PHILOSOPHY OF GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN SCHOOL

Introduction

All who have been brought to faith in Jesus Christ are commissioned by Him to preserve and extend the kingdom of God (Matthew 28:19-20). This becomes a corporate responsibility when Christians gather as a congregation. This is done by proclaiming to all, in the most effective way possible, the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Christian education, namely applying God's Law and Gospel to all aspects of life and learning, is a vital component of the Lutheran congregation's ministry. We believe "the most effective education agencies available to the Church for equipping children and youth for ministry are the full-time Lutheran elementary and secondary schools" (1983 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Convention Proceedings, Resolution 2-17). As an important ministry of the Lutheran Congregation, the Lutheran school helps fulfill the congregation's five functions: education, worship, evangelism, fellowship and service.

A statement of Philosophy

We believe that God is the source of all life, truth, knowledge and wisdom, the Creator of all that exists.

We believe that mankind was created holy by God, but lost his holiness through his own disobedience and needs spiritual rebirth.

We believe that salvation, eternal life and heaven are gifts of God, won for us by the obedient life, sacrificial death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

We believe that through Christ's sacrifice, God offers full and free forgiveness to all people who repent and accept His forgiveness.

We believe that the Holy Spirit wants to impart this belief to everyone through the power of the Word of God, the

Holy Bible, which is clear revelation of God Himself to mankind.

We believe that it is the responsibility of every Christian to teach others, including children (Matthew 19:15), the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ.

We believe that the Lutheran school is an extension of the home and congregation by reinforcing the parental training

God instructed us in Proverbs 22:6, under the guidance and support of committed Christian teachers.

We believe that it is the responsibility of teachers to instruct children in the saving Word of God, to nurture children spiritually, intellectually, physically, emotionally, and socially.

We believe that a Christian education will prepare children for the Christian role of serving God and others to the best of their unique abilities.

Purpose

Gethsemane Lutheran School is one of approximately 1,900 Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod elementary schools worldwide. The purpose of Gethsemane Lutheran School is to offer the members of its congregation and the surrounding community the highest quality education possible, based on the Christian values, beliefs and doctrines found in God's Word, the Holy Bible. This Christian instruction permeates the teaching in all subjects and activities throughout daily school life.

Objectives

Spiritual:

The students will grow in the knowledge of the Triune God and have a love for the Work of God, increasing the ability to rightly apply Law and Gospel in life. Through faith in Jesus Christ, the Savior from sin, they are assured of forgiveness, eternal life and salvation. This assurance of salvation is demonstrated through love and obedience to God's Word and service to others.

Intellectual

The student will grow in cognitive or thinking skills by demonstrating the ability to function at increasingly higher levels in tasks requiring classification, seriation, spatial relations, time relation, number concepts, causality, and representation of ideas. A variety of classroom and annual standardized testing programs are used to measure growth.

Physical

The student will develop the physical skills needed at each appropriate level through the use of games and activities. This growth will be demonstrated through interaction both in a structured setting and in free play.

Emotional

The students will develop or maintain a healthy self-esteem as valuable children of God. This will be demonstrated by their behaviors of self-discipline and responsibility for actions.

Social

The students will demonstrate an increasing ability to relate positively with teachers and other children. They will recognize a need to be responsible individuals in their interactions with one another. This can be observed as Matthew 18:15-17 is applied in the life of a student.

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE

I am pleased you are interested in a Christian Education for your child(ren). We are providing, for your convenience, this enrollment packet to give you an overview of the educational program provided to children at GETHSEMANE LUTHERAN SCHOOL.

It is our intention that students not only receive the finest academic education to prepare them for responsible citizenship, but that they recognize Jesus Christ as the CENTRAL FIGURE and DOMINANT CHARACTER in their daily lives preparing them to be positive witnesses to our community.

It is our hope and prayer that the whole hearted support given by parents, students, and teachers through actions and prayers, may serve to make Gethsemane Lutheran School a more vital and dynamic witness to our community.

