Author: Shane Locke

Important Upcoming Dates:

Apr 15: Good Friday (No School)
Apr 15: Good Friday Faith Walk (see details below)
Apr 17: Easter Sunday! CHRIST IS RISEN!
Apr 18: Easter Monday (No School)
Apr 23: Spring Speaker Series (see details below)
Apr 27: PSAT Testing, Grades 7th-8th
Apr 25: 4th Quarter Principal-Parent Forum (7pm, plus virtual option)
Apr 29: Last School Mass with Seniors @ 7:45am
Apr 30: High School Prom, 8-11pm (Viking Hall)
May 2: Class of 2022 Celebration Parade, 6pm (details below)
May 4: Class of 2022 Baccalaureate Mass, 7pm
May 5: Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony, 7pm
May 17-19: Finals, Early Dismissal (11am)
May 19: Last Day of Classes
May 26-28: Garage Sale (Set Up 26th, Sale 27th-28th)

Principal’s Update:

The Triduum is upon us, and after, the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ! We will end our school day today with the Stations of the Cross and dismiss for the weekend.

As we look forward, I invite you to the 2nd iteration of our School Board’s Speaker Series on Saturday,April23rd,at7pmhereatschool. Inprevioussurveys,ourschoolfamilieshaveaskedformore social occasions in a faith environment and this event promises to be just that! Come listen to the gifted Dr. Jared Staudt on how to learn and live the faith and afterward, mingle and meet other Lumen families in a social hosted by Matanuska Brewing Company. To help incentivize student attendance, I will grant a casual day on Monday, April 25th and two Faith in Action hours for any student who attends the event. Additionally, Father Tom has said he will host a pizza lunch party for the grade level with the highest percentage of students from the class in attendance!! To help incentivize parent attendance, you will earn at least two Share Hours for attending! Our School Board has put a lot of effort into this event, and we hope many in our community will gather with us next Saturday!!

On behalf of our entire school staff and my family, we hope you have a blessed Triduum and Easter.

Campus Ministry:

The Virtue of the Week is Mortification

You can find great conversation starters and other ideas on this week’s virtue on the following website:

https://www.sportsleader.org/sites/default/files/Mortification%20Parent%20PDF%202.pdf

• Today is Holy Thursday, the first day of the Holy Triduum. I hope you are able to take part in the services this week. The following link provides the for each Parish: https://northstarcatholic.org/holy-week-easter-schedules-across-anchorage-archdiocese/
• Students and families are all invited to take part in the Faith Walk on Good Friday, April 15. The Saint Benedict Youth Group will leave from Lumen Christi Friday morning at 8am. Other meet locations are on the following website: https://aoaj.org/documents/2022/4/2022-GFFW%20Schedule%20Edit%202.pdf
• We are not making sandwiches this week but will begin again next Friday.
• We are excited to be welcoming Sophia Turner into full communion with the Church this Saturday at the St. Benedict Easter Vigil.
• Dynamic Catholic has a wonderful daily Lenten reflection. You can sign up at https://www.dynamiccatholic.com/lent.html
• Students’ Rice Bowls to collect money for Catholic Relief Services will be collected the week after Easter.

Front Office News:

JOIN US!!! – Good Friday Faith Walk from St. Ben. Parish to Downtown

The Good Friday Faith Walk will depart from St. Benedict at 8am on Friday, April 15th to meet at Pope John Paul II Memorial (Delaney Parkstrip) at 10:30 AM.

Following will be an opportunity to watch The Passion of the Christ film in the Upper Room at LCHS.

Class of 2022 Senior Celebration Parade

The Senior Celebration Parade is a tradition born during the pandemic, when social distancing expectations made us get creative in celebrating our graduating class. On Monday, May 2, at 6pm, we will gather a car convoy (along with our two Lumen buses) and drive through Anchorage on a preset route to each of our Seniors houses (or other locations). We will personally deliver a graduation yard sign and honk, beep, and otherwise embarrass the Class of 2022 graduate in their local neighborhood. With 16 Seniors this year, the convoy will take a bit longer than normal, but we anticipate about two hours. We know gas prices are rising, but for the past two years, our Seniors and their families have come to appreciate our school community’s support in this new tradition. Come on out on a Monday night, take a drive through Anchorage, and celebrate our Class of 2022 graduates!

