Knightly News
September 20th, 2024
September 20th, 2024
In compliance with Texas state law, a complimentary vision and hearing screening will be provided for all students. Spinal (Scoliosis) screenings will also be made available to select students.
Vision screenings for students in grades 1 and above as well as hearing screenings for ALL students will take place during school hours on Monday, September 23rd, Wednesday, September 25th and Monday, September 30th on campus at Valor.
Spinal screenings will happen for 5th & 7th grade girls, as well as 8th grade boys on Friday, September 27th.
Students in PreK & Kindergarten will have their vision screenings done by the Waco Women’s Lions Club on October 2nd.
In the enrollment packet containing your registration for school this year, you indicated your permission or declining for these screenings to happen for each of your students. If you chose “Yes,” then your student will be screened.
The vision and hearing screenings offered at our school are screens only and do not substitute for a comprehensive vision or hearing examination by an eye care professional or an audiologist. If your child does not pass the screen, it is necessary for him/her to be evaluated by an eye care professional/audiologist to determine if there is an actual vision or hearing issue. If you have any concerns about your child’s vision or hearing, and want a more in-depth examination, please contact an eye care professional or audiologist about a comprehensive vision or hearing examination.
If you have any questions about these screenings, please email Bethany Brown at Admin@ValorPrep.com. Thank you!!!!
As many of you have heard, our beloved Head of Grammar, Mrs. Ramsey, was diagnosed with breast cancer this last month. She was out with surgery this week and will be home recovering for a little while. In support of her, we are altering our spirit day for September 27th. Instead of coming to school in just Valor gear, we invite everyone to wear any pink you have to school next Friday AND to the Home football game that night! If you don't have any pink clothes, wear your Valor gear with any pink accessories (wristbands, necklaces, bandanas, etc.) When we see pink, especially in this next month, we want it to be a reminder to our community to pray for Mrs. Ramsey, her family, and those in our community who are fighting sickness. Can't wait to see EVERYONE in PINK on the 27th!
Ps. Free Dress Guidelines apply! :)
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!!!!!!
We hosted our first quarterly meeting this week for our fall events happening this semester. If you would like more information on ways to serve, please fill out the form below!! We are excited to partner with you this year in the area of celebration, service and building community.
Join a Committee HERE!
Valor parents who have children in our lower grades, please come and join us for an evening of conversation centered around discipleship and parenting in these younger years. The Murrays, who have been a part of our Valor family for many years, will be leading our conversation. We would love for moms and dads to join! For questions, please email brittany.fowler@valorprep.com
Childcare is not provided
Wednesday, October 2
Valor Chapel
6-7:30pm
It's not too late to join us for Parent Book Club this year! Dates and details will be announced soon.
We invite parents to join us for chapel on Wednesday, September 25, as our Lower Grammar students proudly showcase their first-quarter recitations and songs. First and second graders will dazzle us at the 8:30 chapel, followed by our enthusiastic Prek and Kindergarten students at 9:10. We’ll also capture both events on video to share with families afterward.
We can’t wait to celebrate our students’ achievements together!
4th & 5th grade Mark your calendars! The Children's Concert is a symphony experience put on by the Baylor Symphony Orchestra (sponsored by the Waco Symphony Council) exclusively for local 4th & 5th graders. It is a wonderful way to give students a taste of what it's like to attend a live symphony concert (and a chance to practice concert etiquette). This year, the concert will take place on Tuesday, November 12. There is more information for 4th/5th grade parents on the RSVP form. If you haven't already clicked on it, please do so. Mrs. Rucker will send out more information about logistics as it gets closer. If you have any questions, please email Mrs. Rucker. (jennifer.rucker@valorprep.com)
Hello! My name is Chloe Baer Appleby, and I am an entry-level occupational therapy doctoral student at Baylor University. I am originally from Appleton, WI, but I consider Waco home after living here a few years. For the final semester of my studies, I am partnering with Elite Therapy Center, and Valor Preparatory Academy to grow the motor lab program, and assist families in implementing regulation strategies in the home environment.
