Author: Shane Locke

Lumen News – May 21, 2020

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Tuesday, August 4th: Back to School Registration and BBQ
• Thursday, August 13th: Junior High Orientation
• Monday, August 17th: School Begins (Grades 7 & 8 only)
• Tuesday, August 18th: School Begins (Grades 9-12)

Principal’s Update:

Watch your email next week for an end of the year wrap up from Mr. Ross.

Campus Ministry:

Thank you to all our upperclassmen who are working as mentors and group leaders! Mentors will keep in touch through summer.

May God bless you all with peace, faith, safety, rest and health during these summer months!

School Announcements:

End of Year Survey

PLEASE take just a few minutes to complete this end of year “on-line school” survey for us. It includes questions for families with multiple students at different schools – make sure when answering respond based only on your student(s) at Lumen!  We are trying to get an understanding of how well we did in providing quality education remotely, and what we could have done differently.  Even if you have students of other ages and at other schools, please “pretend” that those at Lumen are the only ones!  Thank you! Your input is very valuable. Click here to start your survey:    https://bit.ly/2020onlineparent

Tuition Scholarships

For families applying for tuition scholarships, remember that the deadline to do so is Monday, June 1st.  For more information, visit: http://cts-tuition.com/app/lumancak/

2020-21 Parent Share Hours

As a reminder, each family has an obligation to contribute volunteer hours in support of our school community. We have two immediate needs that will help you get a jump on your Share Hours for next year and then anticipate having two other opportunities during the summer.

Immediate needs:

1. Help weed, water and keep the “Mary” garden by the front door of the school looking fresh and beautiful. This has been managed by the family of a graduating senior who would like to hand the job off. If gardening is your thing, please call Michell Goodwin at 317-0690.

2. The Archangel Attic is planning on reopening on June 6 but need our assistance to make this happen. Many of the regular weekday volunteers, or their family members, fall into a high risk category.  A separate email with detailed information and a link to sign up to help will be coming soon.

Anticipated needs:

1) A Lumen parking lot garage sale with all proceeds designated for school needs (date not yet set);

2) Helping True Value Hardware on Jewel Lake (a long time school supporter) distribute 4th of July flags to neighborhoods around the school.

Senior Pictures

Summer is a fantastic time to get senior pictures done, so *hint hint* parents of seniors, schedule those photo shoots now and get that checked off your list of things to do.

End of Year Administrative Wrap Up/Registration Information 

Look for an email from the Front Office in the next week or so which will (hopefully) answer any final questions from this year and get you ready for back to school registration and first week of school next year.

St. Benedict’s & Other Community Events:

St. Benedict’s Youth Group

Don’t forget that St. Ben’s Youth Group will continue to meet over the summer. Check in with Elise at emartinez@stbenedictsak.com to keep up on the weekly plan of events.

Thanks one and all for a great year! It’s been a delight for me to be a part of your student’s Lumen experience and I can’t wait to see everyone in a few months. – Ms. Gore

Lumen News – May 14, 2020

Upcoming Important Dates:

Details for all of these are located in School Announcements, below

• TOMORROW – Friday, May 15th, 7p: LCHS Drama Department Presents: “Cat & Mouse” Reader’s Theatre
• TOMORROW – Friday & Saturday – May 15th & 16th, 9a-5p, MASSIVE Garage Sale!
• Monday, May 18th – Thursday, May 21st: Finals Week
• Tuesday, May 19th, 4-6p, Junior High Text Book Drop Off
• Wednesday, May 20th – 4-6p, High School Text Book Drop Off
• Tuesday, August 4th: Back to School Registration and BBQ
• Thursday, August 13th: Junior High Orientation
• Monday, August 17th: School Begins (Grades 7 & 8 only)
• Tuesday, August 18th: School Begins (Grades 9-12)

Principal’s Update:

Check out this week’s Principal’s Update here:  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_hTwqlGw3u8

Gotta wear shades!

Campus Ministry:

Many blessings this week on students as they prepare for the last week of school!

Thank you to our upperclassmen who are mentoring younger students!

St. Benedict Youth group is active and getting out into the sunshine! Visit https://www.stbenedictsak.com/65 for upcoming activities.

Please contact Mrs. Loeffler if we can give support to students, parents and/or families.  Social Distancing is becoming somewhat normal, but still has a real effect on all of us.

