Parents’ Newsline Tim Plath—Principal Volume XX Number 7

February 2015

Principal’s Message

Blessings of the Ministry of Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School You may often hear people say this about the students at MVL, “We have great kids!” That’s true – we are blessed to be able to come to school each day and help these young people grow in their faith and in so many other ways. In the com-ing weeks and months, we will be re-enrolling our current freshmen, sophomores and juniors, as well as a group of incom-ing students for next year. What is it that draws our students to attend Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School? Perhaps, it’s the strong academic program we offer. Maybe it’s the activities – the athletics, academic teams, drama or music. We do hope and pray, how-ever, that our students come to MVL because they love their Lord and want to grow in their relationship to Him. As we work with these young people day in and day out, we have the opportunity to watch them grow under the influence of their parents, their pastors, elementary school teachers they’ve had and the other adults that are parts of their lives. We see the interaction with each other and the Christian love they display. We laugh with them and yes, at times cry with them when they’re hurting. But that is what makes MVL so special. That mission of “training students for Christian lives on earth and for eternity” is found throughout our curriculum, the cocurricular activities, and the relationships that exist within the walls of this school. We daily share God’s Word with our students, both Law and Gospel, and remind them not only of their sin and need for a Savior, but also of the indescribable love our God had for us when He sent Jesus to this earth to live a perfect life and die an innocent death for all of us. This is what makes MVL such a unique and special school. May God continue to bless our efforts together!

Pike Driving School MVL is once again offering Driver’s Education classroom instruction during the after school hours from 3:15 – 5:15 p.m., beginning Tuesday, February 24th. This program, offered by Pike Driving School of New Ulm, will run for three weeks through March 13th. The cost of the classroom instruction is $185 which is made payable to Pike Driving School on the first day of class. The parent will need to arrange behind-the-wheel instruction times for their student after they have completed their classroom instruction. Students need to arrange for their own ride home after instruction. Students should bring the following items to the first class session: 1. $185 check payable to Pike Driving School 2. Highlighter 3. Writing instrument 4. Notebook If you have any questions, feel free to call Pike Driving School at (507)359-3133.

Scrip Coordinator Needed at MVL For the past five years, Mrs. Judy Besemer and Mrs. Beth Wiechman have served as our Scrip Coordinators. Both of these ladies have been a huge blessing to MVL, as we have seen our Scrip program grow, and with it the financial support to Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School.

As of April 1, Judy Besemer will step down as one of our coordinators. We are so thankful for her service and wish her God’s richest blessings in the future! With Mrs. Besemer’s impending departure, we are now looking for a volunteer who would be willing to fill this position. The time commitment averages out to about two hours on Monday morning and two hours on Friday morning. If you are interested in serving MVL and our Lord in this way, please contact the MVL office at 507-354-6851.

Open House and Registration We will be hosting our Open House and Registration event on the evening of Tuesday, March 10. That evening, beginning at 6:30, we will offer tours of our school, a session for parents and students on our mission, academics and activities, and an opportunity to register for the 2015-16 school year. Parents and students of incoming 9th –12th grade students are invited and encouraged to attend. More information will be shared with the eighth grade students of our association Lutheran elementary schools.

After Prom Fundraiser The Junior class is putting on a fundraiser for the After Prom Party this year. They are selling pizzas from Swany’s Pub in Courtland. There will be order forms in the school office, or you can find any Junior and order from them. Thank you for supporting the Junior class After Prom fundraiser!

Staffing Changes Set We are thankful to God for the willingness several individuals who will be serving MVL for the remainder of this year. Mrs. Jan Fredrich will teach Advanced Placement Literature and Composition and American Literature and Com-position. Mrs. Lisa Thiesfeldt will teach Language Arts I. Mrs. Nancy Sponholz will coach the Speech Team. Mr. Jason Jaspersen will step in as sophomore class advisor and Mr. Tim Plath will serve as advisor to the National Honor Socie-ty. The Board of Directors will meet in February to determine how our needs can best be filled and will make decisions at that time.

