

LVHS Weekly Newsletter
October 4, 2024
FIGHT LIKE A VIKING!
Dear Viking Family,
This is my fight song
Take back my life song
Prove I’m alright song
My power’s turned on
Starting right now, I’ll be strong
I’ll play my fight song
And I don’t really care if nobody else believes
‘Cause I’ve still got a lot of fight left in me.
These powerful lyrics echoed through our gym today as we honored our local WARRIORS — those who are fighting breast cancer and those who have beaten it. As these incredible heroes stepped out of the stands to be recognized, our students cheered their loudest and the adults all wiped their eyes. These women have fought to be here today, standing tall among us. They are living proof that strength, determination, and heart can conquer even the toughest battles.
As we continue this school year, let’s take inspiration from these warriors. Let’s reflect on the values and actions that are truly worth fighting for. Life moves fast, but some things are fundamental — they deserve our energy, our passion, and our unwavering commitment. These are the things we fight for every day.
1. Our Children’s Safety and Well-being
There is nothing more important than the health and well-being of our children. We must fight to ensure they grow up in environments where they feel safe, respected, and loved — whether that’s at home, at school, or anywhere in between. Together, we can build spaces where they are free to be themselves, to express their ideas, and to grow into the people they are meant to be.
2. Education That Empowers
Education is more than just textbooks and tests. It’s about lighting a fire within each student — a fire that drives them to explore, question, and discover their passions. We must fight for an education that challenges and inspires, that meets every student where they are and empowers them to reach higher. One student recently shared how Mr. DiGiovanni did just that for her:
“Mr. D has been one of the most supportive teachers I have ever had. His care for students as individuals, rather than just focusing on academics, is profound. His class is the highlight of my day and the reason I look forward to school. Mr. D goes the extra mile to ensure every student learns and feels comfortable. He has personally shaped my love for learning and will always be remembered as a teacher who truly made a difference in my life.”
This is what it means to empower. This is why we fight for education that matters.
3. A Strong Sense of Community
We know that children thrive when they feel connected. The bonds they form with friends, teachers, and mentors give them a sense of belonging and purpose. This is why we fight for a school community where every student feels seen, valued, and supported. At LVHS, we’re working hard to build those connections. Teachers are going beyond the classroom to form meaningful relationships with students, new clubs are being created, and community mentors are stepping up to offer guidance and encouragement. Collectively, we are “like a small boat on the ocean, sending big waves into motion.”
In the end, what are we fighting for? We fight for the success and happiness of every child. We fight to create a future where every student feels empowered to reach their full potential. And we are not alone in this fight. Together — as parents, teachers, and community members — we are stronger.
Let’s keep fighting for what matters. Let’s keep rowing in the same direction, united in purpose, and driven by love for our children and our community. And let’s give thanks to the warriors that showed us how to fight! Godspeed, Ladies!
We all row,
Janda Castillo
Proud Principal Lago Vista High School
VIKINGS AGAINST BREAST CANCER
VIKINGS LIFT EACH OTHER UP!
LVHS Cheer partnered with LVMS cheer for an inspiring team effort!
VIKING EXCELLENCE
BRING IN THOSE PLASTIC BAGS!
The LVHS Environmental Science Club (AKA The Green Team) is a student-led organization centered around finding ways to live more sustainably in our school, homes, and community. They partner with local organizations like Keep Lago Vista Beautiful (KLVB) and volunteer time to help our community become more environmentally aware.
Right now, their big project, which started last spring and ends this January, is the Trex Recycling Challenge. Our Green Team is trying to collect 1,000lbs of plastic bags and plastic film in order to earn a beautiful bench. So bring those bags up to the high school. There's a drop off location in the teacher's lounge and outside the front doors. Click the link above to learn more!
Thank you, LVHS Green Team, for helping make the world a better place! And special thanks to their amazing sponsor, Heather Koenning, for helping turn their passion into progress!
📚 Cool Things Happen in Classrooms 📚
The Green Team changing the world one plastic bag at a time!
