Valley Catholic prepares for its 12th Annual Locks of Love Assembly!

Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization formed in 1997 which provides wigs to children across the country who suffer from long-term medical hair loss. This hair loss can be a result of many things, from radiation therapy to a currently incurable condition in which a patient loses their hair for no known reason. Wigs cost at least $3,000, and are unobtainable for many children. But thanks to Locks of Love and the support of people like you, over 2,000 children have received the custom-fitted hairpieces they need, free of charge.

In the past nine years, Valley Catholic students and adults have donated over 4,000 inches of hair and close to $9,000 to Locks of Love.

Participants must give at least six inches of hair. Locks of Love sells hair 6 – 10 inches to doll companies to raise funds and they use any hair over 10 inches to make the actual wigs for children.

Parents will need to be available to walk grade school participants to the Valiants’ Gym for an 11:05 a.m. assembly on Friday, May 11.

Thank you for your help with this very worthwhile event.

Submitted by VCELS Principal Trish Roussel

Sunflower teacher Jessica Lopez joined the VCELS staff in August 2010 as a Teacher’s Assistant after school and continued with us working around her college classes.  When a short term, full-time position opened in Sunflowers, we were lucky to be able to offer it to “Ms. Jessica.”

As part of Aloha High School’s Little Warriors Program, Jessica found a passion for working with preschoolers and a great foundation in early childhood development and curriculum planning. Being at VCELS and having a two-year old brother helps give her real-life preparation for one of her life’s goals of working with young children in third world countries.

Jessica’s spare time finds her dancing and choreographing new dances, visiting with friends and family and searching for a new favorite restaurant.  She has travelled to the Philippines, Korea and Japan and would love to visit Greece one day. We appreciate Jessica’s ready smile and her bubbly personality which shows in the enthusiasm and joy she brings to every child in her care.

Submitted by VCELS Program Coordinator Janette Lynne

During the Week of the Young Child we will celebrate in the following ways:

• Monday – Clothing drive (we will be collecting gently used children’s clothing to benefit NW Children’s Outreach)
• Tuesday – Campus parade
• Wednesday – Sisters visit for prayer time
• Thursday – Special readers come and share a book
• Friday – Parents are invited to stay for morning snack

The Week of the Young Child is an annual celebration sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The purpose of the Week of the Young Child is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.

It was a great night with our community at the Embassy Suites!

Valley Catholic is pleased to announce a partnering with Saturday Academy, which has been providing adventures for curious 2nd-12th grade students since 1983. This summer, Saturday Academy will offer a one-week session, August 6-10, on the Valley Catholic Campus. This program will replace the Valley Catholic “Summer Enrichment” classes.

Some of these courses will be taught by Valley Catholic teachers while others will be offered by other teachers from the area. Classes are for students entering grades 2 – 12 and range from 10 – 35 hours. Classes are generally limited to 10 – 12 students. 

The following classes are being taught by VCS teachers: Animal Anatomy and Biodiversity (Sarah Zinzer), Cryptography and Math Gems (Luke Waitrovich), Study Skills and Write Now (Carol Pausz). To see all the classes that will be held here at the Elementary & Middle School, and to register, see below.

Staff Spotlight: Richard Arthur, Kitchen Manager

“Mr. Richard,” the children call as they walk past the kitchen, “what’s for lunch?” Always willing to stop and talk to each one, Richard Arthur has been managing the VCELS kitchen since June 6, 2011. Richard recently received ServSafe Certification, a nationally recognized food safety training and certification, earning a score of 95% on their rigorous examination.

Married with children and grandchildren, Richard and his wife enjoy relaxing on the weekends. That is, when he isn’t fighting the good fight with the weeds ever-present in his yard! Born and raised on a farm in Illinois, Richard looks back on his hometown of Kankakee with fond memories of Sammy’s Pizza “best thin crust on the planet” and cold Friday night football games. Richard is an avid sports fan and keeps up on all the latest stats, games, plays and gossip.

We are grateful for “Mr. Richard’s” culinary skills and look forward to the yummy smells and tastes coming from our kitchen each day!

Submitted by Program Coordinator Janet Lynn

At the Early Learning School, Spring Break is always a highlight.

This year we enjoyed these theme days:

• Monday was Western Day when we dressed like cowboys and cowgirls and all our little buckaroos had a photo opportunity on a special pony.
• Tuesday was Color Day when we celebrated God’s promise of the rainbow. A colorful dance party in the lobby was quite a sight to see.
• Wednesday was Music Day when the children were introduced to many different genres of music and some of us even dressed like rock stars.
• Thursday was Princess/Pirate Day as an introduction to our upcoming VCS Auction sign-up parties: Princess Party (item #104) and Pirate Party (item #109).  A Princess and Pirate Parade was enjoyed by all.
• Friday – Pajama Day/Read In is always a favorite…really, who doesn’t like to come to school in their pajamas?

We hope all of you who vacationed during Spring Break enjoyed your time away. We sure loved our week here at the Early Learning School!

[Show as slideshow]

Last week the children at the Early Learning School participated in a presentation from Tualatin Hills Parks and Recreation District (THPRD) Nature Mobile. The theme was the Wise Owl, and the children learned fascinating facts and interesting information about owls from books, displays, songs, and games. Thank you, THPRD, for sharing!

[Show as slideshow]

Submitted by Sr. Joyce Barsotti, SSMO

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon invite you to celebrate a special Mass with them to commemorate the closing of their 125th Jubilee on Sunday, March 25, at 2 p.m. at Valley Catholic High School on the SSMO campus. The Mass will be held in the Valiants’ Gym and a reception will follow in the Eagles’ Gym. Archbishop Vlazny will preside at the Mass and the music will be provided by students from Valley Catholic School and Valley Catholic Music School.

To print and post a copy of the invitation, please click here.

All the Sisters who live away from the Motherhouse convent will be returning home for the occasion, and the Sisters have invited all their families, friends and supporters. In addition, honored guests will include: priests and Sisters from around the Archdiocese, representatives from the families of the foundresses and the SSMO Associates, who will renew their promises at the event.

A personal invitation from the Sisters:

We have spent this past year as a Year of Jubilee for the blessings bestowed on our community over the past 125 years. We pray with confidence that we will continue to share that deep desire to be messengers of hope and gratitude as we continue to serve with joy the Church we love.

We have focused our year of celebrations by becoming more aware of our gratitude to God and to the valiant women who brought us to this year of Jubilee. We give thanks to our families and friends, to each other and to those we have been privileged to serve. We hope that many of you will join us for our Jubilee Closing on Sunday, March 25 at 2:00 p.m. in the Valley Catholic Athletic Center.

Our hearts have been enlarged, our memories enlivened and our hunger for the Kingdom strengthened. We will be more aware of our gratitude, hope, and service as we begin the new memories of God’s presence and love in our lives.

Submitted by VCELS Program Coordinator Janet Lynn

Believe it or not, summer is coming! Click to see the Summer School-Age Camp schedule. We would love to have your children join us for the whole summer, most of the summer, or even just a week or two. All the information should be included but if you have any additional questions, please contact Janet Lynn.

Thanks so much and see you this summer!