December 2018
“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart.”
~Helen Keller
Welcome to December. It’s another shortened month for our students, but it is one replete with exciting events here at VTHS!
Here are some important dates to remember:
Sunday, December 2 Chanukah begins
Thursday, December 5 VTHS SCA meeting – 9:15 am – 10:15 am – Conference Room B
BOE Work Session – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Lounsberry Hollow
Meet & Greet for Parents/Guardians to meet the Coaches –
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Cafeteria
Friday, December 7 DECA Regional Test – Room 107 –
the test is approximately 60-90 minutes to complete –
students will sign up for individual testing times
Choir Winter Concert – 7:30 pm – Auditorium
Saturday, December 8 Viking Club Pancake Breakfast with Santa – 7:00 am – 12:00 pm
Viking Club Pancake Breakfast with Santa
Softball Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser – 9:00 am – 12:00 noon – VTHS
Softball Walk-a-Thon Fundraiser
Thursday, December 13 Rehearsal for FBLA Talent Show – 2:00-3:30 pm
DECA will be selling Vernon apparel for the holidays –
6:00-8:00 pm – Room 106
BOE Public Meeting – 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Lounsberry Hollow
Friday, December 14 Orchestra & Band Holiday Concert II – 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Monday, December 17 VTHS Meistersingers and Brass Choir District Caroling –
8:00 am – 1:55 pm – Caroling at VTHS – 1:20 -1:55 pm
Tuesday, December 18 Dress Rehearsal for FBLA Talent Show 2:00-3:30 pm
DECA – Avoid Flying Objects – 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm – Gym
Thursday, December 20 FBLA Student Talent Show – 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Cafeteria
Friday, December 21 Open Mic Night – 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Senior Cafeteria
Early Dismissal – all students must arrive no later than 7:05am
Monday December 24-31 School Closed/Winter Recess –
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Additional information…
… we would like to thank everyone for their cooperation during our recent visit by Keith Hawkins. Our freshmen had a remarkable day and we truly appreciate the hard work by Mr. Ed Flannery and Mrs. Shannon Flannery and their outstanding DECA volunteers. We would especially like to thank the VTHS SCA for their financial support of the program, which helped make it a possibility!
…thanks to Mr. Foley, our Athletic Director, Mrs. Lindsay McAloney, our Theater Director, and Mr. Max Taylor, our Band Director, and everyone else who worked so hard to prepare and accompany our students to Glen Meadow Middle School last month. It was fun watching our students present to the Class of 2023 with information about the plethora of activities awaiting them when they begin VTHS next fall. We would also like to thank Mr. Joe Piccirillo for organizing this exciting tradition for us once again.
…congratulations to the newest members of our National Honor Society:
Olivia Amorosi
Cole Benkendorf
Jacob Buurman
Jason Coppola
Ryan Coulther
Amanda Cueman
Stephanie DeMattheis
Benjamin Dupont
Samuel Dupont
Shelby Ebbighausen
Aubrey Gardner
Christopher Hainzl
Brandon Lee
Jaclyn Lehman
Vailisa Palis
David Rusnak
Becka Terzakis
Larissa Trongone
Kendall VanVugt
Jamie Vitale
Olivia Vizzini
Melissa Wilson
Donna-Marie Zaiens
Colin Ziabakhsh
Many thanks to Mrs. Kathy Weyant for serving as the NHS advisor and to her committee for another job well done!
…Mrs Kate Romeo, our SAC, recently spoke to all of our students about the danger of vaping. Please take some time to review this informational document for parents/guardians for additional guidance: https://e-cigarettes.surgeongeneral.gov/documents/SGR_ECig_ParentTipsheet_508.pdf
Please feel free to reach out to Mrs. Romeo directly at extension 764-5799 if you have any specific comments, questions or concerns. Thank you.
…it’s time to think about buying a yearbook for your son/daughter! It makes a perfect holiday gift and will ensure that your child does not miss out when the yearbooks are ordered for distribution in the Spring of 2019. Here are two important messages from Mr. LaBar, the Yearbook advisor:
- 2019 Explorer Yearbooks are on sale. Go to www.jostensyearbooks.com to purchase one for only $85. It makes a great holiday gift! 2019 Yearbook Flyer
- Senior parents/guardians: Parent/Guardian/Friendship ads are now on sale. Parent/Guardian/Friendship Ad Form
…there is a new Language Club at VTHS. It’s not just for students in World Language classes, but for any student who enjoys solving puzzles, or wants to strengthen their language skills. The club meets every Tuesday after school in room 110. Each week, students will work on one or two puzzles in languages ranging from Arabic to Zulu and everything in between! The problems focus on one specific area in linguistics, and at the end of the meeting they will discuss how these concepts apply to the languages being taught in school. This club may even be entering competitions during the upcoming months. Encourage your child to stop by and see what it’s all about!
…Mrs. Donna Picciuto is working with our Air Force Recruiter to collect items for care packages for our service members deployed overseas. Please drop any of these suggested items to the Upper Library Room 220 or to Ms. Anne Larlee in the College/Career Center by Wednesday, December 12:
Deodorant
Toothbrushes
Playing cards (i.e. poker, UNO)
Small games or puzzles (i.e. Sudoku, word searches, etc.)
Beef jerky
Cookies
*Holiday cards and/or letter
This is the perfect time of the year to let our service men and women know that we appreciate all they do for us. Thank you for your anticipated generosity!
…the VTHS PEER Leaders are conducting a Toy Drive for “Tilly’s Kids Christmas in the City.”
They have created two wonderful flyers and hope that you will donate a baby doll or toy truck for this excellent cause: Baby Doll Drive and Toy Truck Drive
…some of our classes are working with O.S.C.A.R. (One Step Closer Animal Rescue) to collect cleaning supplies, blankets and/or towels. If you have donations you would like to share, please send them to school with your child; collection boxes are located in the main office. Thank you!
…there will be a Robotics parent/guardian meeting on Tuesday, December 11 for any parent/guardian of students who are interested in the high school Robotics Program. The meeting will be held in the upper library beginning at 6:30 pm. Come out and hear about this exciting program!
…during this season of thanksgiving and generosity, please take a moment to nominate a classroom teacher or educational services professional who is dedicated, inspiring and making a difference. Parents/Guardians, students and community member are encouraged to participate. An eligibility form and a nomination form have been attached for your convenience:
…all students have recently received an email with a request to complete a School Climate Survey. Please encourage your children to complete this survey on or before Friday, December 7, 2018. Thank you for your assistance.
…thank you for all you do as we work together for the good of your children. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please contact the school directly and we would be happy to assist you.
…enjoy a wonderful holiday!