Dr. Webb's Marketing classes giving presentations on their resort locales.
Mr. Clements' Biology students discussing alternative energy sources.
2 WAYS TO NOMINATE AWESOME TEACHERS!
HEB EXCELLENCE- DUE MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH!
H-E-B seeks to pay tribute to those educators who go the extra mile each and every day to serve their students and their communities and who inspire others to do the same. The H-E-B Excellence in Education Awards program provides cash grants to finalists, winners, and their schools. An application starts a journey that can lead to impactful benefits for the schools and districts in your community.
Submit your application for the 2025 Awards today at heblovesteachers.com.
Nominations close on October 7, 2024
PEC- DUE OCTOBER 25TH!
Pedernales Electric Cooperative invests in an array of educational programs to help brighten classrooms and communities across the Texas Hill Country. For a second school year, PEC will host a Teacher Spotlight Award to recognize the incredible work teachers do in their classrooms and communities. PEC is accepting nominations for the Teacher Spotlight Award through October 25 and encourages members to fill out the form online. Please feel free to share this with your community to recognize your hardworking educators.
From the nominations received, PEC will select teachers from across the co-op’s service territory to receive awards. This round’s winners will be announced in November and PEC will visit the teachers at their schools to present them with a thank-you basket of resources and materials to support classroom learning. Members can learn more details and nominate a teacher by visiting pec.coop/youth-programs.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 7-11
Calendar
Monday, October 7
- B Day
- Women's Club Luncheon for Senior Girls- 12:15-1:15 in the MAC
- Tennis Bi-District Play-off Match vs. Wimberley @ LVHS- 4:30pm
Tuesday, October 8
- A Day
- Volleyball vs. St. Stephens @ LVHS- 5:30pm (Tickets)
- Girls Golf to Burnet
Wednesday, October 9
- B Day
- Wear your CCMR (College, Career, Military Readiness) shirt today!
Thursday, October 10
- A Day
- District Cross Country Meet @ Walter E Long Park (6620 Blue Bluff Rd, Austin, TX)
- 8:30am- Varsity Girls
- 9:00am- Varsity Boys
- 10:30am- JV Girls
- 11:00am- JV Boys
- Freshman/JV Football @ Gonzales- 5:00/6:30pm
Friday, October 11
- NO SCHOOL- STUDENT HOLIDAY
- Volleyball @ Austin Achieve- 2:00/3:00pm
- Varsity Football vs Gonzales @ LVHS - 7:30pm (Tickets). **PINK OUT NIGHT**
Monday, October 14
- NO SCHOOL- STUDENT & STAFF HOLIDAY
REMINDER ABOUT FOOD OR DRINK DELIVERIES
Students are not allowed to receive food or drink deliveries outside of their ASSIGNED lunch hours. If a student orders food or if a parent sends food and it arrives outside of the students ASSIGNED lunch time, the student will not be allowed to receive that food until after school.
📆 Upcoming Important Dates 📆
Please add these dates to your calendar-
- 10/10- End of 1st 9 weeks
- 10/11- Student Holiday
- 10/14- Staff & Student Holiday- No School
- 10/23- PSAT Testing day for 9th, 10th, and 11th Grades
- 10/23- Senior Summit for all 12th graders
- 10/28-11/1- Red Ribbon Week- Just Say No
- Monday- We are REaDy to "Say No" to Drugs! (Wear Red)
- Tuesday- Too Bright for Drugs (Neon Day)
- Wednesday- Peace out to Drugs (Tie-Dyed Day)
- Thursday- BOO! to Drugs (Halloween Costumes)
- Friday- Vikings Against Drugs (Blue & Gold; Senior wear White)
- 10/31-11/1- Senior Yearbook Pictures
- 11/19- Yearbook Picture Retakes
VIKING CLUB SPOTLIGHT
StuCo connecting with community!
Art Club students rep at National Night Out!
Art Club painting faces for fun!
PSAT Day is Wednesday, October 23rd!
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is more than good practice for the SAT, and the scores are more than just a number. With your results your student can:
- Track progress from PSAT 8/9 through SAT.
