Updates from Principal Mertens
April 16, 2020
I want to thank you for the hard work that I know you are doing with your children to sustain learning. I fully realize that it is hard work on the students, parents, and teachers. Stay strong!!! I also want to compliment our students and all of their hard work. Teachers keep me posted as it is much harder for me to keep a daily pulse on the day to day learning in our school. Last week I sent to you the mechanics of our grading system. Today, I would like to share with you these thoughts.
Due to our current remote home learning situation the Indiana Department of Education and Lutheran Schools of Indiana released grading guidelines for us during the 4th quarter. Our Continuous Learning Plan was submitted to the state today. The guidelines for grading and goals to sustain learning are established to guide our schools. It is important to also take into considerations the numerous variables of each home and provided the needed resources to learn. While there may not be a requirement of grading certain subjects, there is a St. Paul’s Lutheran School expectation and goal to sustain our students and their learning. What matters now, is how we are prepared for the fall. Each year there is a typical summer slide with learning. We don’t want to extend that but rather set our student up for success in the fall. What we do today in all subject areas, matters for tomorrow.
Each week we ask if our packet drop off and pick up (students in grades K-8th) is safe for our families and the best practice at this time. Per consultation with the health department we will continue with packets on Mondays. The entrance doors to the school will be propped open for less surface contact. Wearing gloves may be a comfort level as well.
I want to thank you for the hard work that I know you are doing with your children to sustain learning. I fully realize that it is hard work on the students, parents, and teachers. Stay strong!!! I also want to compliment our students and all of their hard work. Teachers keep me posted as it is much harder for me to keep a daily pulse on the day to day learning in our school. Last week I sent to you the mechanics of our grading system. Today, I would like to share with you these thoughts.
Due to our current remote home learning situation the Indiana Department of Education and Lutheran Schools of Indiana released grading guidelines for us during the 4th quarter. Our Continuous Learning Plan was submitted to the state today. The guidelines for grading and goals to sustain learning are established to guide our schools. It is important to also take into considerations the numerous variables of each home and provided the needed resources to learn. While there may not be a requirement of grading certain subjects, there is a St. Paul’s Lutheran School expectation and goal to sustain our students and their learning. What matters now, is how we are prepared for the fall. Each year there is a typical summer slide with learning. We don’t want to extend that but rather set our student up for success in the fall. What we do today in all subject areas, matters for tomorrow.
Each week we ask if our packet drop off and pick up (students in grades K-8th) is safe for our families and the best practice at this time. Per consultation with the health department we will continue with packets on Mondays. The entrance doors to the school will be propped open for less surface contact. Wearing gloves may be a comfort level as well.
April 14, 2020
Happy Easter!!!
I pray you all had a safe and wonderful Easter. "Do not be afraid! Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord." To all of our fears our Lord gave us one overwhelming answer: He raised Jesus from the dead. He is RISEN! Jesus our Savior loves us and conquered death for us. Stand Firm!!
Happy Easter!!!
I pray you all had a safe and wonderful Easter. "Do not be afraid! Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord." To all of our fears our Lord gave us one overwhelming answer: He raised Jesus from the dead. He is RISEN! Jesus our Savior loves us and conquered death for us. Stand Firm!!
- If you have a credit for Hot Lunch, it will be a credit for the new school year. All 8th grade students who do not have any siblings in school, you will be reimbursed when all accounts are balanced and current.
- This is a 3 day instruction week (Tuesday - Thursday) with a virtual field trip on Friday. Friday can also serve as day for completion of school work for the week.
- If you have any prayer requests please let us know. We want to continue to lift up our school community in prayer.
- Memory work this week - 1 John 2:12 & 28 - I encourage you to speak it, type it, or write it two times. Next week will be a new memory work project.
April 3, 2020
Dear STPL Parents,
In the announcing that all schools throughout Indiana will be closed to on-site student instruction for the remainder of the academic year, the Governor put to rest the question, "When will we go back to school?" We all saw it coming, but that does not mean you are always ready for the reality of what that means. This still comes with numerous questions, but more importantly all of it comes with an impact on children, families, teachers, on learning, and on all of us in the next coming months. I pray for you daily!
