January 8, 2024
Principal Corner
Principal Stockman Helping Students wherever he can!
This past Sunday I spoke to the congregation at the 8:00 am service about how I came to be called to ministry and the joys of being Principal. Here is a recap of what I had to say.
I was born into ministry and have been in ministry my whole life. My father was a pastor, my sister was a Lutheran School teacher who then started and directed a Lutheran Early Childhood Center, and my brother is currently a pastor in Morris, Minnesota. I was born early in the morning on a Sunday, and the story goes that my father left the hospital after I was born and went and preached and led the service where he announced my birth to the congregation.
Being around the church and living in the parsonage next to the church, when it came time to go to college I had no intentions of going into ministry, it was not even an option for me when I first started college. My dad said I could go to any college I wanted, but he was only paying for my college if I went my first two years to Concordia, St. Paul. Needless to say, I went to Concordia with a plan to major in Business Administration. During my sophomore year I still remember very vividly where I was when I decided to change my major to become a Lutheran school teacher. The Holy Spirit worked in me to follow the path God had for me.
As principal of Trinity Lutheran School, I am so thankful that I can share my faith with my students each and every day. The biggest joy I have as principal is talking with students about my faith and how God has been with me through my entire life. It is a joy to share the troubles I have had and how God has led me through those times and helped to strengthen my faith. I also make a point to encourage students to consider a path in ministry. Telling students that I can see them in different ministry positions. Even if students do not go into a ministry career in the church, I encourage them that they can use their career, whatever it is, to still minister to those around them in how they conduct themselves in their career.
CHAPEL OFFERING
In January, we are collecting for Lutheran’s for Life. In the past, we have had a contest throughout the month and collect in two different baby bottles to see who collects more, the boys or the girls, in each class. This year is no different. The baby bottles have been distributed and the students will have a little friendly competition to see whose can contain more money.
BASKETBALL SEASON IS HERE
Basketball season is in full swing with lots of games and practices throughout the next couple month. Check out the calendars for times when our teams play! We encourage all families to come watch the games! We always need help with concessions and the score clock and book! Sign ups for upcoming games and be found below or in the description of each event on the calendar.
If anyone knows any referees that would be available for our home basketball games, please send Mr. Stockman or Jacqie an email. We are limited on who is available this season, similar to last season.
January Choir Dates
Sun, Jan 14th : 6-8 Grade Choir @ 10:15 Service
Sun, Jan 21st : K-2 Choir @ 10:15 Service
TLS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT JANUARY 26th & 27th
The TLS PTL us a HUGE FACTOR in this tournament running smoothly. They take care of the ticket taking and the concessions and we need all hands on deck to make this successful! The more help = the more funds we raise = the more benefits for the students and school from the PTL! This is our best fundraiser every year and we need all of YOU to make it successful! Sign up below and get your service hours fulfilled!
Limited to Water
Please, help keep our students from bringing anything but water to school. We have had a few instances of messes created because of open containers like cans of pop, etc. We would prefer, that only water is brought to school. This also allows opportunity for earning other beverages among the students. For growing children and adults, water is essential and we should push good daily hydration . We ask again that only water be brought from home by students from now on. In fact, we encourage drinking water throughout the day!
Did you know you could earn money for our school and toward your tuition? Did you know it’s as easy as purchasing gift cards for things you likely are already spending money on like gas and groceries? With RaiseRight (formerly Scrip) you can do that! They also are great for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers! We have lots of $5 & $10 for Barnes & Noble and Starbucks available at the school.
How does it work? We purchase gift cards at a discount and pass along the savings to you in the form of tuition credit. We have physical cards at the school, the order form (Click HERE) shows what we typically have on hand. You can send in your order with your student or send an email or stop in the school office.
Earn from anywhere! There is also a website and app! You can get instant access to E Cards right at your fingertips! You can also order physical gift cards to pick up at the school. Even family and friends can support our school by using the website or app wherever they are!
Check out more information here: https://www.raiseright.com/
To sign up and link our school, enter the School Enrollment Code: F6CE27485255
Clothing for Cold Weather
What to wear when the weather turns cold? Here are the guidelines we use to determine what the students should wear outside. Be advised that we are very firm on these rules, so please make sure that your child has the appropriate clothing that is needed.
Below 55, they need long sleeves.
Below 50, they need a sweatshirt or jacket.
Below 40, they need a winter coat, head covering (hat, headband or earmuffs, NOT just a hood), and gloves or mittens. If they do not have the correct type of coat, or head covering, they will need to borrow from someone else, or use something from the Lost and Found. We do not have kids stay inside unless they are sick.
To play in the snow, they must also have snow pants and boots. They will need to stand on the sidewalk if they do not have either of these items.
If it is muddy outside, we will require the students to wear boots, even if there is no snow. This is to make sure we don’t track a lot of dirt into the classrooms.
SLEDS that are soft/foam or roll up may be brought and left at school.
EVERYONE should have a pair of tennis shoes that stays at school for gym class and if they forget their shoes.
School Closings and Delays
Note that we follow the JWP Schedule, so if you see they are off, we will be following suit.
Emails: TLS will send an email to parents to the email address supplied to the school.
Procare: A Message will be sent out via Procare. Even if you don’t have the app, you should still receive an email with the message.
Text Alerts: Sign up on the KARE 11 and KSTP ABC 5.
Posted on TV Websites: KARE 11, KMSP FOX 9, KSTP ABC 5, and KEYC News 12.
You can also check out the Google Calendar under Parents > School Calendar to subscribe.
Payments in PROCARE IS NOW LIVE! You now have the option to pay by card within the Procare App for SAC or WAC! Paying by card will have an added processing fee. You also are able to pay via the MyProcare.com where you all registered for school. Auto payment via ACH is now also an option for SAC or WAC payments. More information sent via email to all the current SAC or WAC families. We will expand it for tuition and lunch for next school year.
All End of Year Statements for taxes for SAC or WAC charges in 2023 have been mailed out. Please watch your mail for those. All tax information regarding tuition will be sent from the church in the month of January, so keep an eye out for those as well.
FRIENDLY REMINDERS:
Arriving at school before 8:10 am, please go through the gym unless you are a Preschool parent.
At the end of the day, please remain outside and wait for your student. They are released at 3:05 pm.
When a child is going to be absent, please send a message via Procare (it gets to both the teacher AND the office) OR make sure you are sending a message to both the teacher and the office if not using Procare.