We are working to settle into new routines and schedules and hope to continue growing our program over the school year.

Our vocational program has two parts: on-campus and off-campus.

On-Campus, students work in teams on tasks such as cleaning tables/railings/window ledges, organizing cabinets, resetting/refilling/cleaning the coffee house for the next day's business, and many other activities.

Off-Campus, students go to a variety of community businesses such as YMCA, Fazoli's and Roots Market Cafe to learn on the job training. Students participate in various tasks appropriate to the location they are at.

This is a wonderful opportunity for businesses to get free workers, for the students to learn wonderful job experiences and for the school to make community partners.

This course is most often offered to our students every year as a general education course which offers them the opportunity to move, participate in sporting activities at their own level and interact with peer tutors in a fun and meaningful way.

All activities are adapted to the abilities each student has. Students are encouraged to participate in activities as independently as possible, though, peer tutors, adult paraprofessionals and the teachers are available to support as needed.

Students have the opportunity to play basketball, kickball, indoor bowling, exercises on the gymnastics mats, dancing, walks outdoors, ride scooters, badminton, and many other games and activities.

One of the most promising concepts was to start coffee carts in our high school which would be serviced by our Applied Skills Students and would serve teachers who signed up.

We presented our idea to the Director of the Media Center, Mrs. Kris Arthur, who offered us a counter and a room where we could create a true coffee house space and lounge area.

For four years, we utilized that space, then shaed the space as 2/3 of it was taken to create the z-space by VCS. During the complete overhaul and construction of Valparaiso High School, SGCH was temporarily 'homeless' but Tarik El-Naggar offered us a counter space in his technology area from which to serve coffee in the mornings. Coffee carts continued.

In December of 2018, our permanent space was built and we moved in. Furniture, sinks, countertops, an ice machine, a glass-front cooler and electricity was offered by VCS. The teachers worked with Kraft-Heinz to procure a double brewer coffee pot/hot water tap, a bubbler and an ice-coffee dispenser. As money was brought in, the program was able to add other elements to the coffee house to give it character and ease the creation and sales of the drinks.

In March of 2020, the coffee house closed down, along with most of the world. When VHS returned to school in August of 2020, the coffee house remained closed. The coffee house reopened in January of 2021 and has been a wonderful location for our students to learn a variety of vocational skills.

Some students come to the coffee house to assist with drinks and sales before school and then during hours 1, 2 and 3.

At the end of the school day, students rotate through schedules, which give them experience at cleaning, inventory, set up, running coffee carts, restocking, drink creation, balancing the cash drawer, etc.

The Valparaiso High School Simply Gifted Coffee House is one of the few brick and mortar coffee houses in the state of Indiana and has become a program in itself where other schools reach out to learn about how to implement it in their own locations.

Mrs. Dawn Tucker:  Dawn is starting her 8th year with our crazy family.  As a mom of 2 young adults and one daughter-in-love, she also has an extensive background in special education and many other areas.  She’s not scared of anything! She loves to bake and brings that and so much more to the program.  She also assists in Mr. Evan’s classes and with jobs on and off-campus with our students in the afternoon. 

Mrs. Kaytlyn Nettrouer:  Kaytlyn was a peer tutor in high school and has been with us for 10 years as she raises her 2 sons with her hubby.  She is a great helper with the kids on jobs on and off-campus, in the kitchen and in the classroom.  She is super fun and brings that fun to the room.  (If there are shenanigans going on, she is surely involved!) 

Ms. Eden Wilson:  Eden was a peer tutor in high school and completed one year with us as a para.  She is a VU grad and is now following her dream of becoming a special education teacher.  She is a kind and gentle soul who stepped up and ran our coffee house this past year. 

Ms. Kate Andrews:  Kate came to us mid-year via Ms. Eden!  Kate is also pursuing her special education teaching license.  We are so happy to have her creativity and spunk back again this year. 

VHS offers the following Sports:

Fall:

Flag Football: Coach Todd Winland twinland@valpo.k12.in.us

Bocce Ball: Coach Sarah Albers salbers@valpo.k12.in.us

Winter:

Bowling: Coach Sarah Albers salbers@valpo.k12.in.us

Spring:

Track & Field: Coach Sarah Albers salbers@valpo.k12.in.us

Physicals are due prior to competing. Doing them over the summer is often best, if your child will participate in a Fall Sport. Physical packets may be picked up in the Athletic Office and will be returned there as well. Once the packet is turned in, the parents must go online to complete "Final Forms"; this information will come from the coach or the Athletic Office.

Additionally, the coaches (as well as VCS and VHS) use Viking Connect to communication with parents. It is an app that all parents should download to receive information for Unified as well as messages from the school.

After 15 years, Mrs. Morales took time to be with her family and various teachers held the sponsorship.

For 6 years, Mrs. Amy Sorrick, a social studies teacher, was the sponsor. In 2025, Mrs. Liz Waldon and Mrs. Meredity Seydel became the sponsors and are planning wonderful activities for the students.