You are all invited to our virtual school Masses everyThursday at 9. Join via Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/stbenedictsak/

Prayer Spot

Please pray for

• Students, teachers and families as they move to the last week of school

• Medical professionals and first responders

• Those most vulnerable to illness

If you would like special intentions listed in Lumen News and Prayer Book of Intentions send them directly to Mrs. Loeffler. eloeffler@lumenchristiak.org

School Announcements:

LUMENary Drive

It’s with great fanfare that we announce that we have met our LUMENary drive goal of $50,000, with a bit extra to boot! We are humbled and grateful for all who donated, sometimes more than once. Your giving, as well as that from other generous individuals and organizations throughout the city, state and even country, is a visible expression of our core vision and values and we couldn’t be more thankful.

MASSIVE Garage Sale!

Please venture up to the Hillside (or tell all your friends) for a massive garage sale at the Ross household (13041 Midori Dr) this Friday and Saturday, from 9a-5p. Thanks to all who have donated items for it – 100% of proceeds will go towards the purchase of new warm ups for our Girl’s Sports Teams. Thank you Tracy Ross for taking this on!

Student Leadership Board Positions

Applications are now being accepted by Advisory teachers for the Student Leadership Board’s 2020-21 Spirit, Social and Service Leadership Committee Chairs.  Encourage your incoming 11th & 12th grade students to apply for one of the slots – each are critical and all help guide student directed activities throughout the school year!  Elections for class representatives for each grade level will be done once we return in the fall.

CAT & MOUSE Reader’s Theater

Another COVID-19 related cancellation at the school was our annual drama production. But as they say in the biz….“The show must go on!” Thanks to our dedicated Drama Coach Mrs. Stacy Robertson, students continued to work and while they can’t perform together on stage, they can present the play live in a “Reader’s Theater” format.  Please join us tomorrow night, May 15th at 7p on Lumen’s Facebook page and watch a live reading of  “Cat & Mouse” – a murder mystery set against the darkest days of WWII.

Lumen News – May 7, 2020

Upcoming Important Dates:

Finals Week Schedule:

• Monday, May 18th: Friday “B” Schedule
• Tuesday, May 19th: Friday “A” Schedule
• Wednesday, May 20th: Friday “B” Schedule
• Thursday, May 21st: 9a Mass, 10a Advisory Check in, Last day of classes
• Friday, May 22nd: Last Day for Teachers (NO SCHOOL FOR STUDENTS)
• Tuesday, August 4th: Back to School Registration and BBQ
• Thursday, August 13th: Junior High Orientation
• Monday, August 17th: School Begins (Grades 7 & 8 only)
• Tuesday, August 18th: School Begins (Grades 9-12)

Principal’s Update:

Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!  Hats off to Danielle Rybicki and Tracy Ross who showered our teachers and staff with thanks and good will by hand delivering gifts and a cool yard sign to each of them.  We also appreciate the Goodwin, Butcher, Ross, Renfro, Vargas, Thomson, Rybicki, Locke, Moriarty and Everard families who helped make a special “Thank You” picture collage for our teachers!  I know your love and appreciation was widely felt and helped motivate our teachers in the final days of the school year.

Happy Commencement Week as well!  From our 20+ vehicle “Senior Sunset Parade” caravan on Tuesday night around Anchorage to virtual Baccalaureate Mass and our Graduation video – debuting on Facebook and YouTube at 7p tonight – we honored the ten members of our Class of 2020 in style.  We wish them fair winds and following seas as they go out to shine Christ’s light in the world.

Many thanks to all who logged into Monday’s Principal-Parent Forum.  We enjoyed hearing your perspectives.  After discussions with you, the students, and the staff, I have made a final decision regarding uniforms next year.  As discussed, we will be modifying our uniform to allow Lumen-logoed blue polo shirts and khaki pants/skirts to be worn on all non-Mass days (M, Tu, W, and Fri).  On Mass days (Thursdays) or when out in the community representing our school, students will continue to “dress up” with white oxford dress shirt, Lumen tie, khaki pants/skirt, and dress shoes.  Ladies can still wear the Lumen plaid skirt.

Current students can continue to wear blue pants, blue skirt, and the blue oxford dress shirt until they graduate, or the clothes are no longer suitable for wear.  New students will only need to buy khaki pants (skirts); blue polo shirts for non-Mass days and a white oxford dress shirt (short or long sleeve) and Lumen tie for Mass days.  While both Lands End and Tommy Hilfiger carry the blue polo shirt with our logo, we are coordinating with a local vendor to carry this and other approved tops (e.g., blue fleece and sweaters for cooler winter days).  Students who like the existing daily uniform (dress shirt with tie) are welcome to continue to wearing these, but it is no longer required except on Mass days and when students are out in public representing the school. As soon as a local vendor is secured, I’ll provide more detailed guidance but wanted you to know that the dress code will be “relaxed” a bit next year.

