| UPCOMING EVENTS |
October 1-3: Quarter 1 Benchmarks
October 10: No School
October 13-17- Fall Break- No School
October 23rd: MS Bingo/Game Night
October 31: No School; Report Card Conferences
| UPCOMING ATHLETIC EVENTS |
| CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS |
25–26 AI Community Council: Application
WHO are we looking for?
Are you curious — or concerned — about how AI is shaping schools, work, and everyday life? We’re gathering a small, diverse group of students, educators, families, leaders, and alumni who want to learn, ask hard questions, and share insights with our community.
You don’t need to be a tech expert. What matters is that you are:
- Open-minded and willing to engage in thoughtful dialogue.
- Interested in both the opportunities and the risks of AI.
- Ready to help Valor explore how AI impacts learning, safety, equity, and human connection
WHAT is the Council?
The AI Community Council is a new advisory group at Valor focused on learning, listening, and sharing.
This year, members will:
- Explore emerging AI tools, practices, and research.
- Listen to diverse perspectives across our community.
- Share insights through short AI briefs for staff, students, and families.
- Recommend focus areas to Valor’s leadership in Jan 2026 to inform 26–27 planning.
- Pilot 2–3 small, low-stakes experiments in spring to surface lessons about safe and effective use.
This group will not set policy but will lay the foundation for a more formal AI Task Force in 2026–27.
WHEN will we meet?
- Monthly, October–May, ~75 minutes on Thursdays (3:45–5:00pm): Oct 23, Nov 13, Dec 11, Jan 15, Feb 12, Mar 19, Apr 23, May 14.
- Optional working sessions may be scheduled for special projects.
Ideal Council Composition
- 4 students (across schools and grade levels)
- 4 teachers (across schools and a range of subjects)
- 4 leaders (across schools, including both STEM and Humanities)
- 4 family members (across schools)
- 4 alumni (if capacity allows)
Application Deadline
- Applications (apply HERE) are due by Thursday, October 9th.
A Fire Safety Announcement from the State of Tennessee
A fire can break out with little or no warning. The more prepared you are, the safer you will be.
- Have a meeting location at home where everyone will gather after a fire evacuation. A meeting location will help you quickly verify that everyone made it out safely.
- Once you evacuate due to a fire, NEVER go back inside a burning building. Once out, stay out. Firefighters will rescue anyone who needs help
ETF Trips
If you missed our meeting on Wednesday, there’s still time to sign up for our tour to France & Italy in Summer 2027! If you sign-up, risk-free, by October 10 you can receive a $200 discount off the total of the tour. Find all the information about our 2027 tour here: eftours.com/2965187HJ
Reach out to Winston Ly at any point with any questions: winstonnly@gmail.com
| CELEBRATIONS & COMMUNITY CONNECTION |
As part of the Tennessee STEAM Festival, Vanderbilt University’s Peabody Library is hosting an exciting, family-friendly event filled with fun, learning, and creativity! Activities include Coding bot activities, food, and fun STEAM stations
Saturday, October 25, 2025
Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: 1210 21st Ave., Nashville, TN 37203
Register here by October 10th
Nashville Community Celebrations
October is a month of both celebration and awareness. We honor Hispanic Heritage Month along with Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence, Bullying Prevention, Italian American Heritage, and LGBTQIA+ History observances—each reminding us of the importance of culture and care in building community.
- Oct. 2–5: Nashville Oktoberfest – German food, music, and traditions in Germantown.
- Oct. 17–19: Tennessee Indian Education Celebration – Native American dance, music, storytelling, and art at Long Hunter State Park.
- Nov. 1–2: El Día de los Muertos at Cheekwood – Nashville’s largest Day of the Dead celebration with altars, dance, and Latinx traditions.
National Observances
- Sukkot (Jewish): Oct. 7–13 – “Feast of Booths,” commemorating the Israelites’ journey.
- Coming Out Day: Oct. 11 – Celebrating honesty and LGBTQIA+ visibility.
- Día de la Raza: Oct. 12 – Honoring mixed Indigenous and European heritage.
- Indigenous Peoples’ Day: Oct. 13 – Celebrating Native American history and culture.
| VALOR FAMILY GROUP: FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Did you know that 1 in 6 kids in Middle Tennessee doesn’t always have enough to eat? Hunger impacts children’s health, energy, confidence, and school success.
Join us in supporting the Food 2 Families School Food Drive! Boxes will be available at each campus for every grade level—students can bring items with them or families can drop donations off at the front desk.
Most Needed Items:
- Peanut Butter/ Pasta/ Rice /Cereal (whole grain, low sugar)
- Canned Chicken/Tuna
- Canned Fruits & Vegetables
- Canned Soups, Stews, Chili & Pasta
- Beans (canned or dried)
Together, we can make a difference for families in our community!
FLAGSHIP
We are nearing the end of Quarter 1 and we are looking forward to Quarter 2. With that being said we would LOVE to celebrate our AMAZING teachers and staff as they have worked hard to set the tone for the 25-26 school year. We will be hosting the Middle School Teacher Luncheon on Wednesday October 8th from 10am-1pm
Flagship Teacher/Staff Appreciation Luncheon
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the Hospitality Chair for your school or the Family Engagement Manager
- Flagship Hospitality Chairs: Abra Pitt abra.claire.pitt@gmail.com
- Family Engagement Manager Alexis Morris alexis.morris@valorcollegiate.org
We are excited to update our Staff & Family Business Directory! This directory is a great way for our community to support and connect with one another.
If you own a business, we’d love to include you. Please complete this form to be added:
Business Directory Form
Once submitted, your business will appear on our Valor Family News webpage.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our Family Engagement Manager, Alexis Morris, at alexis.morris@valorcollegiate.org.
Thank you for helping us strengthen our Valor community!
| ATHLETIC ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Upcoming Middle School tryouts (Grades 6th-8th)
MS Girls Flag Football (Spring)
We are gauging interest in adding Middle School girls’ flag football in the spring. Please complete this interest form if interested in learning more information
Sports Physicals
Updated sports physical paperwork will be needed if a student makes any athletics team. Paperwork is NOT NEEDED before tryouts. If your scholar makes a team, they will need to have proper paperwork uploaded to Final Forms before being allowed to practice.
Sports Physical Paperwork & Upload Instructions
Download the VCA Athletics App to stay up to date on all things athletics:
Apple Device Link and Google Device Link
Athletics Staff Directory of Coaches
| VALOR THEATRE ANNOUNCEMENTS: |
| FACE: FINE ARTS, CLUBS, & ENRICHMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS |
Voyager Afterschool New logistical process
2nd Semester Club Registration is Open!
Spots are filling up quickly and registration is first come, first served. Check out the MS Club Listings & Schedule. Don’t miss your chance to join—secure your spot today!
Important Afterschool Policies & Procedures
Take a minute to review for awareness:
- Afterschool Fee & Payment Policy
- Afterschool Refund Policy
- After-school Pick-up Procedures
- After-school Late Pick-up Procedures and Fees
- Afterschool Event Policy
After School & Partner Contacts
Have questions, contact the After School Team at 615-200-7647, email us at face@valorcollegiate.org, or the FACE website.
Have questions, contact the Boys & Girls Club Team at 615-753-8451 or email boysandgirlsclub@valorcollegiate.org. Please review the BGC Member & Parent Handbook
Have questions, contact the YMCA Fun Company Team at 615-473-5514 or ymcafuncompany@valorcollegiate.org