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LVHS Weekly Newsletter

MAY 2, 2025

LVHS WeeklyNewsletterMAY 2, 2025

CHECK ON YOUR PEOPLE!

Viking Family,


It’s hard to believe that May is here!


As you know, we work hard to come up with a meaningful newsletter theme each week, but I think we've got the next few weeks already outlined! It figures that just when we start getting the hang of it, it’ll be time for summer break!


As you know, I am a former English teacher, and I love words and proofreading and reading and writing and all the things English teachers love. In true "word nerd" fashion, I especially love the power of punctuation! My favorite form of punctuation is probably the Oxford comma, but I’ve also become a fan of the semicolon. Consider this newsletter a short lesson in punctuation.


The semicolon is used when an author could have ended their sentence but chose not to. I don’t use the semicolon often, but since I’ve learned that the semicolon has become a symbol for suicide prevention, I’ve come to love the significance of it.


The semicolon is a pause. It indicates that there’s still more to say. It means your story isn’t over.

One of our students, sophomore Jesse Welton, reached out and asked if she could share her essay on suicide prevention in the newsletter. Her message related to a new social media trend aimed at raising awareness about mental health, but she was worried that some people may be missing the point trying to have fun and get likes. The real meaning behind the trend is to check in on your friends and to spread kindness. Here’s an excerpt from her essay:


I could write about mental health issues until my fingers went numb, but that won’t solve

anything. Essays and paragraphs matter, but not as much as actions and spoken things. It’s

important to realize how strongly simple compliments or actions could affect those around you.

If you like something someone is wearing, or how they style their hair, say something. If you

think someone thought of something you never would have, tell them. If you see someone

struggling on something, offer help. If someone you love, or even have seen in the halls, is

struggling, your presence and encouragement could help save them. If you yourself are

struggling, reach out. To a teacher, a friend, a parent, anyone. If you feel scared about those

around you, there are plenty of free numbers you can text and call for assistance. You’re worth

more than you’ll ever know, whether you want to believe it or not. Just because you’re fine

mentally, doesn’t mean everyone is. And in the wise words of the late Mac Miller, “Smile at

someone today, make somebody happy. You have more power than you think you do.”


Jesse is right; suffering people often just need someone to see them, care for them, and be kind to them. To celebrate the semicolon and what it stands for and to send a positive message to our community, we are partnering with Vistago Print to make shirts that read:


Stay; Viking Nation Needs You In It (see an example below)


This is not a fundraiser. It’s an opportunity to raise awareness. Reserve your $5 shirt by completing this form. Cash or check payment will be due when you pick up your shirt. For multiple shirts you will need to submit a separate form for each. LAST DAY TO ORDER IS THIS TUESDAY, MAY 6th! Shirts will be available Monday, May 19th.


Our hope is that these shirts will be a reminder to all who see them to STAY because they are valued. These shirts should be a reminder to all who wear them to treat others with kindness.


We encourage everyone- especially parents and guardians- to check in regularly with your children. A simple “How are you really doing?” can open the door to important conversations. And if someone you love needs help, they can reach a counselor by phone or text 24 hours a day/7 days a week via the National Suicide Prevention and Crisis Line at 988.


Together, let’s continue to create a community where mental health is valued and kindness is practiced daily.


Every story matters-

Janda Castillo

WEEK OF MAY 2-9

🍎 TEACHER APPRECIATION WEEK! SEE BELOW ON HOW YOU CAN HELP! 🍎

Friday, May 2

  • Baseball Bi-District Playoff Series (Game 1) @ Wimberley- 4pm (Tickets)
  • Softball Area Round Playoff Series (Game 2) vs. Devine- 7pm @ Long Creek High School, New Braunfels (Tickets)
  • Cinco de Mayo Celebration @ LVHS Cafeteria- 6pm-9pm

