Principal’s Message
Forgiven, Free, Faithful
To our returning families, welcome back! To our new families at Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School, welcome!
Each year, we pick a theme for the upcoming school year that will serve as the basis for our
chapel devotions. This theme provides us with an excellent focus for the year, whether we are sitting in the assembly for chapel or preparing for and leading the devotion. This year’s theme is Forgiven, Free, Faithful and it’s based on Ephesians 3:12. Please join me in asking our Lord to bless our focus on God’s Word this year through the theme we have chosen!
We still have plenty of summer break left, but our campus is changing. Construction on our new addition has begun. We’re continuing to work on our softball fields and get them ready for next spring. Our boiler system is in the process of being replaced and our new septic system is close to being completed.
Construction on Highway 14 continues. Everyone who comes into MVL must come in on 561st Avenue. Work is progressing and we continue to be optimistic that we will have full access to Highway 14 sometime in October.
Our two new teachers: Miss Miranda Maasz and Mrs. Sarah Zahrt are busily preparing for their new responsibilities at MVL. At present, we have 87 freshmen coming in and we’re expecting a total enrollment of 260. Mr. Nehls and Mr. Schauland are intensely engaged in training for the two new courses they will teach as part of our Project Lead the Way program in engineering and computer science. We’re excited about the changes ahead!
As we continue to prepare for the upcoming year, please feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. May our gracious Lord bless you this summer and into the coming year!
Important Points of Information:
- Orientation/Registration is August 17th
- The opening service for our school year will be held on Sunday, August 27 beginning at 1:30 p.m.
- The first day for freshmen will be on Monday, August 28.
- The first day for all students will be on Tuesday, August 29.
- Find the school supply list here: Supply List
- Student planners will be given to new students for free.
- Planners will be on sale for $5 for returning students.
- If you purchase a TI calculator, hand in the packaging to Miss. Lehman.
- The school can collect points from these purchases and receive free educational materials.
Enrollments & Electives
If you have not completed your enrollment/re-enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year, we ask that you complete that as soon as you are able. With the new school year right around the corner, we are busy getting things ready and we do need them completed as soon as possible. If you are not planning on attending MVL next year, please email sallee@mvlhs.org and let us know so we can plan accordingly.
Freshmen – If you haven’t chosen your electives yet, go to the Course of Study Guide found on the Course of Study menu on the MVL website. The Freshmen Course Selection form is located at the bottom of the first page. Some electives will fill up soon with a large incoming freshmen class. Priority is given to those who turn in forms first. Your schedules will be emailed to you as soon as they are finalized.
Freshmen/New Student Orientation
New students and their families are invited to a special orientation session on Thursday evening, August 17th. You are encouraged to arrive at 5:30 p.m. for orientation.
You will have the opportunity to meet the MVL faculty and staff, enjoy a meal together with other freshmen and their parents, meet with the class advisors, get school pictures taken, get your class schedule, and more. We anticipate that our evening will be concluded by 7:30 p.m.
If you have any questions about Orientation Day or any other questions in general, feel free to contact Sarah Allee at sallee@mvlhs.org.
Picture Day for Returning Grades 10-12
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can come and get their school pictures taken and drop off items in their lockers from 12:00—1:30 p.m. and again from 5:30—7:00 p.m. on August 17th.
Orientation Day Donations
On Thursday, August 17th, MVL’s NHS students will be available to handle donations of Kleenex boxes. We need many, many boxes of Kleenex for the cold and flu, and allergy seasons that bother our students in the classroom. We are grateful for all the donations we receive. Please consider stocking up now on boxes of tissues. Our noses thank you!
Infinite Campus
Infinite Campus is our online administrative program that will allow you to have real time access to your student’s grades, attendance and lunch program and immunizations. When you access Infinite Campus Parent Portal, you will notice that you are able to update all your census information, including contact information and emails. It is important that parents sign into the parent portal and not use their students accounts. New families, you will be getting an email in the coming days with information on how to get logged into Infinite Campus. Returning families, we will be rolling the school year over in the next week so you will be able to access your student’s schedule for next year.
Request for Staffings
Each August, the faculty members offer to meet with parent of students who may face special challenges in the classroom. These meetings are led by a member of the administration and include the teachers who will work with the student. The student is invited to attend, but not required. A letter will be sent out to parents of students whom the faculty has determined could benefit by a staffing.
These meetings are completely voluntarily and not required – even if the parents and student are invited. If parents have questions or would like a staffing for their student, please contact Sarah at sallee@mvlhs.org.
