Thor's Report

The new school year starts on Tuesday, August 13th. Mondays are traditionally Collaboration Days; days that end early so staff can attend meetings and collaborate.

The first day of school, however, is a Minimum Day - a shorter day for acquaint students with their schedules and the campus. Click HERE to see all of Valhalla's Bell Schedules as well as important dates for the 2024 - 2025 academic year.

Counselors sent out a Google Form last Wednesday to collect any final schedule change requests. This form will close on Monday, 8/12, at noon, so counselors have time to process the requests by the end of the day. No additional requests will be considered after this time. Please only submit course/level changes or errors you might see. We are not accommodating start time changes or period/teacher requests at this time.

The Class of 2028 is invited to Freshman Orientation on Monday, August 12th. This event is hosted by the Valhalla Norsecrew and starts at 7:55am in the Thunderdome! Students should wear comfortable clothing, bring water (if desired). Please do not bring any backpacks or personal items. Students can be picked up after 12pm.

• East Lot/Student Lot- Drop-off and Pick-up areas
• Staff Lot/Bus Circle - No student drop-off. Reserved for Staff and approved Special Education students.
• South Lot- Driving students may park in the lot without a permit until mid-August.
• KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING INTO CAMPUS. We do not allow drop offs on the access road, near the east lawn. Dropping off in this location creates a traffic back up at our entry and disrupts other families.

All students must complete the CHP Start Smart class prior to obtaining a parking permit; the schedule is on the school website. Only vehicles registered in the student’s or parent’s name, with proof of insurance in the vehicle, will be permitted to park on campus. Drivers must also be in possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

Parking Permit Registration

Start Smart Dates: 8/20 (in the Theater), 9/26 (in the Library)

Time: 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM

If a student thinks they need to change a course level after the year begins (i.e. dropping an honors course for a college prep course), they will have until the end of the third week (August 30th) to see their counselor. Level changes after school begins will require parent approval and teacher input. After this time, no additional changes will be made.

During the first week of school, we will not be accepting additional schedule change requests. The only changes that will be made will be to fix any errors, which should be very limited. Our goal is to allow students to get settled into their schedules and provide a smooth start to the year.

Newly enrolled 10th - 12th grade students can pick up their chromebook from the Library on Wednesday, August 1th.

On Thursday, August 15th, 9th grade PE classes will all proceed to the library to be issued their chromebooks.

A Student Technology Guide will be distributed to students with their Chromebooks. Check out the links for important information about how to use:

• Infinite Campus
• Schoology
• TutorMe - the district's new online tutoring resource!!

Parent Portal is your access to the district's school information system. An account was created for you when you completed your registration. If you need support using the portal, check out these resources:

• English - Parent Portal Information Sheet

• Spanish - Parent Portal Information Sheet

• Arabic - Parent Portal Information Sheet

In the digital age, it’s more important than ever for the students in our community to have internet access that allows them to complete school assignments and prepare for higher education and future careers. To do our part in supporting local students, Valhalla is thrilled to support Cox’s effort to bridge the digital divide through their Connect2Compete Program! If you have at least one child attending a K-12 school, participate in one of these government subsidy programs: the National School Lunch Program, SNAP, TANF or Public Housing and have not had Cox internet services in the home within the last 90 days, you could qualify to receive low-cost, home internet with wifi for only $9.95 per month. Find out if you qualify by visiting www.cox.com/c2c or call 1-855-222-3252.

The Valhalla Webstore allows your to purchase essential school items online. The Webstore has items like:

• ASB cards - $30
• PE clothes - shirt $10, shorts $15
• Yearbooks - $90
• and spirit items starting from $12

Click HERE to visit the webstore, set up your account and start purchasing Norsemen items today!

All GUHSD schools are closed campuses. This means that once students arrive at school they may not leave the campus until their school day has been completed.

Only people with school business to conduct may be on campus and must immediately check in at the Receptionist’s desk upon their arrival. In emergencies, parents should call the attendance office and make arrangements for the students to leave early.

Students are advised that they will not be allowed to receive lunches and other packages during the school day. This includes deliveries of food from “Uber Eats”, “Grub Hub” or similar, as well as deliveries of balloons, flowers, or birthday gifts.

Cell phones are not to be used in classrooms, restrooms, or school offices unless explicitly allowed by a staff member during the school day.

Students violating the cell phone policy will have their devices confiscated and turned into the office. Devices will be returned to students at the end of the day.

• Please clear absences within 48 hours - you can bring a signed note to the Attendance Office or call and leave a message at (619) 593-5333.
• Appointments - If students need to leave school early, you can call the attendance office, bring a signed note or walk up to the attendance window. Please allow time for students to be notified.
• Auto Dialer is Back! If your child is absent for one or more periods, without being verified, your family will receive an automated evening message.

• All students are eligible to receive a one free breakfast and lunch meal each day.
• Important: To receive their free meals, students will need to provide their student ID number at every meal. Students can select one serving from multiple options. Additional servings are available for purchase and will be charged to the student ID number.
• Breakfast will be available from 7:30-8:30 AM each school day.
• NEW Menu Item - Halal Chicken on Rice!

During lunch, students are permitted to congregate outside by the pool and science quad, in classrooms or on the second floor of the main building. Student are not allowed on the 1st, 3rd or 4th floors of the building, in front of the school, or on the East Lawn.

Students are also not allowed to go to the parking lot or leave campus during the school day. These boundaries allow us to supervise students and keep them, and our facilities, safe.

At Valhalla, we hope all stakeholders uphold GUHSD's Student-Parent-Teacher Compact:

STUDENTS ARE EXPECTED:

• To attend school daily and be on time to class.

• To complete assigned work to the best of one’s ability, turn assignments in on time and be a contributing member of each class.

• To have a positive, respectful attitude towards myself, others, school and learning.

• To be drug, alcohol and weapon free.

• To follow all school rules and respect the authority and direction of school staff.

• To seek non-violent and constructive solutions to conflict.

PARENTS ARE EXPECTED:

• To ensure their student attends school daily, on time, prepared, and ready to learn.

• To monitor student’s academic progress and attendance regularly and communicate with the school as needed.

• To support the school’s rules and expectations and model good character.

• To treat all members of the school community with respect.

TEACHERS ARE EXPECTED:

• To clearly communicate learning goals, daily assignments and classroom expectations.

• To communicate high expectations and motivate students to learn by providing lessons which are rigorous and engaging.

• To enforce rules equitably and involve students in creating a safe and supportive learning environment in class.

• To communicate regularly with parents about student progress by utilizing Infinite Campus’s grading features and other means of communication.

• To respect the school, staff, students, and families and demonstrate and model good character.

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