Saturday, May 3

  • **IF NECESSARY** Softball Area Round Playoff Series (Game 3) vs. Devine- 12pm @ Long Creek High School, New Braunfels (Tickets)
  • Baseball Bi-District Playoff Series (Game 2) vs. Wimberley- 1pm @ LVHS (Tickets)
  • **IF NECESSARY** Game 3 will follow
  • Valkyrie & Dance Spring Show- 5pm @ LVHS PAC ($5 cash at the door)

Monday, May 5

  • A Day

Tuesday, May 6

  • B Day
Wednesday, May 7 **CCMR T-SHIRT DAY**
  • A Day
  • Regional Tennis Meet @ North East ISD Tennis Center, San Antonio
  • Junior Jumpstart Parent Meeting- 6:00pm @ LVHS PAC
  • ESL Cording Ceremony- 6pm @ LVHS MAC

Thursday, May 8

  • B Day
  • Regional Tennis Meet @ North East ISD Tennis Center, San Antonio
  • GenTex Day Assembly & Extracurricular Fair- 11:05am
  • Spring Band Concert- 6:30pm @ LVHS PAC (Free Admission)

Friday, May 9

  • A Day

HELP US SAY THANK YOU!

WE 💙💛 OUR TEACHERS!

Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week and we need your help to make THE BEST TEACHERS EVER feel loved! Here are few ways you can help:

  • Buy a box of snacks or a case of sodas to help us stock the teacher's lounge on Wednesday.
  • Provide a bag of candy for the Candy Bar we're building on Thursday.
  • Donate Sonic gift cards so that we can deliver them their favorite drinks on Friday.
  • You and your students write a note or send an email to your teachers to say "Thank You."
  • Check out this FAVORITES LIST and surprise your favorite teacher with a gift you know they'll love!

Please drop off any items at the front desk, and we'll get them where they are supposed to go. Thank you for helping us celebrate this dedicated, hard-working group of educators!

SMOKIN' THE COMPETITION!

THEY COOKED!

The Rowin’ Smoke BBQ Team went to State and came in 5th place out of 147 teams!


Individually, Bryson Richarte placed 1st in beans and Nicky Peck placed 6th in brisket. Marabella Woodford (ribs), Haley Kruger (dessert), Graydon Burke (chicken), Alexis Oats and Jenna Janson (alternates) round out our team.

We are so proud of how far this team has come in their very first season! They sure know how to set the bar high! Lago is on the map for High School BBQ!

🎾 DISTRICT DOMINANCE 🎾

LAGO TENNIS IS REGIONAL BOUND!

Congrats to our LVHS Vikings on bringing home several awards from the District Tennis Meet:

  • Colten Lane- District Champion, Boys Singles (pictured above with Coach Anderson)
  • Bebe Inman- Runner-up, Girls Singles (pictured right)
  • Candice Richardson & Haley Huey- District Champions, Girls Doubles
  • Juan Pablo Garcia & Carmine Velazquez- District Champions, Boys Doubles
  • Hunter Crabtree & Anna Piedra Diaz- District Champions, Mixed Doubles

These Vikings will head to Regionals next week @ North East ISD Tennis Center in San Antonio! Let's go, Lago!

GIRLS DOUBLES CHAMPS!

BOYS DOUBLES CHAMPS!

MIXED DOUBLES CHAMPS!

GOLF & HELP LVHS CHEER- WIN! WIN!

🎨 STATE OF THE ART 🎨

MAGNIFIQUE!

Congratulations to (L to R) Marabella Woodford, Lindsay Sanders, Bigfoot, Lucy Rees, and Allisen Shipp on an incredible competitive creative season! Our students entered the State VASE event where they competed with every level of student from 1A to 6A in the entire state! Each one of our students received a STATE MEDAL and PERFECT SCORE at state!


Marabella and Lindsay's artwork are in the display case across from the art room if you'd like to see them in person.


Next, Allisen and Lucy were selected for the Congressional Art Show!! Allisen received 3rd place and will have her artwork displayed at the Congressman McCaul's congressional offices this coming year! Lucy received first place and will have her artwork displayed at the CAPITOL in Washington DC! She will also be provided free air travel to go see her work!


