Valley's Golden Voice Choir was joined by the faculty and staff this morning to record "I AM Forever WHO I AM" by Kurt von Kampen and Richard Wiegmann. The lyrics of the song remind us that our foundation lies in our unchanging God:
vs. 1 Though mountains fall into the sea,
and waters rush where fields should be,
Though monuments and nations fall,
Your holy city stands through all,
When nothing seems to stay the same,
You teach us your eternal name.
(chorus) I AM forever who I AM,
Above you, beneath you, around you and with in you.
Be still and know that I am God.
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Note from the Executive Director |
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Mission, Culture, and "The Three Week Pause"
Mission!
As we are on the cusp of beginning a Three Week Pause from school, as ordered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), I want to assure you that we will NOT pause on our mission as a school. Our commitment to our mission transcends in-person or online learning. We believe we are called by God to live out our mission for the benefit of all our students and families.
Culture!
One of the things I recently asked the faculty and staff to clarify is the preferred school culture for our staff and students to experience. This morning, in our review of that culture, we agreed that our school culture could be lived out whether we are engaged with in-person or online instruction. This is the first time being shared outside the faculty and staff, but I think it is important that everyone knows we strive to create a school culture that includes these important aspects at all times: Passion, Cooperation, Compassion, Service, Responsibility, and Virtue
Pause!
Be sure to attend the parent meeting on Wednesday evening at 7:30pm (link included in the newsletter) to learn about the structure of learning during the next three weeks.
Finally, I plan to return to school on Wednesday, December 9th with in-person instruction provided that it is safe for students to attend each day. Over the next three weeks, please be sure to contact me with any information regarding COVID-19 related issues for students or family members. I have an extensive list of all issues since the start of school, and it is important to keep things current. Please contact me on my cell phone (248-931-5394) if your child is quarantined or tests positive for COVID. All protocols remain in effect regarding notifying the school with this information during the Three Week Pause.
In Christ,
Julian Petzold, Ph.D.
Executive Director
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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.
1 John 5:14 (NIV)
I love to collect objects. My classroom is full of objects that I have gathered, bought, found, and scavenged from around the world. Some of these treasures are old - some new - and some representing cultures with traditions different from what we are used to here in America.
One such object in my classroom is a set of daruma dolls from Japan. A daruma is a hollow, round wooden doll that is usually painted red. It has black facial hair and a set of completely blank, white eyes. Traditionally, a person would paint the left eye of the daruma while making a wish or setting a goal. When the wish comes true or the goal is achieved, the other eye is filled in. Many times the daruma is then burned at the end of the year. While the daruma has its roots in traditional Buddhism, they are now considered talismans of good luck throughout Japan - much like Americans might view a lucky rabbit’s foot.
Many cultures around the world - including our own - have various good luck charms. These objects are used to try to accomplish tasks, achieve goals, perform the impossible and many times defy natural law. Much misguided hope and belief is placed on an inanimate object to get something done.
Our God promises that we have something much better than a wooden doll or a rabbits food that we can depend on. In First John, we are told that we can have confidence when approaching God. We don’t have to wish or dream - we can boldly go before our Father in Heaven.
And what exactly IS this confidence? John tells us: If we ask anything according to His will - He hears us. We can be confident that our God hears us, listens to us, and answers our prayers according to His perfect will.
My prayer for you is that you have confidence in our Almighty God. My prayer for you is that you go boldly to our Lord in prayer and approach him with your concerns, hopes, dreams, fears, and joys. We don’t need cute good luck charms because we have confidence in a God that created all, sustains all, and renews all according to His perfect will.
~Patrick Winningham
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Remote Learning Parent/Student Meeting
Please join us for a virtual meeting on Wednesday evening (November 18th) at 7:30 pm using the link here.
Dr. Petzold and Dr. Meyers will give an update on what is happening at the school related to COVID and the remote learning plan for the next three weeks. We will be taking your questions as well. The meeting will be recorded and shared with parents for those who can not attend.
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Operation Christmas Child UPDATE
Though the packing party scheduled for this Friday cannot take place, Valley Lutheran students and families are encouraged to still pack shoebox gifts for Operation Christmas Child.
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Watch this video for ideas on what to pack in the boxes. If your student did not bring home boxes, they can be picked up inside the front doors of the school or you may use any shoe boxes you have at home.