Through the use of key activities, our goal is to help improve the homeschooling experience for Valor families, by equipping parents to effectively facilitate their students learning, and improve their educational engagement. During my time at Valor, I will also be facilitating motor breaks with students, completing classroom observations, assisting in accommodation planning, leading education sessions, and completing research to inform planning for Valor growth in the years to come. While in the classroom, I will be present to support students learning needs, and facilitating accommodation implementation to promote student success.
Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me directly with any questions or needs; you may also contact my supervisor, Kari McKown at the email listed below. I look forward to getting to know your students, and collaborating with your families to help your students grow in their academic success and love of learning.
With appreciation,
Chloe Baer Appleby
chloe_baer1@baylor.edu
Kari McKown: kari.mckown@elitetherapycenter.org
Fall Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, November 14th, this year. More details to come!
Logic School Snapshots
The True, Good, and Beautiful
Hot Lunch: Friday, Sept. 27th's hot lunch is from Panda Express.
Spirit Day: Friday, Sept. 27th is Spirit Day! PINK OUT: Students may wear PINK in honor of Mrs. Ramsey! PINK CLOTHES ONLY. If it's not pink it doesn't count and you should then follow Spirit Day dress or regular uniforms. Spirit Day dress code(click on this link for guidelines).
Spinal Screenings: In the morning on Friday, Sept. 27th Valor will conduct spinal screenings for select students in 5-8th grades.
8th Shakespeare Trip: We need two more drivers to make this trip work! Please reach out to Stephanie Curtice if you can chaperone and drive a few of our delightful 8th graders to Dallas and back. stephanie.curtice@valorprep.com
7th Camping Trip: The annual 7th Grade Camping Trip to Lake Whitney is Nov. 1-2. Fill out the sign up form here. For more information, see the letter here.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY for SUMMER 2025: Valor Rhetoric School and Logic School are partnering with Camp Blessing in Brenham, Texas, this upcoming summer for our students to serve as volunteers during one term (one week) of Camp Blessing's Christian summer camp for people with special needs. A representative from Camp Blessing will speak in Logic School chapel on October 28th. To get more information or express interest, check out this form or contact kirsten.escobar@valorprep.com.
Beyond Next Week in LS:
Oct. 2 & 4 - Adalet Bake Sale During Lunch!
Oct. 4 - Monthly Prayer and Conversations
Oct. 9 - 8th Grade Shakespeare Field Trip
Oct. 11 - Half Day (12:15 dismissal), End Q1
Oct. 14-15 - Fall Break
Nov. 1-2 - 7th Grade Camping Trip
If you have questions related to LS, please contact krista.weathers@valorprep.com.
Kiasi Regatta is TOMORROW!
Kiasi is hosting an event for all Valor RS students (9th-12th Grade) on September 21st. The event will be from 5-8pm at the McFarlings' house.
The Valor RS is proud to announce that three of its students have been recognized as CLT10 Regional Scholars for performing in the top 5% of all students in the region that covers California to Texas. See the complete list here. Congratulations to Seth Flowers, Elijah Monnich, and Levi Scheetz!
DUAL CREDIT STUDENTS: All students who are taking a dual credit course with Colorado Christian University (Spanish 3 and/or Jr. Thesis) are required to fill out CCU's registration form. If this is not filled out by the deadline, the student will not receive the credits with CCU. Because Valor already billed the families, no payment will be made by the family when filling out the registration form. If you have any questions, please contact kirsten.escobar@valorprep.com.
Next week, the Valor RS administration and faculty will begin a 3-week homework audit. More details will be communicated directly to the students. This newly-developed process will provide useful data to the RS so we can monitor how well we adhere to internal homework policies. The students will bring home a simple form to fill out about select homework assignments in each class over the course of 2-3 weeks. The parent will only need to provide an initial on each form.
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY for SUMMER 2025: Valor Rhetoric School and Logic School are partnering with Camp Blessing in Brenham, Texas, this upcoming summer for our students to serve as volunteers during one term (one week) of Camp Blessing's Christian summer camp for people with special needs. To get more information or express interest, check out this form or contact kirsten.escobar@valorprep.com.