Lastly, Lucy received 1st place in the St.ART Young Artist program at St. Edwards University! She was selected out of every applicant in the entire state to receive a full scholarship to this program!


It has been an incredible end to our competitive season in the Visual Arts! Please congratulate all of the wonderful young artists if you see them! We are so proud of their creativity and hard work!

CONGRESSIONAL WINNERS

St.ART SCHOLARSHIP WINNER

GT SHOWCASE

SO MANY GIFTS AND TALENTS

Several of our gifted and talented students displayed projects and artwork at our annual GT Showcase last week. Well-done, Vikings!

VALKYRIES SPRING SHOW

📚 COOL THINGS HAPPEN IN CLASSROOMS 📚

GOURMET

TWINKIES!

CULINARY CREATIVITY

Intro to Culinary students were challenged with the task of making a Twinkie look gourmet :) LVHS Faculty & Staff were asked to vote on their favorite A and B day plating, and the winner was set to receive a lemonade prize! Which would you choose? We love to see our students getting creative in culinary!

LVHS COUNSELOR UPDATE

📆 IMPORTANT DATES FOR SENIORS 📆

Thursday, May 8: GenTex Pep Rally 11:10am during Advisory- Students wear your post secondary shirts! (college, military, industry)


📢📢**Parents who want to attend this event will HAVE AN UPDATED SIGN-IN PROCESS.** 📢📢

Please complete this Google Form to pre-register for the event. The form collects first and last names as well as email addresses. Once you submit the form, our office staff will input your info into our new system. You'll receive a follow-up email from Verkada titled "Please register for GenTX at High School" to complete the final step of the registration process.

Once you complete that process, we’ll have your badges ready for pick-up on the day of the event.


Wednesday, May 14 @ 6PM: Blue and Gold Ceremony in the PAC (All students are welcome. Seniors receiving an award or local scholarship will receive a hand-delivered invitation.)


Thursday, May 15: Senior Trip to Schlitterbahn, New Braunfels

  • Cost and Meals

    • $2 and a permission form are due on Friday, May 9. This pays for admission and an all-day drink wristband. Cash or check should be given to Mrs. Dohm. Checks should be made out to “Lago Vista ISD” with “Senior Trip” in the memo line. Permission slips are available in Mrs. Dohm’s office.

    • Lunch and drinks will be provided. If you have special dietary needs, please email Mrs. Dohm ASAP with specifics.

    • You may bring credit/debit cards to purchase additional food in the park on your own. Please note: Schlitterbahn is a CASHLESS PARK. If you do not have another form of payment, there are cash to credit cards in the park.

  • Expectations

    • Meet at the high school parking lot at 8:00am and return around 4:30pm.

    • Students must ride the bus to attend. You may not drive yourself to the park.

    • LVHS Dress Code will be enforced for the bus ride there and back.

    • Only pre-packaged and unopened drinks and snacks will be allowed. Everything else will be left at the school.

    • All bags will be checked before boarding the bus.

    • Law enforcement with drug dogs may also be present as we board the bus.

    • Plan to bring a swimsuit, cover up clothes, appropriate water shoes, towels, sunscreen and money. Remember- Schlitterbahn is a CASHLESS PARK. If you do not have credit/debit cards, there are cash to credit cards in the park.

    • When we arrive at the park, all students will place their items in our designated meeting area and will be free to enjoy the park.

    • Other middle and high school groups will be in attendance that day. Students should represent Lago Vista High School with pride and behave appropriately at all times.

    • Any misbehavior will cause students to be dismissed from the park. Parents will be contacted to retrieve misbehaving students from the park.

  • Seniors are not required to attend this trip. However, attendance will be taken, and any student who is not on the trip IS EXPECTED TO ATTEND SCHOOL. In other words, go to Schlitterbahn, go to school or receive an absence.


