Valley Christian High School Newsletter |
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Letter From the Principal |
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Dear VCHS parents & guardians,
We have made it to the final stretch! May is jam-packed with events both social and academic, which means we risk missing the blessing that comes from reflecting at the end of a season.
As we end this year, our prayer is that we are a bit closer to Being Known and Knowing Others as part of the Valley Christian High School community. In order to honor the importance of reflection, I have summarized the areas of focus this past year:
July/August: Know VCHS. With over 60 years of experience in the ministry of nurturing teenagers, we use a Christ-centered educational process that is steeped in both tradition and visionary thinking, equipping our students as they navigate this complex world (Colossians 3:23). The proof is in the pudding!
September: Know What You Pursue. We reviewed my chapel message about the one dog that saw the rabbit and the wisdom needed to look up to notice what is real. When you pursue Christ, you don’t get tired and you don’t give up because God gives endurance and encouragement (Romans 15:5-6).
October: Know What Others Need. A word cloud hangs in my office based on words shared by students and teachers of what they need in a principal. This visual reminder intentionally keeps the focus on what our souls truly value and what those around us need (Proverbs 1:5).
November: Know Community With Others. By looking at how the disciples treated Doubting Thomas (John 20:24-26), we can learn how to remain in community with others during our increasingly polarized times. If we can model that in our homes and in our school, our students will experience authentic Christ-centered community.
February: Know Your Spiritual Formation. The Lenten season allowed us reflect on our own spiritual formation journey through the Encounter Lent Devotional series. We need time to reflect on the formation of our souls (Colossians 1:10-11). Who are we becoming?
March: Let Others Know You. This month, we considered how parents model bravery and courage to our teenagers through the sharing of their own own personal testimonies and stories (Daniel 4:2-3).
April: Know Christ. We reflected on transformation as the Christ Hero of history is triumphant on Easter morning and all of mankind can be awestruck at God’s power to transform the lowly and humble into soaring, spectacular creatures (Philippians 2:6-11).
Please take time with your own family to allow your minds and hearts to meander through the past few months. How did you grow? What did you learn? How have your habits, relationships, and environment shaped you? Our prayer is that the time you have spent with Valley Christian High School faculty and staff has blessed you. We look forward to seeing you at one of the many end-of-year celebrations this month. May you slow down and follow the example of Jesus’ mother Mary, so that you are able to treasure all of these precious life milestones in your heart (Luke 2:19).
May God bless you and keep you,
Jennifer Silva Griffin, Ed.D.
Principal
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May
1-12 Advanced Placement Exams (pre-registered)
3 Regular Schedule (no chapel due to AP exams)
6 Junior Prom
6 BEI Showcase
8/9 Make-up Work Due for any week 1 AP Exam course absence
13 Senior Prom
15/16 Make-up Work Due for any week 2 AP Exam course absence
16 Festival of the Arts
18 Senior Sunset 6 PM
19 Late Work Deadline
19 Principal's Award Ceremony (chapel schedule)
22-26 Review Days (no tests of major assignments due)
24 Seniors with A's Excused from Final Exam (dual-credit exceptions)
25 Baccalaureate Service 6:45 PM
26 C Day Schedule (online final exam review day)
29 Memorial Day, No School
30 & 31 Final Exams
2, 11, 16 & 25 Collaboration Schedule
10, 17, 19 & 24 Chapel Schedule
June
1-2 Final Exams
2 Last Day of School/End of Semester 2
2 Graduation Practice 10 AM - 12 PM
2 High School Graduation 6-8 PM
July
17 AMSE Program Applications Open 9 AM
24-28 Summer Freshman Service Week
31- August 4 Summer High School Service Week
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2023-24 Academic Calendar & New Bell Schedule |
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Click HERE for a lin k to the 2023-24 Calendar
Click HERE for a link to the 2023-24 Bell Schedule
Click HERE for more information about why VCS chose to make adjustments to the bell schedule
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Junior Prom May 6
Senior Prom May 13
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Parent Volunteers are still needed to assist with proctoring our AP exams in May. This is a great way to be a part of academic life here on the hill and support our ministry with minimal commitment. AP exams on campus run from May 1-May 12. Volunteers are needed in 4 hour windows for both our morning and afternoon exams. Although parents may not proctor an exam their student is taking this year, we often have multiple exams running at time and we can always use your help.
