Founded in 1861
Zion Lutheran School provides a Christ centered approach to education. This education nurtures the child’s faith, equipping him/her to use and share that faith on a daily basis. Our Vision: That every child knows Jesus as his/her personal Savior.
LION’S ROAR Zion Lutheran School’s Monthly Newsletter (formerly known as News-N-Notes)
SAVE THE DATE COMPASSIONATE CHILDREN Wednesday, Sept. 14 Skate Party - Fun Spot
Sept. 12-16 Internet Safety Week Digital Citizenship Week Thursday, Sept. 22 HALF DAY - In Service Friday, Sept. 23 NO SCHOOL - In Service
CHAPEL
During the 2016-17 school year, our weekly chapel services will take place on Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Parents and families are welcome to join us! Our first quarter chapel offerings will go to the Honduras Mission.
CHOIR
Advanced Choir to sing on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 10:45 a.m. worship service.
Happy Birthday to all who celebrate in September.
One of the greatest joys (and challenges) in working with children at our Christian school is creating opportunities to teach them about God and His character. I pray that you find comfort and strength knowing that, at Zion, we concentrate our efforts on these teachings. I also pray that you find in us support to model and teach these same things at home. This year at Zion Lutheran Church and School, we are concentrating on this piece of scripture from Colossians 3: “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do,whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” This month’s student character focus is COMPASSION. I guess I’m a few weeks late in delivering this message to you as you transitioned your family from summertime relaxation to the scheduled routines of a busy school year. Was is smooth? It wasn’t in my house...in fact, it still is a little bumpy. They are exhausted, which has led to meltdowns, tears, lack of motivation to do things for themselves, a regression in manners, and several of the most difficult weeks we have had in months. Does this sound like your house? If so, were you able to practice compassion with your children? I wasn’t always. But even if I had been, I realized that it’s not enough to just be compassionate with my children. If I want them to learn how to be compassionate, I must model it in every way. My children are watching me. Every moment they are with me, they are looking to me to see what I do. As we teach about compassion at Zion this month, I want to encourage all parents and staff to practice and model it in several ways: Pray for others with your children. Take turns thinking of people in your lives who could use a little prayer, and then taking turns praying for those people out loud. Involve your children in serving. Serve as a family in your church, community, or even in our school. There is incredible value in learning to give of your time, talent, and energy. This is a great way to train our hearts to become more like Jesus’s servant heart. Model it by showing compassion to them, their classmates who wrong them, their teachers, the people in line at the grocery store, the guy who cuts you off on the road, your spouse, and yourself. Read scripture together to see what God has to say about compassion. (Matthew 20:26-28, Matthew 5:38-42, Matthew 5:43-45, Luke 10:25-35, Luke 23:34) We live in a world where compassion is not always evident, and God’s challenge is to clothe ourselves in this trait so all the world can see it in us. Accept this challenge because of your love for Him, and watch him transform your heart and the hearts of your children to be just like His.
Zion Lutheran School - Voted #1 Elementary School 2015 Belleville News Democrat’s Readers’ Choice Awards 1810 McClintock Ave. Belleville, IL 62221 Ph: 618-234-0275 zionoffice@zionschoolbelleville.org
1
SEPTEMBER CHARACTER TRAIT: COMPASSION Golfers and Hole Sponsors Wanted!
Registration is now open for the first ever Zion Open - a golf outing benefiting the Zion Tuition Assistance Fund. Join us on Saturday, October 1st at the Orchards Golf Club in Belleville for a day of fun, fellowship and fundraising. The 4-person scramble will begin with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. Don’t want to golf but want to support the event and our amazing school? Consider a hole sponsorship! Starting at $75, you can use your family name, shout out to a teacher, or a business name. You can also just join us for dinner. For $25, make plans for a yummy meal at the Orchards starting approximately 5 p.m. All registration and purchases can be done online at www.zion.gives.
2016-17 School and Church Theme Colossians 3:17 #WHATEVER “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 2
1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
SPIRIT AWARD IS BACK! - VOTING STARTS SEPT. 13
LET’S WIN $5,000 FOR ZION! SCHOOL SPIRIT AWARD
It’s time to show our school spirit again!
Vote for us for the 97.1 School Spirit Award and help us win $5,000 for our school! We were so close last year, making it into the top 10 and final round of voting. Please take a few moments each day starting Sept. 13 to vote and be sure to select Zion Lutheran School Belleville. Voting starts at noon on Tuesday, Sept. 13.
