LLHS ready to begin ’18-19 school year

Lakeside Lutheran High School will open its doors to incoming freshmen on Friday, August 17, 2018. Freshmen begin their school year a day early to get a chance to learn their schedules, meet other incoming freshmen and explore co-curricular opportunities. Classes begin for 427 students on Monday, August 20. That’s an increase of 22 from the close of the 17-18 school year, a 5% increase. This is also a 22.7% increase in the past five years.

The theme for the 2018-19 school year commemorates the 60 years completed as a ministry with the phrase, “Decades of Faithfulness” that invokes Psalm 86: 11: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” The theme will be a focus in devotions and other events throughout the anniversary year.

The Opening Service and installation of new faculty will take place as part of the first day’s events on August 20 at 10 a.m. in the west gymnasium. Pastor Timothy Schwartz from Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Columbus will offer the devotion during this special chapel service. The community is invited to attend.

Lakeside Lutheran faculty number 35 for the 2018-19 school year, including back row, from left: Damon Tracy, Science; Hannah Uher, Science; Ruth Hirschfeld, Director of Extended Learning; Pastor Mark Toepel, World Languages; Jenny Krauklis, PhyEd, Math; Phil Dretske, Math, Computers. Second row from top, L-R: Pastor Clark Schultz, Religion; Jim Buege, Director of Choirs, English; Nate Sievert, PhyEd, Math; Phyllis Huska, Librarian; Darice Brumm, Extended Learning Aide; Pastor Don Schultz, Assistant Principal, Religion. Middle row, L-R: Jeff Meske, Career and Technical Education; Lori Tetzlaff, Art; Glen Pufahl, Director of Bands, English; Nathan Koerber, World Languages; Cameron Ausen, Social Studies; Steve Lauber, Director of Admissions, English. 2nd row up, L-R: Tim Matthies, Math;  Matt Doering, Social Studies; Justin Vanderhoof, English, Social Studies; Pastor Mike Helwig, Religion; Dan Kuehl, Director of Instruction, English; Todd Hackbarth, Math, Videography. Front row, from left: Jodie Schommer, English; Andy Asmus, Social Studies; Andrew Willems, Technology Director, STEM Academy, Computer Science; Sandi Corlett, FACS, Health; James Grasby, Principal, Religion; Paul Bauer, Science, Math. Missing are Kirk DeNoyer, Activities Director, PhyEd; Pastor Chris Koschnitzke, Religion; Andy Rosenau, Guidance Director, Computer Science; Gerry Walta, World Languages.  

New faculty that will be installed include Mr. Nathan Sievert, instructor in the Math and Phy Ed departments, as well as basketball and track coach. He and his family moved to the area from St. Joseph, Michigan, where he taught at Grace Lutheran School. Mrs. Hannah Uher, who will teach Science and coach soccer and cross country, is a December 2017 graduate of Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minn. She double majored in Secondary Chemistry and Life Science Education. Pastor Michael Helwig served at Crown of Life, Hubertus, for the past 15 years. He will be teaching Religion and coordinate Operation Go, a mission-minded program to help LLHS students share the gospel. Also being installed is Justin Vanderhoof, who taught at Martin Luther School, Neenah, Wis., for the past 15 years. He will teach English and geography, as well as coach football and track.

Along with several new faces this fall, Lakeside Lutheran is in its inaugural year of a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Academy, a special program for students interested in taking engineering or biomedical sciences in their post-secondary education. The Academy is designed to add classes yearly as the first-year cohort ages through the school using Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum. The first year class, Introduction to Engineering Design (IED), will be facilitated by Technology Director Andrew Willems.

Lakeside Lutheran High School is a four-year high school located in Lake Mills, operated and supported by a federation of 31 congregations affiliated with the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod and the Evangelical Lutheran Synod. For additional information about Lakeside, log on to www.llhs.org or call 920-648-2321 and ask for Principal James Grasby.

Principal’s Pen: Stop squirming

“Stop squirming!” How many times have you said that, witnessed someone saying it, or wished someone would say it—perhaps to a restless child or two? Some may even recall hearing those words directed at them.

God also says, “Stop squirming!” The psalmist writes, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Although our circumstances may differ from those of a fidgeting child, the message has a similar intent.

Life often distracts us from our true purpose to “love the Lord [our] God with all [our] heart and with all [our] soul and with all [our] strength and with all [our] mind” (Luke 10:27). We frequently live life, not considering the consequences of our actions. When we focus only on the here-and-now, it is only a matter of time before we begin “squirming” after the world’s allurements. Soon we find ourselves completely drawn away from our true purpose, only to follow an ungodly course.

At these times, God says, “Be still, and know that I am God.” His power, his wisdom, his goodness, and his righteousness are all we need. Furthermore, he makes them ours by grace through faith in Christ. When we are tempted to focus more on the present than on the hereafter, God’s voice calls us back to the reality of making him our highest treasure.

“Stop squirming!” God gives us all we need for this life and the life to come.

Jim Grasby is principal of Lakeside Lutheran High.
Reach him at 920.648.2321 or jgrasby@llhs.org