- Get insights into areas they need to work on to prepare for the SAT.
- Become eligible for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
- Qualify for other scholarship money.
Learn more about the PSAT/NMSQT here.
All LVHS students in grades 9-11 will take the PSAT on October 23. You don't need to do anything to sign your student up. We have loaded BlueBook on all school issued Ipads and purchased digital tests for all students.
You can help by reminding your student get a good night's rest and a healthy breakfast before the test, making sure Ipads are charged and ready to go, and encouraging them to take the practice test between now and test day. Please reach out to Ms. Kinslow with any PSAT related questions.
Senior Section!
PLAN AHEAD: Senior Pep Rally and Senior Night
We are so excited to celebrate the amazing Class of 2025 on Friday, November 1st with a few annual traditions. See below for important information so you don't miss a thing!
Senior Pep Rally @ 11:05am- Our entire Senior class will be putting on their annual performance and parents are encouraged to attend. To attend the pep rally, all you have to do is email Kelly Berry (kberry@lagovistaisd.net), and she'll have a tag ready for you.
Senior Night for Fall Sports - We will recognize Senior athletes and their parents in the following sports BEFORE Friday night's game on November 1st. Seniors and their parents will need to purchase a ticket online to attend. Parents, please plan to arrive early and meet on the track near the field house to line up- (and in this order):
Football
Trainers
Cheerleaders
Valkyries
Band
Cross Country (Girls and Boys)
Fall Tennis (Girls and Boys)
Fall Golf (Girls and Boys)
Senior Walk @ the end of the game- This tradition is for ALL SENIORS. After the football game, an announcement will be made for Seniors to make their way to the visitor side of the field and facing the home stands. Senior Parents will line up on the home sideline facing and across from their Seniors. Seniors will grasp hands and walk across the field to music they've selected. Then hugs and tears can commence when they make their way across to parents. It's a special tradition. If you don't want to attend the entire football game, but want to participate in the Senior Walk, please plan to be at the field around 9pm. There will be no charge at that point.
Lastly, Seniors should plan to wear WHITE shirts to school on Friday and to the Senior Walk, if possible. Just one more way to be a unified Class of 2025! We look forward to celebrating this amazing group of students!
SIGN UP FOR COLLEGE VISITS @ LVHS!
Scan the QR Code so you can meet with college reps and begin your journey to life after graduation!
Senior Summit Day
While the rest of the school is taking the PSAT, Senior will be taking part in a special morning designed just for the Class of 2025. We will have guest speakers talking through important Senior only stuff including caps and gowns and college applications. Please watch your email and check Canvas for announcements as the day gets closer. You can see the **tentative** schedule below.
LVHS Teachers & Staff Member of the Week
MR. ANDREW LARKIN- ART TEACHER
DR. TAMMY WEBB- BUSINESS & MARKETING TEACHER
MS KELLIE BERRY- FRONT OFFICE AND QUEEN OF ALL THINGS!
🔌 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:
- firstname_lastname@lvisd.com
- PW is their Student ID#
- GET SOCIAL- Follow LVISD groups on Instagram
- @lvisdvikings
- @lagovistapals
VIKINGS OUT AND ABOUT!
IT'S A STRIKE!
Our FAC classes participate in several Special Olympic events each year and right now they go bowling to practice.
LVHS Friday Night Flags
Our LVHS Flag Runners keep us fired up on Friday nights!
WE ARE FAMILY!
Nothing brings us together more than a Friday night victory!
LV Viking Booster Club Corner
THIS WEEK’S SPONSOR SPOTLIGHTS
We’re excited to shine a light on Urban Air & Heat, a valued sponsor of the LV Viking Booster Club! Their dedication to keeping our community comfortable, and their support for our Vikings is truly appreciated.
Urban Air & Heat offers top-quality heating and cooling solutions with unmatched expertise and customer service. Whether you need installation, maintenance, or repair, their skilled team ensures your home or business stays at the perfect temperature all year round.