Here is the link to vote! www.971talk.com/spirit
SEND IN BOX TOPS Bring in those box tops - mark your baggies, and let’s earn some $ for Zion! Send in those box tops today! Questions? FastDirect Lisa Peters or call 618-558-3317
WALL OF HONOR - PHOTOS NEEDED Attention all military families at Zion - Retired military count
too!! We’d like to feature you on our Wall of Honor - the board located in the main entrance of our school. If you’d like to be featured on the wall, please submit a physical photo to the school office of you and your family. We will hang the pictures, once laminated, on our Wall of Honor.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR DO FOR OUR COUNTRY.
3
#WHATEVER BASED ON COLOSSIANS 3:17 At times Zion Lutheran Church and School may interview, photograph, audiotape, videotape/film a variety of activities and events. This material may be included in media that includes but is not limited to the Church/School Website, Facebook, Flickr, Twitter, etc. Additionally, photographs may be used by local newspapers or news stations. Please fill out permission form: https://goo.gl/forms/YSiwBwlU7sJAIXzw2
SKATE PARTY AT FUNSPOT
Wednesday, Sept. 14 $5 for pizza & soda, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Just Zion students, however you may bring family and friends but the rink is all ours! Skate rentals available- prices vary depending on type. Student Council & your Scrip/Gift Card proceeds pay the rink fee.
EARN MONEY OFF YOUR TUITION & MAKE MONEY FOR ZION!
SCRIP
The Scrip Program is a fundraising program for the school and a method of deferring tuition payments for families. The program works by simply purchasing gift certificates to buy items that you would normally buy from your favorite merchants. Each merchant listed earns a certain percentage and that percentage will be split between you and the school. Some merchants included in the Scrip Program include: Shop-N-Save, Kohl’s, Chick-Fil-A, Wal-Mart, Panera Bread Co., Applebees and Olive Garden/Red Lobster/Longhorn. Orders are on sale in the school office daily. 618-234-0275
Contact Kathy Rudolph for more information: krudolph@zionschoolbelleville.org
ASBESTOS In accordance with EPA regulations we are informing, all parents of children enrolled in Zion Lutheran School & Preschool that the school does contain asbestos. There is an asbestos maintenance plan available in the school office for all to review at anytime. You may also call Frank Rudolph, 628-0355 with any questions you may have concerning our maintenance program. Mr. Rudolph is our designated person as required by the EPA.
4
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
WELCOME NEW TEACHERS!
Zion Lutheran School welcomed six new teachers to our faculty this school year. This month, we are going to introduce three of them to you, with a bit of personal information shared. Next month, we’ll feature the rest! We hope you enjoy getting to know a bit more about each new teachers.
Mr. Dan Griffith Kindergarten Teacher I went to school K-8th grade at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Collinsville and graduated from Metro East Lutheran HS . I studied education and received my degree from SIUE in 2015 then did student teaching in Kindergarten and most recently served as a primary special education aide at Signal Hill School in West Belleville. My favorite bible verse is Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you ; I will uphold my righteous hand. The thing that excites me most about teaching at Zion is the opportunity to fill the hearts of my students with the love of Jesus. In my free time, I enjoy coaching and playing all sports, especially soccer and basketball.
Mrs. Liz Cleveland Preschool 3 Teacher Hi! I’m a preschool teacher for 3-year olds at Zion Lutheran School and I’m so excited to join the ZLS family. I’ve been teaching preschool for the last 8 years and I have a Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. What excites me the most about teaching at Zion is to be part of a school with such a great community feel. I love watching when little ones’ eyes light up when they learn something new or figure out something new. Something unique about me is I have my own Etsy Store and I love being crafty and making things. A little about me...I have been married for nine years and have two daughters. I grew up in Belleville!
Mrs. Tabitha Bennett 4th Grade Teacher I have an elementary education degree from UMSL and spent six years teaching, five of which were in a private school. I’ve been blessed to have had the special privilege of being home with my two children for the past several years. My favorite bible verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) I’m most excited about teaching at Zion to be able to teach in a Christ-centered environment and to get to know the wonderful staff. A fun fact about me is my family got to try out for the Family Feud when I was a teenager!
5
DEADLINE FOR NEXT LION’S ROAR: FRIDAY, SEPT. 30 ALUMNI SHOUT-OUTS! Former Zion Lion Mackenzie Koester is dominating on the volleyball court for O’Fallon Township High School!