Senior Photos Needed! The MVL yearbook needs your senior photo. Please reserve good judgment for apparel and poses. The main focus of these pictures must be your face. It should be clearly visible (no sunglasses) and close enough to see (no far away shots). These photos do not need to be professional photos. All photos are subject to review by the yearbook committee. The deadline for senior photos is April 10th, 2015. Please e-mail your photo to Mr. Jaspersen at jaspersen@mvlhs.org. If you have no digital copy, submit a glossy photo to Mr. Jaspersen.

Meet the Faculty and Staff Brian Hildebrandt has been involved with music for his entire life. He has sung in choirs for 15 years. He learned piano at age 6 and saxophone at age 11. He attended Fox Valley Lutheran High School from 2005-2008 and was involved in choral and instrumental music. He marched four seasons with the Lutheran Vanguard of Wisconsin and was a drum major for two years. For five years, Brian studied voice with Kathryn Wurster and saxophone with Miles Wurster while attending Martin Luther College. In summer of 2013, he sang one season with Canticum Novum – a WELS Chamber Choir under the direction of Jonathan Laabs. In December of 2013, he graduated from MLC with majors in Secondary Choral and Instrumental Music Education.

Brian grew up in Neenah, Wisconsin with his mom and dad and no siblings. He enjoys music, reading, spending time with his family, and watching the Green Bay Packers. He and his wife have been married for two years and they live in Lafayette.

Maribeth (Hahnke) Wong was born in Nebraska, but moved to New Ulm when her dad became a professor at Dr. Martin Luther College. She attended grades K-8 at St. Paul's, grades 9-12 at Martin Luther Academy, and graduated from DMLC. While at DMLC, Mrs. Wong coached the Martin Luther Academy JV basketball team and was also on the fast pitch softball team which beat Mankato State, Southwest State, and the U of M Golden Gophers to take the MN State Championship. After graduation, she taught grades 1-2 in Arlington, coached various sports, and was a youth counselor. She then accepted a Call to teach 1st grade at Apostles in San Jose, CA where she coached basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, track, and softball, was the children's choir director, and

youth counselor. While in CA, God blessed her with her husband, Dr. Gary Wong, a dentist. They married in 1991 and later moved to New Ulm where Dr. Wong worked at the New Ulm Dental Clinic, while attending MLC to train for the ministry. Mrs. Wong's husband is currently a pastor at St. Paul's in N. Mankato. They have 7 children: Matt, Andy, Nate, Josh, Beth, Becky, and Sarah. They were also foster parents for 73 children. Mrs. Wong was Nate and Josh's basketball coach for several years, helped coach Josh's football team, and also coached Beth and Becky's cheerleading squad. She enjoys fishing, swimming, waterskiing, tubing, baking, cooking, directing children's Christmas Eve musicals, playing piano, drums, and guitar, teaching Sunday School, and watching her kids' athletic events. "Mama Wong", as she is affectionately called, feels blessed to be a Study Hall supervisor and adores the MVL students, faculty, and staff.

Rollin Timm was born in Granite Falls, MN. After graduating from Dr. Martin Luther College, he was assigned to Lord and Savior Lutheran School in Crystal Lake, IL. He also taught at Zion in Columbus, WI before being called to MVL. He has been teaching and coaching here 15 years. While here, Rollin has taught various math, computer, religion and business classes. He has also coached weightlifting and football. He currently is coaching Track and Freshman Girls’ Basketball. Rollin is married to Bonnie (Yotter), and they have been blessed with three children. Daniel is in his last semester of college and Ryan and Rachelle are both college graduates. In his spare time, Rollin enjoys

playing, coaching or officiating sports. He also enjoys working in the garden and playing cards or other games with family and friends.