Amongst the typical events are Trunk or Treat, Fall Walk, HOPE Club Prom, FriendsGiving, etc.

If students require some additional support, families will need to be present to offer support to their child.

For more information on H.O.P.E. Club, please email: ewaldon@valpo.k12.in.us or mseydel@valpo.k12.in.us

These teens are known as peer tutors and come daily during the time that once was their study hall. They do not get credit for participating in this program; we have discussed it over the years and peer tutors themselves stated they do it because they want to, not for credit. If it was a credit bearing program, teachers would be responsible for creating curriculum, assignments and evaluations for the peer tutors in addition to the students. This would take the teachers' attention from the most important thing - the students. As well, students would take the class for credit and not for the love of the kids. We are proud that our peer tutors earn 180 hours of volunteer time during one school year just through peer tutoring.

Our students love to be with the peer tutors; it's more fun to learn alongside someone their own age.

Peer tutors can go to gen ed classes with the students, walk them to and hang out with them at lunch, in PE, and to the bus.

Our program is over 30 years old and we are very proud of it and of everyone who makes it special.

VCS has been sending out messages via Viking Connect and eventually, it will replace our texting and some emails. This is how you will find out about snow days, days off, events, activities, etc.

The superintendent wants everyone to use Viking Connect as the primary way of getting and giving information.

Here is more information:

Viking Connect is the name of the communication tool Valparaiso Community Schools has chosen. It is part of the Parent Square System and all parents of VCS students should download it to their smart phones.

Viking Connect will be a way for communiction to be pushed out to families from teachers, coaches, administration.

Teachers can send emails/messages, pictures, and much more. Coaches will use it to share information, share schedules and more.

Viking Connect  |  Get Connected!!!
Viking Connect is the Primary Communication Tool for ALL VCS Families
Please Download the App to Your Personal Communication Device

Download it today. If you have questions, please call the main office or the administration building.

Will they participate in a Day Program? Hold a job? Go to college?

How do you decide?

Here are some things to look into.

Contact The Arc of Indiana:

https://www.arcind.org/

They have wonderful advocates who are knowledgeable about programs, financial support, transitioning from school to adulthood, planning for the future (when mom, dad, guardians are no longer around), trusts, guardianship, insurance, advocacy.

Reach out to Stacey Singer from Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) for an appointment during the year before your child leaves high school. https://www.in.gov/fssa/ddrs/rehabilitation-employment/vocational-rehabilitation-employment/

VR can begin working with your child in the Discovery Program to determine if s/he might be able to find and hold a job in the community or if a day program might be a better option. They can provide resume creation, support with job interviews, job learning, job shadowing, etc.

Ask VRS about programs/agencies such as Opportunity Enterprises, Help at Home, Center for Possibilities, TradeWinds, New Hope of Indiana, The Arc of Indiana, Dungarvin, Accessabilities, Globe-Star, In-Pact, etc.

Do you have the Medicaid Waiver? Have you applied? What is it? (No matter what your child will do after high school, apply for the Medicaid Waiver ASAP!)

You do not have to be on Medicaid for this. This waiver is life long money that can help your child receive the support necessary for holding a job, living in semi-independent living, take driver's training, provide respite care, provide therapies, etc.

Contact the Bureau of Disabilities Services (BDS, formerly Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services/BDDS): Phone: (219) 981-5313

Address: 110 W Ridge Rd, Gary, IN 46408

Learn more here: https://www.arcind.org/supports-services/medicaid-waivers/

Have you checked out colleges?

Mrs. Morales has visited two that are fairly close by, but there may be others.

Check them out online. Go for a tour! Ask quetions. See if they have something to offer your child. YES, college might be a possibiity!!!

Sheperds College: https://shepherdscollege.edu/

• Culinary

• Horticulture

• Technology

• Life Skills

• Independent Living

• Spiritual Life

• Activities

Erskine Green Technical Institute:

https://www.erskinegreeninstitute.org/

Muncie: EGTI Muncie offers training in hospitality, food service, healthcare, and inventory distribution.

Indianapolis: EGTI Indianapolis (does not have housing/dorms); students must commute.

• Riley Hospital for Children

  • Environmental Services

  • Nutrition Services

  • Kitchen Cook

  • Inventory Distribution

• Allison Transmission

  • Manufacturing: Sub-Assembly

There is a lot of research to do!!! Don't delay. Begin visiting online to narrow down agencies that might work for your family. Then begin taking tours to collect information and ask questions.

Students who apply for the services have a number of hours which can be spent with Anabel in order to prepare them for life after high school.

OE is searching for the next wonderful staff person to assist our students dream past what they might expect they can do.

Questions ? Please contact Opportunity Enterprises or Vocational Rehabilitation.

https://youtu.be/fN0BclrvT28?si=nufOWhsKO49MPbA5