Finally, please set aside time during the last week in school for turn-in of textbooks and other materials, and to be able to retrieve any remaining items in the school (mainly junior high PE lockers).  We will send out more detailed instructions next week, but please plan for the drop off to be organized by last name and occurring from 4-6pm on Tuesday, May 19 and Wednesday, May 20.

And on behalf of our school staff, have a blessed Happy Mothers Day!

Campus Ministry:

During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, stay connected through Christ.

Congratulations to our seniors as they are graduated this week! Thank you Sophia Dupras for reading at our Baccalaureate Mass, beautiful job.

Our small video meet up groups have taken a week off and will be back on nexts week for all students who would like to continue or join. Group leaders will be sending out follow emails this week.

Please contact Mrs. Loeffler if we can give support to students, parents and/or families.  Social Distancing is becoming somewhat normal, but still has a real effect on all of us.

You are all invited to our virtual school Masses everyThursday at 9. Jon via Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/stbenedictsak/

Prayer Spot

Please pray for

• Students, teachers and families who are working from home

• Medical professionals and first responders

• Those most vulnerable to illness

If you would like special intentions listed in Lumen News and Prayer Book of Intentions send them directly to Mrs. Loeffler. eloeffler@lumenchristiak.org

School Announcements:

End of Year Class/Day Schedule: 

Tomorrow, May 8th will be a Friday “B” schedule with Periods 2, 4 & 6.

Next week will be a “normal” week with:

Advisory on Monday;

Periods 1, 3 & 5 on Tuesday;

Periods 2, 4 & 6 on Wednesday;

Mass at 9a on Thursday;

The week will end on a Friday “A” schedule of Periods 1, 3 & 5.

The last week of school will be:

Monday, May 18th: “B” Schedule – Periods 2, 4, 6

Tuesday, May 19th: “A” Schedule – Periods 1, 3, 5

Wednesday, May 20th: “B” Schedule – Periods 2, 4, 6

Thursday, May 21st: 9a end of year Mass then 10a Advisory check in to wrap up last details and say goodbye.

Summer Tutoring

Mrs. Gore has contact information for a West High graduate currently in his 3rd year at Yale who is offering tutoring over the summer via Zoom. He can tutor in the following subjects: Essay writing and argumentation; Critical thinking and logic; SAT prep strategies; College application advising; Elementary/Middle School Math and Science (some High School, depending on the subject); Elementary/Middle/High School reading and literature. Contact Mrs. Gore at lchs@lumenchristiak.org or text her cell at 907.227.9584 for more info.

End of Year Administrative Wrap Up and Fall 2020 Registration Prep!

Keep your eyes peeled for an email (hopefully by next week) from the Front Office with loads of End-of-Year & Next-Year info in it. It’ll be exciting for sure – not one to be missed : )

St. Benedict’s & Other Community Events:

St. Benedict’s Youth Group

Even though the school year is winding down, the St. Benedict’s Youth Group meets all summer.  Stay in touch with Elise at emartinez@stbenedictsak.com to know what events are being planned!

Did you know….. 

……that Catholic Social Services provides Supportive Services for Veteran Families? If you or someone you know is a veteran or has served at least one day of active duty in the military and is in need of rental assistance, CSS may be able to help. Learn more at their website: https://www.cssalaska.org/our-programs/homeless-family-services/veteran-services/?fbclid=IwAR1oqbnFfrNysUdaWwS-71E6tBgG_I78gTc46JkslP-eTuYt9Oeut4Utdl8

Do good, feel good: 

Saint Francis House Food Pantry

• SFH is in need of:

  • Breakfast items (oatmeal, breakfast bars)

• SFH is so grateful for the continued support of our community. We are starting to open up limited volunteering opportunities: packing food boxes for clients. If you are interested in packing food boxes, hours are Monday – Thursday 9:30a – 1:00p – 3 people max per day. Email Bronwen Nicholls at bnicholls@cssalaska.org with questions or to volunteer

Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services

• RAIS is in need of:

  • Raised gardening beds

  • Home Depot, Lowes, or Walmart gift cards to buy soil and supplies for raised beds. Contact Keenan at kplate@cssalaska.org for more information on how to donate.

