Knightly News

February 21st, 2025

Campus-Wide

Friday, 2/28 is Spirit Day!

Next Friday, 2/28 is Spirit day!!! Here are a few reminders from the Uniform Policy about Spirit Day dress:

On spirit days (typically the last Friday of the month), students may wear:

Valor t-shirts (sold through the school) or uniform (not athletic jersey) tops
- T-shirts should be worn down or tucked in, and can also be knotted, but not tied up higher than your hips (ie. if you raise your arms, you shirt should still cover your skin)
- School shirts may not be cut or altered for spirit days
Jeans, jean skirts, joggers, athletic shorts, or uniform bottoms
- Athletic shorts must be mid-thigh or longer (the shortest part of the shorts must be at least mid-thigh, typically no shorter than a 7” inseam for LS/RS students)
- Valor branded athletic shorts may also be worn (shorts may not be rolled or shortened) - purchase at Valor Spirit Shop OR Athletic Shop
- Shorts/pants/jeans may be black, gray, blue, or white (ie. no additional colors)
- Shorts/skirts must be visible by several inches even when wearing a long shirt
- Leggings/yoga pants are not permitted
- All free dress/spirit day jeans/pants should have no holes or rips that occur higher than 3 inches above the top of the knee.
Valor footwear and classroom outerwear policies still apply (however students may wear Valor athletic hoodies on Spirit Days as well)
Students should not wear hats, head scarves, or bandanas

RSVP: Grandparents' Events for Upper & Grammar School!

Parents, please coordinate the RSVP with your guests and submit one response for your family.

RSVP HERE for Grammar School & Upper School Grandparent Events
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Upper School Fine Arts Night
Thursday, April 10
Grades 6th-8th
Highland Baptist Church
6-8pm

Grammar School Grandparents' Day
Friday, April 11
Grades PK-5th
Valor Gym
Session 1: Student Last Name A-G (9:00-10:15am)
Session 2: Student Last Name H-O (11:00-12:15pm)
Session 3: Student Last Name P-Z (1:00-2:15pm)

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RSVPs for these events are required by each family in our Grammar & Logic School.

The Grammar School event one of the most special times of year for our students to showcase their poetry, hymn-singing, scripture recitation, and grade-level knowledge to their loved ones. In addition to your RSVPs, we need about 30 volunteers, though, to make this day happen! Please sign up HERE!

Free Dress Fundraiser

Hey Valor family, in an attempt to raise some money for our Junior trip to Europe this spring, we are bringing back the ever-popular "free dress punch card" for a few dates in the spring. If your student would like to come in free dress (not in their uniform) on Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, and senior's last day on campus -- buy a free dress card TODAY! We had our first day on the 14th, but if you'd like to participate in the next two days, cards are $15 each and all the money goes towards our student trips.

Family Ministries

Monthly Prayer - You're Invited!

Parents & grandparents! Come and pray over students & staff on Wednesday, March 5th directly after drop off at 8:30am in the Valor Cafeteria.

Grammar School (Prek-5th)

First and Second Grade Showcases

Thank you to all our parents who braved the coldest day of the year to watch your students!

Q4 Family Read-Aloud

After Spring Break, 2nd-5th graders will begin reading Man's Slave Becomes God's Scientist. This is an important book about a Christian hero who overcame much suffering to follow God's call, contributing major advances to the field of science.

Please make sure you pre-read through our family literature guide before you begin reading with your child. There may be parts you would like to skip, adjust, or prepare for a deeper conversation with your child as your whole family is challenged by this powerful life of faith.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions!

Speech/Music Meet

If your student signed up to audition for the speech/music meet, thank you! It was a blast for myself and Mrs. Rucker to evaluate these very brave and gifted students. Feedback about their audition was sent either by email (for music) or should be in your child's blue folder today (for recitation).

Next Wednesday's chapel is going to be a wonderful time to celebrate these chosen students as they perform for our large chapel from 8:30-9:15 and compete for four main awards.