Jeff Schoenherr- came to MVL in 1999 and has taught a variety of math related classes, speech and physical science. He is also our Boys JV basketball coach, and Boys Varsity baseball coach. He was born and raised in Wisconsin, attended Doctor Martin Luther College, and married his wife Carol one year after graduation. He has two children, Nate and Laura. Jeff enjoys sports, landscaping and fishing.

The Booster Club’s main mission is to raise funds to purchase non-budgeted items for all extracurricular programs and athletic teams. Extracurricular Programs – Fall and Winter Drama, Jazz Band, Chargaliers, Art Club, Dance Team, Math Team, Knowledge Bowl, Winter Weightlifting, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Speech Team. Athletic Teams – Boys and Girls Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Golf, Boys and Girls Track, Softball, and Baseball. If you have a student that participates in any of the teams or programs listed above, we are hoping that you will play your part in volunteering for a few of our concession stand shifts or fundraising activities. Without the financial sup-port of the Booster Club, many of the items needed each year would not be available for these teams and programs. Basketball Concession Workers Still Needed! We are still in need of workers for basketball games. It’s a fun way to meet and get to know other MVL parents and students. If you are able to help with concessions please register at: www.volunteerspot.com . Future Booster Club Events for This School Year Sunday, March 8 - Pork Chop Dinner and Band Concert Sunday, March 22 - MVL Booster Club Auction - Doors open at 11:00 a.m. for item viewing, silent auction items, and lunch. Live auction begins at 1:00 p.m. MVL Booster Club Auction

The auction committee is working to solicit donations from all area communities. Assistance in this task is always welcome. Helpers are needed particularly in New Ulm. Anyone wishing to volunteer should contact Chris Hardtke. This is a day of fun and excitement for students and their families in support of the Booster Club pro-jects. Please plan to attend.

New this year to the auction will be a special opportunity to participate in a game that could fund the tuition cost for a student. Game tickets for a drawing can be purchased for $50.00 each. Each ticket holder would be eligible to partici-pate in a drawing that provides for a credit of up to 50% of 2014-2015 tuition cost to be applied to a family’s tuition account. Families of future students may also participate in the drawing to have credit applied to future tuition costs. Winner of the game will be determined by a drawing during the live auction portion of the event. Tickets will be available the day of the auction only. You need not be present to win. MVL Booster Club Project List 2014-15 Individual Project Running Total Instrument stands for band $ 600 Outdoor batting cage net $ 2000 $ 2,600 Pole Vault poles and other miscellaneous $ 2000 $ 4,600 Conference School Gym Banners $ 2500 $ 7,100 Baseball Uniforms $ 5000 $ 12,100 Gym Bleachers $35,000 $ 47,100

Last year at this time we were in a deep freeze and now we have temps in the 30s and 40s. What a difference a year makes! Personally, I hope this continues. With less than a month remaining in the regular season and the playoffs beginning in mid-February, it’s a great time to stop out and capture a basketball game or two. There aren’t any excuses this year to not get to a game. Gas prices are down, roads are dry and the temperatures outside are bearable. Our pep band is amazing and the dance team is entertaining. So venture out and watch our students use their God given abilities.

MVL Activities’ Scores and Updates on Twitter Now you can follow all the MVL activities on Twitter at MVL Activities @MVL Activities. Game news and scores will be updated as soon as the information is received. Go Chargers!

Cleaning Up Let’s put our best foot forward this not only with our sportsmanship, but also assist with picking up a few piece of trash as you leave all home and away events. Thank you for letting your light shine!

Triple A Award Alexa Diersen and Josh Koelpin have been selected by Minnesota Val-ley Lutheran High School to receive the Triple A Award and represent themselves and their school at the Minnesota State High School League's Subsection level The Triple A Award recognizes and honors high school seniors who have excelled in the classroom, on the athletic

field and in the fine arts. The Triple A Award elevate academic standards and creates greater awareness of League-sponsored activities and their values. It also provides member schools with the opportunity to participate in a statewide program that sup-ports, promotes and recognizes academic and co-curricular achievements.

