Parents’ Newsline Tim Plath—Principal Volume XI Number 4 November 2015
Principal’s Message
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1
With Thankful Hearts
The United States annually observes the na onal holiday of Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. While we revel in the good food, family and friends, and football on that day, we also take some me to pause and reflect on the blessings we have received. For us, as Chris ans, the ques on, “For what are you thankful this year?” takes on a different meaning. We’re thankful for the gi of God’s Son, the perfect life he lived and the innocent death he gave for us. We’re thankful for all the blessings God the Father has given us and the faith that the Holy Spirit works in our heart. We are also thankful for our churches and schools where God’s Word is taught in its truth and purity and the pastors and teachers at those ministries, as well as the army of believers who support the very important work they do.
Undoubtedly, we can all be thankful for the families we have, the health and wealth we enjoy and the other earthly blessings too numerous to men on. God has truly blessed us here, too!
At Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, we are thankful for the students that walk our halls and sit in our classes. We’re thankful for the parents who send their student to us, entrus ng us with the Lutheran high school educa on that these young people want. God has blessed us in so many ways with others who support this ministry through their prayers, their spirit of volunteerism, their kind words and their financial gi s. What a blessing this is to us!
I hope that you have a blessed Thanksgiving. I hope, too, that you have many reasons to “Give thanks to the Lord!” Veterans’ Recogni on The annual MVL Veterans’ Day Recogni on Program has been rescheduled to Tuesday, November 10th beginning at 9 a.m. Veterans from our congrega ons and the community are invited to a end this day of honoring those who have served in the military. Veterans and their guests are invited to par cipate in breakfast at 7:30 a.m. The program that follows at 9:00 a.m. is open to anyone. Grades 5‐8 in our schools are invited to a end this special event and transporta on is provided. RSVP’s are required for the breakfast and can be made by contac ng Mae Tacke at 507‐233‐8662 or [email protected].
Fall Band Concert Due to the Veterans’ Program being moved we have also moved MVL’s Fall Band Concert to Tuesday, November 10 at 7:00 p.m. to keep the logis cs simple. We are looking forward to hos ng our veterans again this year and hearing our Band, Jazz Ensemble and Chargaliers perform in the Fall Band Concert!
Scrip News Start thinking about using SCRIP for Christmas gi s. The last week to order for Christmas will be the week of December 7th. Orders placed a er December 14th will not be guaranteed to be filled. Check out all the vendors at glscrip.com and scrippro.com
Wreath Sales The MVL Student Council will be having their annual Christmas Wreath sale. Student representa ves will be assigned to their home congrega on to gather orders throughout November. Please look for a representa ve at your church to place an order. The wreaths will be delivered the first week in December. The proceeds for this sale will be designated by the Student Council.
Inclement Weather Policy With the coming of cold weather it may happen that we will decide to start school late, close school for the day or dismiss early. In such cases, the decision will be announced through our Honeywell Instant Alert system. If you have not yet registered your account please go to the MVL website h p://www.mvl.org/student‐life/school‐closing‐alerts and follow the instruc ons to register your student. You can customize the phone numbers and ways you will receive no fica on. If you have registered in the past, be sure to log in and make sure all your informa on is current.
It is our inten on to have a decision by 6:00 a.m. on those mornings when we will be star ng late or closing for the day. At mes, something could force a later decision and, in such cases, we would try to do that as soon as possible. We will con nue u lizing the following radio and television sta ons: KNUJ‐AM (860) and SAM‐FM (107.3), WCCO‐AM (830), KEEZ‐FM (99.1), KRBI‐AM (1310) and KRBI‐FM (105.5), KTOE‐AM (1420), KXAC (100.5), KRRW (101.5), KYSM (FAN‐ 1230), KLGR‐AM (1490) and Mix 97.7 FM, WCCO (4), KSTP (5), KMSP (9), KARE (11), and KEYC (12).
Parents have the final decision on ques onable weather days. A student absent will be marked absent, but if parents contact us with their decision to send their child later, or keep them home due to the weather, those absences are considered ‘weather‐related’ and will not count toward the eight allowed absences before losing credit.
