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DOWNLOAD THE 2007-2008 SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
OUR
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Since God has given us his Word, and it is able to create
faith, give knowledge of salvation, and create in us
holiness of living, this school exists to bring children
into the Scripture and to learn its essence, its purpose,
and its content. In so doing, it is our goal to make
our students lifelong students of the Scripture with
both the skills and the desire to continue in their
use of God’s Word. As the Holy Spirit works through
the Word in the hearts of children, he will use the
talents given children and the knowledge gained through
daily instruction in all subject areas to build useful
Christian lives.
Because
primary responsibility for education lies with the parents
and in the home, our school exists to assist parents
in the nurturing and training of their children. Since
the school is a part of the Church to aid in the carrying
out of its mission, the school actively shares the Church’s
concern for the spiritual health of the home.
In view of the diversity of abilities and the uniqueness
of each of God’s people, this school exists to
work with each child at his own level and to provide
a broad-based curriculum that serves the needs of all.
Since a wholesome relationship with God, one’s
fellow man, and oneself is essential to the development
and use of abilities, our school exists to provide instruction
and a social setting which facilitates wholesome and
proper relationships. The child will be led to see the
love of God for lost sinners, himself and others, so
that he may accept himself as God accepts him. Having
this relationship to his God will induce him to accept
others unconditionally as God accepts him.
OUR
SCHOOL’S PHILOSOPHY
(What
we believe to be true about education)
God
is the ultimate source of all truth. He has revealed
truth in his Word (John 17:17) and nothing is truth
that is in disagreement with his supreme Word which
is the Bible. God has revealed his truth to make us
wise for salvation (2 Timothy 3:15), but his Word also
gives the wisdom which makes it possible to place everything
in its proper perspective for life decision-making in
this world (Proverbs 9:10). Knowledge, wisdom, and understanding
are rooted in God’s Word (Proverbs 2:6). Enlightenment
through that Word is the result of the Holy Spirit who
always works through the Means of Grace. The Spirit’s
efforts result in faith in Jesus Christ, acceptance
of God’s Word as Truth, and the ability and willingness
to believe and live according to God’s Word. All
knowledge is then understood in its proper light and
applied correctly to one’s experiences. This is
wisdom. Wisdom affects behavior and attitude. It benefits
the individual, glorifies God, and serves others.
Primary responsibility for education (nurturing/training/instruction)
lies with parents and begins with fathers (Ephesians
6:4). The church, as the congregation of believers,
has the responsibility to guide parents and facilitate
education so parents can in every possible way bring
up their children as God wills (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs
22:6). God has equipped his church with the people to
accomplish these tasks (Ephesians 4:11-13). The education
of children is not optional but vital to their existence
and relationship to God (Psalm 78).
We believe that each child is unique, given a specific
set of gifts and abilities in specific quantities. God
who gives such gifts expects them to be developed to
their fullest potential to be placed in service to him
as he chooses (Luke 19:11ff). This can be done in the
life of each child by God’s enabling blessing (Matthew
6:33, Matthew 7:7-8, Psalm 144:15b).
A successful and well-adjusted life will result only
when a person comes to know God through his Word and
develops a wholesome relationship with his heavenly
Father through Jesus Christ. A person cannot get along
with and accept (love) others until he learns to understand
himself as God sees him. Though spiritually dead and
an enemy of God, he has been valued by God and loved
by him. Only when this relationship is established can
a person serve God and benefit his fellow man with the
knowledge he has learned and applied in the light of
God’s saving truth.
OUR GOALS
Spiritual: The child will:
1.
understand that he is a lost sinner but saved by grace
in the blood of Jesus.
2.
demonstrate a love for God’s Word.
3.
demonstrate an ability to apply God’s Word to life
and to life’s decisions (a discerning heart).
4.
have the ability and desire to pray.
5.
have the ability and desire to share his faith with
others.
6.
have an understanding of spiritual gifts.
7.
be able to understand and appreciate formal worship.
8.
have a desire to serve the Lord in a practice of good
stewardship.
Academic: The child will:
1.
have a working knowledge of Scriptural content which
enables him to use his Bible on his own.