Amidst these anxious moments of uncertainty, I want to assure you that St. Paul's Lutheran School will continue to serve and support you and your children until we can all return to school. In the meantime, you can count on remote home learning. We will continue to send out learning and activities with our weekly schedule of Monday - Thursday instruction, Friday virtual field trips and daily communication. We will also be making plans for ending the 2019-2020 school year in special ways.
Just a few news items as we end this week.
Miss Mertens
Dear STPL Parents,
In the announcing that all schools throughout Indiana will be closed to on-site student instruction for the remainder of the academic year, the Governor put to rest the question, "When will we go back to school?" We all saw it coming, but that does not mean you are always ready for the reality of what that means. This still comes with numerous questions, but more importantly all of it comes with an impact on children, families, teachers, on learning, and on all of us in the next coming months. I pray for you daily!
Amidst these anxious moments of uncertainty, I want to assure you that St. Paul's Lutheran School will continue to serve and support you and your children until we can all return to school. In the meantime, you can count on remote home learning. We will continue to send out learning and activities with our weekly schedule of Monday - Thursday instruction, Friday virtual field trips and daily communication. We will also be making plans for ending the 2019-2020 school year in special ways.
Just a few news items as we end this week.
- 8th grade parents - ask your child to check their email. I sent them a message today.
- If you live in the neighborhood, you will notice that our playground is taped off and our basketball hoops are down due to the request of Munster Police Department. Please do not play on our equipment or make use of the property.
- Packets WILL be available on MONDAYS. You can bring back returned work and pick up new packets. I understand from teachers they will be available for grades Kindergarten - 8th grade. Doors will be open on Monday from 8:00 - 5:00 p.m.
- Preschool will NOT have additional packets. All information sent out via email from teachers and your preschool Facebook page.
- We will not need to make up these days of school. On Monday I will submit a Continuous Learning Plan to the state for evidence of remote home learning.
- If you hear that the state of Indiana is asking that all students be retained back into the same grade level for next year - that is a RUMOR.
- We will need to take attendance each day. More information to come on Monday for that simple process.
- I have been dropping into Zoom classroom meetings. Great to "see" our students.
- We will still honor EASTER MONDAY, April 13, as a day off of school.
Miss Mertens
March 31, 2020
Hopefully you all received the text alert that was sent out as a test. If not, double check your cell number in the Parents Portal (web).
I want to share with you some faith connections for individual devotions for the students or family devotions.
My Devotions for 5th - 8th grade -
Preschool and Early Childhood -
Family Time Devotions -
Memory Work for this week - Say, Type, or Write your memory work 2 times this week. This week's memory verse is very fitting. Psalm 121:7-8
The past few days, the following phrase from the a bible verse in the book of Esther, keeps running through my head. "....for such a time as this" - the phrase alone invokes courage and hope among believers. Though few of us will ever be in a position as Esther's, each believer has an essential role to play in the ongoing plan of God. Right now our "for such a time as this" comes with a shaking of my head in our current situation. Queen Esther lived in the face of danger, yet she was obedient to God. Not so much a princess-like life but continually facing hardship. More hardship than she expected. We are faced with hardship during this time. I'm tempted to question. What is God's plan? Where is God, now? Esther followed God's plan and was patiently waiting on the Lord.
Whatever our circumstances, we can wake up each day knowing our "for such a time as this" is right here where we are in this time. We can trust Christ to guide us as we say "yes" in obedience to Him. Even in the midst of hardship, God has a plan! He will use this situation for His good and His people.
TOMORROW morning, you will get a link for a chapel service. In trying to keep some familiarity and normalcy for our students we recorded a chapel service today. We participate in Chapel every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. For this first taping, please ignore the "wind" noise of Pastor Speckhard's voice. We ordered a new video camera that allows us to use our iPhones as a microphones. We learned that you pick up a "wind" noise if you use your pocket to hold the phone. :) It will be fine tuned by next week.
Have a great day!
Miss Mertens
Hopefully you all received the text alert that was sent out as a test. If not, double check your cell number in the Parents Portal (web).
I want to share with you some faith connections for individual devotions for the students or family devotions.