OWNERSHIP AND CONTROL

Gethsemane Lutheran School is owned and supported by members of Gethsemane Lutheran Church L.C.M.S. The school is one of the educational agencies of the congregation. The Gethsemane Lutheran School Ministry Team, elected by the congregation, is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the objectives of the school program as set down by the congregation. The policies of the School Ministry Team are carried out by the Administrator who supervises the daily operation of the school.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

Gethsemane Lutheran School admits students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies or in the conduct of its athletic and other school administered programs.

Student enrollment will be accepted in the following order:

1. Baptized member of Gethsemane Lutheran School

2. Returning students of Gethsemane Lutheran School

3. Children from the community at large

NOTE: All children enrolling in Gethsemane Lutheran School must be properly immunized as required by State law. Parents must present legal proof of immunization prior to attending Gethsemane Lutheran School.

SCHOOL HOURS

Classes for grades K - 8 begin at 8:30 A.M. and are dismissed at 3:15 P.M. each day Monday through Thursday, and 8:30 - 2:30 on Fridays unless parents are notified otherwise. Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten (4 year old) class meets from 8:30 - 11:00 A.M. All students not participating in school sponsored extra auricular activities are expected to vacate the school grounds by 3:30 P.M. unless prior arrangements have been made. Students remaining after 3:30 will be placed in the After School Care program and parents will be charged the appropriate fees. A school year calendar will be published and distributed to parents prior to the first day of school.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Regular attendance is a significant factor in the education of children. Absence creates a break in the sequence of learning. Parents should contact the school office if their child is absent. All absences must be excused in writing by the parent guardian and be presented to the teacher on the school day following the absence. ANY CHILD WHO HAS BEEN ABSENT 30 OR MORE DAYS DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE FACULTY AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HE/SHE SHALL BE PROMOTED. TEN TARDIES WILL BE COUNTED AS A DAY OF ABSENCE.

CHAPEL SERVICES

An important part of the life of the students and faculty as Gethsemane Lutheran School is the weekly worship conducted each Wednesday morning in the church. Parents and friends are cordially invited to attend and worship with us. A chapel offering is collected each week for special mission projects.

HOMEWORK

Homework consists of assignments not completed in school that must be done outside of school time. It gives parents an opportunity to observe the study habits of their children as well as their caliber of work. Homework can best be done in a quiet, well-lighted room that is reasonably free from interruptions. A regular time should be set aside for such work. While the primary grades will have some homework, the amount of time needed will depend upon the ability of the child, his study habits, and the grade level.'

PARENT - TEACHER ORGANIZATION

The Gethsemane Lutheran Parent-Teacher Organization (P.T.O.) is organized to assist the Administration and teachers in promoting the welfare of students, and to foster better relationships and understandings between the home, church, and school. All parents are members of the Parent Teacher Organization. Parents are expected to attend regular meetings and participate in P.T.O. activities. Volunteer efforts by parents is always needed and greatly appreciated.

STUDENT PROGRESS REPORTS

Parents and teachers must establish a mutual understanding of the child's progress in all area of development in order for the student to assess his/her own abilities. A mid-quarter report will be sent home each quarter to keep parents informed of the student's progress in grades 4-8. Formal report cards are issued at the end of each quarter with the grades reflecting the child's progress during the quarter period. Parents are REQUIRED to attend the scheduled parent-teacher conferences held at the end of the first and third quarter.

HONOR ROLL

Students in grades 3-8 who achieve academic honors are recognized. Students achieving a 3.5 or higher grade point average are named to the GLS HIGH HONOR ROLL. Students who achieve a 3.0 or higher grade point average are named to the GLS Honor Roll.

DISCIPLINE

Discipline will be guided by God's Word and administered in Christian love. In any case in which teacher is unable to obtain desirable behavior from a pupil, the parents will be notified. If this does not bring about the desired results, the Principal will become involved. If a desired change doesn't occur, Gethsemane Lutheran School reserves the right to terminate a student's enrollment.

STUDENT APPAREL

As a Christian school, we expect our students to show pride in both their appearance and manner of dress. Research also indicates that student dress often sets patterns for classroom behavior. Gethsemane Lutheran School has a Uniform Standardized Dress Code for the students in K - 8. Students must dress according to the Uniform Dress Code. If students are improperly dressed, parents will be called to bring appropriate attire.

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