VC View May Newsletter - Valley Catholic School

Dear Valley Catholic School Community,

The end of the school year is an opportunity to reflect on one of the SSMO core values: Honor the Unique Gifts of Each Person. In the coming days we look forward to award ceremonies, the Senior Walk of Honor, Music School recitals, spring concerts, the middle school’s drama and art night, athletic award banquets and other events where personal and team accomplishments are recognized. There are also celebratory outings, like senior graduation night and the 8th grade trip to Oaks Park, that focus on the bonds of friendship between classmates. At every grade level, students look forward to celebrating their accomplishments by “moving up” to the next grade.

This week we have been celebrating and thanking our Valley Catholic teachers for the tremendous job they do, each day, educating our students. I believe all of us have at least one teacher who inspired us, guided us, believed in us and encouraged us to follow our dreams. Teacher Appreciation Week gives us the opportunity to celebrate our teachers’ outstanding contributions to our students and to the entire Valley Catholic School community. Special events included LOTS of food, flowers, student notes and artwork, a catered luncheon provided by the Valley Catholic School Board, and coffee delivered to classrooms (thank you, SSMO Foundation). I encourage you to continue sharing your appreciation with these special educators as we wrap up the school year.

John Matcovich
President
Valley Catholic School

Letters from our Principals

Beckie Hocker, Valley Catholic Music School
Amber Ploussard, Valley Catholic Early Learning School
Yvonne Ayesiga, Valley Catholic Elementary School
Jennifer Gfroerer, Valley Catholic Middle School
Sara Bruins, Valley Catholic High School

VCS Immunization Rates

Each year, we share our immunization rate data with parents and the campus community to ensure transparency and promote awareness. You can find this information on the Health Oregon website at www.healthoregon.org/immdata, or by contacting our school office.

If you have any questions or concerns about immunizations, refer to the question and answer sheet available on the Oregon.gov website, or reach out to us for assistance. Together, we can help keep our students healthy and thriving.

In a heartwarming venture, the corridors of VCES recently echoed with wagging tails and joy as therapy dogs paid a visit to the school. These furry ambassadors of comfort and companionship provided a much-needed break from the rigors of academia, offering unconditional love and support to students and staff alike. Click here to view photo album.

Capturing the Spring Sporting Spirit: Explore Our Flickr Albums!

Students arrived at the prom in a dazzling array of attire, each one exuding confidence and elegance as they stepped onto the dance floor. The gentlemen adorned themselves in tuxedos, while the ladies graced the event in stunning dresses fit for a fairytale. Click here to view photos on Flickr.

Register Today for the 11th Annual Whole in One Golf Tournament

Registration is open for the 11th Annual Whole in One Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 22, at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club.

Register today for a wonderful day of golf and community building at one of the best courses in the Pacific Northwest.

The SSMO Foundation invites golfers of all skill levels to come together to support the community care efforts of the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, students and staff of Valley Catholic School and the residents and caregivers at Maryville. This annual tournament is a friend-raiser that helps build on the Sisters’ 138-year legacy of education, health care and outreach.

Visit ssmo.org/whole-in-one-golf-2024/ to learn more and register.

For more than 121 years, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon have championed an educational mission that values inclusivity. Today, their mission thrives through the support of need-based tuition assistance at Valley Catholic School.

We’re excited to share that the OCF Joseph E. Weston Public Foundation has again presented us with an extraordinary matching gift opportunity. All donations to the Weston Challenge will be matched up to $105,000, for a total of $210,000. These dollars will provide access and opportunity for today’s students and generations to come.

Consider different ways to give, such as stocks, donor-advised funds, or qualified charitable distributions (QCDs), which may offer tax advantages while supporting VC students’ educational journeys.

Your generosity provides tuition assistance and empowers students to excel intellectually, physically, and spiritually.

Be a champion for Valiants – donate today!

Imprisoned Without Cause – An Asian American family’s story of resiliency.

Join us on Monday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. via Google Meet for a special event in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

Jana Iwasaki ’98 will share her family’s WWII experiences as Japanese Americans removed from their homes. Hear how her family, including her grandfather’s younger brothers who were drafted into the U.S. Army, navigated through this period of history.

Discover the resilience of the Japanese American community, including how the Iwasaki family’s legacy was maintained through the support of their German American neighbors.

Visit our website for more info.

Thanks to You, Give:24 was a blooming Success!

The Valley Catholic School community recently experienced the power and spirit of collective giving during our celebration of Give:24. We are immensely grateful to all those who generously participated in our day of giving.

Thank you for nurturing excellence and fostering opportunities that resonate throughout Valley Catholic School. You play a vital role in our faith-filled community, upholding the Sisters’ legacy in education.

The Distinguished Alumni and Emerging Leader Awards are presented by Valley Catholic School, the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Foundation and the Alumni Advisory Committee annually during the VCS Gala. The deadline to nominate a Distinguished Alumnus/a or Emerging Leader is June 1, 2024.

This year’s Distinguished Alumni Award theme is Small Business.

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes an alumna/us who, as an owner, founder, partner or manager of a small business, has excelled in his or her life’s work, demonstrates a high standard of personal integrity, strives for excellence, and lives a valiant life.

The Emerging Leader Award recognizes one alumna/us of VCS who has graduated in the last fifteen years and shows promise as a leader in their field. Alumni from the classes of 2009 – 2024 are eligible.