Join us in thanking Urban Air & Heat for their generous support and commitment to our Viking community!
We’re thrilled to have North Shore Eye Care as part of the LV Viking Booster Club family!
As a proud sponsor, North Shore Eye Care supports our mission to enhance the Viking experience and elevate our community spirit. Their commitment to excellence in eye care is matched only by their dedication to our local teams.
Visit North Shore Eye Care for all your vision needs and experience the difference in quality care. They’re more than just a sponsor—they’re a vital part of our Viking community!
ISO Refrigerator
Shout out to Viking Nation!
The Booster Club is in need of an additional refrigerator for concessions. We’ll actually be using it in two different concession stands! If you have a working refrigerator that you can donate or know someone who might, please reach out to us. Your support is greatly appreciated! Thank you for your generosity!
Second Round of Yard Sign Orders is Open
We are now accepting orders for LV Viking Yard Signs! This will be the second of three rounds of order for 2024-2025.
Show your Viking pride and support our LVMS and LVHS athletic programs with our fantastic yard signs. Whether you're cheering for AeTT (Football), All Sports (for multiple sport athletes), specific sports, Cheer, or Valkyries, we have options for everyone!
Important Details:
Order Dates: Yard signs will be ordered three times per year: August 31, October 31, and January 31. Orders placed in between dates will be held until the next order date.
Order Form: Please submit a separate order form for each yard sign you need.
Payment: Payment must be made prior to the order date via PayPal or Square.
Pickup Arrangements: We will contact you to arrange pick up once the signs are ready.
Click here to view our Yard Sign examples and to access the Order Form. https://forms.gle/dGd9fXYYuz1oJNP28
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:
The Booster Club needs your help! Please consider signing up to help out at the concession stand.
WE ALL ROW!
Boys Fall Basketball League
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-51641631-lvhs#/
Varsity Football -- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-50417336-2024
Sub Varsity -- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-50417323-2024
Volleyball -- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-50417341-2024
MS XC Tri-Meet Relay -- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-50417339-2024
MS Football -- https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-50417322-2024
Tennis – run out of football concessions
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C044CAFAF23A4F85-50843637-2024
JOIN BOOSTER CLUB OR BECOME A SPONSOR TODAY!
Sponsorships can be completed online via the QR code on the flyer or at:
https://forms.gle/pN2jXi8U7NieAZ2w6
Memberships simply sign up via the Google form here:
and then pay online through PayPal or Square:
https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/lvvikingbooster
https://checkout.square.site/merchant/ML924RCWR8GZK/checkout/KTWXWZ7T4TVZBMZ72VBWDHRZ
SHOP THE VIKING STORE
The LV Viking Booster Club Merchandise Store is OPEN! Your one-stop shop for all your Vikings gear is just a click away. Head over to lagovistasports.com and select the SHOP tab to explore our online store. We’ve got everything from t-shirts, tank tops, and sweatshirts to hats, visors, beanies, bags, decals, and so much more!
Once your order is paid for and fulfilled, we'll contact you for pick-up details.
Remember, when you purchase from the LV Viking Booster Club, you are directly supporting the Lago Vista Middle School and High School athletic programs. Let's gear up and show our Viking pride! Let’s go Vikes!
If you have any questions or need further information, please feel free to email us at lvvikingbooster@gmail.com
SPIRIT DAYS & PEP RALLIES
🏐 🏈 VIKINGS SPORTS SCHEDULES 🎾 👟
Get out there and support those Vikings!
🎃 VIKINGS ARE SO KIND IT'S SCARY! 👻
VIKINGS HELP EACH OTHER
Help erase school lunch balances for students in the Viking Nation! Each generous donation will lift a financial burden from our community and will allow Lago Vista ISD to focus resources on supporting student success.
To donate, please visit https://lvisdtx.schoolwindow.com/estore/lvdo/donation.html.
Thank you for helping us ensure that every child has the opportunity to thrive!
🍕 Monthly Breakfast & Lunch Menu
💛💙 WE LOVE OUR LVHS VIKINGS! 💛💙
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