Selby Warren is currently teaching English in Shenzhan, China, to second and third graders.
“Along with my good friend from church, I am co-leading a Bible study group for young girls in the community, called Bright Lights. Public school life caught me a little bit overwhelmed, but not off guard. I feel Zion equipped me well to ‘Go out into the world’.” Kailia Young 2015 Graduate
SPORTS LUNCH
CLICK HERE FOR ZION SPORTS CALENDAR - SEPTEMBER
CLICK HERE FOR SCHOOL LUNCHES - SEPTEMBER
FROM THE KITCHEN 6
Free and reduced lunch forms are available. If you did not get a form and would like one, please pick one up either in the school information center (turnstile at main entrance) or the school kitchen.
Please send all materials for the Lion’s Roar to Terri Marino - tmarino@zionschoolbelleville.org
2016-17
OCT
DATES 5
NOV
2
Voted #1 Elementary School
DEC
7
FEB
1
MAR
1
APR
5
BND’s Readers’ Choice Awards
WELCOME WEDNESDAYS Admissions Open Houses
We invite you to visit from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month during the school year. Tour the Campus, Meet Teachers & Staff and Get Admissions Information!
Click here to RSVP 618-234-0275 Can’t make a Welcome Wednesday? No problem! We’d love to show you around another time! Contact: Erica Stelling, Admissions & Marketing Director at estelling@zionschoolbelleville.org
Zion Lutheran School
1810 McClintock Ave. Belleville, IL 62221 School Office: 618-234-0275
zionschoolbelleville.org
7
COMMUNITY Family Table Night at Freddy’s in Shiloh raised $206 for our school. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to support ZLS. Next FTN: Thursday, Sept. 29th at Texas Roadhouse from 4-10 p.m.
COSTUMES OPTIONAL!
Volunteers Needed to support Team Community at the Downtown Belleville Trick or Treat Saturday, Oct. 28, 2016
$206 RAISED - ALL FOR ZION!
Represent Zion Lutheran School and hand out goodie bags to the kids and families at the annual Downtown Belleville Trick or Treat event. We will need volunteers between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. (or until our goodies are gone). This is a really important community event for our school and we’d love the help of our awesome families to help spread the word abot ZLS to our community. Email Erica Stelling to volunteer - estelling@zionschoolbelleville.org
Metro East Lutheran High School Events:
The 28th Annual Sigmund Bohnet Golf Outing in support of the ministry at Metro-East Lutheran High School will take place on Saturday, October 15th with a 12:30 (afternoon) shotgun start. There will be great food, fun, fellowship and golf as we support Lutheran Secondary Education. Please plan your foursome now and for additional information contact the school office or go to our website at www.melhs.org. Metro-East Lutheran High School invites prospective students to come “Shadow” for a day and see what life is like in the “Life of a Knight.” Prospective students are encouraged to shadow one of our current students and spend the day in classrooms, chapel, lunch, and visiting with students, faculty and staff, and become familiar with the daily ministry of Lutheran High. Interested students should contact the school office at 618-656-0043.” Cheerleading Clinic at Metro East Lutheran High on Saturday, September 24th from 11 to 3. All girls from grades 1-8 are welcome (some exceptions can be made for younger girls). It is $25 to attend, and each girl will be provided with lunch and a tshirt. We will be preforming a cheer before the homecoming game on Friday, September 3 8
COMMUNITY
ZION LUTHERAN CHURCH & SCHOOL TO HOST WATER STATION AT BELLEVILLE MARATHON VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are looking for volunteers to help with the First
Belleville Main Street Marathon, to be held the morning of Saturday, September 24 on the streets of Belleville. Zion will be hosting a water station for runners on the bike trail near SWIC, and we are looking for people to help hand out water and encourage the runners on! Our station is located near the end of the course at miles 18 and 22, so we will have the opportunity to give weary runners that extra dose of inspiration in the form of cheers, encouraging signs, music, and of course, water. If you’d like to support this community event, please contact Faith Spelbring at 310-210-3844 or dcefaith@hotmail.com.
SAVE THE DATE
2017 ZION LUTHERAN SCHOOL AUCTION Saturday, April 1 Regency Conference Center O’Fallon, IL
9
LIFE AT ZLS - THE FIRST WEEKS OF SCHOOL
10