Dear Valley Christian Community,

As we begin this new school year, I am filled with gratitude for what God is doing in & through Valley Christian Schools. It is truly a privilege to serve as your Chairman, & I am honored to work alongside our Board, leadership, faculty, staff, & families in carrying forward the mission & vision of VCS.

Over the past few years, our school has walked through seasons of transition – welcoming new leadership, including our Head of School, Troy Thelen, & our principals, Principal Rugg & Principal Johnson. Through it all, God’s hand has been evident. He has provided the right leaders at the right time, & today, our Board has complete confidence in Troy & our dedicated leadership team to lead VCS into an exciting & fruitful future.

Over the last few years, we have seen remarkable milestones that reflect God’s faithfulness:

• Purchased Our Tempe Campus | Grateful to use favorable bond financing to expand our reach & strengthen our mission
• Sold Our 14-Acre Property | Allowing us to steward resources strategically for future growth with the property initially intended for our K-8 expansion
• Introduced Parent University | Equipping families with tools & encouragement for raising culture changers for Christ
• Expanded Engage Trips | Sending 350 students & staff all over the world to serve & grow in their faith
• Currently Serving 1,070 Students K-12 | Each one being equipped to be a culture changer for Christ
• Updated the Bradley Gym | Providing improved facilities for athletics & community use
• Constructed the Brand-New K-8 Gymnasium | Providing a long-awaited athletics & multi-purpose facility for our young Trojans
• Completely Funded Valley Square at the K-4 Campus | A new space that strengthens community & connection
• Built on Beloved Traditions | Including what I believe is the best Homecoming in the country, our Trojan Tournament, & numerous fine arts showcases
• Earned Our 85th Athletic State Championship | Furthering our strong legacy in Trojan athletics, including 34 consecutive years with at least one state championship

These moments are more than achievements. They are testimonies of God’s provision & reminders that He is at work through VCS. As we celebrate these blessings, we are reminded that the call to be culture changers for Christ starts with us as parents & as the VCS community.

Our students are watching – learning from how we live, serve, & lead in our homes, workplaces, & communities. There is perhaps no better way to represent the school’s theme for this year, Who We Say We Are, even while at home.

Looking ahead, our Board will be focusing on four key Strategic Initiatives that will guide our efforts & ensure VCS’ continued strength:

Academic Excellence

Providing a Christ-centered education that challenges minds & shapes hearts

Facilities Planning

Ensuring our campuses serve today’s students while preparing for tomorrow’s growth

Missional & Organizational Alignment

Creating unity & clarity between staff, the Board, & VCS families

Long-Term Financial Sustainability

Building a foundation for VCS’ mission to thrive for generations to come

This year, I want to offer a gentle challenge: be intentional about modeling what a culture changer for Christ looks like in your own life. Look for ways to live this out in front of our students – whether that’s serving alongside them, encouraging their teachers, or simply showing them through your daily life what it means to follow Jesus faithfully. When we lead by example, we not only strengthen our community but also inspire the next generation to live boldly for Christ.

Lastly, please continue completing your ParentPulse surveys, & please do so full of both truth (honest, specific) & grace (humble, kind). Troy & his leadership team review these surveys each week, all year long, & even report back the results to our community via quarterly We are Listening videos. This is the best method to provide your sincere feedback to the school in a helpful, constructive manner. Your feedback matters because your partnership to VCS matters.

On behalf of the Board, thank you for your prayers, encouragement, & active participation. God has blessed VCS with a strong foundation, passionate community, & bright future. We are excited for all that He will do this year, & we step forward with confidence, knowing the best is yet to come.

In Christ,

Michael Gauthier

Chairman of the Board

Valley Christian Schools