So, without further ado, click HERE to see the order of service and if your child was chosen to perform before the Grammar School and our two secret judges.

💙 Mrs. Ramsey

Upcoming in Grammar

February 26 - Speech Meet during GS Chapel
March 7 - 5th Grade Science Fair Exhibit (8:30-9:30am)
March 7 - End of Q3, early dismissal
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day Free dress punch card
March 10-14 - Spring Break, NO SCHOOL
March 28 - First Grade and Second Grade Field trip
April 11 - Grandparent's Day is one of the most special times of year for our students to showcase their poetry, hymn-singing, scripture recitation, and grade-level knowledge to their loved ones. We need about 30 volunteers, though, to make this day happen! Please sign up HERE!
April 23 - Classical Learning Test (3rd-8th grades)
May 8th - Parent/Teacher Conferences (sign-ups coming soon!)

Logic School (6th-8th)

Recent Logic School Highlights

Logic School (LS):

Reminder: Student email accounts should only be used for official school/educational purposes (assignments, communication with teachers, communication with peers about assignments, etc). We invite parents to periodically check their students' email accounts for unofficial use. (See section 6.6 of the Parent & Student Handbook for more guidelines.)
8th Grade Academic Advising: Eigth graders will meet with Dr. Escobar on February 24th during their chapel block. Your student will come home with a blank planner form and information to share with you! Email soon to follow from Dr. Escobar.
National Latin Exam: All 7th grade Latin students and all 8th grade ADVANCED Latin students will take the National Latin Exam during the week of February 24th - 28th. If athletics interfere, students may take the exam the week of March 3rd. They will take this exam during their normal Latin class period and spend the two weeks prior preparing.
Classic Learning Test (CLT) Dates: The CLT will be administered to LS students on April 23. Mark your calendar, as attendance will be critically important.

Beyond Next Week in LS:

Feb. 24-28th - NLE window
March 7 - End of Q3, early dimissal
March 10-14 - Spring Break, NO SCHOOL
April 10 - Upper School Fine Arts Night (info letter)
April 23 - 6th-8th Classic Learning Test (CLT)

2024-25 Valor Calendar

If you have questions related to LS, please contact krista.weathers@valorprep.com.

Rhetoric School (9th-12th)

Rhetoric School (RS):

11th Grade: The junior class has a mandatory meeting with Dr. Escobar on Friday morning (2/28) at 8:00 am. If you have questions, contact kirsten.escobar@valorprep.com.
10th: The 10th grade service trip is March 3-6. While the trip ends on Thursday, March 6, the studens will not have classes on Friday, March 7, as that is a half day and the last day of Q3.
National Latin Exam: All RS Latin students will take the National Latin Exam during the week of February 24th - 28th. If athletics interfere, students may take the exam the week of March 3rd. They take this exam during their normal Latin class period and spend the two weeks prior preparing.
Shout out to Valor's dedicated RS mock trial team. The team performed in the Regional Competition earlier this month. While they did not advance to the semifinals, they received great feedback and commendations from the judges. Additionally, sophomore Samuel Griesemer received recognition as "Best Witness" of the whole competition. Congrats, Samuel!
Issue #7 of Knight Life is out. Click here to check it out!

Beyond Next Week in RS:

March 3-6 - 10th Grade Service Trip
March 7 - End of Q3, early dismissal
March 10-14 - Spring Break, NO SCHOOL
March 19 - 11th Grade Student Advising Meeting for students (8 am)
March 18-19 9th Grade Fine Arts Trip
March 20-26 12th Grade Boston/NY Trip
April 10 - Upper School Fine Arts Night
April 10 - CLT11 (11th grade) test administration
April 15 - CLT10 (9th & 10th grades) test administration
May 17 - Valor Graduation Ceremony

2024-25 Valor Calendar

2024-25 RS Non-Uniform Dress Code Days

2025-26 RS Prospectus

If you have questions related to RS, please contact charlie.mooney@valorprep.com.