Oct. 6 - IronMan Waco service opportunity
Oct. 11 - End of Q1
Oct. 11 - Half Day (US dismissal at 12:15)
Oct. 14-15 - Fall Break, NO SCHOOL
Oct. 16-18 - Rhetoric Retreat, NO RS CLASSES WILL MEET
Oct. 22 - PSAT10 (10th grade)
Oct. 24 - PSAT11 (11th grade)
Oct. 25 - Homecoming Pep Rally & Game
2024-25 RS Non-Uniform Dress Code Days
If you have questions related to RS, please contact charlie.mooney@valorprep.com.
RS Students -- Come volunteer with us at Ironman on Sunday, October 6th! It's SO fun!!!
Measuring What Matters- Why the Classic Learning Test? (Click Icon Below)
Athletic Clothing Policy
Royal, Black, Navy Shorts (in accordance with appropriate length listed in Valor handbook)
or
Shorts with Valor Logo on it (in accordance with appropriate length listed in Valor handbook)
and
Valor Athletics Shirt (Gray cotton, Gray drifit, Gray heather dri fit, Blue drifit)
TeamFunded Athletic Fundraiser
We are active in our TeamFunded Athletic Fundraiser! We have a goal of 30k this year and believe that we can achieve that with your help. Please use the QR Code to register. This fundraiser is for all athletes 4th-12th grade and goes to benefit all of our athletes with jerseys, equipment, facilities, improvements and much more!
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at 6pm in the Valor Chapel.
HS Varsity VB beat Meridian on Tuesday and lost a tough match to Ovilla Christian last night.
District play starts this coming week with a non-district match vs Valley Mills and
then the first match of district down in Temple against Holy Trinity on Thursday!
Congrats to our JV for winning the CTCS Tournament!
They have games scheduled an hour before varsity time slots.
If you or someone you know is interested in coaching tennis this season at Valor, we are hiring! Please share the word and be on the lookout! APPLY HERE
Junior High A Team Football @ St Joseph Bryan (45-0)
Junior High B Team Football @ Fort Worth Covenant Classical (0-16)
Junior High Football @St. Mary's West (45-33)
High School Football v. St Mary's Taylor 7:00pm (at Memorial Stadium in Taylor)
Troy Invitational - 9/28/2024
*Last JH meet of the season
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 week to week are listed below for all JH/HS athletes.
Monday/Wednesday: 7am-9am
Tuesday/Thursday: 10:30am-12:30pm
Friday: 2:45pm-4pm
This program is essential in distributing groceries to those in need within our community. Your participation would help us ensure that everyone has access to the food they need. Volunteering with us is also a great way to meet new people, give back to the community, and make a positive impact.
Details:
When: Every first and third Tuesday of the month
Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Antioch Waco Church (Outside the offices building)
What you'll do:
Help with the setup and organization of food items
Assist in distributing food to community members
Be able to pray with locals during delivering groceries
If you're interested in volunteering or have any questions, you can contact Francisco Leyva at 254-715-976 or send email to francisco.leyva@antiochwaco.com. We appreciate any time you can give and look forward to working together to support our community.
Together for Good is hosting Foundational Trainings to become a parent advocates this fall!
Saturday, September 28 from 9-11:30am at Grace Church Waco
Register at tfgood.org/waco!
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)!!
Nixon, Lindsay- 2nd Grade Classroom Teacher... 9/29
Susie Pigg- 1st Grade Classroom Teacher...10/3
Jennifer Rucker- GS Music Teacher...10/6
Duerksen, Kim- 1st Grade Aide... 10/11
Stanford, Kym- Business Manager...10/14
Mathis, Tina- 8th Grade Math & Science Teacher...10/22
Elmshaeuser, Hannah- 6th Grade Math & Science Teacher...10/27
Kanawyer, Wes- Head of School... 10/29
Nazarian, Jared- Chief Business Officer... 10/29
Randall, Alyssa- RS Spanish Teacher...10/30
Kennedy, Kaija- RS Theater Teacher...10/31
To access the folder of Faculty & Staff favorites for all Faculty & Staff members, please click here. Thank you!
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:
The yearbook is 10% off until September 30th. 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