St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, School & Kinder Place

To help celebrate our Christian education, on Monday, January 23^rd, St. Paul’s will have an Open House from 8:00 – 8:00.  This Open House is designed for all families.  Come and take a tour of our building and see the space where our students learn.  Come and see our students integrating their new technology skills to enhance their learning.  Come and see our science lab open with students demonstrating their scientific knowledge via hands-on learning.  Come and hear about our enhanced emphasis on music education for all our students. Come and hear about our free tuition option as well as other incentives for families.  Invite your friends or stop in and see for yourself what wonderful Christian learning is occurring at St. Paul’s Lutheran School!   

During the month of January we ask families:  Why send your child to a Lutheran School? Our response today focus’s on the staff. Lutheran schools have educators who model visionary leadership.  They practice stewardship of resources, build up and empathize with others.  Lutheran schools have educators who model servant leadership.  They grow as individuals, are healthier, wiser, freer, more autonomous, and more likely themselves to become servants.  Lutheran schools have educators who model spiritual leadership.  They study God’s Word, share their personal faith story, apply Law and Gospel appropriately, exhibit a passion for ministry, act courageously, equip God’s people for service, care for others, demonstrate integrity, and pray.  WOW!  What wonderful reasons to send your child to St. Paul’s Lutheran School!!

During the month of January St. Paul’s begins its’ registration process for the 2012-2013 school year.  At St. Paul’s we are proud of the Christian education our students receive.  So, during this month, we ask our families:  Why send your child to a Lutheran School? Our answer:  Lutheran schools are driven by a commitment to the Gospel.  They are focused on a mission of bringing hope and healing to students and their families.  Lutheran schools meet or exceed state and national academic standards at all grade levels.  As stated in previous communications, at St. Paul’s we have set academic goals and are working diligently toward them.  Mark your calendar:  We have an Open House scheduled for families to visit on January 23^rd.    

Epiphany is this week.  “We put a star on the top [of the tree] because it reminds us of the star that showed the wise men to Jesus,” writes Lucas L. from second grade.  Lydia D. continues:  “The color gold reminds us that Jesus got three gold presents from the wise men.”  This time of year is “the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth,” writes third grader Zak. And for second grader Connor, “The gingerbread cookies’ smell reminds me of the frankincense.”  “The wise men gave him incense,” writes Elly.  This wonderful Christmas story continues in the daily instruction at St. Paul’s School.  And while the hustle and bustle of Christmas may be winding down, our students know and express the real meaning of Christmas.  “It is always fun to praise the Lord.  All people should praise the Lord.  I love the Lord always,” says Kylie, a second grader. May this be said of all of us as we enter this New Year.

“Christmas is an important time to celebrate with your friends and family, the birth of Christ our Lord and to remember why we celebrate Christmas,” writes one of St. Paul’s eighth graders.  Why do we celebrate Christmas?  “I think that the real meaning of Christmas is that God would give His only Son to die on the cross.  There is no greater love than His,” writes another eighth grader.  St. Paul’s students know the REAL meaning of Christmas and why Jesus came to earth. “God loves us and gave His Son to die on the cross to save us.  He also gives us strength,” writes another.  It is the wish of the Board of Christian Education and all the staff at St. Paul’s School that you and your family keep Jesus in your Christmas and gather His strength around you throughout the New Year. 

Merry Christmas!

“Christmas is important to me because Jesus was born,” writes one of St. Paul’s seventh graders.  This theme is what our St. Paul’s students and staff demonstrated so wonderfully in last weekend’s worship services. St. Paul’s School is alive with the message of Jesus’ birth!  Another seventh grader writes, “I think that the meaning of Christmas is that God gave us the best gift we could ask for.  That was His perfect Son that would forgive all our sins.”  Kennedy, a second grader writes,” I celebrate because it is Jesus’ birthday.”  Kylie, another second grader writes:  “I think Christmas is fun.  It’s mostly about praising Jesus’ birthday.”  The message is clear to our St. Paul’s students:  Jesus IS the best gift of all this Christmas season.    

“Christmas is all about Jesus,” writes Connor C. in second grade. He’s right!  Nathan O. tells us that, “The Christmas tree points to heaven. We celebrate Christmas because it means Jesus is coming again.  The gingerbread smell reminds us of the frankincense.  The red reminds us that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The circle reminds us of everlasting life.  I like putting ornaments on the tree.”  Elly P. says that her “…favorite part of Christmas is it is Jesus’ birthday.  I sleep well.  I make cookies with my mom.  The wise men gave Him incense.  I love snow.” All the second graders at St. Paul’s wrote their thoughts about “What Christmas Means to Me.”  ALL of them told about Jesus, his birth, and His coming again. This is the message St. Paul’s teachers love to share at this time of the year.  A Christian education truly matters. Just ask Clayton P.: “I love Jesus. He is coming when the world is gone. He loves us. … He is the nicest person.” Christmas truly is all about Jesus! (Next week:  More Christmas thoughts from St. Paul’s students.)

This month the 7^th and 8^th graders at St. Paul’s will be participating in the Junior Achievement Finance Park.  Taking students into the world of business, JA Finance Park is a month long economics education program that introduces personal financial planning and career exploration.  It is designed to be taught to middle grade and high school students by classroom teachers.  At the culmination of this program, students visit JA Finance Park to put into practice what they’ve learned about economic options and the principles of budgeting.  Assisted by their teachers and a staff of trained volunteers, they have the opportunity to actually develop and commit to a personal budget. This is a lifelong skill and a perfect month in which to implement it!  (Nest week: Christmas thoughts from St. Paul’s students.) 

A new rhythm band is in our midst.  The students in grades K – 2 will experience a rhythm band for the first time this year.  This concept is far more than a student just keeping an even beat, but it incorporates music theory where young students are “reading” music as they play with notes and rests.  Beginning this rhythm band and reading music at this young age gets students ready for their many wonderful years of music experiences at St. Paul’s!  …  Now, over the last few weeks we have told you of these marvelous new instrumental opportunities for our students.  Attend church services in December and you will have the pleasure of hearing St. Paul’s students displaying all their musical capabilities!   What a wonderful way to showcase the talents of our St. Paul’s students AND celebrate Christmas!!

Recorders are flute like instruments that have traditionally been used in grades 3 & 4 to get students interested in playing a musical instrument in grade 5.  This year, St. Paul’s is expanding the classes from playing only soprano recorders to playing harmony in 2 or more parts.  This more advanced instruction is a closer match to the “real thing” of playing a musical instrument.  In addition, our students are experiencing this harmony at a younger age – thus making them more capable when they begin playing an instrument!  Our students are so excited about this new opportunity (and so are their parents)!   (Next week: new music in grades K – 2)