GPLHS Monthly Update
May 2021
Prayer for Great Plains Lutheran High School
Heavenly Father, as another school year at Great Plains Lutheran High School draws to a close, bless the final weeks of instruction and learning. Be with all of the students as they transition to summer activities. Especially, we pray, let your hand of blessing be upon the 2021 graduates as they prepare for further training and embark upon lives of service. Thank you for all those who have faithfully served throughout the year, teaching, supporting, and encouraging our youth in their walk with you. Bless their efforts to your glory. Amen.
Delegate/Auxiliary Meetings
The next GPLHS Association Delegate and Auxiliary meetings are scheduled for Saturday, May 1, beginning at 10:00 am. The delegate meeting will include in-person and on-line attendance options. Since in-person attendance is uncertain, a meal will not be served in connection with the meetings.
Panther Field Day
We are excited to hold Panther Field Day in-person. This year Panther Field Day is scheduled for Friday, May 7. Area Lutheran elementary schools often participate, but the day of fresh air, fun, fellowship, and friendly competition isn’t just for students at these schools. All grade school students (and parents) are invited to attend. The activities begin about 9:30am and wrap up around 2:00pm. To get more information, or to let us know you are coming, please call 605-886-0672. A tour of the school will be offered at Noon on Friday. Join us!
Panther Field Day Lunch Option
The junior class of Great Plains Lutheran High School would like to provide a lunch option for those of you attending or participating in Panther Field Day. This meal is a fundraiser for the Class of 2022. Proceeds will help defray the cost of the senior class trip next year.
  • Meal: Your choice of a hamburger or hot dog plate: including chips, dessert, drink
  • $5 for the hamburger plate
  • $3 for the hot dog plate

Thank you, in advance, for your support of the junior class. We look forward to serving you on Panther Field Day.
GPL Booster Club Meeting
The Booster Club will hold a meeting on Wednesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend and give their input to this organization and the ways in which it supports GPLHS programs and activities. We look forward to seeing you there. 
Camp Luther
We want to share that Camp Luther will not take place this summer. The camp is conducted at Sibley State park in MN. The state parks system in MN has not opened up their group centers so we are unable to hold camp this year. A variety of options are being pursued so that we can have Camp Luther next year. 
Panther Camp
Panther Camp will take place this summer with the following COVID adjustments. This year we will be accepting applications for students entering grades 8 and 9 in the 2021-2022 school year. The camp will be slightly shortened, beginning Wednesday evening, June 9, and concluding by noon on Saturday, June 12. You can find registration information by clicking here or visiting the GPL website. Registrations can be sent to the GPL office.
Building Construction Update
Work on the auditorium roof has been completed. The construction crew will next be working on the structure linking the auditorium to our current school building.
Crews are pushing forward on construction of the new kitchen/commons, with the goal of completing this area prior to the start of school in August. Structural steel is in place. Exterior framing has been completed and the roof has been installed. Next, the floor will be prepped and poured, windows will be installed, and interior framing will take place.
United in Praise Update
God continues to bless our efforts to raise the funds needed to bring our United in Praise facility expansion to completion. Generous gifts of all sizes are making it possible to pursue this $5 million project.

As of March 31, we have received the following donations:
  • United in Praise – General:  $2,513,579
Pledge fulfillments are ongoing and additional gifts are being received
  • United in Praise - Finishing Touches: $217,381
Providing furnishings and equipment for the new spaces under construction; goal = $560,000
  • United in Praise - Bridging the Gap: $126,350
Reducing the amount that will need to be financed to complete the current construction
Mission Advancement Update
In March, GPL donors received an invitation to support Finishing Touches and consider a similar Active Ministry gift to provide ongoing support for our students, programs, and general operation. We also asked interested individuals to consider how they might use stimulus payments to support gospel ministry.
In the final two months of the fiscal year (May and June), we have a significant challenge before us – reaching our Active Ministry support goal. Take a look at the graph shown here.
May God be glorified as we strive to provide the facilities and support the programs that will be a tremendous blessing to our students and everyone connected with our ministry for many years to come. 
Anniversary Celebration Postponed
We wrapped up our last anniversary event for this year with the grade school basketball tournament in March.

With the ultimate goal of celebrating the ministry of GPLHS to God’s glory with all who would like to attend, the GPL25 committee has decided ... READ MORE
New way to Register for the GPL Golf Open
With the warmer weather our thoughts turn towards summer and for GPL that means it is time to prepare for the annual Golf Open. This year registration and payment for the open can now be done online using the bidpal platform that we have utilized this year for Fall Festival and our Finishing Touches campaign. You will find all the information you need and be able to register at this link.
Kaleidoscope and Graduation
The year-end Kaleidoscope concert is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 21. The following day graduation will be held – Saturday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. Both events will include in-person attendance and will be live streamed.
Dates to Note
  • May 1...............Delegate/Auxiliary Meeting – 10:00 am
  • May 7.............Panther Field Day 
  • May 12...........Booster Club Meeting – 7:00 p.m.
  • May 17-19........Semester Exams
  • May 20............Arbor Day
  • May 21.............Semester Exams
  • .........................Spring Awards Ceremony 4:00 p.m.
  • .........................Kaleidoscope Concert 7:00 p.m.
  • May 22.............Graduation 10:00 a.m.
  • June 9-12.......Panther Camp
  • July 12.............Mark your Calendar! GPL Golf Open Register NOW
OUR MISSION
Great Plains Lutheran High School provides a Christ-centered education to assist families in nurturing students as lifelong disciples of Christ.