Makayla S. will advance to the state tournament for her top placement in the VASE Art Competition in Killeen on Saturday, February 15. Congrats, Makayla!

Samuel G. was selected as the "Best Witness" (out of all participating students) in the Regional Mock Trial Competition hosted at Baylor, February 6-8.

James S. has been accepted to the very prestigious University of Virginia. UVA is ranked #4 in Public Universities and #24 in All Universities by US News & World Report.

Valor Athletics

Summer Camps 2025

Spring & Summer camp registrations are live! Check with your parents to make sure they register. Register Here

Valor students and friends & family of Valor are welcome as well! We are excited to close out our winter season with playoff basketball and begin our spring sports. What you can see on the field & court during the school year is built through camaraderie, consistency, and effort built through the offseason. We know families travel and have plans but wanted to get these opportunities out to you sooner rather than later.

If your child is participating in football, please have them sign up for spring football ASAP..

Spring Sports 2025

Track Practice has started! All practices are at Hart-Patterson beginning at 3:45p

High School Track- 3-6p and Junior High Track 3:45-6p Monday-Wednesday

Golf practice at Bear Ridge Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6p and Friday 4-5:30p

Tennis begins February 10th at Waco Regional Tennis 4-6p

**This is for all athletes that are not competing in basketball!**

--SportsYou Codes--

Tennis- V3WB-C82U

Golf-K5BR-2JSE

Baseball- ANPB-XJWJ

HS Track and Field- WAS3-B4NG

JH Track and Field- UMH7- 4NTM

2025 Spring Sport Practice and Game Schedule

HS Golf at Lake Waco - Bosqueville Tournament Wednesday February 26th

HS Tennis at Waco Regional Tennis Wednesday February 26th

JH Track Wednesday February 26th at Waco ISD- release from class is 1:00p and the meet begins at 2:00p

HS Track Friday February 28th at Bryan- release from class will be 10:00a. Athletes in the 3200m will not be present at school Friday

Next week- JH track will be at Bruceville-Eddy 3/3 and HS track will be at Whitney 3/6; Tennis will compete 3/5 at Waco Regional Tennis at 8a

High School Basketball

Varsity Girls & Boys TAPPS 2A-5 District Champions

High School Basketball 3rd Round Playoffs!

Friday February 21st at 5:30p

Varsity Lady Knights v. Shiner St Paul game @ Pflugerville Connally High School

Friday February 21st at 6:00p

Varsity Knights v. Legacy Christian Beaumont game @Allen Academy- Bryan

LIVE LINK CLICK HERE (NFHS requires a subscription)

High School Basketball Final Four

*If we win on Friday, we will play in Waco.

February 26th

Girls Semifinal @University HS 2pm

Boys Semifinal @Robinson HS 6pm

February 27th

Girls State Championship @Robinson HS 2pm

Boys State Championship @Robinson HS 8pm

High School Baseball

When: 3:45p-5:30p

Where: 2423 Bagby Ave Waco, TX

What: Wear a Valor shirt, shorts, cleats, glove, hat

We will practice Monday- Thursday next week.

League Basketball

Please provide grace to your classmates and look for ways to help if you have the capacity!

It's a fun time of the year for basketball but can be stressful for many families, look for ways to help with rides, volunteers, etc.

THANK YOU!

Waco Private School League Website

Fall Sports Awards

*All awards will be celebrated at the EOY banquet April 22nd. Details to follow*

Volleyball- 26-11 (1st Place in District)

Volleyball All-District-

1st Team

Pria DeLeenheer

Ellie Buck

Elyse Mason

Emmie Gaines

Paityn Thompson

2nd Team

Julia Gorman

Bryslan Elder

Skye Birkes

Honorable Mention

Madi Goss

Maci McKown

Volleyball All State- 2nd Team

Pria DeLeenheer

Volleyball Honorable Mention

Ellie Buck

Volleyball Super Cen-Tex Honorable Mention-

Pria DeLeenheer and Ellie Buck

Cross Country- (Boys and Girls 3rd Place)

