Sunday December 7th
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Dec 15th Together at the Table
UPCOMING Athletic EVENTS:
WHOLE-CAMPUS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Quarter 2 Benchmark Schedules
Quarter 2 Benchmark schedules were sent to students (with you cc’d) in mid-November (emails came from lladd@valorcollegiate.org). Please review your student’s schedule to ensure that you are aware of arrival and dismissal times for the dates 12/10, 12/11, and 12/12. Please also review the important benchmark policies below.
Academic Integrity Policy
We take academic integrity very seriously at VCP, especially on benchmark exams. Our full academic integrity policy and consequence matrix are available here in English and Spanish.
Make-up Exams
Students should plan to be in attendance for all of their exams on the primary day of testing as listed in the unique schedule sent to them earlier this week. In rare and extenuating circumstances, a student may need to be absent. Make-up exams will be hosted the following week according to the schedule below.
- Make-ups for exams originally scheduled on 12/10 will take place on 12/15.
- Make-ups for exams originally scheduled on 12/11 will take place on 12/16.
- Make-ups for exams originally scheduled on 12/12 will take place on 12/17.
Students that miss their benchmark on both the primary day of testing as well as the make-up day will have a 50% recorded in the gradebook for their exam.
External Principal Fellow at VCP
In Quarter 3, VCP will have a principal fellow from the Diverse Charter School Coalition embedded for the duration of the quarter. Jake Taylor is opening a high school in Cleveland, OH through the DCSC and they reached out to Valor about him supporting our high school to learn before he starts his own school. Jake will support the campus in a variety of ways and we’re looking forward to hosting him. He’ll start the week of December 15th to begin to onboard and shadow and then will be onsite full time starting in Q3. You can see a bio for Jake below:
Jake Taylor is the Middle School Director at Urban Community School (UCS) in Cleveland, Ohio. In this role, he is dedicated to empowering his students with a deep understanding of themselves, their community, and their capacity to create meaningful change in the world around them.
Over the past fifteen years, Jake’s work has led to significant improvements in student learning and strengthened the sense of community both in the classroom and across the schools in which he worked.
Jake began his education career in Spanish Harlem, transitioning from a role in the financial industry to teaching math at the East Harlem School (EHS). At EHS, students began each day with movement, practiced silent meditation, and shared healthy vegetarian lunches. The school’s impact on students’ minds, bodies, and hearts continues to shape Jake’s core educational values.
Following his time in Harlem, Jake taught math at Breakthrough Schools in Cleveland, worked on policy initiatives at the Ohio Department of Education, supported the implementation of computer science programs in high schools, and now leads the Middle School team at UCS. Each of these experiences has deepened his perspective and strengthened his commitment to the students and families he serves.
Jake holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Penn State University and a Master’s Degree Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School
Last Call for Japan 2026 & More
Hey families,
Our all-aboard deadline is quickly approaching for our Education First Tour: Japan 2026. We have a couple spots left for students and families to join!
Maybe Japan has always been a bucket list destination for you and/or your student, or you’re interested in your student seeing the world in a fun and educational way, or maybe both!
If the cost is a barrier, I know and have seen many of our travelers in the past and the present who have worked hard to earn money from jobs and tasks, as well as save money from birthdays and holidays to contribute to the cost. This makes the trip even more meaningful and memorable because of their personal investment in the trip.
A team of trusted staff/teachers and myself will be helping to lead this once in a lifetime opportunity. Please reach out to me, Winston Ly, at winstonnly@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.
We also have 2 remaining spots for our 2027 tour to France and Italy. 2028 is yet to be determined but will likely be to one of the following locations: Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands, Iceland, or South Africa. Stay tuned!
Japan: www.eftours.com/2811920KE
France/Italy: www.eftours.com/2965187HJ
This is a non-Valor sponsored trip.
Adventure is out there!
Winston Ly
VALOR FAMILY GROUP: FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Join us for Together at the Table on Dec 15th at 6pm
We’re excited to welcome families and staff for an evening focused on food, conversation, and connection. Enjoy a free shared meal, engage in meaningful dialogue, and take part in a community activity that celebrates belonging at Valor.
