Valley Tech Connection

To support a more focused and engaging learning environment, VCTC follows the "Away for the Day" policy regarding personally owned electronic devices (PEDs). Effective January 2025, per the Augusta County School Board, all PEDs—including cell phones, tablets, headphones, laptops, and smartwatches—must be stored away from bell to bell throughout the entire school day.

This policy applies to all campus areas, including classrooms, hallways, restrooms, and common areas such as break spaces and vending machine areas. Devices should remain in students' backpacks or in a designated classroom storage area to prevent distractions and maintain an optimal learning environment.

VCTC encourages families to discuss this new expectation with their students and remind them to comply when an adult asks them to put their devices away. The goal is to minimize disruptions and promote active participation in hands-on learning.

Students, families, and staff can create a more focused and productive school environment by working together. Thank you for supporting this initiative to help students stay engaged and maximize their educational experience at VCTC.

Due to limited parking availability, students cannot drive to VCTC in the morning. Bus transportation is provided from each home high school, ensuring that all students have a reliable way to arrive on time. With space constraints, we cannot accommodate student parking daily.

Students with valid reasons, such as a doctor’s appointment or emergency, may request up to three temporary parking passes per semester. These passes must be booked in advance, and parents must call VCTC ahead of time to confirm the need for a pass. Please note that missing the bus is not considered an emergency and will not be accepted as a reason to drive.

We appreciate students' and families' cooperation in following this policy to ensure a safe and organized campus. If you have any questions or need to request a temporary parking pass, please get in touch with the VCTC office in advance.

VCTC students are gearing up for an exciting season of competitions. These events showcase their skills and dedication in various career and technical fields, providing invaluable hands-on experience and the opportunity to compete at the state level.

• Culinary Arts – ProStart Invitational
  VCTC’s Culinary students will travel to James Madison University on February 28 to compete in the ProStart Invitational. In this high-stakes cooking competition, they will demonstrate their culinary techniques, teamwork, and professionalism.

• Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) – State Competition
  HOSA members will head to Williamsburg, VA, from March 7 to March 9 to participate in the HOSA State Leadership Conference, where they will compete in various healthcare-related events, from medical terminology to hands-on clinical skills.

• SkillsUSA – State Competition
  Students in multiple trade and technical programs will compete in the SkillsUSA State Competition, which will take place in Roanoke, VA, from April 4 to April 6. This competition highlights students' expertise in welding, automotive technology, cosmetology, and more.

In addition to these competitions, VCTC will host a school field trip on April 10 at the Rockingham County Fairgrounds for second-year program students and program completers in fields such as Dental Careers, Criminal Justice, EMT, and more. This event will provide students with further industry exposure and networking opportunities. More details will be shared soon.

We wish all our competitors the best of luck and look forward to celebrating their hard work and achievements!

VCTC is excited to celebrate our students' achievements at this year’s Closing Ceremony, which will take place on Saturday, May 10th, at 9:00 AM at Geiman Field at Wilson Memorial High School.

This special event recognizes the hard work and dedication of students who have completed their programs, highlighting their career and technical education accomplishments. Families are encouraged to attend and join us in honoring the success of our students as they prepare for the next steps in their careers and education.

More details will be shared as the date approaches. We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our students, families, and the VCTC community!

At Valley Tech, we value the importance of consistent attendance for student success. If your student is absent, please let us know by emailing attendance@valleytech.us as soon as possible. You can also use this email to notify us of a late arrival, early dismissal, or pre-arranged absence.

Physical notes must be submitted within three days of the absence to ensure it is excused. Timely communication helps us maintain accurate records and support your student’s education. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter!

The Shenandoah Valley Center for Advanced Learning (Valley Tech and Governor’s School) will follow the Augusta County School Board’s policies regarding access to student information and adhere to federal and state laws that limit disclosures of personally identifiable student information to third parties. With limited exceptions, parental consent is required before the Division discloses personally identifiable student information from student records to third parties absent a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. In the event a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena is presented, notice to parents typically is required prior to disclosure of personally identifiable information from student records. Our protocol involves principals contacting families in these situations.

With respect to law enforcement specifically, School Board policy generally requires parental consent prior to officers having access to students for the purpose of questioning them about matters that are not the subject of school disciplinary investigation/proceedings. School Board policy also requires reasonable efforts to minimize any disruptions in the school environment that may be related to serving legal process and/or making arrests.

The safety, security, and privacy of our students and staff remain a top priority. We continue our commitment to providing a safe environment in which to provide educational and other services to our students and families. As always, we invite any members of our school community who have questions about these policies or concerns about attendance at school to contact building administration.