My Devotions for 5th - 8th grade -
Preschool and Early Childhood -
Family Time Devotions -
Memory Work for this week - Say, Type, or Write your memory work 2 times this week. This week's memory verse is very fitting. Psalm 121:7-8
The past few days, the following phrase from the a bible verse in the book of Esther, keeps running through my head. "....for such a time as this" - the phrase alone invokes courage and hope among believers. Though few of us will ever be in a position as Esther's, each believer has an essential role to play in the ongoing plan of God. Right now our "for such a time as this" comes with a shaking of my head in our current situation. Queen Esther lived in the face of danger, yet she was obedient to God. Not so much a princess-like life but continually facing hardship. More hardship than she expected. We are faced with hardship during this time. I'm tempted to question. What is God's plan? Where is God, now? Esther followed God's plan and was patiently waiting on the Lord.
Whatever our circumstances, we can wake up each day knowing our "for such a time as this" is right here where we are in this time. We can trust Christ to guide us as we say "yes" in obedience to Him. Even in the midst of hardship, God has a plan! He will use this situation for His good and His people.
TOMORROW morning, you will get a link for a chapel service. In trying to keep some familiarity and normalcy for our students we recorded a chapel service today. We participate in Chapel every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. For this first taping, please ignore the "wind" noise of Pastor Speckhard's voice. We ordered a new video camera that allows us to use our iPhones as a microphones. We learned that you pick up a "wind" noise if you use your pocket to hold the phone. :) It will be fine tuned by next week.
Have a great day!
Miss Mertens
March 30, 2020
Good afternoon. I hope this finds all of you well. Individually and as a school community, we are keeping you in prayer daily. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens: God is our salvation." Psalm 68:19 If there is something that we can specifically pray for in regards to your family. Let me know.
This morning I met with the teachers via Zoom to discuss a few items as we move forward with our remote home learning. Here are some items for you to be aware of from St. Paul's.
Miss Mertens
Good afternoon. I hope this finds all of you well. Individually and as a school community, we are keeping you in prayer daily. "Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burdens: God is our salvation." Psalm 68:19 If there is something that we can specifically pray for in regards to your family. Let me know.
This morning I met with the teachers via Zoom to discuss a few items as we move forward with our remote home learning. Here are some items for you to be aware of from St. Paul's.
- We will have 4 days of instruction with remote home learning, Monday - Thursday. On Fridays there will be information sent out via Mrs. Bachert on virtual field trips that you can participate as a family.
- Preschool will continue to receive instruction via email from the teacher and the preschool Facebook page. It is so refreshing to see your posted photos.
- Due dates will be set by the teacher. I would encourage you to look at student work to be done daily. Do not view it as homework for the next day. Some projects may have have a due date several days out from the assignment. ALL students are to be active participants in remote home learning. We are aware that some families have multiple students and online availability may be shared.
- Teachers may begin to use Zoom for classroom meetings and instructional time. Students DO NOT need to create an account. They are participants only. Students will receive a link that is password protected. Click on the link and add the password during class. Some teacher may have their Zoom virtual classroom open during "office hours"
- I am going to stop referring to RENWEB and use their merger name FACTS. I continue to use RENWEB out of habit, but want to avoid confusion. Your parent portal is available via FACTS
- An email will be generated later this week regarding grading for the 4th quarter. Grades 5-8 will be posting grades on FACTS.
- If you are an Indiana Choice Scholarship family - we will NOT be doing applications until May. You will be contacted via email on how to schedule an appointment with Mrs. Karen Hott
- Miss Mertens will have office hours from 8:00 - 1:00 p.m. every day. The school office is not open for public use unless prearranged. You may call my direct line at 219-836-3720 or dial 219-836-6270 ext. 201 or via email.
Miss Mertens
March 19, 2020
Dear STPL Parents,
Today, Governor Holcomb extended the current state of emergency with an additional 30 days when it expires in April. " All public schools will remain closed until May 1. Non-public schools are also ordered closed. This date may be revised to extend through the end of the 2019-2020 school year if circumstance warrant."
St. Paul's Lutheran School will remain on remote home learning until Monday, May 4th, with the first of May being a Friday. Following Spring Break we will update you on the status of the current situation. There will be more information coming at that time from all of the teachers as well.
What we know today, may not be tomorrow. That has been our motto at school this week. We will continue to be committed to you in providing activities and learning for our students. I love hearing stories each day about how our teachers are connecting to our students and vice versa. I am certain that none of us anticipated this, but we will continue to follow the orders of Governor Holcomb and our Superintendent for the health and safety of our students, staff, and families in our community. After Spring Break, I will be sending you a survey to fill out so we can have feedback on our remote home learning. We need to have feedback in order to proceed with our students learning being our number one priority.
