Connecting People to God's Grace | | FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S DESK | |
Dear Grace Families,
I hope you all had a great week! The calendar continues to stay busy around Grace! Please read through everything in this week’s Titan Times so that you do not miss anything of importance.
Whole School Field Trip - Thank you to everyone who drove and chaperoned the field trip today! It was a fun place and everyone seemed to have a great time!
Cruisin’ at Grace Car Show - Thank you to everyone who was involved in the car show last weekend. Whether you brought a car, volunteered in some way, had your children sing the national anthem, or helped out in another way, your service and time are greatly appreciated! I do not have final numbers, but I do know that over $6,000 was raised for Friends of Grace (FOG). Every year, FOG gives thousands of dollars back to the school in order to complete a variety of projects.
Sturgis Bank School Savings Program - The school savings program started this past week, but you can still enroll if this is something you are interested in. Deposit days are every Tuesday morning from 7:50-8:10 in the narthex. If you are interested in participating in the Sturgis Bank School Savings Program, here is more information, and here is the application.
Bingo, Cider, and Donuts! - Last week, there was a typo in regards to this event. The PIE sponsored bingo, cider, and donuts activity is taking place on Sunday, September 27 from 3:00-5:00pm. Come for an afternoon of fun and treats!
Titans on the Track - We are four weeks away from this event! As of this morning, we have raised $2,338, and 43 students are participating. Our goal is to have 100% participation! Whether a student participates in the fundraiser or not, all students will participate in the color run on Friday, October 9!
Faith Foundations - Interested in learning more about the foundational teachings of the bible? Want to know more about the biblical truths your children are learning in school? Interested in becoming a member of Grace Lutheran Church? The Faith Foundations bible class begins on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00pm, and repeats again on Saturday, October 3 at 2:00pm. If you are interested in joining this class, please reach out to Pastor Jenkins (jenkinsp@gracestjoseph.org).
Upcoming Events
- Sunday, September 20 - Grades 4-8 sing at Grace’s 10:30 worship service
- Friday, September 25 - Grades 7 & 8 Titan for a Day at MLHS
- Friday, October 9 - Titans on the Track
- Wednesday, October 14 - Friday, October 16 - Fall Break
- Sunday, October 25 - All students sing at Grace’s 10:30 worship service
- Monday, October 26 - Grandparents’ Day
God’s blessings to you and your family!
Mr. Reich
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Sunday, September 20, 2026
Sunday Worship Service 8:00 and 10:30 am
Bible Study and Sunday School 9:15 am
Grades 4 - 8 sing at the 10:30 service
Monday, September 21, 2026
Hamburgers and Fries
Girls' B team 1 Volleyball home game vs St Paul SH @ 4:15 pm
Girls' B team 2 Volleyball game at Trinity SJ @ 4:15 pm
Girls' MS Volleyball practice 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Boys' MS Soccer game at Berrien Springs @ 6:45 pm
Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Chick fil A
Girls' B team 2 Volleyball game at Christ @ 4:15 pm
Girls' B team 1 Volleyball practice 3:30 - 4:45 pm
Girls' MS VB home game vs OLL @ 6:00 pm
Boys' MS Football vs Red Arrow Raiders at New Buffalo @ 5:00 pm
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
Taco
Girls' B team Volleyball practice 3:30 - 4:45 pm
Girls' MS Volleyball practice 5:00 - 6:30 pm
Boys' MS Soccer game at Cassopolis @ 6:45 pm
Thursday, September 24, 2026
Subway Sandwiches
Girls' MS Volleyball home game vs Eau Claire @ 6:00 pm
ML Homecoming Carnival 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Friday, September 25, 2026
Chapel
Grades 7 & 8 Titan for a Day
Saturday, September 26, 2026
Men's Morning Basketball - 7:00 - 8:30 am
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER YOU CAN EXPECT:
- 2026-2027 School Calendar
- Urgent Need for Hot Lunch Help
- Faith Foundation Classes
- Fall Fun Information
- Dig Pink Volleyball Game
- Titans on the Track
- Middle School Dance
- Message from the Library
- Afterschool Information
- September Hot Lunch Calendar
- MLHS Homecoming Carnival Info.