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End of Semester Academic Dates |
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It’s hard to believe we’ve almost reached the end of the year! Remembering some key information and dates will help your student stay on track to finish the semester strong.
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May 19th: VCHS Late Work Deadline - Some teachers may have earlier deadlines (e.g. no work accepted after a unit test, etc.), so students should work closely with their teachers.
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May 22-25: VCHS Review Days - Teachers will dedicate some class time to review for final exams. Teachers do not administer tests or have major projects due, allowing students the time to adequately prepare for their final exams. Note: Bible courses, which do not administer final exams and courses that have non-traditional finals—such as Conservatory classes—are the exception to the no-testing rule.
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May 26: Distance Learning Review Day C Day Schedule
- May 30-June 2: Final Exam Week
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June 3-9: Review Semester 2 Grades in PowerSchool – To view Semester 2 grades prior to report cards being mailed, please remember to check PowerSchool before the end of business on June 9th when it closes for scheduled maintenance over the summer. Grade appeals due to error or extenuating circumstances should be sent to the Associate Vice Principal of Instruction (reshoff@vcs.net) before the end of June.
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June 10: PowerSchool Closure - PowerSchool will be closed to families over the Summer Break for scheduled maintenance.
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Semester 2 Report Cards will be postmarked to families by June 13th
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C Day Schedule: Final Exam Online Study Day |
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On May 26th, VCHS will hold a Distance Learning study day to provide a balance of flexible study time and academic support from teachers. We pray this helps to reduce any stress and anxiety. Students may choose to attend for as little or as much time as they choose, and each subject area is allotted 30 minutes during the day that is dedicated solely to that subject. Click HERE to view the C-Day schedule.
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Final Exam Information and Policies |
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Final Exams are May 30 - June 2
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Attendance Requirements: Academic courses will administer traditional final exams on campus during final exam week. Attendance is mandatory for any class period in which a final exam is being given. If a student has no final exam in a class, they are not expected to attend school during the period that class meets.
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Final Exam Date Limitations: No academic final exam, in part or as a whole, may be given before the beginning of the scheduled final exam week. Exceptions include Bible classes (no final exams) and Conservatory or performance-based courses, which may have earlier final exams.
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Requests to Move Exams: Students must take final exams during their scheduled dates and times. Students may ask their teacher to take their final during a different period within final exam week, but this does not guarantee that a request can be accommodated. The teacher will make a determination based on teacher schedule/classroom availability. Students who plan to miss an exam due to a planned vacation may ask a teacher if they can move an exam, but if the teacher cannot accommodate this request, the student will have to make up the exam with Ms. Kinkel (akinkel@vcs.net) over the summer.
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Academic Integrity: All academic policies regarding academic integrity are strictly upheld during final exam week. Refer to pages 31-33 of the VCHS Student/Parent Handbook. Academic discipline related to final exams may need to be addressed during the supper or upon our return to school in August.
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Excused Absences Due to Illness or Emergency: For second-semester final exams missed due to illness-related or emergency absences, students are responsible for coordinating make-up finals with the teacher during the Thursday or Friday make-up time slots. Final exams that cannot be made up in those slots will be managed by Ms. Kinkel (akinkel@vcs.net), who will arrange for students to take the exam over the summer. Exams administered over the summer may require a grade change to be issued.
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Unexcused Absences: Students who have an unexcused absence from the final will receive a zero for the final.
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Dress Code: Students may wear sweats during final exam week.
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Problem with a Grade? Find an Error? PowerSchool will be closed after June 9th, so grade appeals will be addressed later in the summer. Contact the Associate Vice Principal of Instruction (reshoff@vcs.net) to report a problem with a second-semester grade no later than the end of June.