Stay healthy, I pray for you each day. Pray for our teachers and staff as well.
We miss our school family but Lord willing we will be together again soon!
Miss Mertens
Dear STPL Parents,
Today, Governor Holcomb extended the current state of emergency with an additional 30 days when it expires in April. " All public schools will remain closed until May 1. Non-public schools are also ordered closed. This date may be revised to extend through the end of the 2019-2020 school year if circumstance warrant."
St. Paul's Lutheran School will remain on remote home learning until Monday, May 4th, with the first of May being a Friday. Following Spring Break we will update you on the status of the current situation. There will be more information coming at that time from all of the teachers as well.
What we know today, may not be tomorrow. That has been our motto at school this week. We will continue to be committed to you in providing activities and learning for our students. I love hearing stories each day about how our teachers are connecting to our students and vice versa. I am certain that none of us anticipated this, but we will continue to follow the orders of Governor Holcomb and our Superintendent for the health and safety of our students, staff, and families in our community. After Spring Break, I will be sending you a survey to fill out so we can have feedback on our remote home learning. We need to have feedback in order to proceed with our students learning being our number one priority.
Stay healthy, I pray for you each day. Pray for our teachers and staff as well.
We miss our school family but Lord willing we will be together again soon!
Miss Mertens
March 16, 2020
Dear STPL Parents,
Each day you will see an email from me as we maneuver through these uncharted waters. Tomorrow I will send out the details of how learning will be pushed out from our teachers into your home. Each grade will also have packets to pick up starting Wednesday morning. Students in grade 5th - 8th will be using Google Classroom. More information tomorrow. The teachers are currently working on their lesson plans, online learning and packets for remote home learning. Do you we have all this figured out? Absolutely not! We are experiencing unique times that require us to create unique learning experiences. However, we are moving forward and embracing this as an opportunity. Listed below are the 7 goals created this morning for our remote home learning experience.
1) Continue to grow in Faith
2) Sustain Learning
3) Plan Cross Curricular Lessons
4) Project Based Learning
5) Keep a routine and schedule
6) Stay connected to our school community
7) Plan activities and tasks that move children away from screens
For today, here are a few other things for your information.
In Christ,
Barb Mertens
Each day you will see an email from me as we maneuver through these uncharted waters. Tomorrow I will send out the details of how learning will be pushed out from our teachers into your home. Each grade will also have packets to pick up starting Wednesday morning. Students in grade 5th - 8th will be using Google Classroom. More information tomorrow. The teachers are currently working on their lesson plans, online learning and packets for remote home learning. Do you we have all this figured out? Absolutely not! We are experiencing unique times that require us to create unique learning experiences. However, we are moving forward and embracing this as an opportunity. Listed below are the 7 goals created this morning for our remote home learning experience.
1) Continue to grow in Faith
2) Sustain Learning
3) Plan Cross Curricular Lessons
4) Project Based Learning
5) Keep a routine and schedule
6) Stay connected to our school community
7) Plan activities and tasks that move children away from screens
For today, here are a few other things for your information.
- A Parent Resource for discussing crisis and conversation guides - https://theparentcue.org/resources/crisis-conversation-guides/ There is great concern for our children. As they may be excited because we are not "in school" for a month, keep in mind that they over hear the news, adult conversations, and see their worlds turned up side down as we know it. They may not articulate it now, but they are carrying around burdens about what is taking place in this world. Stay connected to your children and listen to their concerns and fears.
- Mr. Starewicz emailed Pre-Algebra and Honors Algebra students with their work for this week. If you did not receive an email, you can email him at rstarewicz@stplmunster.com
- SCHOOL OFFICE HOURS WILL BE FROM 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
- What we know today, may be different tomorrow. Watch for daily emails.
- Parent Teacher Conferences that were scheduled for Thursday, March 19 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Conferences will now be via telephone. The teacher will call you for your scheduled conference during these hours.
- A and B Girls Basketball season and tournament is cancelled.
- A Boys Basketball team needs to drop off of their basketball uniforms. Please use a Ziplock bag writing the name and # on the bag. You can return the uniforms when you come to pick up your packets. Wednesday morning.
- Teachers will have "office hours" for students and parents. Our set office hours for teachers will be from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. This means they will be available via email for quick responses and to give an assistance where needed.
In Christ,
Barb Mertens