The Mustang Messenger

The Twin Valley League Basketball Tournament starts on Saturday, January 17th. The nice thing about the tournament this year is that it is hosted at Washington County. The boys will be playing Blue Valley on Saturday with a start time of 1:00 pm. The girls are the #3 seed and will play the winner of the Axtell – Onaga game on Monday at 3:15 pm! A couple of reminders about the tournament! Games will be played ahead of schedule if we get the earlier games over quicker and TVL Passes will not be accepted for admission. Only those on the Pass List will be allowed in at no charge! Best of luck Mustangs!

Congratulations to our King and Queen of Courts – Ms. Kaitlin Hemry and Mr. Chad Bargdill. They were crowned during ceremonies on January 9th. Our KAYS organization and their sponsor, Mrs. Caley Gallimore, did a great job of getting things organized for the week considering it was the first week back from Christmas Break! We hosted the Winter Formal on January 10th and we had a pretty large group of students that attended that event!

It is hard to believe that we are already half way through the month of January. We are already down to one last junior high basketball game before the BVL Tournament and the end of the season. The high school teams will be entering the second half of their season with the post-season clearly in our sights! Along with basketball games we have Scholars’ Bowl, Forensics meets and FFA activities sprinkled throughout the calendar!

The Valley Heights Booster Club is hosting a 1920’s Murder Mystery Party on February 7th at the Waterville Opera House. 1920’s era costumes are essential. The doors will open at 7:30 pm! This will also include a silent auction! All of the proceeds will be used to fund Booster Club projects for our students!! Look for more information on the flyer posted in our newsletter!

Parents – we do not have classes on Monday! We will be hosting the Marshall County Ed. Camp which is a cooperative Professional Development Day for the staffs of both Marysville and Valley Heights!

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

Congratulations to all our winter formal candidates, and the 2026 King & Queen of Courts - Chad Bargdill and Kaitlin Hemry!

The weight lifting class helped unload a new desk for the district office this week.

Six students participated in the Washburn Honor Band. It was an amazing day for the students, which concluded with a great concert showing what they had learned.

Valley Heights High School is welcoming two student teachers from Kansas State University for this spring semester.

Mrs. Turner and Mr. Nolte are mentoring Ms. CJ Tate for math classes. Ms.Tate is most excited for “Being up at the front in school, while also learning from the students.” The arrival of Ms. Tate also marks the first student teacher for Mrs. Turner and third for Mr. Nolte. Mrs. Turner says, “I am thrilled to have Ms. Tate join my classroom. She has already shown to care about students and be very knowledgeable in her field. I am excited to have her teaching the class soon.”

Miss Ella Pachta is teaching ag classes mentored by Ms. Husband. “I’m most excited about taking things I’ve learned at K-State and using them in class.” Miss Pachta graduated from Republic County High School. Ms. Husband says, “I am very excited to be hosting Miss Pachta this spring in the Ag Department! I'm looking forward to seeing all the things she learns and how she grows on her journey in agriculture education. She is already doing a great job making connections with students and preparing lessons!”

Student teachers bring new ideas and energy, making their time at the high school helpful and meaningful to everyone at the school. We are excited to see how these student teachers will evolve throughout the rest of the year.

Article by Teagan Spoonts

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!

We had a couple of very special guests at Valley Heights yesterday! Thank you to MCAC for bringing former student Alex Laughlin and talented musician Calvin Arsenia to share their art with our students.

Alex is an artist entrepreneur and owner of Soul Inspired Art. Alex taught students a lesson centered on self-reflection and affirmations, encouraging students to connect art with personal growth.

Calvin Arsenia is a Kansas City–based singer, songwriter, harpist, and multi-instrumentalist who has performed and taught worldwide. Calvin shared his vast musical knowledge and even allowed students to experiment with his instruments.

TVL brackets have been posted. The Boys will open up competition with Blue Valley on Saturday at 1:00 pm. Girls will play on Monday at 3:15 pm.

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