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College Board Advanced Placement (AP) testing will occur on our VCHS campus from May 1 through May 12. Students can access the list of tests that they are registered to take and the date and time of their exam by logging into myap.collegeboard.org. Students should arrive on campus no less than a half an hour before their scheduled test time. Students should arrive for morning exams by 7:30am and for afternoon exams by 11:30am, because students will be admitted to the testing room, will be seated, and will begin being read official testing protocols so that exams can start on time. For exam reminders and a list of VCHS testing locations, students should refer to their email from Mrs. Schneider.
VCHS Class Absences Due to AP Exams
Our AP staff will provide the VCHS attendance monitor with a list of all students present for each exam. These students will be marked with an excused absence for all classes they miss that day. Coursework deadlines will be extended for full credit, so long as the work is turned in the first day their class meets the following week. Missed work due to an absence for an AP exam 5/1-5/5 will be due for A-day on 5/8 and B-day on 5/9. Missed work due to an absence from an AP exam 5/8-5/12 will be due for B-day on 5/15 and A-day on 5/16.
Absences from AP Exams
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Request a Late Test: Students must request a late exam no later than 3pm on the date of the originally scheduled exam. Please include the reason for the late test since VCHS will have to submit this to the College Board for approval. VCHS will assume that students who do not request a late exam by 3pm on the date of the regularly scheduled test have elected to cancel their exam.
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Due to Illness: If a student misses an exam due to illness, including COVID diagnosis or required quarantine, please have a parent email the AP Coordinator (elle@vcs.net). We will provide instructions on how to verify if the absence qualifies for College Board late testing. Late tests must be administered according to the College Board’s testing schedule.
Canceling an Exam: Because the VCHS deadline for exam refunds has passed, students who no longer wish to take an AP exam that they are registered for may effectively cancel their exam by completing this opt-out form. Even if a students was registered to take an exam, if they do not attend that exam, it will not appear on the list of their tests provided by the College Board to future universities.
AP Exam Policies and Procedures
- Exam security
- What to bring and not bring on exam day
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Does your subject allow a calculator? (Note: Not all subjects that allow calculators allow graphing calculators.)
- Cell phones, iPads, laptops, smartwatches, earbuds, and other electronic devices are not permitted during AP testing. Any personal belongings, including prohibited items, brought to an exam will be placed in a designated area, separate from students. Students will not be able to access these items during testing or during breaks. VCS cannot be responsible for the security of confiscated devices or belongings, so it’s best to leave them at home.
- Per standard College Board rules, no eating or drinking is permitted in the testing room.
- Students should be in dress code for on campus AP exams. Students should dress in layers as the testing rooms may be chilly.
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Dual Credit Final Exam Reminder: For yearlong and spring dual credit courses, all students who take a course for dual credit must take the final exam regardless of their course grades. For those who do not take their final exam, their dual credit grade will be calculated differently and reported to the college.
Records: Please remember to maintain your dual credit college records! VCHS is unable to store student records. You are advised to keep a record of the information listed below for at least 8 years:
- VCS Course Name/ Teacher Name / Year Course was taken
- Name of College / College student ID number
- College Course Name/ Couse Number
- Copy of the Syllabus (Very important! Contact your teacher for this)
Ordering Transcripts: Your grade in the VCHS course will generate a college transcript 4-6 weeks after the completion of your course. Dual credit students are advised to order a transcript(s) from the colleges, check for accuracy, and save them. Seniors who took a dual credit course, remember it is your responsibility to send the official transcript to your future college to receive credit for your course. Please wait until July 15 to order transcripts from the 21-22 school year. Please click on our dual credit home page HERE for links to order transcripts.
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SAT/ACT Prep Summer Seminars |
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At this time in the year, many of you are dealing with very busy students, but there is a great way for you to make next year a little less stressful. Summer is an excellent time to start preparing for the SAT and ACT. It allows the students to have fewer commitments during the school year, and allows them to have a more focused approach to studying for these standardized tests.
