Enriching lives and sharing Christ through quality, classical Lutheran education.

The Purple Note

September 26, 2024

After School ABC Care

We are so pleased to have such great enrollment at MLS this year! With increased enrollment comes increased needs for after-school ABC Care   We currently have a record high number of students signed up for ABC Care.  It is our goal to keep this affordable and flexible for our families. We are currently adding more staff to meet the needs of more students.

Our concern is that if all of those registered showed up for ABC Care on the same day, we would be under-staffed and considerably cramped for space. Granted, that has never happened at ABC Care, because our numbers fluctuate so much from day to day and week to week. However, our numbers ARE higher daily than past years, so we do want to always be prepared.

There are a few ways you can assist us.  We are happy that our students love to get together after school. However, ABC Care is not meant to take the place of a play date or for social time with friends. Our goal is to provide childcare for our parents working during those after-school hours. We will have some social activities/clubs coming up in the school year to help meet that social need.

Your understanding is greatly appreciated in this situation. It’s just another growing pain as Martin Luther expands! Thanks for your help!

A Friend in Need

One of our Kindergarteners, Royce Cheadle, is battling cancer in Fargo. He is not able to be in the classroom at this time. While he is away, his teachers are working to support his education. They have put together an Amazon Wish List for Royce. which includes hands on learning activities that will support him in his education at this time. Please consider supporting him by purchasing an item to send to him. If you do order an item, please order it off of his Wish List specifically. That way we will know it has been ordered and will reduce the chance of duplicates.

Amanda Cheadle 

244 Boeing Ave. 

Bismarck, ND 

Thank you for considering!

Royce's Wish List

2024-25 Purse Raffle

Once again we will be participating in a fundraiser project, Purse Raffle, to raise money for the playground and/or other school supplies. This year, ten designer purses will be given away. More information on this project will be coming out soon.

Our Back-to-School Night - We have some changes this year! 

Parents, please read.

Try as we might, sharing what classical education is has been a challenge! As teachers, we see the great benefit of this philosophy and want to share the process with our families. Thursday, September 26^th is labeled as a back-to-school family event which is somewhat a misnomer as it will be an event for our parents only.

We are offering the opportunity for our parents to learn more about classical education, to learn how to define it more easily. If someone asks about classical education, this evening’s event will improve your understanding of the classical education philosophy.

You may ask:

·       Why do we teach Latin?

·       What is this “Timeline” song that our kids keep singing?

·       Why do our students learn cursive?

·       How is this different from what or how other schools teach?

·       How does this teach my child how to learn?

This will be an interactive event where participants will experience lessons and activities taught classically.

I want to be clear that while this was labeled a “family event,” It is actually for parents/ adults only. At this time, we are still working out the possibility for childcare, but we do not have the specifics on that just yet. We do want to let you know in advance about this event so that you can plan accordingly. 

We will have a drawing 3 times for two weeks of free lunch for those who attend. You’ll have a chance to meet other parents, as well as learn more about education at Martin Luther School!

MLS Guardians

Martin Luther School Guardians is a program to involve the fathers/father figures at our school. We appreciate the gifts that they can bring whether be assisting with security or engaging with students at in various activities such as lunch, recess, or chapel. Your presence can make such a difference in the lives of our students.

We are asking male volunteers to be present during the day at Martin Luther School. The amount of time available is not limited to a whole day. We would appreciate a volunteer sign up for at least a half day (morning or afternoon) but if you are only able to be present a few hours, please do not hesitate to sign up.

To become a MLS Guardian, please fill out the Volunteer Form and submit. Please fill out and return the Authorization for Background Check to the school office. Forms are also available in the school office. Once the appropriate documentation is submitted, please sign up to spend time at Martin Luther School as the MLS Guardian. Each Guardian will receive a T-shirt to wear during your time in school acting as the MLS Guardian

Picture Day

September 17th at Martin Luther School (Zion Location)

September 18th at Half Day Preschool (Shepherd of the Valley Location)

MLS Clothing Store is Open

The Clothing Store is open until September 6 at midnight.

Check out the PLANNER! :) 

If you haven't done so already, check out your child's MLS planner! These planners play a big part in communication regarding homework, school events, spelling and Latin word lists, and the recitation information that we work on each week. (We have gone away from the weekly newsletter as it didn't seem to be very effective.) 

The image seen here is information that our students work on all week, K-8. We modify what is expected pertaining to the child's grade level, but even the kindergartners will be familiar with the timeline at the bottom of the page. (Just ask them to sing the "Timeline Song!")

From 3rd grade on you can expect that your child will need to practice these recitations each night. They usually go along with a song to help them remember. The math facts are extremely important to practice as it will help them as math becomes more challenging. It is amazing how much our students can learn through simple repetition AND with song!

You'll have a chance to learn more about our recitation and classical education on the parent event, Thursday, September 26th.

Hair Concern

One of the things that is so important for good understanding between student and teacher is clear eye contact. We communicate so much when we give our teachers eye contact. Many times it affirms that our students understand what we are saying without directly having to ask.  



That being said, long hair in a student's eyes can make this very difficult at times. Long hair is not a problem, but when it prevents clear eye contact between the student and teacher, it can become a hindrance to learning.  If your child has long hair, especially when it comes to bangs, please devise a way to keep that out of their eyes during the school day. (head band, barrettes, clips, etc.). Thanks for your help with this!

Remind

We use the Remind app to inform our families about cancellations due to weather, any emergencies that may arise, as well as general reminders about concerts, events, etc. To join our group, follow the procedure as is shown in the photo.

Martin Luther School's Facebook page has changed. The Martin Luther Page is still visible, but we are unable to add to it. To see the up to date Facebook page, click on the following: Our New Facebook Page.