A letter from Valley Catholic Middle School Principal Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer
Dear VCMS Families,
Our middle school students have officially entered an exciting phase of the Dog Mobility Project, a hands-on STEM initiative where student teams design and build mobility devices to support real dogs in need. What began as sketches, brainstorming sessions, and heartfelt conversations about helping real dogs with mobility challenges has now transformed into fully formed teams. Each team has student-selected roles that mirror real-world engineering and design careers. Project Managers, Design Engineers, Build Specialists, and Marketing and Media Directors have stepped confidently into their positions, ready to bring their collective vision to life.
With roles assigned and ideas merged, students are officially moving into the prototype-building phase, where creativity meets engineering. Classrooms are buzzing with teams refining measurements, debating design choices, testing recycled materials, and imagining how their inventions will improve the lives of their partner dogs. This is authentic problem-solving at its best – messy, inspiring, collaborative, and filled with the kind of contagious excitement that reminds us why hands-on learning matters. Families and community members will get their first look at these early prototypes in January, followed by completed mobility devices in late March, when students proudly unveil the final products they have built with purpose and heart.
To support this work, we gratefully accept select recycled materials that meet team needs. A full wish list and sign-up link can be found here Donation Wish List. Thank you for cheering on our students as they dream big, innovate boldly, and create meaningful solutions for animals who depend on them. This is learning that changes lives, both theirs and the dogs they are so eager to help.
Please know that each of you are held in our thoughts and prayers as we anticipate the celebration of Christ’s coming among us! May you have a blessed Advent and happy, holy Christmas.
Dr. Jennifer Gfroerer
