Dear Friends,
Happy Labor Day and end of the summer vacations! Here comes the fall season and back to school we go.
Our young men started this school year on August 17. We had a big Pep Rally to get them fired up to: Show up….on time, Tell the Truth, Do your BEST and Ask for Help! That’s what we ALL have to do every day, too, by the way! They are off to a good start. We have a new Principal and a new teacher this year….and many new young men who have joined us in the past 2 months. Pray that they all make it…one day at a time!
As I met with them at the ranch, they all seemed to be looking forward to this school year, but somewhat apprehensive too. They have typically not done well in school in the past, mostly because they have very poor attendance and very little encouragement at home. They have their transcripts and credits all over the place as well as Special Education documentation that we have to find and get up to date. We have 2 teachers and 2 aids that are employees of Golden Valley Unified School District and 1 Special Education teacher and her aid that are Madera County Office of Education Employees. They are all qualified and equipped to teach our young men. It is a challenging task because their abilities and grade levels are extremely diversified. Pray for our teachers and our new Principal, too as they do their best to educate our young men for this semester…..one day at a time! We appreciate our partnerships with the local public schools. Our school is on site at the ranch, just for our young men.
We are receiving our Re-Accreditation from CARF, a National Accreditation company this month. We originally were accredited 3 years ago, so this is a renewal. We do our best to keep the highest standards in our field. We will hear back from them within 60 days. I’m confident that we will be fine!
Our 16th Annual Fall Luncheon will be September 23 at the Golden Palace from 10:30 AM-1:30 PM. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by going to our Website: www.valleyteenranch.org .The luncheon menu is a Garden Salad, Thai Chicken with Thai Rice and Stir Fry Green Beans, prepared by Chef Matthew from the Painted Table. We had the tasting last week and it is delicious!!!! We also have fabulous Live and Silent Auction items, Raffle items, a homemade quilt and lots more fun! I hope to see you there!
“Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive His approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” Timothy 2:15
Peace….like a river,
Connie R. Clendenan, CEO Valley Teen Ranch