Lumen News – May 1, 2020

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Monday, May 4th – Principal Parent Forum, 7pm (Google Meet email invitation)
• Vehicle Parade for our Class of 2020 grads, 6pm (initial details below, more details to follow)
• Wednesday, May 6th – Baccalaureate Mass, 7p – See below
• Thursday, May 7th – Graduation and Commencement for the Class of 2020 – See below

Principal’s Update:

Greetings Lumen Families!  What a week this has been!  As our students continue in their distance learning, we took time on Wednesday and Thursday nights to hold individual 30-minute graduation processions for our Class of 2020 seniors.  Our seniors were able to walk across the stage, receive their diplomas, switch their tassel, and throw their cap in the air, all the while surrounded by no more than 13 of their families and closest friends (due to state mandate on gatherings).  All of these processionals were recorded by Laura and Clay Butcher and will be compiled into a video to be shown via our school Facebook page on Thursday, May 7th at 7pm.  While our seniors walked across the stage, they will not officially graduate until next week, so we hope you will tune in next Thursday to watch the great video presentation and official graduation of our mighty Class of 2020.

Because we needed to pre-record our graduation processions, I had to move the Principal Parent Forum to Monday, May 4 at 7pm.  You can join the Google Meet either by video or phone using the connection information below:

Meeting ID

meet.google.com/zyt-graw-zvn

Phone Numbers

(‪US‬)‪+1 601-803-2371‬

PIN: ‪775 504 421#‬

For the rest of Commencement Week next week, we are working to organize a vehicle parade on Tuesday, May 5th starting at 6pm from our school parking lot.  We are still working out the details, but our tentative plan is to collectively meet at the school, and caravan along a route which will pass by the homes of our seniors.  We don’t plan to stop, but will pass by honking and waving to show our support for our graduating class.  More details to follow via email correspondence by Monday, but please save the date and time.

On Wednesday, May 6th, at 7pm, Father Tom will celebrate a Baccalaureate Mass in honor of the seniors from Lumen Christi as well as the seniors from St. Benedict’s Parish.  This Mass will be livestreamed on the Lumen and St. Benedict’s Facebook pages.  We hope you will join us online for this special and memorable celebration.

On behalf of the entire school staff, we hope you have a wonderful and blessed weekend!  Enjoy the beautiful weather!

Campus Ministry:

During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, stay connected through Christ.

Many prayers for our senior class this final week of school! May God grant them wisdom and knowledge as they take their final exams, fortitude to carry them through the unique challenges of being graduated remotely, understanding and counsel that they will walk alongside those who are in need, and piety and fear of the Lord to keep them close to God as they go out into the world!

You are all invited to our virtual school Masses everyThursday at 9. Jon via Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/stbenedictsak/

Prayer Spot

Please pray for

• Students, teachers and families who are working from home

• Medical professionals and first responders

• Those most vulnerable to illness

If you would like special intentions listed in Lumen News and Prayer Book of Intentions send them directly to Mrs. Loeffler. eloeffler@lumenchristiak.org

School Announcements:

Next Week’s Schedule

Next week, Friday, May 8th will be a Friday “B” schedule.

Summer Tutoring

Mrs. Gore has contact information for a West High graduate currently in his 3rd year at Yale who is offering tutoring over the summer via Zoom. He can tutor in the following subjects: Essay writing and argumentation; Critical thinking and logic; SAT prep strategies; College application advising; Elementary/Middle School Math and Science (some High School, depending on the subject); Elementary/Middle/High School reading and literature. Contact Mrs. Gore at lchs@lumenchristiak.org or text her cell at 907.227.9584 for more info.

St. Benedict’s & Other Community Events:

St. Benedict’s Youth Group

The St. Ben’s Youth Group got some good news this week in that they’re going to be allowed to meet (with social distancing requirements in place) for rosary walks, hikes or anything outdoors as long as it is not more than 20 people and we are still 6ft apart. This opens up many doors such as Youth Nights in person outside and more! Contact Elise Martinez at emartinez@stbenedictsak.com for more info and to join in on the fun.

Remember that all Lumen students regardless of Parish affiliation are welcome to join the St. B’s Youth Group.

Can you help? 

