Dear Valley Catholic Families:

Throughout this week honoring Catholic Schools, a great deal of focus has been applied to our current students, families, and employees who make Valley Catholic a great example of Catholic education.  However, a few events this past week have drawn my attention to another very important group, our alumni.

On Wednesday, at the completion of our an all-campus Mass, Valley Catholic School was pleased to name Mrs. Pat Joyaux ’54 as this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award winner.  Making the presentation of this award an annual event is just one of many efforts being made to connect with our alumni base and presenting it at an all-campus event makes it even more significant.  As I am sure any parent, student, or employee that was in attendance for the brief ceremony honoring Mrs. Joyaux can attest, it was a proud moment to honor such a deserving individual.  Thank you, Mrs. Joyaux, for all that you have done in the past 33 years and continue to do each day on our campus.

A strong, vibrant alumni community can be a tremendous support to our school like ours in many ways.  I know that most people (including some alumni) believe that the only reason to keep in contact with alumni is to hit them up for donations, but the significance of building a strong relationship goes much further. 

With that in mind, I have been working with the Foundation staff to find new and exciting ways to reach out to our alumni community.  In December, we hosted an alumni event during a night of home basketball games for the high school.  The event brought out more than 100 alums from a variety of years, including many former students who had not been on our campus in years. 

This month we will be hosting a wine tasting for alumni.  The event will be held on campus in the new VCEMS building on Sunday, February 26 from 2 – 5 p.m.  Alumni can RSVP here.

A final reason that drew my attention to alumni this week was the news that Shelley Espey ’86 had passed away.  As an alumna, parent of a current high school student, and long-time employee, Shelley was a big part of our community and her presence on our campus will be dearly missed.  Please keep the entire Espey family in your prayers during this difficult time.

I hope that all of our families enjoy this bright, sunny weather over the weekend and that whatever team you are rooting for wins the Super Bowl.  Personally, I will be pulling for the Patriots but probably more interested in the commercials than anything else.

Thank you,

Bob Weber
President
Valley Catholic School

Submitted by VCES Principal Joe Manning

In the months ahead, the Elementary School science fair will be undergoing a bit of a makeover. Beginning this year, our science showcase event will be a celebration of student innovations in science and engineering. We will call this event the “Invention Convention.”

Our Elementary and Middle School science faculty—Sarah Zinzer, June Poling, Stephanie Shields, and Pat Christiansen—have been working on this idea over the past few months. The idea is to provide an avenue for students to practice using science and engineering processes to solve problems encountered in our world. Our Invention Convention will have the added benefit of addressing the state and archdiocesan science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) standards.

The Invention Convention will help students learn to identify a problem, design a solution, test the solution, anticipate and solve problems along the way, and share their findings with the community.

Our faculty and staff are very excited about this change as it will provide our Elementary School students with the opportunity to be more innovative and creative with their projects. The skills developed in this structure will aid the students when they do a full science fair research project as part of the Middle School’s curriculum.

Ms. Zinzer is working on materials she will provide to K-3 families so they can assist their students should they choose to participate. These materials will be ready by mid February. Students in grades 4-5 will work in and outside of class on their Invention Convention projects. Guidance will be provided as part of the fourth and fifth grade science curriculum.

Our Invention Convention will be held on Friday, May 11.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Ms. Zinzer.

Submitted by Communications Specialist Danielle Tomich.  Photos by Marketing Production Coordinator Tom Kohler

On Wednesday, Feb. 1, a special Mass was attended by all Valley Catholic students— from preK to seniors in high school—to celebrate Catholic Schools Week.  Father John Kerns of St. Juan Diego presided.  After Mass, the Distinguished Alumni Award was given to Pat Roshak Joyaux ’54.  For the full story regarding the award, please click here.

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Submitted by VCHS Math Teacher and Department Chair Kipp Johnson

VCHS teachers and students have been enjoying the challenges of solving the problems posted monthly on the IBM Ponder This website. Advanced Placement Computer Teacher Nick Vigo collaborated on solving several of the puzzles last year, and Math Teachers John Brunecz and Kipp Johnson solved the December puzzle.

Now Mr. Johnson has gone one step further: he has written a puzzle for others to solve. His is the February 2012 puzzle, and it can be seen here.  Challenge your math skills and see if you can solve it!

We would like to let you know about a beloved member of our campus family who lost her battle with cancer—a battle, her husband says, that she never intended to lose. You may recall in September, we told you about Shelley Espey ’86 who was seeking support for her recent cancer diagnosis. Shelley died January 31, surrounded by her family.

She was an ’86 graduate, a current Valley Catholic parent (Katrina ’12), and a parent of two alumnae (Adala in ’98 and Nichole in ’09). Shelley had also worked at the SSMO Convent for several years prior to joining SSMO Ministries Corp. in the Finance Dept., where she has worked since 2004. Her most recent position had her stationed in the accounting department at Maryville Nursing Home.

On the same day she died, Shelley’s husband, Dave, wrote a note to her many friends. Below are some excerpts from his letter to them.

Today at 3:05  a.m. we lost one of the kindest people I have ever had the privilege to know. She is my best friend, best mother I have ever seen and loyal friend of all who allowed her to be. She took in all who wanted a mother and loved them like her own. I want to thank all of you who have been praying in earnest for her to be healed. The outcome was not what I wanted but I give God all the praise and glory knowing with total confidence she is now healed and made new in her new home with the Lord.