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URGENT
Hi everyone,
Hot Lunch Day—is in danger of being canceled, and we need your help to save it!
To keep the program running, we desperately need volunteers to step in every Wednesday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
We all know how much the kids love "Mom’s Hot Lunch" the best, but we simply cannot keep it going without a few more hands to help prepare and serve the food. If we can't find enough volunteers, we will have to eliminate the program entirely.
How you can help:
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Take a shift: Can you spare 3 hours, one day a week?
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Team up: Split a shift with a friend or alternate weeks to make it even easier.
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Spread the word: If you can't make it, please share this with other parents, grandparents, or caretakers who might be available.
Let’s work together so our kids don't miss out on their favorite lunch tradition. Please reply directly to this message or contact the main office if you can cover a shift!
Thank you so much for your support!
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Titans on the Track
Dear Grace families,
Mark your calendars! Titans on the Track, our biggest fundraiser of the year, is coming up on Friday, October 9th. This fundraiser is put on by PIE (Partners In Education) and 100% of the proceeds go directly to funding fun events (like the Lake Arvesta field trip, the Daddy/Daughter Dance and Mother/Son events, Grandparents Day, and our Summer Picnic, just to name a few!) The funds raised also support teachers and students directly by way of teacher stipends, wish list items and other needs that come up throughout the year.
Your Titan can take donations online, or by check or cash, from family and friends to support them in our annual event. An envelope will be coming home to help them track their progress/donations. The actual Titans on the Track event will take place during the school day on our campus, with most of the school class walking/running at different times throughout the day and ending the day with a color run!
Last year, we had a goal of $20,000 and raised more than $41,000! This year, our goal is to raise $20,000, again! LET’S GO, TITANS!
This year, we’ll be using the same website platform for online submissions and to watch our school grand total. Please follow the link below to register your Titan(s) and start logging donations. Once your child is registered, you’ll be able to share their unique link, or share the Titans on the Track fundraising page, and donors can search your child’s name from there.
https://glp.betterworld.org/campaigns/titans-track-2026/new-participant
Students who hit their goal of $75 will take home a Titan winter hat!
Other ways to donate: send cash or check (made out to Grace Lutheran Memo: TOTT) in the envelope provided or donate via PayPal to gracechurch45@gmail.com (please make sure to note that it’s for TOTT and the name of the student it is in support of).
Last year, we had a limo lunch to celebrate the amazing amount that the students were able to raise - stay tuned for this year’s exciting culmination!
Today marks 6 weeks until TOTT; let’s do this, Titans!!
Thank you very much for your support! Please reach out to gracelutheranpie@gmail.com with questions.
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Dear Grace family,
We are excited to connect your kids to God’s grace through the school library this year! A few things to note:
1) Your teacher will be in touch regarding which days/times your student will visit the library this year. Once again, classes will visit every other week, and therefore books may be borrowed for a two-week time period. Depending on age/grade, students may borrow between one to three books.
2) We ask that families treat the library as a privilege and an opportunity to teach students the responsibility of borrowing and returning things, and in good condition. We recommend keeping your school library books in a designated place (preferably not a backpack, as they tend to get beat up that way, or are at risk of water bottle spills) so that it’s easy to find once their library day comes. Please help your child to remember to return their books by, or on, their library day. This will ensure they are able to check out a new book when visiting the library. At the end of each month, notices will be sent home requesting that overdue materials be returned ASAP. At the end of each trimester, any books that have been overdue for six or more weeks will be considered lost and require replacement, for which you will be contacted with instructions on how to pay.
3) A standard fee of $10 for lost/unreturned books. (This amount represents an average of the cost of books replaced over the last four years.) Again, this will not be charged until the book has been overdue for at least six weeks. If this fee is not paid (or the original book is returned) the student will not be permitted to visit the library or check out any other books. If parents wish to provide a replacement copy, books can be replaced only with a book matching the ISBN number and in excellent condition.