REQUIRED Parent Share Hours & Faith In Action Opportunities

As we look ahead to the end of the year, we know some families are still short on Share Hours. Know that we’ll have a couple of excellent opportunities coming up to help you meet those requirements!

Volunteers are needed to help with the following events:

1. We’ve had a few spots open up at the Archangel Attic – We need one volunteer on Saturday, April 23rd from 1-4p, and then FOUR! to work on Saturday, May 20th; 2 in the morning shift from 10a – 1p, and 2 in the afternoon from 1p-4p. Please call/text Sandy Foreman at 907-952-5251 if you can help, or sign up here: https://signup.com/go/rKBncff

2. Lumen Alumni parent Joe Law is hosting a BBQ picnic on Saturday, April 16th from 12-4pm at the Delaney Park Strip to help raise money for the Ukrainian Red Cross. He is seeking any students and families willing to help serve food and/or pick up trash during the event. This is not a school sponsored event, but if you are interested in volunteering, call Joe at 907-338-0129 to learn more details.

2. High School Prom set up, chaperoning, clean up and bring in: desserts/drinks (Saturday, 4/30.) https://signup.com/go/XamiDmu

4. Annual GARAGE SALE! What was once just an idea to raise a few bucks has become a large, annual 2 day event that brings in anywhere from $6,000 – $8,000!! This year we’re planning on holding the event, Friday May 27th and Saturday, May 28th. This is a labor intensive event and even though school will officially be out, volunteer hours will count towards this year’s Share Hour requirement. We anticipate needing help on Thursday afternoon, May 26th setting up tables and sorting donations; Friday and Saturday helping keep tables organized and new items placed.

Donations: start your own spring cleaning at home! We will gladly be accepting items
that are in considerably good condition starting Tuesday, May 24th after 12pm –

NO EARLY DONATION DROP OFFS
due to a series of events happening on campus.

Click here to volunteer: https://signup.com/go/syUzaHu

4. Finally, while it’s going to be a fantastic event in its own right, Principal Ross is offering Share Hours for attendance at the Spring Speaker Series (info below.) Come and support your school community, deepen your faith and have a cool beer afterwards (thank you Matanuska Brewing for your generosity in hosting the post-talk reception!)

Prom Guest Permission Slips (Grade 9th-12th)

Students will need to pick up Prom Guest Permission Slips at the front desk with Mrs. Guzman.

Spring Speaker Series!!!

Continuing the fall success of our annual Speaker Series, our illustrious School Board has planned and organized the next event scheduled for Saturday, April 23rd at 7pm here at Lumen. Details are below and posted on our Facebook page. We hope you will come join us in this social, informative, and family event in a faith-filled environment. Parents, please note the reception afterward sponsored by Matanuska Brewing!!!!

Invited to watch Speaker Jason Evert

Click HERE to get your tickets!

Hot Lunch

The remaining ‘Hot Lunch’ will be CASH ONLY ($5).

April: 20th (HS), 27th (MS)

May: 11th (HS), 18th (MS)

In really exciting news, a select group of Lumen high school students will have an opportunity to visit Washington D.C. next April 2023! Close Up Foundation works with students to develop skills needed for citizenship development while introducing students to memorials, museums and monuments around our nation’s capital. Students will be expected to fundraise or pay their way and are welcome to use miles or companion fares to help with travel expenses. A sample schedule is attached below. Letters to students were sent home to all interested incoming 9th-11th graders on Tuesday. An informational meeting will be held in the Lumen Library on April 12th at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested or have additional questions, please contact Mrs. Spillers at [email protected] for more information.

