Today we kicked off the 2013 Gala! Tradition holds that our high school classes each donate a trip to be a part of the live auction. We ask that each high school family contribute to cover the cost of these high school vacation packages. Please download the donation form here.

What is a Class-Sponsored Vacation Package?

Every year at the annual Valley Catholic School Gala (formerly the Auction) each high school class donates a vacation package to be auctioned off during the Live Auction portion of the Gala.  We appeal to each family to contribute the cost of a class-sponsored vacation package.  Funds raised are dedicated to operating expenses that make many of our programs possible.

How are the vacation packages chosen?

At a recent class meeting, each student’s class brainstormed ideas for their class-sponsored vacation package.  Each respective class (i.e Freshmen, Sophomore, etc) is then challenged to raise money to cover the cost of the trip they plan to contribute to the Gala.  If the students’ class succeeds in raising the required funds they will be able to plan their preferred vacation package. If they do not, they must revise their package.

What are spirit points?

During Catholic Schools Week (Spirit Week), each class will be awarded spirit points based on a variety of events and activities, including the class-sponsored trip donations.  Points will be awarded on a scale from highest to lowest participation rates, with 500 spirit points going to the class with the highest participation rate, and 200 points going to the class with the lowest participation rate.

How much should I donate?

We respectfully request a minimum donation of $25 per high school student.  All donations are tax deductible. Donations of $100 or more are eligible for the Procurement Contest.

What if I have more than one child at Valley Catholic?

The donation is considered a family donation, so each child will receive credit for spirit points during Spirit Week, regardless of amount.  We highly encourage that a donation of $25 per student be made in order for each class to succeed in tailoring their preferred class-sponsored trip.  Please indicate your student(s) name and grade at the bottom of the donation form.

Valley Catholic
Benefit Gala • April 27, 2013

Volunteer Opportunities 

Yes—I want to help raise
money for our school!

The following descriptions are very brief and are meant to provide a general sense of what each committee does. Signing up for a committee will not commit you to participate in all of the activities but is an indication of your interest. Should you join a committee, feel free to participate only in the tasks you would enjoy.

Gala Night:

WIN A RESERVED PARKING SPACE*

TWO LUCKY WINNERS

Donate an item (retail value of $100 or more) and your name will be entered in the drawing for a reserved parking space in the school parking lot!

Donations must be received by March 1, 2013 to be entered into the drawing.

 *Cash donations also qualify. If an item is valued at $400, your name will be entered in the drawing four times. Limit 5 entries per family. The item may be donated or procured. Click here to view our wish list. Parking space available from March 6 – June 30, 2013.

Donation forms are available in the school offices or at www.gala.valleycatholic.org.

Click here to make an online donation.

Questions? Please call Grace Le Chevallier at 503-718-6482.

We are so proud of our alumni! Many of you have made significant contributions to your communities, professions, and to our campus. During Catholic Schools Week (January 28 – February 1), we acknowledge and recognize a select individual for their personal achievements and service. We need your help to ensure that the accomplishments of our distinguished alumni are recognized.

Please consider nominating one of your classmates for this notable honor. You may also self-nominate. The award will be presented at Mass on Wednesday, January 31, as a part of Catholic Schools Week. The award recipient will also be profiled in the Spring-Summer issue of Spirit.

Please send your nomination to alumni@valleycatholic.org. Be sure to include as much information as possible about the nominee’s qualifications. Thank you for helping us honor the unique gifts of our alumni.

The SSMO Foundation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Kipp and Teresa Johnson Endowed Scholarship for advanced math students.  Foundation Team members worked with Jeff and Bobbi Barry to establish this endowment.

Jeff and Bobbi Barry are parents of Valerie ’08 and David ’11, and longtime supporters of the advanced math program at Valley Catholic High School.  According to the Barrys, Kipp Johnson’s advanced math classes were instrumental in the success of both Valerie and David in their fields of study. Valerie is a Ph.D student in Electrical Engineering at Stanford University.  She graduated summa cum laude with a BSEE degree from the University of Idaho in May 2012. David is a sophomore majoring in Electrical Engineering at University of Idaho.  He is a member of both Engineering Scholars and the Honors College.

