School Newsletter: June 3, 2021

Well Done

"May my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on the new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants." Deuteronomy 32:2

It is hard to believe that the end of another academic year is here. Time passes so quickly as schools and classrooms will close with a different look this spring. Although there has been a new way to learn and teach the last few months, I saw students filled with an eagerness to learn, dedicated teachers, and a lot of learning that took place. Take a moment and reflect on the last months where God blessed you to instruct His Lambs. 

Some of you may have been like me and focused on a verse from Scripture to direct you through the days, weeks, and months of the year.

I often used the passage printed above. I prayed that God would use my teaching to “fall like rain” and help the students grow just as the rain causes tender plants to sprout. I always entered a new school year focusing on how God would use me to assist in the education of the children. How would they sprout and grow throughout the year? This year has been unique, yet God caused growth through the dedication, love, and strength you all showed. The power of the Gospel saves us and empowers us.

You have served faithfully and each child has sprouted like that tender plant referred to in Deuteronomy 32:2. As I visited the schools in the Northern Illinois District this year, it was a blessing to see and hear how you were assisting the growth of each child, especially in their spiritual walk. I heard so many sharing the love of Jesus and reassuring the children that they are precious in the sight of the Savior! You are precious to the Savior and all the wrongs of this past year are laid on Him. We repent and believe the Gospel. These Gospel promises are for you!

So, as you have tended to the children, now I would share a poem that I came upon recently to wrap up the idea of where you started in August …

The Little Plant
“In the heart of a seed,
Buried deep so deep,
A tiny plant
Lay fast asleep.
‘Wake,’ said the sunshine,
‘And creep to the light.’
‘Wake,’ said the voice
Of the raindrops bright.
The little plant heard
And it rose to see,
What the wonderful,
Outside world might be.”
- Author Unknown

To many children this year, you were the sunshine and the raindrops. You have prepared them well for the "outside world" and the next step in their learning.

Well done. Thank you for your dedication. To God be the glory of each of our schools and the faithful workers. Enjoy a blessed summer!

As we place our faith and trust in God (no matter the stresses we face), we can all be thankful that God holds us in the palm of His hand and gives us what He knows is best for us. So, when trials come (including the stresses of COVID-19, keeping your school safe, or taking care of those in need), step back and know God’s plan is perfect. Stay in the Word. Take care of yourself to be Well. Use your words and life as a Witness.

Remember each day – Christ loves you and holds you close.

Serving the Master Teacher,
Lois Stewart
Giving Thanks for COVID-19 Support
During these times of COVID-19, it warms my heart to have so many stories and statements of thanks shared as the workers in our NID schools dedicate themselves to the safety, health, and welfare of the students and most importantly, share Jesus each day. I would like to share some of these testimonials in the coming weeks. Here is one from the NID Early Childhood Consultants:
"As in any school year, challenging or not, we have the opportunity to choose our attitude. What about the attitude of joy? Joy is a feeling of happiness. We may need to look for opportunities to find joy in the midst of chaos, knowing that God’s hands are securely on us. Can you choose an attitude of faithfulness? Remain faithful to our powerful God, remembering that our troubles can disappear in His presence. What about an attitude of obedience? As Proverbs 22:6 commands, 'Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’ The Bible doesn’t give conditions to this command. It doesn’t say, ‘when you feel like it’, or ‘in normal circumstances’. As you transition from one school year to the next, choose your attitude, keep your eyes on Him, and remember that you are never alone." 

-NID Early Childhood Consultants (Amy Cimarusti, Jessica Gade, Doreen Peterson)

