The Mustang Messenger

We hosted the second annual Marshall County Education Camp for the staff members of USD 498 and USD 364 – Marysville. This event is planned to give professional development opportunities for the staff members from each district and I am pleased to say that the event was a huge success. Our keynote speaker was Mr. Don Epps who brings a lot of energy – not only to his presentation – but also his school. Staff members left that session with smiles on their faces and renewed energy on how to the be the “Very best”! We then moved into breakout sessions where staff could choose from a variety of topics and presenters for one-hour presentations. USD 498 presenters included Mrs. Rhonda Joseph, Mrs. Aundrea Reinecke and Ms. Carrie Husband. Mr. Staples and Mrs. deBoer served as moderators for some of the discussion sessions we had during the day. A word of thanks goes out to all who helped plan this event. Our maintenance department and custodial crew had the facility in tip top shape as always. Our food service group did an outstanding job with our breakfast and lunch putting together some tasty meals and finally to our staff for the hospitality they provided for our guests! We are Proud to be Mustangs! (We have some pictures of the event in this edition of our newsletter!)

This week is TVL Tournament week and as usual the weather is wreaking havoc with our game schedule! Games have already been rescheduled to try and dodge the colder temperatures and snow in the forecast. The boys and girls both have games tonight (Friday) and the boys will have one last game on Monday night at Washington County. We then get back into the final weeks of regular season play!

We had two students participate in our very first Powerlifting contest this past weekend. Mr. Tommy Tryon is their coach and our goal is to have more of our athletes get involved in this activity. Congratulations are in order for junior Charlie Warders who placed 5th overall in the 165-pound Men’s Division and sophomore Julian Crook who was 6th in the 132-pound Junior Division. Well done Mustangs!

The junior high BVL basketball tournament gets underway this week with Clifton- Clyde hosting this year’s event. Games are scheduled for Monday, Thursday and Saturday. The girls are the #1 seed and will play the winner of Clifton-Clyde vs. Blue Valley game. That game is scheduled for 6:00 pm at Clyde on Thursday, January 29th. The boys are the #3 seed and will play Washington County on Monday, January 26th at 4:45 pm at Clyde. The junior high teams finished up their regular season games on Thursday night with a clean sweep for both boys and girls against the Luckey Cardinals.

We will not have classes at Valley Heights on January 28th! Staff will be on duty that day and we will be hosting the District FFA Speech/Interview Day in our building!

Go Mustangs!

Mr. Savage

Wednesday morning at 7am (by appointment) and after school Wednesday at 3:30pm

Contact Mrs. Stevenson (lstevenson@valleyheights.org) with any questions

Beginning Sunday, December 7, the Blue Rapids Gym will be open for Valley Heights community to shoot, work on their ball handling, or play basketball to hone their skills.

Elementary students grades 3 - 6 will have the gym from 1--2:00, & 7th grade - adult will have gym access from 2:00 - 3:00.

Students in grades 3 - 6 must have a parent/guardian accompany them. Clean Basketball or tennis shoes must be worn when on the court. All participants must abide by school behavior standards or you will be asked to leave and not return.

The following dates will be open gym:

December: 7, 14

January: 4, 11, 18, 25

February: 1, 8, 15, 22

On Wednesday, January 28, Valley Heights FFA will host an all-day district contest. There will be no classes held at the high school and junior high, as thirty of the North East district schools will attend the event.

This contest consists of prepared public speaking, extemporaneous public speaking, creed speaking, employment skills, and an agronomy contest. The MATC Virtual Reality truck will also be at the school. Senior Stella Martin says, “Many of us will be doing mock interviews. Those give students a realistic experience of applying and interviewing for a job in their chosen career field.”

Senior Lawson Stryker is giving an informative speech about a packing company for beef and protein called Cargill. “Putting yourself out there is an important part of life that builds confidence and speaking ability. Performing a speech also gives you an opportunity to research a topic you’re interested in.”