2. be a literate citizen able to function in society
and contribute to the general welfare.
3.
be competent in all areas of society’s curriculum
according to God-given talents.
4.
have a foundation in all subject areas important to
his continuing education both secular and religious.
5.
apprehend all knowledge in the light of God’s Word.
Personal/Social: The child will:
1.
see himself as God sees him, no more and no less.
2.
be able to build relationships important in daily life.
3.
be well on his way toward building a useful Christian
life of service to God and his fellow beings.
4.
develop a wholesome work ethic.
5.
appreciate the blessings God intends through the family.
6.
be able to accept others.
7.
know how to practice appropriate etiquette.
8.
practice cleanliness and good health habits.
9.
have and use good communication skills.
10.
be able to manage material forms of wealth without being
materialistic.
NONDISCRIMINATORY
POLICY
Because our Lord has told us in II Peter 3:9 and in
I Timothy 2:4 that He is not willing that any should
parish but that all should come to the knowledge of
truth, Grace Lutheran School does not discriminate in
any respect on the basis of race, color, national or
ethnic origin. All students are treated equally in the
administration of its education policies, admission
policies, scholarship or loan programs, and athletic
and other school-administered programs.
THE
CURRICULUM
The curriculum at Grace is aimed at providing a Christ-centered
education for each child. It is the object of the school
that the total child be educated. An overview of the
curriculum follows.
Religion:
Instruction in God’s Word and Lutheran doctrine
based on the Word is a daily class. Bible stories and
historical lessons are taught in all grades. Instruction
in Dr. Martin Luther’s Catechism begins in grade
four. Memorization of Bible passages, the chief parts
of the catechism, and selected hymns is part of the
curriculum throughout the grades. In grades seven and
eight, the students study topics which can apply the
Bible to their daily lives. In preparation for Confirmation,
the seventh and eighth graders have classes with the
pastors (see that section of the handbook).
Language
Arts: The students progress from readiness in Pre-kindergarten
and Kindergarten, through reading instruction, to the
study of literature throughout the grades. Instruction
in English grammar and composition, as well as spelling,
is included in the curriculum.
Social
Studies: Social Studies classes begin with the basic
relationships of family, neighbors, and communities.
State History, the United States, and Western and Eastern
Hemispheres comprise the content in the middle grades.
Seventh and eighth grade courses conclude the curriculum
with the studies of World History and U.S. History.
Mathematics:
Instruction in mathematics provides a balanced emphasis
on recall of facts and definitions, the use of algorithms,
and strategies for problem solving.
Science:
Instruction begins with the basic principals of nature.
They progress through the areas of Life Science, Physical
Science, Earth Science, and the Human Body.
Physical Education: The Kindergarten through
eighth grade program has been designed to provide a
progressive education that is aimed at helping boys
and girls to build fitness, learn to a broad variety
of neuro-muscular skills, acquire a body of knowledge
about physical activity, and develop God-pleasing attitudes
and behaviors.
Music: Regular music classes include instruction
in theory as well as active singing. Classes and the
Jr. Choir regularly sing and the Handbells ring in worship
services.
Art: Art activities at every grade level are
planned to offer instruction in the basic principles
of art and to offer a broad range of outlets for creative
self-expression. Students use a variety of media in
projects appropriate to developmental levels.
Computers: The students receive training in basic
computer functions, keyboarding, and word processing.
Special Education: Concerns about a child’s
achievement and ability may be referred to the resource
teacher by parents, teacher, or principal. Testing and
evaluation for academic special needs may be considered
and carried out by the resource teacher. Children then
have the opportunity for special help. Arrangements
are made with the regular teacher, resource teacher,
and parents. Parents, teacher, and students work together
closely as the child strives for academic competence
at his/her level. (See Extended Learning Program section
for further information.)
Testing: Testing to measure academic progress
is done in the spring of each year. Currently, The Metropolitan
Achievement Test is given in grades three, five, seven,
and eight.
