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Parent Newsletter
June 1, 2020
The June 1 newsletter highlights include: Wrapping up the 2019-2020 School Year and Information on the S ummer Read 2020. Scroll down for these and more important parent items. 
Bible Verse
Be Still 
God is our refuge and strength,
    a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
    though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
    though the mountains tremble at its swelling.
"Be still, and know that I am God.
    I will be exalted among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth!"
The Lord of hosts is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.                             Psalm 46: 1-3 & 9-10
Need to Know
Wrapping Up the 2019-2020 School Year
For most students coursework for the 2019-2020 school year is complete.  Faculty, students, and parents have learned much since March 13.  One lesson we learned was to focus on those things that are truly important. Teachers shifted their focus to the most essential concepts in the courses.  Families shifted their focus to relationships from activity.  We all focused on the fragility of life which led us back to Jesus our Savior.

It is time to wrap things up - 

The week of June 1 is time for all students to complete assignments, re-take tests, and do whatever is necessary to earn a grade that truly reflects your work.  Teachers have e-mailed parents and students with grades and missing work to provide direction for completing course requirements.  

The week of June 8 is the time to return all school books, equipment, uniforms, etc.  Teachers have emailed parents and students reminding them of school property that they may have at home.  You can access a list here for a listing of school property that may be in your child's possession.  This is a good time to make the final tuition payments for the year as well.

We will collect school property beginning with 12th graders on Monday, June 8, followed by 11th graders on Tuesday, June 9, 10th graders on Wednesday, June 10 and 9th graders on Thursday, June 11.  In order to provide social distancing we are limiting the number of students at school to 10 per hour.  We ask that students respect the health concerns by wearing a mask at school.  If you have children in more than one grade, you may pick the day most convenient for you.  You must register for a time at sign-up genius.

After students return school property they will receive their yearbooks.  While we know the enjoyment of signing yearbooks, we ask that this not happen at school at this time.  Returning students will be welcome to sign next fall.

What about the seniors?  All students will have access to a special folder so they can "sign" senior yearbooks.  The folder will contain a file for each senior to which all students, faculty, and staff will have access.  As usual, be sure to write messages that not only will your grandmother approve, but your future child will not question.  And remember, these pages are also open to faculty and staff.  Students will receive access through their school Google accounts.  The pages will be open June 8 through 12.  

What about Graduation and Prom?  At this time plans remain the same.  Please be patient and flexible.  If we see an opportunity to move forward with graduation we will take it.
Meet Up and Eat Up
A listing of sites providing free summer meals through Michigan's Department of Education's Summer Food Service Program can be found here. 
Summer Read 2020
Please see the attached information sheet for the Summer Read 2020. Incoming freshmen through seniors will need to read a book over the summer and take a comprehension test in August.
Guidance Corner
SENIOR AWARDS NIGHT AND POEM
Seniors and their parents should have received an email with information on our virtual awards night and the reading of the Senior Poem. If you did not receive this information, please email Mrs. Mueller at lmueller@vlhs.com . A recording of the event will be released afterwards for the rest of the student body and VLHS community.

SENIORS - FINAL TRANSCRIPTS (IMPORTANT!)
All seniors headed off to college need to request their Final Transcript to be sent to the institution where they will study next year. All final transcripts will be sent via PARCHMENT . You can use the Final Transcript Ordering Guide to walk you through the process. Be sure to mark them as "HOLD FOR GRADES". Also, you should change the email on your account to a personal email, as you will lose access to your school email account over the summer. 

COURSES AND SCHEDULING
Students should make it a habit to check their email regularly over the summer. This is how Mrs. Mueller will be communicating if there are any concerns or issues with course requests or schedules for the 2020-2021 school year. Schedules will be released in August. If you are intending on changing a request, please email Mrs. Mueller ASAP.

PE CREDIT WAIVERS (CLASS OF 2022 & 2023)
All PE Waivers received this school year will appear on a student's report card at the end of the semester. If you do not see one at the end of the year, it means I do not have one on file for you. Students should check Google Classroom for a digital copy they can download and complete. We will take care of a coach's signature while we are learning remotely.

WORK PERMITS
Students under the age of 18 must have a work permit on file to hold a job. Governor Whitmer has lifted some of the detailed requirements in obtaining a work permit, but they are still necessary to hold employment during the school year OR in the summer. Any student who needs a work permit should email Mrs. Mueller directly. 

BIG FUTURE COLLEGE & CAREER SEARCH
The CollegeBoard provides a great, free resource for students and their families to navigate the world of careers and colleges. Students can log into their CollegeBoard account, fill out surveys to link them to potential careers and colleges, and save favorite schools to compare and contrast. Check it out as a family at http://bigfuture.collegeboard.org . 

SAT NATIONAL TEST DATE UPDATES
The June national test date for the SAT has been officially cancelled. Registration for the 2020-21 SAT administrations is now open. June registrants will be able to transfer their seat to a 2020-21 administration. All other students in the high school class of 2021 who don't have SAT scores will also have early access to register for the August, September, and October administrations. This includes students who had registered for March or May and had their registrations canceled and refunded. SAT is offering national exams every month from August to December 2020.

Michigan has also announced that they will be providing an SAT with Essay Exam during the school day in the fall to the Class of 2021. This will replace the same exam they were planning to take this past April as part of the MME.

IMPORTANT LINKS
Khan Academy (free test prep) - www.khanacademy.org/sat
Get Involved
Thank You for Blessing the Teachers!
A great big THANK YOU to those parents who partnered along with the Parent Organization to provide each staff member (there are 35 of them) a special drive thru lunch from Jimmy Johns and a beautiful potted flower during Teacher Appreciation week.  Because of your generous donations we also have another surprise for the teachers that we will reveal soon!  So stay tuned! 
Community Information
Virtual 4-H Spartan Coding Camp: June 22-25, 2020
Explore the exciting field of computer coding at MSU Extension's newest premier pre-college program! Whether you have prior computer coding knowledge, or have never even thought about it, you will gain valuable coding skills at this fun STEM summer camp.

WHERE: Virtually via Zoom, check out our website for a sample daily schedule.
WHO: Youth entering grades 9-12 in the fall of 2020.
COST: The cost to attend this four-day camp is $320 and includes tech support, post camp support, and program fees. Current Michigan 4-H members receive a $20 discount.
MATERIALS REQUIRED: Computer with internet and the ability to do video conferencing (microphone and webcam).
REGISTER AND PAY HERE TODAY. 

Virtual 4-H Spartan Coding Camp campers will enjoy experiences such as:
* Developing your own tech ideas; designing and coding an application from scratch; and attracting users to your product!
* Learning the fundamentals of launching a product.
* Discovering the essentials of web design and development.
* Practicing coding skills in HTML, CSS, JS, Ruby, Rails and Github.
* Enhancing your passion for technology and growing real-world skills.
* Exploring career opportunities available at MSU!
After the camp is over, you will continue to learn and practice at your own pace with nearly 60 hours of self-paced online lessons that allow you to further hone your coding skills. 4-H Spartan Coding Camp is offered in collaboration with CodeNow.

Check out the website for additional details. Questions? Contact Christine Miller at MSU Extension by email or 517-552-6905.


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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