Parents, we ask that you have a plan of ac on with your student if the weather is expected to turn bad during the course of the day. It is difficult to get messages to students during the school day when we are trying to no fy the media and other en es. Make sure your Instant Alert account is up to date so you will receive the no ce as soon as it is made. Thanks in advance for your coopera on! Students Represent MVL at Rotary Ethics Workshop On Tuesday, October 13, juniors and seniors represented MVL at an ethics workshop sponsored by the New Ulm Rota‐ ry Club. They joined students from New Ulm Cathedral and New Ulm High School to learn more about ethics and their applica ons in the business world. For our MVL students who par cipated, it also gave them the opportunity to think about the rela onship with their faith and how they will address ethical situa ons a er they graduate from high school.
The day included presenta ons in the morning that helped the students understand the meaning of ethics and some prac cal applica ons. The a ernoon saw them divided into small groups as they formed leadership teams of a fic ‐ ous company. The students had to work together to find ways to address the situa ons that came up. The greatest challenge? They had to accomplish their tasks within a specified me frame.
Our students all presented themselves in a very posi ve manner and spent me before and a er the event considering ethical decision making in light of their faith as Chris ans. Each of these young people felt that they had learned a great deal and found the me to be very worthwhile. Congratula ons to AJ Buboltz, Megan Westphal, Brandon Steffl, Rose Reiner, Abigail Pleiss, Dylan Borchert, Kira Fosburgh and Thomas Pfingsten!
Meet the MVL Family Laura Nolte comes to MVL a er working for several years as a bookkeeper in the banking field. She considers herself privileged to have a ended an area Lutheran high school and wants to pass on that blessing to others. In addi on to crunching numbers, Mrs. Nolte enjoys crossword puzzles, playing the French horn, and a emp ng to garden. Her husband, Brent, is a music instructor at Mar n Luther College, and they have three children: Gabrielle, Karissa and Brianna.
Jim Buboltz was born in Arlington, MN. He graduated from Dr. Mar n Luther College and accepted a call to Nebraska Lutheran High School. Jim came to MVL in 2000, as the Head Football Coach and instructor of Social Studies. Since Jim has been here at MVL, he has become the advisor to the annual Junior History Tour. In 2003, he added the addi onal du es of Dean of Students (which includes recruitment) to his call responsibili es. Jim has three children, AJ, Julia, and Josie and resides in New Ulm. In his spare me, Jim enjoys fishing and sports.
John Gunderson was born in Granite Falls, Minnesota. He grew up on a small farm two miles south of the town of Wood Lake. He spent most of his childhood either in school at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran School, or on the farm. John a ended Mar n Luther College in New Ulm and in the spring of 2003, John accepted the call to teach Spanish at MVL. At MVL, John has coached and taught three levels of Spanish. His current hobbies include traveling, hun ng, fishing, and camping.
Jason Jaspersen grew up in New Ulm and a ended St. Paul's Lutheran Grade School and MVL. He studied art at Bethany Lutheran College, MSU‐Mankato, and Gustavus Adolphus. Jason accepted an emergency call to teach art classes at MVL in the fall of 2001. Since then, he has obtained WELS synod cer fica on, and nurtured a part‐ me freelance art prac ce. In addi on to his teaching du es at MVL, Jason leads Art club, and helps direct the fall and spring plays. Jason is working on a Master's degree in Experien al Educa on at MSU‐Mankato.
Jason's wife, Jennifer, has been enjoying her me as a teacher's assistant at St. Paul's, New Ulm. They have two children, Maida and Teddy.
Besides teaching art, learning about teaching art, and making art, Jason enjoys waterskiing, tradi onal wood joinery, rock climbing, graphic novels, travel and growing bonsai trees. Jason's por olio can be viewed online at jjjaspersen.com Spirit of MVL Recogni on The Spirit of MVL Recognition Reception will be Saturday, November 21, from 4:00‐5:00 p.m. at the Best Western Plus Conference Center, New Ulm. Parents and Grandparents, this is a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of the people that made it possible for your children and grandchildren to attend MVL. Their stories of their love for MVL and their Lord, and their commitment to Christian education will be nothing less than inspiring. The Reception is compli‐ mentary. However, reservations are necessary for proper food and beverage management. Please RSVP by November 13 to Mae Tacke at 507‐233‐8662, [email protected] , or online at mvl.org, News & Events, Spirit of MVL Events. Those being recognized:
Spirit of MVL Gala The 3rd Annual Spirit of MVL Fundraising Gala follows from 5:00—8:30 p.m. Delicious food, beverages, entertain‐ ment, and a glimpse of a Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School project that will be the focus of this year’s “appeal to the heart” on the list of live auc on items. Tickets for this event are $50/person or $300 for a table of 8. For planning purposes, please RSVP for either or both events at 507‐233‐8662, [email protected], or online at mvl.org/News & Events/Spirit of MVL. Payment for the purchase of ckets or table(s) can be by cash, check or credit card.
