ID numbers can be found on the Parent Portal beginning August 1st Click here for instructions on how to set up a new lunch account when you have your child's Lunch ID!

***Returning student lunch accounts from last school year will have the same lunch ID numbers.

The 5-Digit Lunch ID will be embedded in the student body ID card and may alternatively be keyed in as a PIN number. Please remind your child to keep this information confidential.

Students will receive their ID cards at the VCJH Orientation event when they take their school picture, so if funds are added, your child's lunch account will be ready to go on the first day of school!

Please note that cash is not accepted at VCS Food Services.

Note: Funds need to be added to the lunch account 24 hours in advance to be accessible (i.e., add funds by 11am on Sunday morning for use at lunchtime on Monday).

GRADE 7 IMMUNIZATIONS REQUIRED

California requires all incoming seventh-grade students to have the T-dap immunization (Whooping Cough Booster) and two doses of Varicella (Chickenpox) immunization. 

Please submit your child’s updated immunization record, including the mentioned immunizations above, as soon as it becomes available. Please email records to Heather Lee at hlee@vcs.net. If we do not receive the records before the VCJH Orientation on Wednesday, August 9, your student will not receive their 2023-2024 class schedule. Additionally, your child will not be allowed to attend classes until this verification is on file.

Thank you in advance for submitting proof of updated immunizations for your incoming seventh-grader!

Please click HERE for immunization requirement information. If you have any questions, feel free to contact Heather Lee.

MEDICATION AT SCHOOL

VCS students are not allowed to carry any medications with them,* so what is a kid to do? Plan ahead...and then come to the Junior High Office when you need help! 

If you would like your child to have access to an OVER THE COUNTER medication during the school day, you will need to send that medication to the JH office (in the original container) along with a signed Medication Consent Form.

If your child needs to take a PRESCRIPTION medication at school, you will need to complete and submit that same Medication Consent Form, signed by both you and the prescribing physician.

If you have any questions regarding medications at school, please email Heather Lee at hlee@vcs.net.

*Prescribed inhalers and EpiPens require a signed Medication Consent Form as well as a signed Contract for student to self-carry inhaler / Contract for student to self-carry EpiPen to be carried in a child’s backpack. These are the only exceptions to the prohibition of students carrying medications at school. 

WARRIORS FOR WELLNESS: SUMMER 2023

Valley Christian wishes our students and families a summer full of rest, connection, and lots of joy. As you transition into summer we hope the sun is shining and your schedules start to feel a little lighter. The school year can feel hectic with packed calendars and long lists of HAVE TOs. We hope the summer creates opportunities for your family to GET TO do the things you love and that fill you up. The wellness team has been focused on increasing awareness around what helps us be well and thrive. Taking care of our thoughts, feelings, physical bodies, and passions, while growing in our relationship with Christ gives us the best chance of experiencing wellness and health. We look forward to growing our wellness program next year to increase the necessary support to help students thrive. 

As you are thinking about ways you can support your child this summer, click below to see a suggested reading list to help you. We recognize that each family is on a unique journey and may be looking for something different to meet their specific needs. We are providing you with a variety of options in the hopes that one or more of the suggested readings supports and resonates with where you are at.

We look forward to greeting your student with excitement and care in the Fall. The Wellness team is available to you over the summer if needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us; we will connect with you at our earliest convenience. We are focusing on this verse this next school year and praying for peace for your family this summer. 

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27 

Take care—

Amy Hernandez — ahernandez@vcs.net                                CJ Clark —cclark@vcs.net 

K12 Wellness Director                                                              JH Wellness Counselor

VCJH ORIENTATION INFORMATION

K-12 New Parent Orientation (NPO), Wednesday, August 2

We invite parents and guardians who are new to Valley Christian Schools to attend an orientation evening on the Skyway Campus on Wednesday, August 2.

Join us from 5:30 – 6:45pm for a complimentary dinner provided by food trucks while perusing the departmental information tables on the Conservatory lawn.

At 7:00pm, VCS President Dr. Clifford Daugherty and key K-12 administrators will present an overview in the main gym.

Campus-specific meetings led by our principals will follow the general session.

*NPO is intended for parents and guardians only.

Date: Wednesday, August 9, 2023

Time: Anytime between 2-5pm

Location: Modular Buildings near the soccer field

Who: Returning grade 7 and 8 students

• Take your school picture and get your student ID card

• Receive information on retrieving your Class Schedule.

This will be a drive-thru event and will end at 5pm.

VCJH BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT

FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS

Please join us for the Back-To-School event on August 24 for the opportunity to learn more about your child's classes and meet their teachers. This event will start at 6:30pm in the Large Gym and end at 8:30pm. This is a parent-only event.

If you are a parent of an eighth-grade student, please plan to stay until 9pm so you can attend a Grade 8 DC Trip meeting that will take place in the Large Gym at 8:30pm immediately after the Back-To-School event.

GRADE 8 BREAKAWAY RETREAT

The tradition known as "Breakaway" for eighth-grade students will be on Friday, August 25! This is our yearly retreat for the eighth-grade class that takes them to Coyote Ranch during the school day.

It will be a time for fun and excitement, but most importantly, a time for spiritual renewal.

The $200 payment for this field trip is made through the Grade 8 Fees, which can be paid online through VCS Pay Fees and was due July 14. Click here for more information!

Hello to all our VCJH athletes and parents! 



If possible, we strongly recommend completing your child's physical during the summer months, as this will clear them for the entire 10-month timeframe of school athletics. We understand that every family is on a different cycle based on their insurance and circumstances. Please know that physicals are good for one year from the date taken and must carry them through the entire season of their sport. For example, if their physical expires in the middle of basketball season, we require that renewal be submitted before the 1st day of basketball to participate on day one. If you have any specific questions or have difficulty getting your physical completed by your primary physician, we recommend your local Action Day Urgent Care facility. Please check with them to confirm out-of-pocket or insurance requirements before booking an appointment.  