You Don't Know Until You Go! Believe it or not, the month of February is one of the best times for MVL Juniors to visit the colleges that interest them. There are three vacation days this month that will allow students to visit college campuses and classrooms with-out having to worry about missing class time here at MVL. Another benefit to visiting at this time is that colleges are in session and this will enable visits with not only admissions counselors, but also professors and coaches. You may even be able to take advantage of attending a concert, lyceum, or basketball game to get a better feel for the atmosphere of the college. If February won't work for your schedule, check the MVL calendar for other convenient times when you can take a tour of your next school.

Summer Basketball Summer basketball camp information will be coming in the mail. If your son is interested in going to them have them stop by Mr. Morgan’s office for more information. The information will also come out shortly about summer leagues. The varsity league has usually been on Tuesday nights and the JV has been Thursday nights at Cathedral. More info will follow as we get the information we will pass it on to the guys. It’s important that your son put that basketball in his hands daily to improve for next year. Elementary School Camps Below is a list of our summer camps, please note the DATE CHANGES due to our gym makeover. The camp brochures will be arriving at your elementary schools in a week or two.

Boys’ Basketball On January 20, we honored our boys’ basketball parents on Parents’ Night. We would like to thank our parents for everything they have done for us; washing uniforms and practice gear, giving us rides, making the pregame meals and supporting us with their love and kindness, while traveling to our games both home and away. Thank you God for our supportive parents. It’s been an exciting season with our freshmen and sophomores. The guys have really improved since November thanks to Mr. Balge and Mr. Schoenherr’s leadership. We can hope and pray that the guys will continue to play throughout the year. Whether it’s going out and shooting in the driveway, calling or texting a bunch of friends and playing, or organizing a team and playing in some spring tournaments and continuing to play in the summer leagues, improvement will only happen if the guys play together. Besides it’s a good way to stay in shape or get in shape for the next season! As our season winds down we are on the home stretch. We have 7 games remaining before the playoffs. Of those, five are home games. It’s our hope to make a run and gain momen-tum heading into the playoffs and earn at least one home game. Come on out enjoy some of the Booster Club famous popcorn (homegrown and donated by Pastor Kuckhahn) and watch some exciting basketball.