History Tour 2016 The 46 par cipants from the junior class are now in the prepara on stage for the school’s 20th annual History Tour. The dates for the History Tour 2016 are set for June 19‐30. The 12 day trip includes Niagara Falls and the tradi‐ onal places like Ge ysburg, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. The scheduled me at Virginia Beach remains a high‐ light for many and is s ll part of the 2016 trip. Again, please mark the dates of June 19‐30, 2016. Parents and par ci‐ pants are reminded of the History Tour mee ng scheduled for November 16, 2015. The mee ng will be held in the commons star ng at 7:00 p.m.. If there are any ques ons regarding the History Tour, please feel free to contact Mr. Buboltz by phone/ [email protected] by e‐mail, or the front office.
A er Prom Parent Mee ng Junior parents who are interested in organizing the A er Prom event should plan to a end a mee ng at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, November 16. This mee ng will take place right before and will be finished by the start of the History Tour mee ng. If you are interested in helping, but unable to a end, please inform Sarah Grams by calling the office or emailing her at [email protected]. From the Desk of the Dean
The first quarter of the 2015 – 2016 MVL school year is completed. In the past, I have provided li le dbits of infor‐ ma on for parents on different topics in and out of school. It is my hope to provide a topic or two on a monthly basis. Again, please feel free to call or email me at school with any/all feedback or ques ons you may have with these topics. The Brown County Underage Substance Abuse Coali on recently conducted a Parent/Youth Summit I a ended. In the next couple of months, I would like to share with you informa on I obtained. I share this informa on not because these are necessarily issues MVL is dealing with at great levels, but rather an opportunity for me to assist you the parents. The following topics from the Summit I will be sharing informa on on are the areas of: Drug Iden fica ons, Suicide Awareness, Social Media and the law, and Sex ng. The topic today is Tobacco.
Electronic Cigare es (E‐Cigare es, E‐Cigs) E‐cigare es are ba ery‐operated devices that produce an inhaled aerosol. E‐cigare es designs vary and some mes resemble conven onal cigare es. E‐cigare es are defined as tobacco products by the FDA and Minnesota law. Some people believe that E‐cigare es are safe to use, that statement is not true for users and bystanders. The E‐cigare e aerosol has lower levels of toxins than conven onal cigare e smoke, but s ll contain nico ne, heavy metals, formalde‐ hyde, and other carcinogens. In conclusion, the E‐cigare e is very addic ve and dangerous.
Here are some facts on E‐cigare es: 66% of Minnesota adults who used E‐cigare es the past month are also smokers, 28.4% of Minnesota high school students have tried E‐cigare es with 13% of those students using in the past 30 days, 60% of those high school students have also used conven onal tobacco products.
Why are E‐cigare es looked at as being dangerous to our youth? Like the purpose of menthol cigare es, flavored ci‐ gars, or other flavored tobacco products, the flavors are meant to a ract the youth and disguise their dangers. Youth exposure to E‐cigare es adver sing has increased 250% from 2011‐2013 alone. Research shows E‐cigare e poisonings have drama cally increased in Minnesota and na onwide.
At this me, MVL, like many communi es and businesses, forbids the use of E‐cigare es (and tobacco) on the premis‐ es. In Minnesota, many ci es and coun es are adding E‐cigare es to their tobacco ordinances. There are loca ons like Target Field, Target Center, and Minnesota Zoo that prohibit E‐cigare e use.
Again, this informa on is only meant to inform and assist our MVL families. (Clear Way Minnesota)
ACT Dates Juniors and Seniors should check the ACT dates on Guidance page of MVL website. The registra on deadline for the December 13th test is November 7th. Registra on will be accepted through November 21st with a late fee.
Transcript Requests for College Admission Seniors as you finish your college applica on process, don't forget to make a wri en request for your transcript to be sent to the college or colleges of your choice. Bring those requests to Mr. Hildebrandt and make sure that you include the address of the college or university. Cross Country Our cross country season is coming to an end. We have been blessed this year with a good number of runners and good weather for running. It has been wonderful to see the team grow as individuals and as a team. Every meet we have had at least one runner achieve a personal record. At our recent conference meet, we had three runners make all conference.