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Please click here to PREPAY the shipping costs of $9 per box and print and attach those labels to your boxes.
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The school office will be open this week 8am-4pm. Please drop off your box before 3pm, on Friday, Nov. 20th, in the large Christmas box inside the front doors.
Please be sure to only drop off PRE-PAID boxes with the labels attached. Thank you for continuing to support this important ministry!
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Free Lunches
For the duration of remote learning, the VLHS cafeteria will be closed. However, free meals for students are still available at a number of different sites in the area. Go to www.michigan.gov/meetupeatup to find a map to identify the nearest location.
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Senior Pictures and Yearbook Information
The deadline for senior pictures has been moved to the end of November. Please watch both of the following videos for more information concerning senior pictures, yearbook ads, and name stamping. Any yearbook questions can be directed to Mrs. Blake at jblake@vlhs.com.
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Senior Cap and Gown Deadline
Senior Parents, if you have your student's completed Senior Packet for Cap & Gown, you can return it to the school office by Thursday, Nov. 19th, or you may submit one of two other ways:
Please be advised the deadline for orders is Dec. 1, 2020.
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Booster Club Fruit Sale
The fruit truck will arrive Thursday, December 3rd. Fruit will be available for pick-up in front of the concession stand during the following days and times:
- Thursday, December 3rd, 3-5pm
- Friday, December 4th, 3-5pm
- Saturday, December 5th, 7:30am-2pm
THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the Booster Club by selling and purchasing fruit! Extra fruit has been ordered. Please contact the school office for more information.
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Support Valley through Amazon Smile
As you are doing your online purchasing through Amazon? Please choose Valley Lutheran through Amazon Smile. Valley receives .5% of your purchase with no additional cost to you. Use this link to sign up or search for Valley Lutheran under the charity lists. If you have questions, please contact Heidi Behnke at hbehnke@vlhs.com or 790-1676. Thank you for your support!
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Bargain Shopping? Think VL Auction Baskets
Teacher baskets will look at little more ‘virtual friendly’ this year. Each teacher and his or her class will choose a centerpiece offering such as a small appliance, device or the like rather than solicit many small items. If you are bargain shopping and spot a great buy-one-get-one or think to yourself, “This is too good to pass up,” please consider donating something your child’s class could build a basket around. If you have any questions, please contact Lori Milroy at lorimilroy4@gmail.com or 989-412-3666. Your child’s second semester 8th hour teacher will share more information in January.
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Northwoods Esports Virtual Camp
Northwoods University is excited to announce a virtual camp dedicated to developing competitive Rocket League players. The Northwoods University Esports camp will introduce participants to Head Coach Cody Elsen and the best players from his Rocket League team who will provide professional coaching throughout a four-day virtual camp starting December 1st and designed primarily for high school level players. For more information and the registration form click here.
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PSAT & SAT SCORE RELEASE DATES
GRATITUDE AND MENTAL HEALTH
Studies have consistently demonstrated that there is a strong connection between gratitude and mental health. In a time where everything feels a bit chaotic, take some time to sit down with your family and complete this Gratitude Journal. You’ll count your blessings and improve your mental health at the same time!
HOW TEENS THINK
Ever wonder what makes your teen act the way they do? Or what they’re thinking when they do something completely off the wall or out of character? Focus on the Family explains in this article from one of the authors of “Your Teenager Is Not Crazy” that does a great job of explaining why teens are brilliant one minute and making interesting decisions the next. Check it out at https://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/teens/parent-teen-connection/how-your-teen-thinks
PSAT & SAT SCORE RELEASE DATES
Scores from the October 14th testing will be released within the next month. Release dates vary depending on the exam taken. To see scores, students should log into their CollegeBoard account on or after the release date. Students who have never accessed scores online should create a CollegeBoard account and save their login information somewhere safe. Don’t forget to link your score to Khan Academy for personalized and targeted SAT practice!
PE CREDIT WAIVERS (CLASS OF 2022, 2023, & 2024)
As the Fall sports season comes to a close, it is a good time to get coaches signatures and turn in a PE Credit Waiver. Extra forms can be found in the front office.
IMPORTANT LINKS
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Click on the image above to read the latest
Valley Vision.
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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.
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Julian Petzold
Valley Lutheran High School
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