There are many needs in our community, here are a few ways to lend a helping hand if you can:

Catholic Social Services: Refugee Assistance and Immigration Services

• RAIS is in need of raised garden beds. RAIS had planned to hold a class with clients and build them together, but due to COVID we are not holding in person classes. If you are interested in building a raised bed, please contact Keenan at kplate@cssalaska.org and he can help with sizing and instructions.

• RAIS is in need of one sewing machine. If you have a sewing machine to donate, please contact Keenan at kplate@cssalaska.org

Catholic Social Services: Homeless Family Services

HFS is in need of items for their Permanent Housing Boxes (all items must be new and unused, please label items HFS):

• Towels

• Toilet paper

• Paper towels

• Soap and shampoo

• Tooth brush/toothpaste

• Household items: plates, cups, bowls, silverware, pots and pans

• Cleaning Supplies

• Pillows, sheets, blankets

To keep staff safe while dropping donations:

• Donations are accepted from 9:00a – 4:00p on Fridays

• Donors can leave donations in the shopping carts at the 20th Ave. side of the Catholic Social Services building (3710 E. 20th Avenue).

• If you would like a receipt, you can email Molly Cornish at mcornish@cssalaska.org and we can scan and/or mail one to you.

Have a great weekend!

Lumen News – April 23, 2020

Upcoming Important Dates:

• Wednesday April 29th – Virtual Principal/Parent Forum, 7p-8:30p (email invitation)
• Wednesday, May 6th – Baccalaureate Mass, 7p – Details forthcoming
• Thursday, May 7th – Graduation and Commencement for the Class of 2020 – Details forthcoming

Principal’s Update:

Greetings Lumen Families!  A couple of quick updates for you.

Thanks to the support of C+L Creative, Father Tom and I have produced a short fundraising appeal video to share with our community the impact of COVID-19 on our parish and school.  We hope you take the time to watch it, prayerfully discern whether you are able to assist, and perhaps share with your friends and family.  You can find the video, as well as a new “virtual tour” video, on our website here:  www.lumenchristiak.com.  Thanks to those families and friends of Lumen who have already answered the call!

We have had some parents ask about parent Share Hours and student Faith in Action/community service hours.  Obviously, it is more difficult to complete these requirements given our current situation.  We do not really have any Share Hour opportunities for parents at this point, but any faith in actions your son or daughter does complete can and should be documented.  For example, if you take time with your family to deliver canned food to Catholic Social Services, or your son or daughter writes a letter of support to a sick or ill loved one, or they do some spring cleaning around the house or–better yet–the neighborhood, these can all count towards their requirements.  We certainly expect our students to work hard towards their Faith in Action hours, but there is no way we can enforce.  Thanks for working with your child to explore opportunities to put faith into action!

I am soliciting a few more opinions on our dress code for next year, and will have a formal answer to our community in next week’s Update.

Finally, please check your email inboxes for an important letter from me regarding tuition amounts for next year.

May God continue to keep you and your family safe and healthy.

Campus Ministry:

During this time of uncertainty and social distancing, stay connected through Christ.

Our student leaders are having their second small group sessions today. They are off to a good start. We have two group leaders still looking for interested students so let your kids know!

You are all invited to our virtual school Masses everyThursday at 9a. Join via Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/stbenedictsak/

Prayer Spot

Please pray for

• Students, teachers and families who are working from home

• Medical professionals and first responders

• Those most vulnerable to illness

If you would like special intentions listed in Lumen News and Prayer Book of Intentions send them directly to Mrs. Loeffler. eloeffler@lumenchristiak.org

School Announcements:

Short & sweet this week!

Culinary Arts Lessons

Lessons #7 & #8 below will conclude our online Culinary Arts lessons for this semester. We can’t thank Alumni-mom Carol Sturguleski enough for going above and beyond to keep these lessons going!  Hopefully your student (or you) have learned some new techniques and gained a bit of confidence in the kitchen.  Thanks Mrs. Sturgulewski and Bon Appetit!

Next Week’s Schedule

Tomorrow is a Friday “B” schedule with periods 2, 4 & 6.

Next week, Friday, May 1st will be a Friday “A” schedule.

St. Benedict’s & Other Community Events:

St. Benedict’s Youth Group

The St. Ben’s Youth Group meets weekly on Wednesday nights at 7:00p. This week they played Martydom (the card version) via Zoom! Want to know what’s on the agenda for next Wednesday night? Reach out to Elise at emartinez@stbenedictsak.com for more info and to join in on the fun.

Remember that all Lumen students regardless of Parish affiliation are welcome to join the St. B’s Youth Group.