We are offering one SAT Prep Seminar and one ACT Prep Seminar this summer. During these seminars, students will be given useful hints and will be taught specific strategies that will help them to improve their test scores. Students will also take two full-length practice tests and receive feedback on their individual performances. The dates for these seminars are:
SAT Prep Seminar:
Pre-Test: Monday, June 4 from 8:00am – 12:00pm
Seminar: Tuesday – Friday, June 5 – 8 from 12:00pm – 3:00pm
Post Test: Monday, June 11 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm
ACT Prep Seminar:
Pre-Test: Monday, June 4 from 8:00am – 12:00pm
Seminar: Tuesday – Friday, June 5 – 8 from 8:00am – 11:00am
Post Test: Monday, June 11 from 12:00pm – 4:00pm
These great seminars cost only $350 each. So sign up early to reserve your spot!
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Select Honors and AP courses require summer work designed to help prepare students for their upcoming course. All summer assignments should be completed before the first day of school. The Summer Assignment page will go live June 5th. Students will receive additional information about summer assignments from their current teachers before the school year ends.
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Returning Library Materials
All Skyway Library materials are due Friday, May 12th. This includes any material(s) borrowed this year or previously that are still on a student’s library record. Students will receive overdue notices about missing books and fine notices for books returned late via their Warriorlife email and can speak with any of our staff members if they have questions. Seniors must have their library record cleared of books and fines to receive their diploma. For missing books, we encourage students to check their backpack(s), bedroom, other areas at home, and carpool cars. If the book(s) cannot be found, please check with our staff before purchasing a replacement copy – we will give you/your student the exact ISBN needed for our collection.
Click HERE for Learning Commons Updates including summer library resources available. |
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Summer Community Service Opportunties |
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Over the years, VCS has partnered with many Churches and non-profit organizations to give our students opportunities to serve. Summer is a great time for students to do their Community Service requirements beginning June 1, 2023, for the following school year. For more information on VCHS community service, including student community service hours requirements, approved lists, and contact information please see the Christian Service page at learn@vcs. We will keep updating the Christian Service page during the summer with opportunities to serve throughout our county. We are currently planning two Summer Serve weeks, July 24-28 (Incoming Freshman) and July 31- August 4 (Incoming Sophomore, Junior, and Seniors) During these weeks, VCHS students will have the opportunity to serve in our community with Churches and organizations like Martha’s Kitchen, Sacred Heart Community Services City Team Ministries and local Churches. Details will be available after May 1. Thank you for your support and if you have questions please contact Tim Galleher at tgalleher@vcs.net.
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Graduating Senior Information |
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Senior Events:
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May 1 & 2 Seniors may pick up VCS graduation yard signs after school in the quad
- May 18 Senior Sunset
- May 25 Baccalaureate
- June 2 Graduation Practice & Ceremony
Final reminders for seniors regarding college applications
Seniors remember, YOU must send your SAT/ACT scores and Dual Credit Transcripts to the college you will be attending. Counselors cannot send test scores or dual credit transcripts for you, and the college you plan to attend requires the official documents showing the scores and credits you shared on your application. You can send your scores to UC campuses although they were not part of the application process. Your scores will be used for placement purposes.
Remember to keep checking your portal to make sure you are not missing anything.
Make sure you are keeping track of deadlines such as housing deposits, accepting financial aid, placement tests, and freshman orientations.
Please get in touch with your counselor if you have any questions or concerns.
Academic Standing
We are currently reviewing the graduation status of every senior. If we discover any deficiencies in your schedule, we will notify you. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to ensure that you are on-track for graduation. Also, please be aware that while a grade of "D" in a class satisfies high school graduation requirements, most colleges do not accept "D's" for college entrance requirements. If you are unsure of your graduation status or would like to review your schedule in light of your college goals, please contact your counselor.
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Rising Senior/Junior Information |
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Class of 2024 Rising Seniors: The Summer College Application Webinar Series
The VCHS counseling team is here to walk alongside our rising seniors through the summer with a two-tiered support system. We are holding webinars to EDUCATE STUDENTS about a variety of topics tied to college applications. Our hope is that the education provided by the counseling department will empower students to begin the application process. Students will then be able to receive COACHING AND SUPPORT from their assigned counselor through individual appointments. Below you will find the webinars available in our summer series.
