School Newsletter

August 8, 2019

Be Filled With Joy

‘Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

To God be the glory for a summer of God’s creative beauty in nature and the many opportunities to worship, praise, and serve God. Praise His holy name for the gift of rest and relaxation.

I thank you for your service in our NID schools. I saw, firsthand, the impact you have had on some children you taught in years past. It was a blessing to attend the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis this summer. The worship and praise opportunities with close to 24,000 high school youth, their leaders, and other special guests was truly God at work. To see the servant events and prayer walks was an example of the love the future of our church has for their Lord and Savior. It truly was a time of joy. Joy is a gift!

Now, we focus on the new school year with all of the possibilities and experiences it will hold for us. I came across this poem about joy and thought it was a great start to this year.

‘A Joyful Life’

Life is more joyful,

when in God we trust

it is more beautiful

when He’s working in us.

It is more pleasurable,

when we let God lead

it is more bearable

when His laws we heed.

Life is more joyful,

when in God we trust

it is more delightful

when He controls us.

It is more enjoyable,

Wwhen God shows the way

it is more gratifying

when to Him we pray.

Life is more joyful,

when we are still

it is more fruitful

when we do His will!

-Deborah Ann Belka

As the 2019-2020 school year begins to approach, it is my prayer that joy in Christ will fill all of your days. We are chosen and called to teacher God’s precious children. What a great gift and responsibility at the same time. The source of our joy and salvation is Christ and His work. We look forward to see what He will do in and through us.

Serving the Master Teacher,

Lois Stewart

Here are the latest opportunities to strengthen your faith, connect

with the community, and flourish in our life together.

Back to School Worship and Keynote

What better way to begin the new school year than to join in worship and praise together!

All school staffs (or a portion) are encouraged to join together at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2317 S Wolf Road, Hillside, on Friday, August 16. Worship will begin at 9:00 a.m. with President Buss as our preacher. Following worship, we will have an inspiring keynote by Rev. Bill Yonker of Immanuel Lutheran Church, East Dundee. The morning will conclude about 12:00 noon. We look forward to seeing many schools represented.

NID Leadership Workshops for Principals, Early Childhood Directors, and Admissions Staff

Topics for the Leadership Conferences at CUC this year include the social and emotional health of children, using Google Classroom, play based learning in Early Childhood programs, legal issues to be aware of (myth - Just because we are a small school it can’t happen to us.), NAEYC for Early Childhood, and more topics for your growth as a leader. View topics. Click here for Registration Information.

Early Childhood Network Meetings

Watch future newsletters for this important information and opportunities. We are excited to invite the Early Childhood Directors to attend the Leadership Conferences at CUC. There are special topic breakouts for you. Plan to attend. You may access the registration materials in the above entry.

Hearts for Jesus

Our NID ‘Hearts for Jesus’ focus for missions this year will be The Lutheran Heritage Foundation. There are informational items attached at www.lhfmissions.org.

Good Articles for Learning and Growing

Elements for a High-Performing Team: Why Getting Along Isn’t Enough by Nicole Bendaly (ASCD K-12 Leadership)
Christians and Social Media by Cheryl Magness (Reporter)
Don’t Dumb Down Bible Stories for Kids by Christina Embree (ChurchLeaders)

Empower Illinois

We are still celebrating and giving thanks that the tax credit scholarship is alive in the state for the coming school year. Here are a few facts for the schools of the NID. There are 529 applicants requesting scholarship. There have been 13 donations made that total $43,300.00. Just think…. Your donors can be part of assisting children remain in your school. Visit the Empower Illinois website at www.empowerillinois.org.

If you have questions and would like some assistance with ideas for fundraising, please contact Bobby Sylvester at bobby@empowerillinois.org.

National Youth Gathering

What a blessing it was to worship and praise with thousands of believers at the National Youth Gathering in Minneapolis! I give thanks for 65 NID congregations being represented and about 450 of our NID youth. Thank you to all youth leaders! Seeing the love for Jesus and celebrating our Real. Present. God. was an experience I will cherish for years. Here are a few fun facts about servant projects that were completed:

1,003,014 meals were put together for 'Feed My Starving Children'
1,013 kits were built for the homeless,
926 inches of hair was donated
574 veteran encouragement letters were written
463 units of blood were donated.

There were also houses being painted for veterans, prayer walks happening around the city, and so much more. God is truly working in the hearts of our youth to be the future of the church.

60th Anniversary of DCE Program

We will be celebrating the gift of our DCEs during the coming year! God blessed that ministry for 60 years. All praise and glory to Him for His blessing of DCEs.

ISBE News

Watch this area as the year progresses for information from the state of Illinois.

Inform Lois of Staff Changes

Please send all staff changes to lois.stewart@nidlcms.org for changes in staffing this summer. This includes: vacancies and Calls received, accepted and declined. We do not always know or hear of these without your quick email. Thank you.

Installation of Commissioned Teachers

Please contact Sue Green ( sue.green@nidlcms.org) to request authorization for installation of teachers before an installation date is published. The necessary transfer and/or forms need to be on file before an installation can be performed.

In the case of new graduates or colloquy teachers, it can take one or two months from the time Call documents are sent to the district office to be completed. Included in the process is the acceptance of the Call, the individual officially sending notifications to the university, district, and LCMS Rosters and Statistics, along with sending the application for inclusion on the roster to the district, verification from the university that all coursework has been completed, and the Council of Presidents granting approval for placement. Contact Lois Stewart with questions.

NLSA News

Congratulations to: Immanuel Palatine, St. Paul Mount Prospect, St. Peter Arlington Heights, Walther Christian Academy Melrose Park, and Zion Marengo on receiving their reaccreditation last spring. To God be the glory for the ministry they provide.

Watch your mail after September 1 for your invoice for your annual NLSA fee to St. Louis.

Review Your School Safety Procedures and RIF Policy

Click here for a menu of School Safety plan Templates. Review your Reduction in Force Policy so it is ready in the case you need to utilize it.

State Licensing FAQ

Visit www.isbe.net for details on the Illinois State Board of Education FAQ.

School Newsletter Sharing

If you are a school administrator, please share this newsletter with your staff and pastors. Better yet, encourage them to request receipt to their email. Please share this link with your staff: www.nidlcms.org/subscribe.

Retired Church Workers Luncheon

All retired workers are encouraged to save the date. The retired church worker’s luncheon will be at Trinity Lutheran Church 405 Rush, Roselle, on Wednesday, October 2, starting at 11:00 a.m. Watch for a formal invitation soon.

Chapel Talks

“Joy:Fully Lutheran” the 2019-20 “Chapel Talks for Lutheran Schools”, explores 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 and focuses on the joy of Jesus’ Word and Sacrament present in Sunday worship in the Christian congregation.

This year’s Chapel Talks is available as a free download at www.luthed.org/chapel-talks/ and also as a printed resource through Amazon.com.

National Lutheran Schools Resources

National Lutheran Schools Week provides the network of 1,950 LCMS preschools, elementary schools and high schools with the public opportunity to proclaim and celebrate God’s work in Lutheran schools. You can find resources at www.luthed.org/national-lutheran-schools-week.

FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE

Weekly Prayers and Devotions - Now Available in Spanish

Church Workers:

Update Your Contact Information Online . All rostered and non-rostered church workers are asked to please update their NID contact information when there is a change of email, address, phone, etc., or if new in the district.

Lutheran School Links and Resources

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