Article by Paige Miller

A large group was in attendance for our cooperative Professional Development Day with Marysville!

Charlie Warders and Julian Crook became the first Mustangs to compete in Powerlifting competition at Royal Valley last Saturday, January 17th. Charlie got 5th overall in the 165lb men's division. Julian placed 3rd in bench, 6th overall in the junior 132lb division.

Results- https://hyperlifter.com/results/meets/219

Special guest K-State Basketball Alumni Anyoka Lee spoke at the FCA and Community Youth Group Sunday night.

Students in Mrs. Parker’s Forensic Science class solving the crime of the teacher's lounge thief! Students dusted and lifted prints left behind on drink cans and then analyzed them to match them to possible suspects.

Reece Parker and Kaine Seleska made a model of an aquifer in Earth Science class.

Tenth Graders took a field trip on Wednesday to the Western Center at Highland Community College in Baileyville. Presentations were given on various topics including Precision Ag, Diesel Mechanics and Allied Health.

Mrs. Oatney and Mrs. Steinfort were twinning earlier this week!

Valley Heights Horticulture students and FFA members are creating handmade floral arrangements in class to sell for Valentine’s Day!

A limited quantity of each arrangement is available (20 of each arrangement). Orders will be filled in the order payment is received. Payment may be made by cash or check (checks payable to Valley Heights FFA).

Arrangement Options:

Be Mine – $15

Riverside Love Bud – $30

Carnation Crush – $45

Orders are for delivery within Valley Heights Schools only and are intended to be purchased for students and staff members.

Delivery/Pickup Details:

One delivery to Waterville Grade School

One delivery to Blue Rapids Elementary School

Friday, February 13

High school orders will be available for pickup outside the high school office

The order form will remain open until Monday, February 2, or until arrangements are sold out.

Order form: https://forms.gle/JbqxMLVG9qLFQAVa9

Valley Heights FBLA Members will be selling and delivering Valentines Grams to classrooms.

Find a high school FBLA member if you are interested in buying any!

Mark your calendars - Valley Heights FFA Annual Pancake Feed is around the corner!!

Details for to-go orders will be out closer to the Pancake Feed!

The BVL Brackets have been posted. The boys are the #3 seed and will open up play in Clyde vs Washington County at 4:45 pm on Monday. The Girls are the #1 seed and will get a bye in the first round. They will open up play on Thursday in Clyde at 6:00 pm vs the winner of Clifton-Clyde/Blue Valley.

The Junior High Boys Basketball A team finishes the regular season with a 7 win - 6 loss record and a number 3 seed in the Blue Valley League tournament that starts Monday. 🔽

The Junior High Boys Basketball B team finishes the regular season with 12 wins and 2 losses! 🔽

The Junior High Boys Basketball C team finishes the season with 5 wins and 6 losses! 🔽

Junior High A team girls go into the tournament as the #1 seed and will play on Thursday at 6:00 at Clyde.

Junior High B Team girls finished the season with an 11-1 record!

Ms. Jayne's schedule each day will begin at the VH Jr/Sr High to meet student needs there before the bell rings. The rest of the week will primarily be:

• Monday at Blue Rapids
• Tuesday at Waterville (third Tuesday is Harvesters)
• Wednesday at VH and out and about in our community
• Thursday AM in Waterville/PM in Blue Rapids
• Friday at VH

Meet the Family Advocate, Jayne Whitson by appointment. She is available to help students and families succeed with resources, referrals and donated items to help during a family trauma, crisis or setback.

The best way to reach the family advocate is via cell, 612-202-7366.

Blue Rapids, KS 66411

785-363-2508

Principal-Mike Savage

Athletic Director-Jordan Broxterman

1. Come to the HS office between 8am and 4pm

2. E-mail Mr. Savage msavage@valleyheights.org

3. Call the office (785)363-2508

Email: vhhs@valleyheights.org
Website: valleyheights.org
Phone: (785)363-2508
Facebook: facebook.com/vhusd498
Twitter: @usd498