Completed physical forms can be dropped off at any of the JH orientations or mailed to 100 Skyway Drive, San Jose, CA 95111(Attention Athletics) or emailed directly to sportsmedicine@vcs.net  Please scan for email as photo ​attachments will not be accepted. 



We look forward to starting our fall sports in August 2023 and encourage you to visit www.gowarriors.net. Once there, hover over JUNIOR HIGH and click on "Tryouts & Sign-ups." Our fall start dates have been posted, and general information regarding each team/season is available there as well. 

If you have any questions, please contact our VCJH Athletic Director Adam Gill at agill@vcs.net or 408-513-2522.

PARENTS, DOES YOUR CHILD WANT TO BE

A STUDENT AMBASSADOR?

Hello Junior High Students! Are you interested in connecting with and sharing your knowledge and love for VCJH with others? 

If so, we would love for you to join our VC Student Ambassador Team.  As an ambassador you will meet prospective students, host them on campus during our Warrior for a Day events, attend monthly ambassador meetings and assist with various Admissions events, like our JH Open House. Ambassador candidates should be a good student, have a record of good behavior and have a love for welcoming others to VC. 

Free pizza and VC Ambassador Apparel are an added bonus!

Click here to apply and applications are due September 1st.

If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Anita Waltz at awaltz@vcs.net.

PARENT TEACHER PRAYER FELLOWSHIP (PTPF)

PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Would you like to meet other families in the VCJH community and share in a complimentary pancake breakfast?

We welcome you and your family to our first 2023-24 community event, our Annual Pancake Breakfast!

PANCAKE BREAKFAST 

Saturday, August 26, 2023, 8-11am

Skyway Campus Quad

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE

WE WANT TO PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

PARENTS IN PRAYER

VCJH JUNIOR AMSE PROGRAM

JUNIOR AMSE INSTITUTE

The Junior AMSE Institute offers unique opportunities to introduce and explore various technologies in the STEM fields.

Not yet an AMSE Member? Apply now for AMSE Membership or AMSE Distinction before applying for a program. Members stay up to date on AMSE news and events and are eligible for program participation.

Apply for AMSE Membership

 JUNIOR AMSE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS

We are excited to offer a great lineup of engaging after-school programs for VCJH students.

Program Applications open August 8, 2023, at 9am at vcs.net/junioramse

Health & Wellness

Math Team

Ocean Discovery

Robotics

SCHEDULE CHANGE

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's schedule, please contact their counselor.

Who is my child's junior high counselor?

6-8th grade counselor: Mrs. Shari Gambello (sgambello@vcs.net)

Student Support Counselor: Mrs. Sara Olson (solson@vcs.net)

When is the last day to make a schedule change?

THE LAST DAY TO MAKE A SCHEDULE CHANGE IS SEPTEMBER 8.

ATTENDANCE

VCS PARENT/STUDENT SUPPORT

VCS INFORMATION and TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

If you have questions or require support from the VCS IT Department, just click this link to place a request!  http://support.vcs.net/

CAMPUS INFORMATION

EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION SYSTEM

Our notification system communicates essential information to parents/guardians via phone or text in a campus-wide emergency or urgent event affecting any campus. Please do NOT hang up and call the school. It would be best if you took the time to listen to the entire message, which will usually be constrained to 45-60 seconds in length.

CAMPUS SECURITY

Wonder Woofs:

As part of VCS' commitment to enforcing a zero-tolerance substance abuse policy, we contract with a drug-detecting canine non-profit organization. "Wonder Woofs" utilize specially trained golden retrievers and will visit the campus periodically throughout the year. More information and policies regarding our canine drug detection program can be found in the student-parent handbook and our website.

As we prepare for a new school year, we want to remind you of some critical campus traffic rules. Please exercise patience and give yourself some extra time during drop-off and pick-up during the first few weeks of school as we welcome 500 new families unfamiliar with our traffic patterns.

1. Please come to campus at least 15 minutes after your student’s dismissal time, allowing time for your child to walk from class to the pick-up area. Please review the new traffic flow patterns, including the new drop-off zone below the Softball Field and Employee Lot.

2. If you need to come earlier than 1:30 to pick your child up, you may park in the Visitor's Lot. If you're coming after 1:30 for an early dismissal, please park in our Student (Yellow) Parking Lot and call the Junior High Office. Your student will need some extra time to sign out and walk to your vehicle. Parking in the Yellow Lot allows you to pick up your student and drive straight out instead of using the Football Stadium lanes. 

3. Please consider using the complimentary shuttle service and avoid the traffic on the Skyway Campus.

• Blossom Hill Caltrain Station (morning only): 7am and 7:30am.
• Capitol Caltrain Station: Drop off from 6am-9:15am and pickup from 2:30-6:30pm.

4. For safety and efficiency, all students waiting to be picked up must actively look for their ride. Many students on the lawn are playing with their iPads or friends, expecting their parents to come to the front of the line for pickup. This assumption slows down traffic and extends wait times significantly. Please remind your student to be on the lookout.

5. Note to Morgan Hill bus riders – Construction at the Morgan Hill Community Center is finally complete! We will resume using the Community Center parking lot as a bus loading and unloading zone this coming school year. Please look out for an email from the transportation department in late July or early August regarding how we will be using the new parking lot.

If you have any questions, please visit our security webpage or email security@vcs.net.

Questions about VCS transportation? Email the Transportation Department at transportation@vcs.net.

A/B Calendar

AMSE

Athletics

Bell Schedule

Conservatory

Dress Code

JH Parent Portal

Traffic Map