Kipp Johnson became part of the Valley Catholic Faculty in 1986 when he was hired as a math teacher.  One year later, he became the Chairman of the Department.  Mr. Johnson instructs students in Eighth-Grade Math through Calculus 3.  His wife, the late Teresa Johnson, graduated from Multnomah School of The Bible.  She was a devoted homemaker.  Teresa, known for her pleasant and caring personality, sent care packages to VC alumni who needed an occasional boost. Together, Kipp and Teresa have impacted the lives of many students at Valley Catholic.

The endowment is a tribute to Kipp and Teresa Johnson and will provide annual scholarships for selected students who exhibit an aptitude for math. Additional contributions in any amount may be made to this endowment by contacting Tricia Blood at tblood@ssmomnistries.org in the SSMO Foundation or by making a gift online.

The Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon, in conjunction with the SSMO Foundation, present the following Bethany Center workshops.

This panel discussion will take place in the Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Convent & Administration Building.

Caring and coping: Decisions surrounding an aging adult
January 10, 2013
7 p.m.

Health care changes for aging adults are challenging – not only for seniors but for their families and caregivers.

On Thursday, Jan. 10, Bethany Center will host “Caring and Coping: Decisions Surrounding an Aging Adult.”  A panel discussion will focus on legal documents to have in place, how to negotiate end-of-life discussions, and the differences between assisted living, managed care, and hospice.  Panelists will include Liz Fischer, Hospice and Palliative Care of Washington County; Michael Kilbury, Maryville Nursing Home & Maryville Memory Care; and Karen Skoog, RN, BSN, Senior Resource Alliance NW.

About the panelists

Liz Fischer

Liz Fischer does Community Outreach for Hospice and Palliative Care of Washington County. She has experience ranging from working for a small three-person company to a very large high tech company in the area but has found what she calls her “true passion” working for Hospice and Palliative Care of Washington County.

She has experienced “the relief of having hospice involved” when her grandmother was on their service and wants “to share the incredible gift of hospice with community members.”

Michael Kilbury

Michael Kilbury grew up in Little Rock, Ark. where he attended Catholic High School for Boys.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. and moved to the Pacific Northwest in 1998.

A licensed long-term care administrator, Kilbury is the assistant administrator at Maryville Nursing Home and oversees the operations of Maryville Memory Care. He and his wife Margaret reside in Portland with their two children, Levi and Adele.

Karen Skoog

Karen Skoog, RN, BSN, has been working in the field of care management for over 14 years. After graduating from the University of Oregon School of Nursing in 1975, she worked in intensive care, coronary care and kidney dialysis. After raising her family, she refocused her career into case management and geriatric care management.

Skoog is especially interested in families in crisis as they deal with chronic illnesses and neurological conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. She works with clients and their families as they face aging and/or health issues and assists them in collaborating with the appropriate health and professional services to create a plan that meets their needs and provides enhanced quality of life.

The Sisters were honored to pray for your loved ones during the month of November. They received 160 prayer request cards and emails this month, and prayed for each person. They continue to keep our extended community in our prayers.

If you would like to submit a specific prayer request, please send them to prayers@ssmoministries.org.

When: April 27, 2013

Where: Hilton Executive Tower-Downtown Portland

Theme: Fly me to the moon! Ensuring our students soar to new heights

We are thrilled to announce the details of this year’s VCS benefit Gala! This year, we have changed the name of the Auction to the Gala. We have much to be thankful for on this campus and a Gala celebration is in order! The Gala will continue to have a silent and live auction, but the packages will be fewer and more desirable. The evening is sure to be the event of the season!

With your help this year’s Gala will be one to remember! Click here to make reservations.

The role of the class basket volunteer is to work with classroom parents to produce a class basket.  These baskets are collections of items and/or gift certificates donated by parents of each K-5 class and are very popular in our silent auction.  Each basket has a theme which is presented in an attractive display.  The value of the baskets varies; our auction has a place for all values, whether they are high
or low.  Often class baskets are split into two or more baskets to increase the sale of the basket. The Gala team will determine the best way to separate and display the items for the silent auction.

Who:     You!  Get creative! Create a desirable class basket that will be the sought after basket at the Gala!

What:   Class Basket! You get to be creative and determine the basket theme. Come up a list of items to fit your theme and work with parents to fill the basket!

Where:  To be bid on at the VCS Annual Gala

When: April 27, 2013 (Deadline for baskets is March 21, 2013.)

Interested? Please let your room parent know and contact the Gala Team directly at glechevallier@ssmoministries.org . We look forward to working with you, supporting your efforts and helping gathering items to support our students!