Plans for memorial services are still pending. When arrangements are made, they will be posted in the News & Events area of www.valleycatholic.org, www.maryvillenh.org, www.ssmo.org and www.ssmofoundation.org. Letters of condolence are being collected at the reception desk at Maryville Nursing Home. Please keep the Espey family in your thoughts and prayers.

Pat Roshak Joyaux with VCS President Bob Weber and SSMO Ministries President Sr. Adele Marie Altenhofen

Submitted by Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator Grace LeChevallier

This Wednesday during the Catholic Schools Week Mass, VCS President Bob Weber and VCHS Principal Ross Thomas presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to Pat Roshak Joyaux ’54. The gym erupted in applause as students, faculty and guests honored Pat with an extended standing ovation. Pat Joyaux has been at the heart and soul of Valley Catholic Middle and High School for the past 33 years. Her helpful, compassionate spirit has embodied the mission of the Sisters.

A 1954 graduate of St. Mary of the Valley (now Valley Catholic High School), Pat was an active student on campus. Pat was named junior prom princess, and in her senior year was prefect of the Sodality Club (a devotional society for spirituality).

In 1978, Pat became involved in the school’s Alumni Association and learned of the opening for a school secretary. That year Pat was hired and the rest is history. Besides being an alumna herself, Pat’s five daughters all attended Valley Catholic, as well as 15 grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

In his remarks about Pat, President Bob Weber said, “She has worked with 10 principals in her time at Valley Catholic, hundreds of teachers and staff members (including me as a 22-year-old first-year teacher in the early 1990′s), and helped thousands of students and parents on a daily basis with everything from report cards to bus fare to simply being a positive, helpful person who knows the answers to all the possible questions that come through her office.”

Pat spoke a few words of appreciation in receiving this award. She spoke highly of the value of Catholic education, and referred to it as a gift. She asked the students to be thankful to all those who make it possible for them to receive the gift of an education at Valley Catholic. Speaking from experience, she told the students that their time at Valley will have a significant impact on their lives.

The Distinguished Alumni Award is given to individuals who excel and exceed in their life’s work or personal endeavor. In their area of achievement, recipients demonstrate a high standard of personal integrity and strive for excellence to live a valiant life. In the fall of 2008, Mariel Zagunis ’03 was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Mariel is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and a world-renown fencing champion. The Distinguished Alumni Award has not been given since 2008, but going forward the award will be presented annually during Catholic Schools Week.

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Submitted by CYO Director Kelly Alfieri

Registration for CYO track is now open on the CYO/Camp Howard website.  Practices will begin March 12.

This sport is offered to boys and girls in third to eighth grade.  For more information, see the flyer.

Coaches are needed!  Please consider volunteering your time to coach.  Help is needed in all areas: sprints, distance and field events.   Please contact CYO Director Kelly Alfieri if you are interested.  There are some certification requirements, so the sooner the better.

Submitted by VCMS Vice Principal and Science Teacher June Poling

What: SSMO Service Project helping at the Oregon Food Bank West

When: Saturday, Feb. 11 from 12:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Where: 1870 NW 173rd Ave., Beaverton

Number of slots: 15 volunteers

Sign-up: Permission slip is required; turn in to school office by Feb. 8

First 15 permission slips received will be invited to attend this service event.
Permission slips are available from religion teacher or front office.

Submitted by VCES Principal Joe Manning

With our recent free dress day, we have noticed some violations of our dress code, and we’d like to point them out so all students are in compliance with our dress requirements in the future.

FOR REGULAR UNIFORM DAYS:

• Sweatshirts, cardigan sweaters, vests, and jackets must be purchased from Dennis Uniform and have the school logo. Other clothing, like those purchased at the Patron Store, are not permitted.
• Skirts, skorts, and jumpers must be no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.
• Shoes must have a closed toe and heel—this mean no sandals, clogs, “Crocs,” or other backless slip-ons. No boots or high heels.

FOR FREE DRESS AND FREE DRESS FOR $1 DAYS:

• Students are to come to school in regular street clothes – not party dresses, sweats, or sport uniforms (unless it’s a sports-theme or spirit dress day). Students must bring their P.E. clothes if it’s a P.E. day.
• Spandex, jeggings, or other tight fitting clothing is never allowed.
• Shoes must meet the regular uniform dress rules (see above).
• If students are not in appropriate dress, we may ask them to change into clothes from our uniform closet so they’ll be in compliance.

Submitted by VCES Principal Joe Manning

We’re excited to let you know of two opportunities the school will be providing for parents in the months ahead to build community and gain knowledge about your children and our school.

We will have two nights set aside—one in February and one in April—to bring the parent community together to learn and grow.

Our first parent night will be on Thursday, February 23 at 6:30 p.m., and it will focus on relational aggression and how to help your child respond to bullying or aggression by peers. Jessica Abel, the program director for Girls Inc., will be in our school cafeteria to share information on these topics and to provide helpful tools. Refreshments will be provided. We will also offer a supervised space for your students while you take part in the evening.

Our second parent night will be on Thursday, April 26 at 6:30 p.m., and Fr. John Kerns, pastor of St. Juan Diego Parish, will lead us in an evening that focuses on what it means to be a student and family at a Catholic school. We will also have a couple parents provide testimonials. Refreshments will be provided. Supervision of your students will be provided for this evening as well.

We would love to have you join us as both of these nights are sure to be informational and worthwhile. Please mark your calendars now!