4) If you are interested in volunteering in the library - whether you’d like to spend time with the kids in the library or do something that fits into your schedule, like review books that have been donated or reshelve and organize the books - we have work for you! Contact us if you’d like to be involved.
5) Everyone has different standards of what content is appropriate for their children to consume. In partnership with the school board, we are doing our best to keep books in the library that glorify God. However, our standards may not match yours, or we may miss something. Please send an email if you find content you are concerned about so that we can investigate.
Serving you in Christ,
Grace Librarians – Audrey Whitten and Kate Kohtz
library@gracestjoseph.org
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Grace Lutheran School After School Care (ASC)
Young 5s – 8th Grade
Program Overview
• Hours: 3:15 PM – 5:30 PM (Full school days only; unavailable on half/partial days)
• Location: Fellowship Hall (Lower Level)
• Rate: $5.00 per student / per day
• Eligibility: Available to all enrolled Grace Lutheran families as a bridging service
between the end of the school day and the end of the workday.
Daily Schedule
Time Activity Details
3:15 PM – 3:50 PM Students check in with ASC teacher, belongs in cubby, seat at
assigned grade table.
3:50 PM - 4:00 PM Snack Time
4:00 PM - 4:25 PM Quiet Reading, Puzzles, Homework, etc.
4:25 PM - 5:15 PM Free play indoors or outside
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM Students and staff clean and pack up
Daily Check-In & Sports Policy
• 3:30 PM Grace Period: Any student not picked up by 3:30 PM will automatically be
sent to ASC for supervision.
• Student Athletes: Any student participating in sports who attends ASC prior to their
practice starting will be charged the standard $5.00 daily rate. Students returning to
ASC after practice concludes will also be charged the standard daily rate.
Pick-Up & Safety Procedures
• Location: Enter through the Gym Entrance (Door 10) to sign out students.
• Authorized Pick-Up: Students are only released to individuals designated on the
Emergency Contact Information form. Contact the office for temporary changes.
• Late Pick-Up Fee: A $10.00 fee applies for pick-ups after 5:30 PM. Please notify the
ASC supervisor if you are running late. Special circumstances (e.g., medical
emergencies) should be communicated to the principal.
Billing & Financial Assistance
• Invoicing: Billed monthly via email. Payment is due upon receipt.
• Past Due Accounts: If unpaid after 1 week, a paper bill is mailed. Accounts must
remain current to continue service.
• Accepted Payments: Cash, check, or PayPal.
• Financial Aid: Need-based assistance is available for qualifying families.
Applications are available in the school office.
Student Expectations
• Conduct: ASC is an extension of the school day; all standard school rules and facility
care guidelines apply.
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School Contact Information:
Mr. Nathan Reich /reichn@gracestjoseph.org / 920-461-2822
Mr. Justin Wiechmann / wiechmannj@gracestjoseph.org / 262-203-6053
Mr. Chris Avila / avilac@gracestjoseph.org / 608-769-1979
Ms. Hannah Schneekloth / schneeklothh@gracestjoseph.org / 507-475-1428
Ms. Kennedy Doble / doblek@gracestjoseph.org / 248-309-7949
Mrs. Anne Thorson / thorsona@gracestjoseph.org / 269-926-8503
Mr. Gregory Rush / rushg@gracestjoseph.org / 269-588-9008
Mrs. Nancy Leifer / leifern@gracestjoseph.org / 253-625-6272
Mrs. Nicki Barabas / barabasn@gracestjoseph.org / 269-635-7592
Ms. Elizabeth Graham/reimerse@gracestjoseph.org/269-930-3822
Mrs. Hannah Mueller / muellerh@gracestjoseph.org / 920-242-0407
Pastor Paul Jenkins/ jenkinsp@gracestjoseph.org / 309-433-5807
Mrs. Mary Duehlmeyer/ duehlmeyerm@gracestjoseph.org/269-313-5940
Mrs. Sandy Sempert / school@gracestjoseph.org / 269-449-4102
Middle School Athletic Director
Mr. Chris Avila / avilac@gracestjoseph.org / 608-769-1979
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Grace Lutheran School
St. Joseph, MI 49085
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