SENIOR FINALS SCHEDULE:

  • Friday, May 16: Finals for 6th & 7th (Seniors Only)


  • Monday, May 19: Finals for 3rd & 4th


  • Tuesday, May 20: Finals for 8th & 5th


  • Wednesday, May 21: Finals for 2nd & 1st (in that order)


Thursday, May 22: Legacy Walk and Graduation Practice

  • Students should be at school by 9:00am wearing their caps or crowns and gowns and be ready to board the bus to the Intermediate, Middle, and Elementary schools. Students may not drive themselves.

  • **Parents who want to attend this event will need to check in at the front office of each campus to follow safety protocol.**. Approximate times- Intermediate- 9:45am, Middle School-10:00am, Elementary- 10:30am

  • If you did not order a cap and gown, please see your counselor as soon as possible.

  • After the Legacy Walk, we will return for Graduation practice. Graduation is scheduled to be held at the Stadium, but there is a contingency plan for the gym in the case of inclement weather. We will practice both possibilities on this day. You will be free to go after we complete graduation practice.


Friday, May 23: Graduation Night- Viking Stadium 7pm

**Students should arrive at 5:30 pm.**

GRADUATION DAY TO DO LIST

DON'T WAIT UNTIL IT'S TOO LATE!

The LVHS AVP team is creating a slideshow highlighting the Class of 2025's journey. Please USE THIS LINK to send us:
  • A baby photo (for that adorable "then" picture)
  • A senior photo (the impressive "now")
  • Any school-appropriate photos and videos that capture your memories.

We appreciate all submissions, and while we may not be able to use every item, they will all be reviewed. Please direct questions to Coach Baugh at jbaugh@lagovistaisd.net. Thank you, LVHS AVP Team

WANT YOUR DIPLOMA? PAY YOUR FEES!

Seniors, before you can receive your physical diploma, you must make sure that you don't owe the school any money- cafeteria fees, technology fees, NHS dues, etc. Please take care of these things NOW so that you can walk away with your diploma in hand on May 23rd!

ACTION REQUIRED: OPT IN or OPT OUT

    Texas law (House Bill 3; Texas Education Code §28.0256) requires high school seniors to either complete and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), or the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA), or submit a signed opt-out form to graduate. Here's a more detailed breakdown:

    • Purpose:

      The goal is to encourage more students to apply for financial aid and pursue higher education.

    • Students can choose to:

      • Complete and submit a FAFSA.

      • Complete and submit a TASFA.

      • Submit a signed opt-out form (SEE YOUR COUNSELOR TO PICK UP A FORM!)

    • Opt-Out:

      An opt-out form allows students (or their parents/guardians) to decline completing the financial aid applications.

🎓 ORDER CAPS & GOWNS NOW! 🎓

  • Start here. Lago Vista High School | Herff Jones
  • Click on GRADUATION
  • Click SHOP YOUR HIGH SCHOOL
  • Enter LAGO VISTA and click SEARCH.
  • Click SHOP GRADUATION PRODUCTS
  • Click GRAD GEAR AND APPAREL
  • Scroll to the bottom of the page select CAP, GOWN, AND TASSEL.

GRADUATION EXPECTATIONS

Graduation is a joyful, but formal, event. It is a celebration of the entire class and its accomplishments, as well as those who have supported you to this point. Thus, student behavior should be celebratory but respectful- focused on ALL of your classmates and not any one individual. Respectful behavior and decorum is expected.

  • ARRIVAL

    • Students report to the Competition Gym no later than 5:30pm.

    • The gates will open at 6:00pm for guests.

  • DRESS & DECORUM

    • Dress for the event is business casual.

    • For example, slacks, a collared shirt, dresses, skirts/pants with blouses and appropriate footwear. Boots are allowed.

    • Dresses & skirts should not be longer than the gown. NOTE: Heels are tricky on the football field! Choose your footwear carefully!

    • Students may decorate their caps with a pre-approved design. If students' caps are not pre-approved or are deemed inappropriate, we will have extra caps on hand to trade out, if needed.