EXTRA
CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
ATHLETICS
Athletics
and all co-curricular activities are an extension of
our curriculum and program of Christian instruction
and training. They exist as vehicles to carry out the
purpose of our program of education. The foremost purpose
of athletics is to help your child grow as a disciple
of Christ. Athletics and athletic competition are designed
to help the young Christian athlete develop in his relationship
to God, to others, and to himself. As the experiences
of success and failure are encountered, we strive to
help the youngster deal with them in a way that brings
glory to his Savior. The development of a “team
spirit,” a work ethic, and the ability to set priorities
are examples of the goals we have for our program.
Parents
need to keep these purposes in mind as they deal with
their children’s coaches and participate as spectators
at athletic events. Our Christian parents and fans will,
by their conduct and cooperation, be a part of this
effort.
Student
eligibility is not determined totally by grades but
by attitudes. Students are expected to demonstrate that
schoolwork comes first and that public worship and serving
the Lord are more important than sports.
The
following sports are made available as staffing and
volunteer assistance permits:
Flag
Football: In the fall, the fifth through eighth
grade boys play flag football with various other area
schools. A schedule will be handed out shortly after
school begins. The times for practices will be from
3:00-4:15 P.M. on Mondays and Thursdays at Fugleburg
Park.
Basketball:
Our school offers interscholastic basketball for those
boys and girls in grades five through eight. Tryouts
for boys’ and girls’ A-Teams are held in the
fall. The Boys’ A Team consists of 7th & 8th
grade boys. The Boys’ B-Team consists of 5th &
6th grade boys. (The same applies to the girls in grades
5-8.) The schedule for games is available at parent
orientation.
Boys
in grades 2-3-4 have a mini-basketball season in the
late winter as do the girls in grades 3-4. (The mini
practices and game schedules are available just before
Christmas.)
Track:
There are three track meets in the spring of the year
for all boys and girls in grades five through eight.
A few practices are held in April and May one or two
afternoons after school.
Volleyball:
Girls in grades 5-8 may participate in an interscholastic
volleyball program which runs throughout September and
the first part of October. The schedule for practices
and games are available at parent orientation.
Cheerleading:
Tryouts are held for both “A” and “B”
team cheerleaders in the spring of the year. All girls
in grades five through eight are eligible to try out.
BAND
Individual
band lessons are offered weekly during the school day
to Grace students in grades 5-8 by the band instructor
from Winnebago Lutheran Academy. Band members also have
an opportunity to participate in a group rehearsal at
WLA almost every Saturday morning. Students interested
in band are invited to an organizational meeting shortly
after the school year begins. There is a charge for
these private lessons payable to Winnebago Lutheran
Academy.
HANDBELLS
We have two handbell choirs from grades 4-8. (Piano
lessons are a good background.) We meet twice a week,
once during school and once after school. Attendance
is required at rehearsals and performances. Warm up
time is (30) minutes before a church service. We also
ring at area WELS churches and at the WELS Handbell
Festival. Children wear black and white.
THE
JUNIOR CHOIR
The Junior Choir is comprised of selected voices from
students in grades 5-8. Tryouts are held each spring.
From within the choir a smaller group is selected called
The Celebration Choir. Rehearsals are held twice each
week, one during the school schedule and the other after
school.
The
main purpose of both choirs is to sing the Lord’s
praises in church services. Occasionally the choir performs
for religious functions or civic events.
SCHOLASTIC
ACTIVITIES
Students have opportunity to participate in various
activities that make use of their scholastic activities.
These include band lessons (See “Band”), spelling
contests, forensics competition (public speaking), math
competition, and science and art fairs.
EXTENDED
LEARNING PROGRAM
Our
Extended Learning Program exists to enhance and extend
classroom learning. Our primary effort is remedial reading
and math. Students who have been referred by a classroom
teacher are placed into a specialized instruction program
geared to their individual level. It is hoped that by
catching many problems in the lower grades, many more
“at risk” students can receive assistance
with their problems.
Additional
assistance can be provided through the Oshkosh Public
School System. The District has a system for applying
for evaluations of student difficulties by special “multi-disciplinary
teams”. These M-team evaluations are not binding
on parents; however, the evaluations often confirm our
suspicions or help us to plan appropriate remedial strategies.
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