Ruthie Rider finished in 4th
Johanna Stelljes finished in 5th for the girls
Brandon Steffl finished in 1st for the boys.
We have one meet le that will determine if any of our runners will make it to the State meet.
Thank You I would like to thank everyone who volunteered their me this fall helping in our concession stand, running the scoreboard, cket taking, football chain gang, announcing, volleyball score‐ book and anywhere else your generosity was given. I know how difficult it can be to find free me to volunteer and I’m thankful for your willingness to help. It’s amazing to think back on the seasons and see how many people helped out when called upon. It’s a great way to meet your student’s friends and parents and a great way to make use of your talents and give back. Please feel free to call Sarah or me if you would like to help out with taking ckets or you can go to the Booster Club tab on the website and sign up to help with concessions.
Thank you also to our fall coaches. What a dedicated group of Chris ans who planned prac ces, games and other ac‐ vi es for our teams while juggling me for their families and students! Thank you, coaches, for sharing your me, tal‐ ents and abili es with our athletes and their families.
MVL Ac vi es’ Scores and Updates on Twi er You can follow all the MVL ac vi es on Twi er. If you or any alumni have a Twi er account, follow us at MVL Ac vi es @MVLAc vi es. Game news and scores will be updated as soon as the informa on is received. Go Chargers!
Schedule Changes If you would like up to the minute game changes, go to our website (www.mvl.org) and click on “Athle cs”. Then click on “Athle c Schedules”. There you can peruse our schedules. In the upper right corner is an icon en tled “No fy Me”. Click on it to sign up for instant schedule changes. You will receive text messages and/or emails instantly when a change is made to the ac vity schedules you are following. Boys’ and Girls’ Freshmen Basketball Schedules The freshmen schedules are a work in progress. Each year I have to wait and see if the schools that we play against will have Freshmen/C Squad teams. I will be adding games as I get them scheduled and some may need to be cancelled throughout the season for various reasons. My recommenda on is to sign up for the “No fy Me” men oned above under “Schedule Changes”. You will then receive updates as I am informed and make these chang‐ es to our schedules. Annual Mee ng The Booster Club Annual Mee ng was held on Sunday, October 11th, 2015. During this mee ng the 2015‐2016 Wish List was approved. These are items that will be purchased with money raised from upcoming booster club fundraisers such as the concession stand and auc on. *Awards *Conference Banners *Knowledge Bowl Vests (fleece) *Tenor Saxophone *Mound Tarps *Dr. Dish (shoo ng, passing, and rebounding machine) *Treadmill *Fitness Center TV and mounts *Tournament Fund *MSU Mental Training Program *Track Uniforms *Volleyball Standards and Officials Stand *Student Planners *Cross Country Uniforms
Sign Up Genius Watch for emails for open slots on sign up genius to cover basketball concessions. Basketball starts this month with the first home game on November 24th. Please also note the swap feature in case you cannot cover a spot you had previ‐ ously signed up for. Look for the link I Need To Change My Sign Up. Also, please let Kelly Diersen know if you would be willing to be an emergency contact for the concession stand.
Christmas Gi for Faculty and Staff Please consider showing your apprecia on for all the work our MVL faculty and staff does in educa ng and training our teenagers to serve the Lord. Since Christmas is a wonderful me to reflect on the gi s we’ve been given, the Booster Club Board is invi ng you to share in a monetary dona on toward the purchase of gi cer ficates for our MVL faculty and staff. Pease send you dona on with your child by December 11th to the MVL office or mail it to MVL at 45638 561st Street, New Ulm, MN 56073.
Mark Your Calendars! Future MVL Booster Club Events for 2015‐2016 The date for the Pasta Meal is Sunday, November 15th from 10:30 to 1:00 March 6th 2016 Pork Chop Dinner April 3rd 2016 MVL Auc on
New Logo Pictured to the le is Junior Hannah Mohror. Hannah is wearing the t‐shirt logo she de‐ signed for the Booster Club for 2015! Congratula ons Hannah!