Educational Benefits Application
This form is commonly known as the Free & Reduced Lunch Application. This application does more than apply for free & reduced lunches. It also can help with reduced rates on fees for school activities, home internet, academic tests, transportation and college applications.
Band Mailing
Students who are enrolled in band for the coming year will be receiving an email containing the tryout, as well as the tryout schedule and contact information. If parents or students have questions about band, they can contact Dr. Plath at school at 507-354-6851 or by email at tplath@mvlhs.org.
Bus Drivers Needed
We are in need of bus drivers. If you are interested in becoming a bus driver for the 2023-2024 school year, contact Ray Vulcan at rayv@palmerbusservice.com
Study Hall Supervisor Needed
MVL is still looking for a Study Hall Supervisor. Interested parties should contact MVL Principal Tim Plath for more information (tplath@mvlhs.org).
Disclaimers
Criminal Background Check Policy
Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School (“MVL”) endeavors to maintain a safe and healthful environment in its school to promote the spiritual, physical, social and psychological wellbeing of its students. To that end, MVL shall seek a criminal history background check (“background check”) for applicants who receive an offer of employment or receive a divine call to serve here. At the discretion of the administration and the Board of Directors, MVL may also request background checks of substitute teachers, non-staff coaches, and others.
MVL shall require that individuals who receive divine calls from MVL, as well as applicants for staff positions who receive an offer of employment, submit to a background check. A divine call or offer of employment shall be conditioned upon a determination by the administration and Board of Directors that an applicant’s criminal history does not preclude the applicant from employment with MVL.
MVL specifically reserves any and all rights it may have to conduct background checks regarding current employees or applicants without the consent of such individuals.
Adherence to this policy by MVL shall in no way limit MVL’s right to require additional information, or to use procedures currently in place or other procedures to gain additional background information concerning employees, applicants, volunteers, independent contractors and student employees.
Pest Control Materials
Parents and students should be aware that from time to time pest control materials might be applied in or around school. This may include materials such as insect control inside and fertilizer and weed control outside, especially on field areas. A schedule for such applications is available through the school office. The long term health effects of children from the application of pesticides or the class of chemicals to which they belong may not be fully understood. You may request to be notified of such applications by contacting the school office at 507-354-6851.
Asbestos Disclaimer
The Federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act of 1986 requires that parents and students be made aware of the asbestos situation in our school. All school buildings constructed before 1980 have asbestos contained in some of their building materials such as in concrete, roofing felts, pipe elbows and carpet glues. At MVL, asbestos was found in the floor tile. Recommendations for dealing with the asbestos-bearing materials are being followed and there is no need for undue concern about the safety of the students or employees. Detailed descriptions of the recommendations are available for review at the school office.
MVL runs its own food service under federal and state guidelines and support. We are excited to have the opportunity to serve breakfast and lunch through the new Free School Breakfast and Lunch program that Minnesota’s leaders brought into law on July 1. MVL is participating fully in this program. This will provide free breakfast and lunch for students only, not visiting adults and staff members. Although these are uncharted waters for us, we will do our best to bring a quick and satisfying breakfast.
Our plans for breakfast are as follows: Menus will be available online and will follow the Child Nutrition Guidelines according to the Minnesota Department of Education. We would like students to sign up for breakfast using our online Google Form (coming soon). If the child forgets to sign up in advance, we do our best to accommodate and get them breakfast.
Our forecasted serving time approximately is 7:55- 8:10, with no seconds or doubles on breakfast and only ONE serving time. Students will need their student ID to scan at the point of sale to record the breakfast, there is no charge, this is simply to comply with the MN State Law and recordkeeping. Breakfast may only be consumed in the commons/lunch area.
We are currently looking for suggestions to consider for breakfast. Our vision is to keep breakfast as a grab-and-go, and also appeal to our students. If there are certain cereals, pastry flavors, or whole or canned fruit favorites please let us know at foodservice@mvlhs.org
Our lunches will typically be the same as last year, but there is no cost, thanks to the new program. Menus will be online and posted in the commons. Doubles will be available most days of the year. The cost of doubles will be $1.50 and a second milk will be 50 cents. If a student wishes to order a salad for that day in lieu of the posted menu please sign up online.
There are 2 lunch periods slotted, early and late. Students will need to bring their student ID and scan it at the point of sale to record the meal. Lunches need to be consumed in the commons/lunch area. If a student brings their own lunch please refrain from using the condiments, salad dressings, and sauces. These are meant for students participating in the school lunch program.