    • NOT ALLOWED: Shorts, jeans, hats, tennis shoes/sneakers, flip flops or chewing gum.

      • Cap & Gown Tips:

        • After you receive your cap and gown, it is your responsibility to keep up with it and keep it safe.

        • Hang it up as soon as you get home so the wrinkles will come out.

        • Do NOT iron the gown; a steamer is fine. Do NOT put it in the dryer.

  • GUEST PROCEDURES

    • The gates will open at 6:00pm for guests.

    • If the weather cooperates, the event will be held in Viking Stadium and there will be NO LIMIT on the number of guests you can invite.

    • In case of inclement weather, each senior will receive EIGHT wristbands to distribute to family members. These eight guests will be able to attend the ceremony should we have to move to the competition gym.

    • There will be a livestream option available in the PAC and online no matter where the event is held for those that are unable to make it down to the football field or into the gym.

    • If your family has special needs (ex. wheelchair access) contact Mrs. Castillo to make those arrangements.

    • There will be a professional photographer taking pictures as each graduate crosses the stage and receives his/her diploma. An order form will be emailed to you and will be included in your diploma packet after graduation.

  • FOLLOWING THE CEREMONY

    • Graduates should meet their families in Victory Plaza (entrance to the stadium) immediately following graduation.

    • Students will trade in their cords and/or stoles for their cell phones before they leave the stadium. If students have paid all fees and dues, they will receive an envelope containing their diploma, final transcript and an order form for pictures.

BREAKFAST 4 CHAMPIONS- CEREAL DRIVE

Upcoming Important Dates 📆

Please add these dates to your calendar

  • 5/8- GenTX Day & Extracurricular Fair
  • 5/14- Blue & Gold Ceremony
  • 5/22- Last Day of School
  • 5/23- Graduation

LV Viking Booster Club Corner

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The Booster Club needs your help! Please consider signing up to help out at the concession stand.

WE ALL ROW!


Lago Hosting Playoff Games

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-56486229-playoff

Graduation Ceremony Concessions:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-56089281-2025#/

BUS DRIVER OPPORTUNITY

APPLY TODAY!

GoldStar Transit is hiring school bus drivers for Lago Vista ISD!
- Starting at $20.50 per hour
- $1,500 sign on bonus w/experience
- Bring your kids to work, no daycare needed.
- No experience necessary....training provided!

Submit your application online today at https://ridesta.com/careers/.
Please contact (512) 267-8300 x1508 with questions.

🔌 Stay Connected 🔌

Check out these simple ways to stay in the know...

  • JOIN CANVAS- The best way to stay connected to your student's academic progress at LVHS is through Canvas. Lago Vista High School parents can create parent accounts in Canvas to view student assignments, course information, and much more!

    For instructions on how to create an account, click here.

    To login, please visit http://lvisd.instructure.com/.
  • GET TEXTS- For class specific updates, text the following to 81010-
    • Freshmen text @lago2028
    • Sophomores text @lago2027
    • Juniors text @lago2026
    • Senior text @lago2025
  • CHECK EMAILS- Encourage your Vikings to check their email. They can login to Google Mail on their school Ipad and use the following login info:
  • GET SOCIAL- Follow LVISD groups on Instagram
    • @lvisdvikings
    • @lagovistapals

FOR THE PLANNERS OUT THERE...

THE SPRING FINALS SCHEDULE

NEXT YEAR'S A&B DAY CALENDAR

A&B DAY CALENDAR

LVHS Administrative Team

Principal, Janda Castillo- jcastillo@lagovistaisd.net

Assistant Principal, David Hilsenteger- dhilsenteger@lagovistaisd.net

Assistant Principal, Dusty Kinslow- dkinslow@lagovistaisd.net
Website: https://www.lagovistaisd.net/page/lhs.Home

Phone: 512-267-8300 ex.5500

Dusty Kinslow
Dusty is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters