FIX YOUREYES ON

JESUSIn This Issue . . .

WLHS Pr incipal’s

NEWSLETTER

2 PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE3 PARENT/TEACHER CONSULTATIONS3 VETERANS DAY3 WLHS FRUIT SALE3 GRADUATION ORDERS4 HOMECOMING MEMORIES

5 CIVIL RIGHTS TOUR 5 WEATHER RELATED CLOSINGS 6 ADVANCED PLACEMENT TESTS 7 CRAFT FAIR 7 WHAT’S COMING UP? 8 GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT INFORMATION

NOVEMBER 2015

Christ

comes

first. . . . . .

in all

we do.

Last newsletter, we made the claim that WLHS is serious about owning its culture and has set down seven principles that define that culture and guide the way we operate on a daily basis. In this and coming newsletters, we reflect on these cultural indicators individually.

All deeds and practices–good or bad–begin in the mind and heart. The sinful nature all of us have explains the poor choices we make, even when we know better. See Romans 7:14-23 for Paul’s agonizing description of this reality: “For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate, I do.” Such a miserable state makes him cry out, “What a wretched man that I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death” (7:24, NIV)? Thankfully, we need not wait long for his answer which comes in the next verse: “Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord” (7:25, NIV)!

With nothing in us to attract him, desire him, or invite him, God’s Son left heaven and put on our flesh. Obedience to his Father and love for us drove him. In an earthly walk of over thirty years, he faced and resisted temptation and conducted a compassionate ministry in the face of opposition, all without stooping to the low tactics and behavior his enemies used against him. When, finally, he went to the cross we deserved, he was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Three days later his resurrection from death proved his superiority over sin, death and the devil, and was the seal of his Father’s approval.

So we put Christ first because he put us first, way ahead of himself.

What does putting Christ “first in all we do” mean inside a school building? Among other truths, it means:

uwe recognize how lost we are without the saving work of Jesus Christ and faith in him.

uwe will as a school family gather every day to worship his holy name and to be reminded of our eternal salvation in him.

ubeing confident that we have a Savior who takes our prayers to the Heavenly Father.

uwe see each other as not just a person, but a soul for whom Christ died.

uwhen we are wronged or hurt by another we have the awareness that we too need and have forgiveness.

uthe school theme for each year can and does invoke Jesus’ name, so that his name is, quite literally, all over our building.

uwe understand, by God’s grace, that Jesus died for all and that making and strengthening disciples is the mission of our school-based ministry.

We will be highly concerned about and dedicated to a strong curriculum and all

the other features that the word “school” implies. That our students are well prepared

for life after high school, whatever that brings, is extremely important to us.

What makes all we do important, however, is Jesus Christ. His unconditional love for us becomes the highest motivation to do all things well, our status as his brothers

and sisters gives our lives the highest meaning and purpose, our faith in him

becomes one day a crown of life.

Please join us in praying that Wisconsin Lutheran High School remains, above all,

a Christ-centered ministry of his holy Word.

Phil Leyrer, principal

CHRIST COMES FIRST IN ALL WE DO.l1

PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER November 2015 3

The first quarter ended on October 23. Report cards can be accessed by logging into your onCampus account. Directions for onCampus can be found on our wlhs.org website on the Parents and Students page.

The time period that has been set aside for parent-teacher consultations is:

Thursday, November 5: By appointment (online) between 4:00–9:00 P.M.

Parents who wish to discuss with a teacher the progress of their child must make an appointment online by accessing their onCampus account.

Scheduling will begin on Monday, November 2nd at 8:00 A.M. and close on Wednesday, November 4 at 5:00 P.M

Please note: You cannot see a teacher without an appointment!

Teachers will be available only during the times that are specifically scheduled with a parent who asks to see them.

Please log into your onCampus account to set up appointments.

Information on this process will also be available on our website www.wlhs.org under Academics/Departments/Guidance.

All seniors will attend an informational meeting regarding the ordering of their graduation caps, gowns, and other items during homeroom on Tuesday, November 24. The students will receive a graduation packet with an order form and other information.

Parents, please take time to review the packet information with your son or daughter so they will be ready to place their order the following week.

Orders will be taken with the Jostens Company on Tuesday, December 1, during lunch. All seniors must complete an order form for their cap, gown, and tassel so that the proper size can be ordered. They must also complete a diploma name form so that their name appears correct on their diploma. There is no charge for the graduation cap, gown, and tassel if ordered on this date. However, there will be a fee if ordered late.

If senior students miss the order date here at school, they will need to contact the Jostens Company and place their orders by December 18 (day before Christmas break) to avoid the late fee charge. Contact can be made at 262-706-3331 or at daniel.mccormick@jostens.com.

If you have questions regarding ordering graduation items, please call Wendy Gawrisch at WLHS at 414-453-4567, ext. 2009.

GraduationCap, Gown, & Tassel Orders

Veterans Day

Wisconsin Lutheran High School invites you to attend the 22nd annual Veterans Day service and observance entitled “Reassembling the Radar: Fading Stories of WW ll” held on Wednesday, November 11, 2015. All veterans and active service men and women are invited to the complimentary breakfast served in the WLHS cafeteria at 7:00 a.m. This breakfast will include a live entertainment USO show.

To RSVP, contact Heidi Witz via email at planner@wlhs.org or mail the registration form. If you have questions, please call Heidi at 414-453-4567, ext. 2004.

Everyone is invited to the service which will be held in the WLHS main gym, featuring retired Lt. Col. Henry Ratenski of the United States Air Force.

If you are unable to attend the event, a live stream link will be made available at www.wlhs.org the day of the event.

SALUTE WITH FRUIT!

The Student Council of WLHS is once again hosting the annual “Florida Citrus Fruit Sale.” The profits from this sale support all of our Veterans Day activities, including the breakfast, service, and parade.

Available again this year is direct shipping from the packing house to anywhere in the U.S. Think about sending a citrus box to family and friends.

The gift basket ($21) and gift box ($12) still continue to be our more popular items. A link to the fruit sale can be found on our website at www.wlhs.org.

WLHSFruit Sale

Parent-TeacherConsultations

4 PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER November 2015

H OMECOMING

M EMORIES Football Game

Pep Rally

Hush Lips

Tie-Dye Dress Up Day

Mr. Wisco

Homecoming Court

PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER November 2015 5

Weather RelatedClosings

Although we don’t want to think about it, winter weather is not far away. For snow emergencies or other school closing information, please listen to radio stations WTMJ 620 AM or WISN 1130 AM or to television reports on Channels 4, 6, or 12. Every effort will be made to have the announcement on the 6:00 A.M. newscast on each station.

A message will also be forwarded to everyone’s main phone number through “School Reach”, our alert message company.

Please note that if the Milwaukee Public Schools cancel classes because of inclement weather conditions, then WLHS is automatically closed as well.

Because WLHS serves families from as far south as Oak Creek, as far west as Hartland, and as far north as Mequon, it is difficult to determine when inclement weather conditions are widespread enough to warrant the canceling of classes. Therefore, parents, you will need to determine if your son or daughter should remain home, even if school is in session. We honor excuses from parents who choose to do this.

for your church or business holiday parties?

Jubilation Handbell Choir Wisco Kids Show Choir Inspiration Christian Contemporary Choir

. . . all present Christmas programs!

For information, contact Marjorie Flanagan at

414–453–4567.

NeedEntertainment

For the third straight year, Wisconsin Lutheran High School students from the sophomore and junior classes will have the privilege of going on a Civil Rights Tour in the spring of 2016. The trip leaves in the evening of March 27 and returns April 2, 2016.

“I’ve witnessed how this educational experience impacts our students in profound ways. It not only expands their racial consciousness and empathy, but it gives them confidence to have courageous conversations,” said Pastor Ken Fisher, president of WLHS. “Finally, it challenges them to lead in bringing healing through the gospel that unites us in Christ.”

The purpose of the 7-day coach trip is to connect students and teachers to the civil rights leaders who made a positive change. Daily devotions and nightly group discussions help inspire students to be agents of change themselves.

Sophomores and juniors can apply before November 23, 2015. Because of the generosity of others, there is no cost for the students. As in the past, the 24 students will reflect the student body’s diversity and will be selected on the basis of student body leadership and capacity for positive transformation.

Here is what some students who went last year wrote:

c“Talking about it in school is fun and interesting, but actually going there to relive it when he was alive was really cool.”

c“Kelly Ingram Park broke my heart. Walking around and seeing the different statues of what happened to the children inspires me to try and make a difference. It showed me that age, race, situation, it doesn’t matter because small or big it all makes a difference.”

c“It was not a vacation. It was not a break from schoolwork and learning. In fact, I learned more on this trip in six days than I’ve learned in a lifetime.”

c“Walking over the Edmund Pettus Bridge made me feel a sense of freedom. I felt like I could do anything as long as I set my mind to it!”

Applications are available at the receptionist office. Completed applications are due on November 23, 2015.

6 PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER November 2015

AdvancedPlacement TestsClass of 2015

The Class of 2015 scored well on their Advanced Placement tests. Of the 214 tests completed, 88% of the scores were 3, 4, or 5, which may provide the opportunity for college credit. The mean score for all tests was 3.56. These scores validate the excellent instruction that occurs in the Advanced Placement Program as well as the dedicated work being done by the students in the program.

Thirty-six members of the class received special recognition for their cumulative test performance. We congratulate these students on achieving these elite levels of performance on the AP exams.

AP ScholarGranted to students who received scores of 3 or higher on three or more AP exams.

Emma FritschGrant FugateWilliam HammarstromRyan HanleyPatrick IyaseleHeidi Kostrzewa

AP Scholar with HonorsGranted to students who received an average score of at least 3.25 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on four or more of these exams.

Victoria BonackAaron BushAmi Leigh ChristnachtJacob FreyLeah GawelHeather HellyerJordan Hoffman

AP Scholar with DistinctionGranted to students who received an average score of at least 3.5 on all AP Exams taken, and scores of 3 or higher on five or more of these exams.

Benjamin BitterBenjamin CarmichaelAndrew FinkMadeline HammarstromConnor HenneCaleb Kuske

FRIDAY & SATURDAY,NOVEMBER 6 & 7,

7:30 P.M.

Play Production

SUNDAY,NOVEMBER 8,

1:30 P.M.

Performances by Inspiration and Wisco Kids between 4:45 and 7:00 P.M.

FRIDAY,NOVEMBER 6,4:30–7:00 P.M.

Spaghetti Dinner

TuitionAssistance

Thank you to the many people who contributed to the Tuition Assistance Fund this past year. Your gift helped make it possible for a large number of students to benefit from a Lutheran secondary education. A total of $756,086 was awarded to 198 students.

Lauren KuskeJoel MathisNicole MoshinskiShutao (Will) WangHannah Weide

Laura KrampJohn PlaskiJacob SchwallLuke SteinbergDonovan WilliamsRui Zhe (Forest) Wu

Mason LaMarcheMatthew StrommenChristian TimmWilliam Van GrinsvenSeth WeideMatthew Wranovsky

What’sComing

UP?–Parent/Teacher ConsultationsNovember 5: 4:00–9:00 P.M.

–Choir Associates Spaghetti DinnerNovember 6: 4:30–7:00 P.M.

–Play ProductionNovember 6 & 7: 7:30 P.M.November 8: 1:30 P.M.

–LATE START / Faculty MeetingNovember 9: 8:29 A.M. school start time

–Veterans Day ServiceNovember 11: 8:30 A.M.

–Craft FairNovember 21: 9:00 A.M.

–Midterm Grading DayNovember 24

–NO SCHOOL / Thanksgiving BreakNovember 26 & 27

–Graduation OrdersDecember 1: During lunch

–Christmas Pops ConcertDecember 6: 3:00 P.M.

–ACT at WLHSDecember 12: 8:00 A.M.

–Christmas Sacred ConcertDecember 13: 7:00 P.M.

–Exam DaysDecember 17 & 18: 7:45 A.M.-12:25 P.M.

–NO SCHOOL / Christmas BreakDecember 21-January 1

PRINCIPAL’S NEWSLETTER November 2015 7

On behalf of the administrators, teachers, and staff workers at

Wisconsin Lutheran High School, I extend to you our sincere wishes

for a blessed and happy Thanksgiving celebration.

May you enjoy the fellowship of family and friends as

you join together in thanking God for his bountiful blessings.

O Give Thanks Unto The Lord

HappyThanksgiving

No SchoolThursday, November 26

Friday, November 27

Thanksgiving Break

Wisconsin Lutheran High School$3 Admission

OF

Craft Fair

Saturday,November 21, 2015

9:00 A.M.Includes Bake Sale and Silent Auction

FIX YOUREYES ON

JESUS

GUIDED BY FAITH. DRIVEN BY EXCELLENCE.

330 N Glenview Avenue F Milwaukee, WI 53213-3379 F 414-453-4567 F Fax: 414-453-3001 F www.wlhs.org

PNL-03-1015-1000

SENIORS

The guidance counselors have begun their senior interviews to assist seniors with post-high school plans. The Guidance Office has many resources available to seniors. Seniors planning on post-high school education are being encouraged to get their applications in early. The counselors are available during the school day to assist seniors with the application process if questions arise. Scholarships that come to our office are being posted at our school’s website www.wlhs.org. Other websites for scholarship searches are also listed at our website.

JUNIORS

The guidance counselors met with juniors in September in small groups to preview their senior year and discuss post-high school plans. Information was shared about college entrance exams and requirements, four-year college vs. technical college, and senior year academics.

The PSAT test was written on Wednesday, October 14,during periods 1–4. This was a voluntary test taken by juniors that are four-year college bound. This test gives them experience in writing college entrance exams andestablishes eligibility for National Merit Scholarships.

ACT INFORMATION

Parents can keep informed about ACT resources, test dates, and other helpful information by going to the website for parents at www.actparent.org.

There is also a website for students at www.actstudent.org.

A free ACT test prep website is also available to your student. Students can come to the Guidance Office for more information.

Upcoming ACT test dates, both offered at WLHS, are:

December 12 (registration deadline–November 7)

February 6 (registration deadline–January 8)

FRESHMEN

During the last week of September, the freshmen were introduced to the Guidance Office and its services through a presentation given by the guidance counselors. Scheduling, academic requirements, career planning, and personal counseling were some of the guidance services shared with the freshmen.

SOPHOMORES

During the first weeks of October, the sophomores met with the guidance counselors to learn more about graduation requirements, post-high school and career planning. They were introduced to and set up accounts in the online program called Career Locker/Wiscareers.

LINKS...to all three of these class presentations can be found on the wlhs.org website, Academics/Departments/ Guidance under the heading “Recent Guidance Presentations.”

Guidance Department Information