We are planning on adding to the menu! Please reach out to the kitchen and let us know if there is a recipe we should consider serving.
If a student needs to replace their student ID, there will be a $5 charge. This can be paid in cash or check to the office or can be added to your family FACTS account.
Have a wonderful remainder of your summer and see you in August.
Tuition and Fees
The new tuition rates for the 2023-2024 school year were approved at the voters meeting a few weeks ago. New rates are $7,600 for Association members and $8,600 for non-Association members. There is a $500 credit for first year, non-Association students.
All tuition, class dues, Chromebook fees, graduation fees, Tuition Assistance Awards, and any prepaid tuition will be added to all family FACTS accounts that have been completed in the next few weeks. Please look over your family’s FACTS account once this is done, and let Deb know if you need any changes made to your payment plan, or if anything looks incorrect. If you have not completed your online FACTS enrollment and financial information, please do so promptly.
As a reminder for senior parents, per MVL policy, senior students need to be paid in full prior to graduation. The 11-month payment plan is not an option for seniors who are the only student here. If the senior has a sibling at MVL, they are able to do the 11-month plan, but half the tuition needs to be paid prior to the senior’s graduation. Please contact Deb if you have questions on this policy.
Changes can be made to finalized payment plans. You are able to change the date of a payment by a number of days, but there are some more advanced changes we can help you with too. Please don’t hesitate to contact Deb if more advanced changes need to be made. Always allow at least two business days when making changes to payments.
If you have a unique payment request, or will be paying by check at school, please check the invoice button under the “pay in full” option when completing your registration. This will skip over adding banking information. If you select this option, we will send out a form for you to complete detailing your payment intentions. We ask you mail the form back, or return it in person, no later than orientation day. Dr. Plath will look over these requests. When he signs off on the agreement, you will receive a signed copy for your records. If he needs additional clarification, we will reach out to you.
Tuition Assistance
If you have not received a Tuition Assistance Award and would like to be considered for one, please go onto your Family FACTS account and apply for, and submit, the tuition assistance application. This needs to be done prior to any award being given. To be considered for the next batch of awards (late August/early September), please get your application in sooner rather than later! If you have special circumstances you would like considered, please contact Mr. Buboltz at jbuboltz@mvlhs.org.
Sport & Activity Fees
All sports fees, field trip fees, activity fees, and the like, will be billed to your family FACTS account at the start of the activity and throughout the year. Typically, we ask that these are paid within a month. You have the option to have these charges automatically billed to a checking account or credit card when due. There is a check box for this when you enroll for your payment plan on FACTS. Otherwise, you will need to go on your account and pay them manually online when convenient, or send a check or cash to school with your student.
History Tour (Junior Parents)
We will be running History Tour through FACTS this year. Juniors who will be attending the trip will see their initial invoice sometime late September. The due date will be the end of the school year, allowing you to make payments anytime, when it is convenient for you. Deb Kuck is the contact for financial issues concerning History Tour. Jim Buboltz is the contact for anything else.
Pay on your family FACTS account
When making any payment on your FACTS account (for tuition, sports fees, History Tour, etc.), please log onto your family FACTS account to do so. When done this way, you will see your payment post immediately. If you make the payment through the general form on the website, it will take a few weeks for your payment to post to your account.
If you would like a relative or friend to access your account to make payments through your FACTS account, you will select “add authorized party”. It will send a link to that person and they can set up their own log in to make payment or view the account.
If you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Deb Kuck via email or by phone. financial@mvlhs.org (507) 233-8656. Thank you!
School Email
Freshmen & Sophomore Parents!
Junior & Senior Parents!
Fall Testing Dates
The Booster Club board has been planning for next year’s activities. Think about how you can help, and watch for more information at registration and other fall school events.
Ways you can become involved with Booster Club:
• Sign up to work in the concession stand or sell tickets for games. It’s a great way to meet new people!
• Attend the annual meeting (following the opening service in August).
• Volunteer to be on the board. Positions being elected at the annual meeting will be:
o President
o Treasurer
o Event Coordinator
o Concessions Coordinator
o Volunteer/Signup Coordinator
If you’d like to learn more about any of these positions or other ways to help out with Booster Club events, you can email boosterclub@mvlhs.org. Thanks for doing your part to help raise money for our kids’ co-curricular activities.
Let the new school year begin!