This gathering is a chance to:
- Share a warm meal with other families and staff
- Build relationships across our school community
- Participate in a guided activity centered on gratitude, storytelling, and listening
- Strengthen the connections that make our community feel like home
Please RSVP by December 10.
We look forward to coming together, learning from one another, and creating memories.
CELEBRATIONS & COMMUNITY CONNECTION
As we welcome December, our community continues to uplift remembrance, compassion, and connection. This time of year invites us to honor traditions that illuminate resilience, human dignity, and shared hope.
Between December 5–12, our school community recognizes meaningful cultural and religious observances:
- Dec 8 – Bodhi Day A Buddhist celebration honoring Siddhartha Gautama’s enlightenment. A time for reflection, learning, and peace.
- Dec 10 – Human Rights Day Commemorates the 1948 adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, affirming equality, justice, and freedom for all.
- Dec 12 – Our Lady of Guadalupe Honors the apparition of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill in 1531, deeply cherished across Mexico and the Americas.
Local Highlights
- Dec. 6 – Grounded & Growing: Emotional Wellness Events for Teen Girls Ages 13-15 | Ages 16-19
- Dec. 10, 9:30–10:30 a.m. – MNPS Trauma-Informed Schools & SRI Education virtual session on community resources supporting youth and family well-being. Click here
- Dec. 12, 9–10:30 a.m. – All Children Excel holiday gathering celebrating those who serve Nashville’s youth (RSVP here).
- Dec. 18, 1 p.m. CT – Tennessee Justice Center virtual event on inclusive anti-hunger advocacy (RSVP here).
- New Housing Opportunity – Habitat for Humanity announces Bella Terra (Antioch), with applications beginning January 2026. See flyer.
If you would like to submit a local event, please email aharmon@valorcollegiate.org.
VALOR THEATRE ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FACE: FINE ARTS, CLUBS & ENRICHMENTS ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Afterschool Update: YMCA Fun Company Closing
Dear Valor Families,
FACE Afterschool would like to share an important update regarding our afterschool programming. YMCA Fun Company will officially close on Thursday, December 19th.
We are deeply grateful for their partnership and for the care and support they have provided to our families over the past two years.
As we look ahead, our goal is to continue bringing stability and consistency to afterschool programming. With this in mind, we have decided not to seek another external partner. Instead, we will focus on further building and strengthening our Valor College Prep and Middle School Afterschool offerings.
If you have any questions, please contact Ms. Pashion at face@valorcollegiate.org or call (615) 200-7647.
Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
Warmly,
Ms. Pashion
BCG Benchmark Schedule Notice:
VCP BGC will open at 1:40 p.m. on December 10th and 11th due to benchmark testing.
Please note, BGC will be closed on December 12th.
Afterschool Important Dates:
12/11 ID: Innovator Designers cancelled
12/12: BGC Closed
12/19: Early dismissal, no afterschool programming.
12/19 – 01/7/26: BGC Closed
Stay in the Know!
View our latest event flyers to keep up with all the exciting things happening after school. Don’t miss important dates, celebrations, and opportunities to join in fun afterschool
2nd Semester Club Registration is Open!
Register for 2nd-semester clubs NOW! Registration closes January 30. Don’t miss your spot, sign up today!
After-School Clubs Information
Check out the VCP Club Listings & Schedules.
Volunteer After School!
Students in 10th-12th Grade, make a difference by volunteering with our Afterschool Programs! Click here to sign up and start making an impact!
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
ATHLETIC ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Back-to-Back State Champions VCP Volleyball team hosting “PARENTS NIGHT OUT”
Upcoming High School Sports Tryouts
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
9TH GRADE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall Picture Retake Request
Lifetouch will hold a session on Tuesday, 12/16 for any students who would like to retake their fall portrait. To request a retake, please complete this simple form: Fall Picture Retake Request. You will receive an email with a scheduled time to retake your photo. This will be the only retake session offered, so please make sure you are present at school and on time.
10TH GRADE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Fall Picture Retake Request
Lifetouch will hold a session on Tuesday, 12/16 for any students who would like to retake their fall portrait. To request a retake, please complete this simple form: Fall Picture Retake Request. You will receive an email with a scheduled time to retake your photo. This will be the only retake session offered, so please make sure you are present at school and on time.