VHS Newsletter

Viking Families and Friends,

It has been nice to finally get back into the swing of things after January’s weather made completing a full week of school a challenge. Before everyone heads off for a few days of rest and relaxation, here is an update of things happening around VHS.

Our counselors continue holding individual scheduling meetings with sophomores and freshmen during the month of February. VHS Summer School information was sent via email to parents/guardians and students and posted to Canvas and the VHS website on February 6th. As a reminder, summer school registration will take place online from March 1st through March 11th.

In September, I shared the names of the VHS National Merit Semifinalists. I am pleased to announce that Lauren Harris, Immanuel Liu, Nicholas Taglia, and Andrew Uhle are now National Merit Finalists. Congratulations to these students as well as their parents and guardians. I wish them the best of luck as they enter the final phase.

Last weekend, our Lady Vikings represented VHS in almost every event at State Swimming and Diving earning a 12th place finish. Our Lady Vikings did not stop there! Last Saturday, they brought home the Basketball Regional Championship. The last time our Vikings accomplished this was in the 2003-04 academic year.

Our VHS Band, Choir, and Orchestra groups are also on a roll! Our VHS Band students participated at the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 3rd and had a successful day! We had a total of 40 Gold medals and 10 Silver medals. Sixteen of the Solo performers who entered Group 1 qualified for State, in which 8 are choosing to attend. State will be in Indianapolis on Saturday, February 24th.

VHS was host to approximately 2,500 individuals for the ISSMA District Vocal/Piano Solo and Ensemble Contest. A total of 320 VHS Choir Entrants, 30 solos and 18 vocal ensembles, earned Gold Awards at this event! Furthermore, 262 VHS Choir Entrants, 18 solos and 14 vocal ensembles have qualified for ISSMA State Vocal/Piano Solo and Ensemble in Indianapolis this coming weekend.

On February 3rd, our VHS Orchestra also had a successful day and represented in 50 different events. Our Vikings earned 28 gold and 4 silver medals in the soloist division, 61 ensemble golds and 3 ensemble silvers! Thirteen soloists and 5 of our ensembles who entered Group I, which is the most advanced, also qualified for the State level competition, which is scheduled to be held on February 24th.

I wish all of our Vikings the very best in their future competitions and performances and I thank you for continuing to support our students, teachers, and staff.

Feb 19: No School/President's Day

Feb 22, 23, 24 Mocha Madness

Mar 15: End 3rd Grading Period

Mar 25-29: Spring Break

Apr 1: eLearning

Apr 5: Jostens Announcements/Grad Item Distribution during lunches

Apr 11, 12, 13: April Antics

Apr 12: 1/2 Day Students/Staff Development PM

May 7: eLearning/Election Day

May 14, 15: Jostens Cap and Gown Distribution during lunches

May 18: Prom

May 27: Memorial Day/No School

May 30: 1/2 Day Students/Staff Development PM

May 31: No School/Weather Make Up Day

June 3: Summer School Session 1 Begins

June 5: Graduation

Please see the VHS Calendar for more events!

Mocha Madness, the VHS Drama Club winter improv show, will take place on February 22, 23, and 24 at 7pm. This "Whose Line is it Anyway" style show features 40 of the best student improvisers in the region making up an entirely new show each night! Students rehearse and develop their skills over seven weeks, then will put those skills to the test as they create characters and scenes on the spot based on the audience's suggestions. Tickets are available online now at https://www.vancoevents.com/us/CGAC or with cash at the door.

H.O.P.E Club stands for Helping Other People Excel and is dedicated to creating opportunities for new connections and friendships for life skills and general ed students. We host Trunk or Treat, HOPE Club Prom and an end of year Luau. We also have various holiday parties. Everyone is always welcome!

Over the past six months, the Valparaiso High School Robotics Team, Team 2790 - The Valpo Voltage, has been putting in long hours in the robotics lab and the results of their time spent are starting to show. As of February 16th, Valpo Voltage Team B is currently ranked 1st in skills out of all Northwest Indiana teams and 13th in the state of Indiana according to the REC Foundation's VEX World's database. Team B is currently qualified to compete at the Indiana State Robotics Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium at the end of March.

Team A is close behind currently standing at 27th in the state and 7th in Northwest Indiana while Team C is currently ranked 35th in the state and 9th in Northwest Indiana. If both Teams A and C continue to compete at their current rate, they too are projected to receive an invite to compete at state through their skills scores.

When compared to the remaining 6000 robots in the world, as a team, the Valpo Voltage is on average scoring in the 90th percentile for skills and competition standings.

Tournament accomplishments, awards and recognition received by the VHS robotics team thus far for the 2023-2024 competition year include:

• Tournament Champions at Lake Central

• Recipients of the Design Award at Portage

• Recipients of the Judge’s Award at Lake Central

• Tournament Runners-Up at Portage, Chesterton and Plymouth

• Skills Champions at Lake Central and Crown Point

The team’s next tournament will be at Chesterton Middle School on February 24th. Follow the Valparaiso High School Robotics facebook page to show your support and stay up to date on your student’s success.

This is my 16th year teaching at VHS. I teach precalculus, algebra I, and math credit recovery. I am the head coach of the Unified Flag Football team and the sponsor of the 300 Club. I love being a part of Valparaiso High School because Valparaiso is my home and I get to work with the greatest group of kids around! What could be better than watching these young people go from middle schoolers to young adults? Whether it’s in the classroom, on the football field, or at any other school function, it is great to see so many teachers who truly care about their students and go out of their way to support them.

Email: VHSadmin@valpo.k12.in.us
Website: https://valparaisohigh.valpo.k12.in.us/
Location: 2727 Campbell Street, Valparaiso, IN, USA
Phone: (219)531-3070
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Valpo-HS-411-627837360580660
Twitter: @ValpoHS411