All webinars will be held on Wednesdays at 10:00 am with about half an hour of education and then allowing for Q&A. If you can't attend a webinar live, look for the recording we send out to all students the following day. Do not miss out on one of the most helpful activities led by the counseling department.
Students should be on the lookout for an email coming the last week of school with links to register for the different webinars, but please add these important dates to your calendar now!
Summer Webinar Series Dates:
- June 7: College Application Basics
- June 14: Finalizing the College List
- June 21: Common App Essay/Personal Statement
- July 12: UC Personal Insight Questions
- July 19: "Why this University?" and other smaller Essays
- July 26: Some of the Details-Activities Section, Resume, Rec Letters July 26
College Essay Writing Workshop Dates:
- June 6, 2 PM UC Personal Interest Questions
- June 29, 2 PM Common Application
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Rising Juniors/Sophomore Information |
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Rising Juniors: How to Build A Strong College List
Building a diverse college list that is individualized for YOU takes time. Often students do not start doing college research soon enough, and they scramble to put together a college list that may not be the best fit. With the application process still a year in the distance, this summer is a great time to begin doing some research and making plans to visit college while students are not under pressure.
We want to encourage STUDENTS to attend our summer webinar:
Building A Strong College List to be held Wednesday, July 12 at 2:00 pm.
For students who cannot attend live, a recording will be sent out shortly after the presentation. More information and a link to register will come by email toward the end of school.
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Incoming Freshmen Information |
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Incoming Freshmen: Summer Webinar Series
The counseling team cannot wait to welcome our incoming freshmen. To help with the transition to high school and to familiarize students with our Warrior community, there will be a summer webinar series focused on freshmen. Everything from cultivating healthy friendships to soft skills and getting involved will be discussed. More details and webinar links will come in email, but mark your calendars with these important dates.
All incoming freshmen webinars will be held on Wednesdays at 1:00 pm with about half an hour of education and then allowing for a few minutes of Q&A.
- June 14th Discovering Your Interests: How to Get Plugged In
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July 12th Building Connections that Last
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July 26th Unlocking Your Academic Excellence
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Exciting Partnership with College Planning ABC |
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Dear Parents,
We are thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Independent Education Consultant, College Planning ABC, to provide FREE workshops and on free consultation for our high school families!
This collaboration comes at a crucial time when college award letters have been sent out, and many families are faced with making significant decisions about their child's future education.
As parents, we understand that navigating the college admissions process can be challenging and stressful. Our collaboration with College Planning ABC aims to offer valuable insights and support, helping families make informed decisions to unlock the full potential of their child's academic journey.
Manny Fabriquer, CE0 of College Planning has worked with nearly 100 families at Valley Christian High School and he is the proud parent of a Warrior Alumni.
With this free consultation, our high school families will gain a better understanding of the numerous opportunities available to their children. College Planning ABC will provide expert guidance on, financial aid, award letters, and scholarship opportunities that you may not have been aware of.
Don't miss this opportunity to give your child the best possible start in their college career! We encourage you to take advantage of this fantastic offer and look forward to helping you navigate the world of higher education.
The link below can be used to sign up for your free consultation
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Year-end Lunch Account Information |
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What happens to my student's remaining meal balance at the end of the school year?
One question we get every year at this time is: What will happen to my student's remaining meal account balance? Families may have end-of-year balances that are larger than usual. So we're getting in touch with details about remaining meal balances.
- In most cases, student balances will rollover at the start of the next school year. (If you have a student graduating or changing schools, but have other students remaining in this school, you can transfer balances from one account to another.)