NID Care Team
Has it been a difficult time in life? Are you facing a challenging situation and feel like you’re facing it alone? The Church Worker Care Team is available for you! Visit Church Worker Care Team - Northern Illinois District (nidlcms.org/care-team) to make a connection.
Save the Date 
Please put Monday, August 9, 2021 on your calendars. We will have the 3rd annual Back to School Worship service and keynote from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. This is a wonderful time for us to gather around God’s Word as we begin a new school year. The service and keynote will be held at Trinity, Roselle. Following an uplifting worship service, we will have a fun and encouraging keynote from Dr. Beverly Yahnke of Doxology. Many of you participated in webinars this year that Dr. Yahnke shared with us. We plan to see you all there.
Early Childhood Directors and Educators
I am so excited that many of you connected with the NID and our Early Childhood Consultants this past year. We will look forward to getting together again in the fall. Please watch for the email on July 9, 2021. This will have the order form attached to order your set(s) of the "Baby Believer" book series, as well as the book titled "We believe". The ordering deadline will be July 16, 2021. 
School Administrators
All Early Childhood Directors and Elementary/High School Administrators will want to watch their email in mid-July. The registration materials for the three Leadership conferences will be sent out. The planning committee has put together a great series of presenters. It is always a great time to connect with colleagues.
Commissioning, Installations, and NID Website Updates
As the summer progresses and positions are filled in our schools, it is important that we are informed of staff changes. PLEASE remember to contact Sue Green (sue.green@nidlcms.org) with names of any new staff members (Called and contracted). We need to keep your school files up-to-date. Sue also needs to be aware of Called Workers that need to be Commissioned and/or Installed. She has to process paperwork for Synod. I also want to be able to attend as many of these special services as possible.
Please continue to be encouraged to visit nidlcms.org for updates on many topics of interest for our NID members.
NLSA
NLSA fees for the 2021-2022 school year will be $700, due by October 1, 2021. The NID Annual Accreditation Fee will remain $125, due April 15, 2022. Schools will receive an invoice for both fees. The number of Validation Team visits for the 2021-2022 school year is rather large. Please consider serving on a team. Let Keith Wilharm know if you are interested (keith.wilharm@nidlcms.org or 847-529-8614).
Belize Mission – Hearts for Jesus
We are very excited to be partnering with the Belize Mission Society for our NID "Hearts for Jesus" project for the 2021-2022 school year. It is a blessing to be able to support the scholarship program for the children. Cathy Dulgar is a blessing as she directs and leads the Belize Mission Society.

Please prayerfully consider having your school focus one month’s chapel offerings on this outreach mission. Please visit belizemissionsociety.net.

All contributions may be sent to the Northern Illinois District Office, 2301 S. Wolf Rd., Hillside, IL 60162, attention Lois Stewart. Please remit donations by June 15, 2021.
TEC21
Read closely! This is a last call and a first opportunity!

TEC21 is finalizing Season 13 cohorts and determining what to do in workshop centers where there are just a few registrants. NOW IS THE TIME to place your late registration even if you register with your (principal) name while you determine your funding solution and which teachers to send.

For easy registration, please go to tec21connect.com/registration

And, if you missed the exciting announcement, TEC21 will introduce a STEM Education Workshop Program in Season 13. 

This TEC21 cohort opportunity for 10 Lutheran school educators kicks off with the Summer STEM Academy in Fremont, Nebraska, June 28 - June 30, 2021, and includes monthly virtual sessions and between-session asynchronous and synchronous support beginning in September. Facilitated by Brett Meyer—STEM expert, TEC21 STEM education cohort director and coordinator of STEM education at Trinity Lutheran School in Fremont, Nebraska—the STEM cohort is designed for teachers with varying degrees of proficiency for this new way of teaching.

Unlike a conference or webinar, this new TEC21 cohort provides a holistic view of STEM in education. Powerfully delivered through a Lutheran, Christian worldview, it will give your students the skills to solve real-world problems.

This is a first-come, first-serve opportunity and registration is underway now for the Summer STEM Academy. To learn more or register your teacher today, simply go to tec21connect.com/registration.
Professional Development Opportunities
Concordia University’s College of Education’s Academy of Professional Development is currently planning professional development opportunities for our Lutheran school educators for the 2021-2022 school year. The program, formerly known as the New Urban Teachers Series (N.U.T.S), will be rebranded this summer. The John and Karen Laatch foundation funds professional development opportunities for educators teaching at underserved schools. Please watch for information about future opportunities for your teachers to engage in free professional development.
Future Conference Planning
Please continue to watch for registration information regarding conferences for the 2021-2022 school year. We are excited to share that planning has begun for the three Leadership Conferences during the coming year. Concordia University Chicago will again host our conferences. We are very thankful for this opportunity and the partnership with CUC. Watch coming newsletters for more details. We will keep the registration fee the same as in previous years ($100 for administrator and $40 for each guest). Put the following dates on your calendars (School Administrators and Early Childhood Directors): Monday, October 4, 2021; Monday, February 28, 2022; Monday, May 2, 2022.

The October 2021 All Workers Conference will not be held. We are prayerful moving forward that in-person conferences will be planned.

All schools are encouraged to plan professional development for their staff.
Illinois Coalition for Nonpublic Schools
Please visit icns.net for information about joining as a nonpublic school. The NID is an association member. For schools to gain full access to resources, etc … they must hold a school membership. That can be located on their website.
LCMS School Theme 2021-2022
FROM THE DISTRICT OFFICE
Filled with living hope in Christ,

Confessing, Praising,

and Advancing His Kingdom


PARTNERS IN MINISTRY
For Information on LCEF contact Vanda Toner at 708-223-3117 or Vanda.Toner@lcef.org. Facebook.com/lcef.nid

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