I am excited to share news of three new hires. Right after Christmas break, Mrs. Michelle Marinello began as our new School Counselor. She taught middle school students for about 10 years prior to becoming a school counselor. She is with us every Thursday, meeting with students and consulting with teachers.
On Monday of this week, Mr. Will Bales began as our new 6th grade teacher. Mr. Bales is a recent graduate of Concordia University Chicago. He is in the process of transitioning into the full-time position. Once that is completed, Mrs. Underhill will teach two upper-level math classes and have more time for her assistant principal role. With that, Mr. Koehne will no longer be teaching, and will devote his full time to principal duties.
Next Monday, Mr. Julian Tyus will begin as our new art teacher. Mr. Tyus has a Master of Fine Arts degree from the School of the Arts Institute of Chicago and is currently as Lecturer in the Painting and Drawing department at SAIC.
We are excited about all three of these hires and look forward to the positive impact they will make with our students.
Next week students in Grades 2-6 will complete their winter MAP testing. Check out the Gradelink calendar for specific dates.
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School News
Photos for 8th grade and groups will take place on February 6 and 7. You should hear from your group leader about which day your child's photos will be.
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Our last home game for our Boys Varsity Basketball Team is Monday, Feb. 5. We will take a moment at the start of the game to recognize our two 8th grade players, Maxwell Armstrong and David Blackman. Come out to cheer and support our Vikings as they play Holy Family Lutheran School in our gym.
5:00 pm game time. Go Vikings!
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Grace refugee and Migrant Ministry -
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The fourth-grade class is hosting a special winter lemonade stand for students on Thursday, February 8 during lunch, from 12:00-12:30. All of the proceeds will go towards buying a sofa bed and house items for a refugee family who just moved here this week! A glass of lemonade will cost $1 and so will a bag of chips. Thank you for supporting this family and the Grace refugee and migrant ministry!! |
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Everyone is invited to join us and represent Grace Lutheran School at the Forest Park 28th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade on Saturday, March 2 at 1 pm. Email Ana Garcia at agarcia@graceriverforest.org to let us know that you would like to walk in the parade with us!
We will be handing out green lollipops!
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Saturday, February 17, 2024
9:00 am - 11:00 am
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Bourbon Tasting and Donation Party - February 3, 7pm (adults only) |
Please join hosts Cheryl & Ed Bourelly (Maya, 6th) and Aimée and Marcus Davis (Esmé, 6th and Aïda, 8th) for the evening to sample a variety of bourbons to benefit Grace school. We will provide the bourbons to taste, and you bring one unopened bottle (per couple) of bourbon, whiskey or scotch valued at $40 or more. |
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Only these items are needed: winter jackets, sweatpants especially for men and boys, leggings for women, hoodies, and layering items, socks, gloves, hats, blankets, suitcases, and sleeping bags. We continue to need new underwear for men, women, and children. For men boxer briefs in small and medium. For women underwear and sports bras in small and medium. For children underwear in all sizes, particularly for boys. We ask you please to stick to this list.
(there is a collection bin in the atrium).
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Basketball Concession Help |
Please sign up to help make Grace Basketball a success! We need help setting up, selling and cleaning up for concessions. No experience required. You don’t need to be on the team to participate.
Students can earn service hours also!
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We invite you to join us for this year’s Graceful Evening on Saturday, March 9 at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park. Our annual gala is a much-anticipated event filled with fun, fellowship, cocktails, a sit-down dinner and our famous Dessert Dash. As our largest fundraiser of the year, it also includes a silent auction, raffles, wine & whiskey pulls and a paddle raise – all to raise money to support Grace Lutheran School's classrooms, faculty and students.
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Tickets are on sale now at graceful2024.givesmart.com. There are several other ways to support Graceful Evening: you can become a sponsor, buy an ad, donate a silent auction or volunteer. Room parents will be sharing more information about the silent auction and volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks.
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Our latest school blog post features the wonderful Shena Tines and her daughter! Discover what led Shena to our school family in the first place and why she will continue to send her daughter to Grace this upcoming year. |
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Our mission at Grace Lutheran Church and School is to bring in, build up, and send out disciples for Jesus Christ.
Our school prepares children for a life of discipleship by helping them to grow in faith, knowledge, and character.
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Grace Lutheran Church and School | 708-366-6900 | www.graceriverforest.org |
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