- If you have a student who is graduating or leaving the school and has a remaining balance, we will issue a refund check upon request. Please email Mrs. Ko at jko@vcs.net with the following information:
Student name: _______________________
Student grade: ______________
Lunch ID #: __________________
Lunch balance: $______________
Name on the check: ________________________
Address to mail the check: ___________________
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Charter Oaks Parent Survey |
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Valley Christian Schools appreciates input from our parents. You will be receiving our annual survey in your inbox on May 3rd. The email containing the link will come from Charter Oak, our third party team. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey between May 3rd and May 17th. |
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Please help support our students at the 28th Annual Golf Classic! Get your team together and save the date for Monday, May 15, at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club. You won't want to miss this fun-filled day on the course for a great cause! Sign up today at vcs.net/golfclassic.
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May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month, a time to celebrate the contributions and achievements of this diverse community in the United States. As Christians, it is essential to acknowledge and appreciate the richness of cultures and experiences that make up the AAPI community and to reflect on how we can better love and serve our AAPI brothers and sisters.
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We are excited for our 2023-2024 school year and are looking to partner with Christian staff and educators who are passionate about serving teenagers. Please look over our job openings and help us network possible candidates. Also please join us in praying that God’s hand leads our hiring season: https://www.vcs.net/about/employment
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Looking for a fun way for your kids to spend the summer? Is your student interested in a summer course? Whether your child enjoys acting, art, science, or sports, you can browse our program and course offerings to start planning.
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Our next newsletter will come out mid-July |
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Summer Parent Volunteer Opportunity |
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VCHS is looking for parent volunteers who would be available to help decorate teacher bulletin boards over the summer. Scheduling is flexible and supplies will be provided. Interested? Email jmitchell@vcs.net. |
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Parent Teacher Prayer Fellowship |
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Interested in being informed, inspired and integrated with our VCHS community? Join us on the 3rd Tuesday of most months to hear from Principal Dr. Jennifer Silva Griffin, meet staff and other parents, pray with us throughout the school year and discover ways of getting connected.
While the end of the school year is approaching, it’s not too late to join PTPF for our final gathering in May…and be among the first to receive a welcome in the fall! For more information, email me at kpershall71@gmail.com.
“And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together…but encouraging one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
BLESS A TEACHER:
Our hard working, teachers and staff would be blessed if Warrior families donated gift cards for the final Teacher Raffle in May. Please consider donating a gift card, perhaps to a restaurant, store,or for online shopping. If you have a vacation home or extra sporting tickets, they would make awesome prizes! To donate, please contact me at kpershall71@gmail.com or have your student drop your item off in the high school office, directed to Jean Mitchell. This is an easy way to bless and show appreciation to our faculty and staff. Thank You!
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Looking to watch our Chapels? Contact Tim Coutts for more information: tcoutts@vcs.net
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All parents are welcome to join our Praying Parents to pray over our high school. Prayer participants need not pray out loud. We welcome silent prayer partners as well!
Join Us:
Wednesday Mornings 9:15-10:15 in the VCHS Chapel
Tuesday Mornings 6:30-7:00 AM Online
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We would like to pray for you and your family. Submit your prayer request using the link below, and it will immediately be sent to the prayer intercessor leader for the campus you select. No one will contact you, we just want to pray for you. All prayers are held in the strictest confidence.
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Business & Entrepreneurship Initiative Showcase |
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The mission of BEI is to train, equip, and empower the next generation of principled leaders to lead, serve, and impact.
Click HERE to register for BEI Showcase & program updates.
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Our mission is to prepare the next generation of Christian STEM innovators. |
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Our mission is to prepare the next generation of Christian STEM innovators.
Click HERE for a recap of the MATE ROV tournament and important application information for the 2023/24 school year. Questions for AMSE? Contact us at amse@vcs.net.
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Festival of the Arts is one of our many highlights for the final month of the school year! Click HERE for all of the Conservatory details.
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The goal of the International Student Program is to prepare VCS international students to become global leaders who serve God and their communities making genuine and positive impacts. Check out our latest newsletter to see how our international students are thriving at Valley Christian. If you want to connect with us or our international students, please contact us at international@vcs.net.
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Important Contact Information |
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High School Office: 408-513-2400
High School Attendance Line: 408-513-2433
VCS Security: 408-639-6865
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Valley Christian High School | (408) 513-2400 | www.vcs.net |
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