In the AD Corner, I will be sharing general information while each coach/director/advisor will be responsible for any information and news they would like to share about their sport or activity. Please check in here for important information having to do with any and all of our school’s activities. Also, go to the Booster Club article to get involved. It’s a great way to volunteer and meet people. Our Booster Club assists all our activities, both athletic and fine arts, with various projects.
All forms must be handed to the MVL office (NOT TO YOUR COACHES) by noon on August 11th
Co-op and MVL Sport Participation Checklist-
Below is a checklist for you to follow to ensure your athlete is ready for the first day, August 14th.
_____Physical is up-to-date (Good for 3 years from the date it was given. Upperclassmen parents were emailed if their athlete was due for a physical.)
_____Eligibility and Health Questionnaire are completed by the deadlines.
_____MVL Parent and Athlete meeting has been attended (Once in an MVL Career)
Co-ops:
_____Co-ops participation fees ($175) is paid to the MVL office by the deadline.
_____Physical is up-to-date (Good for 3 years from the date it was given)
_____Eligibility and Health Questionnaire are completed by the deadlines.
Mandatory MVL Parent/Athlete Meeting
This meeting will be held for all new MVL students who want to play a sport this year. Parents must also attend this meeting with their student. Every student/athlete and their parents will only have to attend this meeting once in their high school career. We will be hosting it at MVL in the gymnasium.
The meeting will be August 8, beginning at 7:00 p.m.
You will then have individual mini meetings with each MVL sport coach. This meeting is a must before your student may practice. If you can’t make it, email Mr. Morgan at cmorgan@mvlhs.org to make an appointment for this meeting. All forms can be handed in at the meeting.
Co-op parent/Athlete Meeting (Girls’ Tennis, Girls’ & Boys’ Soccer)
Fall co-op athletes and parents you will also have a mandatory meeting on Aug 7, 6:00 p.m. at New Ulm High School. At the meeting you will meet your coaches and hear about their expectations and practice schedules.
Girls’ Tennis Coach: Peter Engeldinger pengeldinger@newulm.k12.mn.us
MVL does not schedule transportation to co-op practices and games. With that said, we have a bus route that goes to Sleepy Eye can drop our students at the practice fields on their way to Sleepy Eye. The bus leaves school at 3:10, you will have to pick them up afterwards at the practice site. On home game days the students may ride our bus to the fields at 3:10. On away games, the students will be responsible for getting assignments and handing in homework prior to leaving early. For those away games day’s parents will be responsible to working out carpools to the bus. I am in contact with New Um and will excuse our coop students 30 minutes prior to the busses leave time for away games that don’t pass by MVL. This gives everyone time and get to the high school.
New Athlete Weight Room Safety Certification
All students who intend to participate in MVL Athletics NEED to be weight-room certified. If you haven’t already been certified, please plan on attending the certification class on Friday, August 11th from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM at MVL. With sports practices beginning on August 14, this will be the last opportunity to get certified before the Fall seasons begin. Please contact Kirk Schauland (kschauland@mvlhs.org) with any questions.
Fall Sports
2023 MVL Football Kicks-Off
The excitement level is growing for the start of the upcoming MVL Football season. MVL Football offers a variety of life skills/lessons through the game of football along with growing in God’s blessings. Along with these valuable blessings, the MVL coaching staff puts the safety and integrity of the game of football at the highest level. Coach Buboltz has completed his certification in USA Heads Up Football. This program trains coaches in the most proper techniques of the game to make it safe and enjoyable for years to come. The game of football can and will be a safe game when taught/played correctly. We will do our very best to ensure that here at MVL.
Football practice begins August 14. Practices run from 9 – 11:30 am. We will practice Monday – Friday, August 14-18 and 21-25. The opening game of the season is scheduled for Thursday, August 31, vs. Sibley East in New Ulm. The entire schedule will be available also on the MVL website. Athletes must have all of the proper forms into the athletic office. This includes a physical, MSHSL forms, and any parental forms at MVL. This includes the New Parent/Athlete meeting on August 8. Contact Mr. Morgan if you have any questions concerning the meeting and needed forms.