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School
November, 2015 2 3 4 5 6 Honey-Mustard Chick- Chicken and Gnoc- Hamburgers on WGR Linguini and Ham, Breaded Chicken Patty en, Brown Rice, Hon- chi Soup, Corn- Bun, Curly Fries, Green Bread Slices, Peas, Ap- on WGR Bun, Au Grat- ey-Oat Dinner Roll, bread, Corn, Pears, Beans, Peaches, Fresh plesauce, Fresh Vegeta- in Potatoes, Baked Broccoli, Mandarin Fresh Vegetables, Vegetables, Salad and bles, Salad and Fruit Beans, Mixed Fruit, Oranges, Fresh Vege- Salad and Fruit Fruit Fresh Vegetables, Salad tables, Salad and Fruit and Fruit
9 10 11 12 13 Cheese Quesadilla or Chicken Strips, Sloppy Joes on WGR Tater Totdish, Bread Pizza Choices, Peas, Beef & Bean Burrito, Mashed Potatoes, Bun, Chips, Green Slices, Baked Beans, Pineapple Chunks, Fresh Broccoli, Peaches, Corn, Bread Slices, Beans, Mixed Fruit, Applesauce, Fresh Veg- Vegetables, Salad and Fresh Vegetables, Sal- Diced Pears, Fresh Fresh Vegetables, Salad etables, Salad and Fruit Fruit ad and Fruit Vegetables, Salad and Fruit and Fruit 16 17 18 19 20 Hot Dogs on WGR Tacos on WW Tor- Sliced Turkey and Gra- Lasagna, Garlic Bread- Sweet & Sour Chicken Bun, Macaroni & tilla, Refried Beans, vy, Mashed Potatoes, stick, Green Beans, on Rice, Broccoli, Bread Cheese, Baked Beans, Tortilla Chips, Ap- Dinner Roll, Corn, Cran- Diced Pears, Fresh Veg- Slice, Pineapple, Fresh Mandarin Oranges, plesauce, Fresh berry Sauce, Diced etables, Salad and Fruit Vegetables, Salad and Fresh Vegetables, Vegetables, Salad Peaches, Fresh Vegeta- Fruit Salad and Fruit and Fruit bles, Salad and Fruit
23 24 25 26 27 Chicken Fajitas on Hamburgers on THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING THANKSGIVING WW Tortilla, Refried WGR Bun, Au Grat- BREAK BREAK BREAK Beans, Tortilla Chips, in Potatoes, Brocco- Diced Pears, Fresh li, Apple Crisp, Vegetables, Salad and Fresh Vegetables, NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL Fruit Salad and Fruit
30 Pizza Choices, Baked Salad Bar Available Eve- Menu Subject Beans, Mandarin Or- ry Day To Change anges, Fresh Vegeta- bles, Salad and Fruit Milk Included With Each Meal
“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, na- tional origin, sex, age, or disability. To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washing- ton, DC 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.” November 2015
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Wreath Sales VB Subsection Senior Trip Chargaliers NHS 7:30 a.m. Jazz 7:15 a.m. Fall Play 2 & 7 p.m. Chargaliers 6 p.m. 7:15 a.m. VB Subsection Student Council CC State @ St. Olaf 6:00 p.m. Math Team @ 6 p.m. 3 & 4 Grade Visit 10 a.m. Mankato E 4 p.m. Fall Play 7 p.m. VB Section 6 p.m.
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Wreath Sales Boys Basketball Chargaliers Jazz 7:15 a.m. VB State Choralfest Booster Club Pasta Beings 7:15 a.m. @Kettle Moraine— ———————————— Brunch 10:30 a.m.- Veterans’ FB State VB State 1:00 p.m. Recognition VB State Program 9 a.m. Fall Band Concert 7 p.m.
15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Wreath Sales After Prom Chargaliers Student Council Spirit of MVL —————————] Meeting 6:30 p.m. 7:15 a.m. 2nd Quarter Recognition History Tour Board Visitation Midterm Reception 4 p.m. Meeting Day Jazz 7:15 a.m. @ New Ulm 7:00 p.m. 7:15-3:45 Conference Center Girls Basketball & Meeting 4p.m. Spirit of MVL Begins Fundraising Gala 5:30 p.m. @ New Ulm Conference Center
22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Wreath Sales Math Team @ Chargaliers Thanksgiving- MVL Sunday Blue Earth 7:15 a.m. Office Closed 4 p.m. Wreath Delivery No School————— ———————————— ————-] BBB v Wabasso 6, 7:30 p.m.
29 30 Classes Resume