All State-

Ellie Buck- 8th

Clara Gibson- 5th

Ethan Locke- 1st

Cheer All-State

2nd Team

Lanie Bowles

Camille Thompson

Liz Meyer

1st Team

Maci McKown

Football- 9-4 (2nd Place District– State Semi-Finalist)

Football All-District-

Offensive Player of the Year- Bear Griesemer

1st Team Offense

Bear Griesemer-

Duke Gaines-

Maddox Meline-

2nd Team Offense

James Hoagland-

Bennett Herman-

Connor McFarling-

Matthew Schlappe-KICKER

1st Team Defense-

Conner McFarling-

Maddox Meline-

Matthew Schlappe- PUNTER

2nd Team Defense-

Seth Flowers-

Sam Shores-

Honorable Mention Defense-

Parker Stanfield

2nd Team All State

Maddox Meline

Honorable Mention All State

Bear Griesemer

Football Super Cen-Tex 1st Team

Bear Griesemer

Duke Gaines

Football Super Cen-Tex 2nd Team

Maddox Meline

Bennett Herman

Football Super Cen-Tex Honorable Mention

Connor McFarling

James Hoagland

Athletic Trainer: Tammy Marton

Tammy has already been a huge help for our athletic department and we are so thankful to have her in our community. Her office hours for all JH/HS athletes are:

Monday/Wednesday: 2:45pm-4pm

Tuesday/Thursday: 10:30am-12:30pm

Friday: 2:45pm-4pm

Human Resources

Now Hiring!

We have some additional positions available for the 2025-2026 school year! If you, or anyone you know is interested, please visit https://valorprep.com/careers/ to learn more or to apply!

Technology Manager
College Counselor
Rhetoric School Math Teacher (Full time)
PE Teacher & Coach
Grammar School Classroom Teachers
Grammar school Classroom Teacher Aides

We also have several coaching positions available that can be attached to a faculty/staff position, if needed (or not!). Those are:

Track (THROWS Only) Assistant Coach
HS Girls Varsity Assistant Volleyball Coach
Jr High Girls Volleyball Coach
High School Football Coaches (Best Fit)
Jr High Football Coaches (Best Fit)

As always, we are also welcoming applications for substitutes as well :) Please feel free to share any of these with your friends and family!!

Upcoming Faculty/Staff Birthdays

Polk, Missy- Kindergarten Teacher... 2/20
Harris, Jeni- 8th Grade Humanities Teacher... 3/3
Martina, Mitch- RS Teacher... 3/5
Escobar, Kirsten- College Counselor... 3/9
Smith, Elise- 1st Grade Teacher... 3/26

To access the folder of Faculty & Staff favorites for all Faculty & Staff members, please click here. Thank you!

Reference Material

Facts Family App: Free Download!

Our new app through Renweb/Facts Family Portal is now available for a free download from the Apple store or Google Play store! It includes quick and easy access to all this and more!

Weekly Newsletter
Full School Calendar
Athletics Hub
Hot lunch ordering
Grades, Report Cards & Attendance
Student Schedules, Behavior and Service Hours
Financial information

Please visit the mobile device store of your choice, search "Valor Preparatory Academy," download the app and then log in with your Facts Family portal account information (the district code is VPA-TX)!!

24-25 Yearbook Orders

Hello Valor Family! With the year starting some changes have been put into place. One of the changes is that the yearbook will be run by students taking the new journalism class this year. Some important information to note about the new yearbook this year:

Pre-order at www.treering.com. The passcode to buy the yearbook through Treering is: 1015196645893006.
As always, every family gets two free custom pages with the option to add additional spreads at 99 cents each. This is a great way to document home days and other activities.

Samuel Shores

Rhetoric Journalism

Absences, Tardies, Leaving Early & Sickness Notifications...

Just a quick reminder! If your student needs to leave early, arrive late, is sick, or they are going home with someone who is not on your pickup list, please call or email Sarah Worthington at the front desk to let her know! She is handling all those requests from here on out. Thank you!!!!!!

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