Football has taught me many things in life. I want the opportunity to teach those to your sons. Teamwork, Respect, Sportsmanship, Dedication, Celebration, Commitment, and Safety are just a few of those lessons. The biggest of those though is the opportunity to glorify our Lord through activity. We do that every day here at MVL. Our Savior is the driving force of this program! Football can and will only help you, not HURT you, with other activities. Football makes a better basketball player, track athlete, and vice versa. Finally, your son will be cared for on the highest level. I would never put him in a position to fail or to be injured in any way. Please contemplate giving me the opportunity to teach, train, equip, and help grow your son in the game of FOOTBALL. There is nothing like FRIDAY NIGHT UNDER THE LIGHTS!!!
– Coach Buboltz
Co-op Boys’ Soccer
Any boys interested in soccer after getting all the steps taken to play taken care of at MVL, here are the practice schedules for the boys:
For August 14-18, we will practice two-a-days, 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM and then 4:00 PM – 6 PM After the tryout week practices will be 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM each day.
Cross Country
Cross country is a great sport for making new friends, building endurance, and learning to push yourself beyond what you think you can do. If you’re interested in any of these things we would love to have you join us! Practices will begin on Monday morning, August 14th going from 8:30-10:30. August is usually hot and humid so bring plenty of water, a good pair of running shoes, and light running clothes. If you have any questions, please contact Coach Lehman at nlehman@mvlhs.org.
Volleyball
Our theme this year is “All Out. All Game. All Season.” based on Proverbs 4:25 Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
- Volleyball tryouts will be August 14-17 at MVL from 8-10:30 a.m. Practice on the 18th is the sand volleyball tournament.
- We are excited to host the Family Season Kickoff – Picnic and Family Sand Volleyball event. It will be Friday evening, August 18, at Harman Park in New Ulm from 5:30-8:30 p.m. The whole family is invited to attend and participate. More information to follow for volleyball families.
- There will be a tentative volleyball scrimmage at Cathedral High School for all teams on Saturday, August 20, in the morning. We should be done by 1:00 p.m.
- Volleyball practices the week of August 21-25 will be at MVL from 8-10 a.m. No practice on August 24.
- Mark your calendar for the first game of the season on Thursday, August 24, against LCWM. Games will be played at BLC. (Note that this game is before the start of the school year.) Go, Chargers!
Admission Tickets
The Tomahawk Conference schools have set their ticket prices starting this fall: Adults $7 and Students K-12 $5. MVL students will get free admission to all home games by showing their student ID, except for playoffs games where ticket prices are similar.
Activity Season Passes
MVL students are admitted free with their picture ID. Season passes are good for all MVL home games except playoff games and are available in the office for parents and all non-MVL students. MVL season passes will also be honored at New Ulm High School only for those sports in which we have a student participating (B & G Soccer, Gymnastics, Boys’ Hockey) Grandparents may get a Grandparent Pass when they come in and make an appointment with Mr. Buboltz prior to attending a game.
Adults- $65.00
Students (K-12) $20.00
Family Pass- $150.00
Includes 2 adults and as many student passes you need for your immediate family.
Advertise in our Sports Programs
Ad space for our Sports’ Program is available. The price for a space in the program is $175 per year. This includes your ad in all our sports’ programs: football, volleyball, and basketball.
Ticket Helpers
We don’t want you to miss your student’s game, but if you could help us by taking tickets either before or after your student’s game or for a different event in which your student isn’t playing that would be perfect. If everyone helps a few times we could get this covered. It’s easy and a great way to meet new people. Please bring your calendar to the New Athlete/Parent Meeting and/or Orientation Day and check out your schedule to sign up. You can also go to https://mvl.org/support-mvl/booster-club/ to sign up for as many as you can.
Schedule and Schedule Changes
If you would like up to the minute game, match or meet changes, there is an app that you may download and is tied into our calendar. In the app store download the
Activity Scheduler app. It looks like a light blue baseball cap with the letters “rS” on the front. Then set it up for our school. You will need to know we are members of the Tomahawk Conference.
Game Streaming
We will be streaming our home games again this year using the NFHS (National Federation of High Schools) Pixolot System. Go to the MVL website and click on the LIVE STREAM button then click on NFHS Network LIVE. You can subscribe by the month or for the year. When your subscription time is up, be sure to unsubscribe. It will automatically charge you for the next month or year. You can watch games all over the state and country. Some schools in our conference also stream their games. Some have a fee and others are free. We went with this service because we could not get volunteers to help and no training was needed. But there is nothing like coming out to school and watch the action live and in person. Go Chargers.
Letter Jackets
The sales rep for MECA will be at MVL for the early session (11:45-1:30) for Gr 10-12 Picture Day taking orders and sizing students who want to order letter jackets to be delivered in late fall.