Principal’s Message
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Welcome to MVL to all our new families! To those who are returning, welcome back! We’re excited about the year ahead and the opportunities that our gracious Lord will give us to share Jesus with our students!
As we do every year, we have a theme passage and logo for the year. Our theme is “Hope and Joy – Peace and Power.” It’s based on Romans 15:13 as shown in the logo.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t imagine life without Jesus. I can’t imagine Minnesota Valley Lutheran High School without Jesus. Our religion classes, chapel, prayer opportunities, counseling situations and the motivation behind all we do – centers on Jesus. The comfort and confidence that this provides our teachers, our staff, our students and parents is such a blessing. There’s so much going on in the world right now that is not good. Challenges to our faith are present in the media and in those who don’t believe in Jesus. How scary that would be if we didn’t have Jesus as our Hope and Joy – Peace and Power. Just typing, thinking and speaking those words help us to realize just how blessed we are to be able to share Jesus each and every day of our school year.
As we begin the year, it is our prayer that these words of Paul from Romans will be a blessing to all who hear them in our daily chapel devotions. We pray too, that all of us will have the confidence to boldly got to our Lord in prayer regularly, as He is our Hope and our Joy and gives us peace and power. To God be the glory!
Important Points of Information:
- Orientation/Registration is August 18th
- The opening service for our school year will be held on Sunday, August 28 beginning at 1:30 p.m.
- The first day for freshmen will be on Monday, August 29.
- The first day for all students will be on Tuesday, August 30.
- 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.
Enrollment/Re-enrollments
If you have not completed your enrollment/re-enrollment for the 2022-2023 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/New Student Orientation
New students and their families are invited to a special orientation session on Thursday evening, August 18. 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 18th.
Orientation Day Donations
On Thursday, August 18, MVL’s NHS students will be available to handle donations of both Kleenex and paper shopping bags. We need shopping bags to use a book covers for our textbooks. 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, both on paper shopping bags and on boxes of tissues. Our books and 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.
Student Handbook Updates
There have been several changes to the Student Handbook. The Dress Code, Electronic Devices, Late & Missed Assignments, and Counseling policies have been updates. Please be sure to read the Student Handbook.
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 has been 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 2022-2023 school year, contact Ray Vulcan at rayv@palmerbusservice.com
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.
Your tuition and fees will be added to your FACTS account within the next week, if they haven’t been added already. Deborah Kuck is the contact for financial issues. Please look over your account and letDeb know if you need anything changed, or see something incorrect.
As a reminder for senior parents, senior students need to be paid by the end of the school year, so the 11-month payment plan is not available 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.
Changes can be made to finalized payment plans. You are able to change the date of a payment by a number of days for instance. There are some more advanced changes we can help you with too. Please don’t hesitate to contact Deb if 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 registration 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. This year we will be processing all charges through FACTS. The sports fee, field trip fees, activity fees, and the like, will be billed 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. Otherwise, you will need to go on your account and pay them manually when convenient.
We will also 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.
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!
MVL runs its own food service under the federal and state guidelines and support. In addition to the hot lunch offering, a salad bar option is also available as well as ala carte items, milk and juice. The price of lunch this year has not yet been set. There is an additional charge for second entrees, and ala carte items are available for purchase before school and during the lunch periods. Parents and students are able to check their lunch balance on line at the Infinite Campus Portal. Parents will be able to make deposits into their students’ accounts on Orientation Day and now make online payments as well. Please take the time to complete the Application for Educational Benefits that is on the MVL website —even if you choose not to take advantage of the program. Other MVL programs can also benefit based on the total number of students/families who qualify for free or reduced lunch– whether or not they accept it. Students who qualify for reduced lunch fees also qualify for reduced fees for participation in MVL activities (sport and academic activities). However, we cannot charge the reduced fee unless you complete the above-noted application form and qualify.
Each student will have their lunch barcode on their student IDs. If your student takes hot lunch, they will need to bring their ID with them to the lunch line. If a student ID is lost/damaged and needs to be replaced, there will be a $5 fee.