Baseball Boys entering grades

5-9 June 2-4

Volleyball Girls entering grades

4-9 June 1-4

Boys Basketball Boys entering grades 3-9

June 9-12

Girls Basketball Girls entering grades 3-9

July 7-10

Golf Boys and Girls

entering grades 5-9 June 12, 19, 26

2 3 4 5 6

Hamburger Patty on

W/G Bun, Au Gratin

Potatoes, Green Beans,

Baby Carrots, Straw-

berry Cups, and Fresh

Fruit

BBQ Meatballs or

Cold Cuts on W/G

Bun, Peas, Side Sal-

ad, Celery Sticks,

Applesauce, Baby

Carrots and Fresh Fruit

Chicken Gravy Bowl,

Mashed Potatoes, Dinner

Roll, Corn, Side Salad,

Baby Carrots, Diced

Peaches and Fresh Fruit

Beef Stroganoff on Noo-

dles, Bread Slice, Broc-

coli Salad, Celery Sticks,

Baby Carrots, Mixed

Fruit and Fresh Fruit

Chicken Strips, Baked

Beans, Coleslaw, Pretzel

w/cheese sauce, Diced

Pears, Baby Carrots and

Fresh Fruit

9 10 11 12 13

Baked Ham, Scalloped

Potatoes, Bread Slice,

Peas, Side Salad, Man-

darin Oranges, Baby

Carrots and Fresh Fruit

Chicken with Gnocci

Soup, Cornbread,

Layered Salad, Cel-

ery Sticks, Baby Car-

rots, Diced Peaches

and Fresh Fruit

Chili Cheese Dog on W/

G Bun, Savory Sweet

Potatoes, Broccoli, Baby

Carrots, Celery Sticks,

Diced Pears and Fresh

Fruit

Chicken Patty on W/G

Bun, Baked Fries,

Green Beans, Side Sal-

ad, Celery Sticks, Baby

Carrots, Applesauce,

and Fresh Fruit

Grande Beef Nachos,

Corn Tortilla Chips, Re-

fried Beans, Baby Car-

rots, Diced Apricots and Fresh Fruit

16 17 18 19 20

PRESIDENT’S DAY

NO SCHOOL

Spaghetti with Meat

Sauce, W/G Bread-

stick, Broccoli, Side

Salad, Baby Carrots,

Celery Sticks, Diced

Peaches and Fresh

Fruit

BBQ Chicken on W/G

Bun, Oven-Fried Pota-

toes, Baby Carrots, Let-

tuce, Pineapple Tidbits

and Fresh Fruit

Roast Pork, Baby Baked

Potatoes w/Herbs, Din-

ner Roll, Green Beans,

Side Salad, Baby Car-

rots, Applesauce, and

Fresh Fruit

LES BASKETBALL

TOURNAMENT

NO SCHOOL

23 24 25 26 27

Chicken Fried Rice,

Peas, Lettuce, Baby

Carrots, Celery Sticks,

Strawberry Cups and

Fresh Fruit

Taco Salad, Corn Tortilla Chips, Re-

fried Beans, Lettuce,

Baby Carrots, Diced

Peaches and Fresh

Fruit

Sausage or Pepperoni

Pizza, Broccoli and Cau-

liflower, Baby Carrots,

Celery Sticks, Mixed

Fruit and Fresh Fruit

Shrimp Poppers, Bread

Slice, Curly Fries,

Baked Beans, Side Sal-

ad, Baby Carrots, Cel-

ery Sticks, Diced Pears,

and Fresh Fruit

LES BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

NO SCHOOL

Salad Bar Available Every Day

Milk Included With Each

Meal

Menu Subject

To Change

Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School Menu

February 2015

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Chargaliers 6 p.m.

2 3 Girls BBall @ Wabasso 6,7:30 p.m. Boys BBall v Wabasso 6,7:30 p.m.

4

5 NHS @ 7:30 a.m. Girls BBall @ SESM 6,7:30 p.m.

6 3rd Quarter Midterm Jazz 7:15 a.m. Student Council Boys BBall c SESM 6,7:30 p.m. Knowledge Bowl @ GFW

7 ACT

8 NHS Induction 7 p.m.

9 B of D 6:30 p.m. Girls BBall v NUC 6,7:30 p.m.

10 Chargaliers 7:15 a.m. Boys BBall @NUC 4:45, 6,7:30 p.m.

11 Faculty Meeting

12 Boys BBall v GFW 4:45, 6,7:30 p.m. Girls BBall @ GFW 4:45,6,7:30 p.m.

13 Jazz 7:15 a.m. Boys BBall v St Clair 4:45,6,7:30 p.m. Student Council

14 Speech @ Loyola 9 a.m.

15 Chargaliers 6 p.m. Association Meeting 2 p.m.

16 President’s Day No School Girls BBall v LPHT 4:45,6,7:30 p.m.

17 Girls BBall @ CMC 6,7:30 p.m. Boys BBall @ MCW 4:45,6,7:30 p.m.

18 Ash Wednesday

19 Jazz 7:15 a.m. BBB Prel. @ TBD 7 p.m.

20 LES BB Tournament—— No School Girls BBall v Wabasso 6,7:30 p.m.

21 ———————————— Speech @ Mankato East 9 a.m.

22 ———————————I

23 Girls BBall v Loyola 4:45,6,7 p.m.

24 Chargaliers 7:15 a.m. BBB Playoff @ TBD 7 p.m.

25 26 Jazz 7:15 a.m. GBB Prel. @ TBD 7 p.m.

27 LES BB Tournament—— No School BBB Subsection 6,7:45 @ LSH

28 ————————————

February 2015