The MVL Food Service does not want to deny service to anyone; however, to be fiscally responsible and also to not put added cost on other people, the following steps will be followed when food account balances reach the indicated levels. We send out notices by email when the account balance has dropped below $10.00. When a lunch account reaches -$10.00, students will be offered a cold lunch option or salad bar only.
Technology Fees for 2022-23
New MVL Students Receiving a Chromebook from MVL
Each student will be assessed a $100 Technology fee to cover the cost of the Chromebook, GoGuardian (the monitoring/filtering software MVL uses for Chromebooks), and the Google license.
Returning MVL Seniors Who Bring Their Own Device (BYOD)
Returning seniors who bring their own device (Chromebok, laptop or Macbook) will be assessed a $50 Technology fee.
MVL will not repair any of these BYOD devices should they break down during the year. If a device does break down, students will be able to rent a Chromebook for $2.00/day while the student BYOD device is being repaired.
For any questions you might have about MVL’s technology program, visit https://mvl.org/technology/or contact Kirk Schauland at kschauland@mvlhs.org.
School Email
Freshmen & Sophomore Parents!
Junior & Senior Parents!
Fall Testing Dates
Congratulations to Abbie Riederer! Abbie earned Academic All-State honors for her relentless time both on the golf course as well as in the classroom.
Boys Golf Team Section 2A Academic Champions.
This spring the boys’ golf team was named the Section 2A Academic Section Championship for their efforts in the classroom. Well done, Chargers!
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 this positions or other ways to help out with Booster Club events, contact a current board member: Adam Schmidt, Angie Brau, Linda Kramer, Renee Giefer, Carissa Rodewald, Michelle Grubbs, Jodie Johnson, Amy Rich, or Craig Morgan. 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 art with various projects.
All forms must be handed to the MVL office by noon on August 12th
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 15th.
_____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 9, 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
Fall co-op athletes and parents you will also have a mandatory meeting on Aug 8, 6:00 p.m. at New Ulm High School.
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.
Fall Sports
2022 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 15. Practices run from 9 – 11:30 am. We will practice Monday – Friday, August 15-19 and 22-26. The opening game of the season is scheduled for Thursday, September 1, vs. Dawson-Boyd 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 9. 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
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 12th from 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM at MVL. With sports practices beginning on August 15, this will be the last opportunity to get certified before Fall seasons begin. Please contact Kirk Schauland (kschauland@mvlhs.org) with any questions.
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 15th 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
- Volleyball tryouts will be August 15-18 at MVL from 8-10:30 a.m. Practice on the 19th 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 19, 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 volleyball scrimmage at New Ulm Public High School for all teams on Saturday, August 21, in the morning. We should be done by 1:00 p.m.
- Volleyball practices the week of August 22-26 will be at MVL from 8-10 a.m.
- Mark your calendar for the first game of the season on Tuesday, August 30, against Cathedral. Games will be played at MLC. Go, Chargers!
Co-op Girls’ Soccer
Girls soccer will be holding practices for the next 2 weeks Beginning July 18th from 615 to 8 PM at the NUHS stadium field. Attendance is not required but highly recommended. You must register through community ed. and there is a fee of $15 to cover registration and liability.
The season officially starts August 15th with 2 a day practices that week 8 AM to 9:30 on the grass fields and 2 PM to 3:30 PM on the stadium field. Full gear and plenty of water is required. Please contact Coach Johnson at 56jayjay.jj@gmail.com if you have any questions.
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 15-19, 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.
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.
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.
Educational Benefits Application
This year is a classification year for our activities. This means that Minnesota State High School League will be reclassifying all schools and all activities according to their school’s enrollments minus those who qualify for educational benefits. Please fill out the Educational Benefits application even if you didn’t qualify when your child was in grade school. It does also help you in receiving discounts in MVL participation fees. Unfortunately, it does not apply for the co-op fees.