2022-2023 School Calendar

Space is limited to twenty students. For more information click here:

Close Up Tour 2023 & Close Up Program Info and Sign-Up Sheet

Next school year’s calendar is out! Click here to see:

Lumen Christi 2022-2023 Calendar (Final as of March 23 2022).pdf

Follow us:

https://www.instagram.com/lchs_student/

@LCHS_STUDENT

Important Upcoming Dates:

Mar 25: Lenten Soup Lunch (All Grades)
Mar 25: 9th Grade Retreat
Mar 28: Stations of the Cross (7th Period)
Mar 29: Internet and Social Media Safety (7th Period)
Mar 30-Apr 1: COGNIA Reaccreditation Virtual Review
Apr 1: All School Mass at 7:45am (Archbishop Bellisario celebrating) Apr 1: Lenten Soup Lunch (All Grades)
Apr 4: Stations of the Cross (7th Period)
Apr 5: Lenten Reconciliation Service (Junior High–7th Period)
Apr 6: Lenten Reconciliation Service (High School–7th Period)
Apr 8: Lenten Soup Lunch (All Grades)
Apr 12: Close Up Informational Meeting, 7pm
Apr 14: Stations of the Cross (7th Period)(Holy Thursday)
Apr 15: Good Friday (No School)
Apr 17: Easter Sunday! CHRIST IS RISEN!
Apr 18: Easter Monday (No School)
Apr 23: Spring Speaker Series (see details below)
Apr 26: 4th Quarter Principal-Parent Forum (7pm, plus virtual option) Apr 29: Last School Mass with Seniors @ 7:45am
Apr 30: High School Prom, 8-11pm (Viking Hall)
May 4: Class of 2022 Baccalaureate Mass, 7pm
May 5: Class of 2022 Graduation Ceremony, 7pm
May 17-19: Finals
May 19: Last Day of Classes

Principal’s Update:

We are so proud of our boys and girls basketball teams for their performance in the 1A Alaska State Basketball Championships. While I know both teams wanted to win a state championship, to have both teams finish 3rd place in the same year is nothing short of historical. A special shout out goes to Tim Bennett and Brenden Gregory, who were named to the 1A Boys All-State First Team and to Robert Wilcox who was named to the 1A Boys All-State Second Team. Brenden was also honored as the 1A Player of the Year, to my knowledge, only the second time a Lumen player has earned this recognition in our school’s history! On the girls side, Natalie Grubba was named to the 1A Girls All-State First Team and Amara Warren was named to the 1A Girls All-State Second Team. Our boys basketball coach, Adam Trombley, was honored as the 1A Boys Coach of the Year. Both Adam and Tom Gregory (the Lumen girls coach) have been exemplary as coaches, mentors, and role models for our young men and women and we are so grateful to have them in our community. Additionally, the following seniors were selected to play in the Alaska Association of Basketball Coaches Senior All-Star Games, on April 15th and 16th: Brenden Gregory, Tim Bennett, Robert Wilcox and Sabrina Warren. (More information will be coming out about this final opportunity to cheer on our players, so stay tuned.)

We congratulate all our All-State players–indeed all of our student athletes–as well as our wonderful coaches for a job well done all season! Nice work Archangels!

Please keep our Class of 2025 9th graders in your prayers as they go on retreat tomorrow (Friday) and spend some time in reflection on the “Seven Last Words of Christ.” We are excited that many of our 9th grade families will join their son or daughter as a part of the retreat at the St. Benedict’s Lenten fish fry in the evening followed by the Stations of the Cross. Parents have asked for more social occasions in a faith filled environment and this retreat was planned to facilitate an opportunity for our Class of 2025 families to come together. Many thanks to our Campus Minister, Mrs. Loeffler, our Admin Assistant, Mrs. Guzman, and others who have helped plan and organize what promises to be a special day.

Please also keep our school community in your prayers next week as we turn our attention to our Cognia Accreditation Review from Wed, Mar 30-Fri, Apr 1. The heavy lifting administratively has been done in advance by our school staff, and the review team will interview students, parents, staff members, and our School Board during their visit. We expect to receive the initial results from the review on Friday morning, and as soon as I am able, I will provide our community with details. I believe we are ready and prepared to demonstrate that our continuous improvement journey meets the high standards of accreditation in the areas of leadership, learning, and resources as outlined by Cognia. Please keep our school community in your prayers as we look forward to being reaccredited for another five years.

I am excited to announce that the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Anchorage Juneau, Archbishop Bellisario, will be celebrating our all-school Mass next Friday, April 1 at 7:45am. Please make sure your son or daughter looks professional as we want to put our best foot forward for our Good Shepherd. He is a very busy man, and we are blessed to have him join our school community for the Eucharistic celebration. All parents and families are most welcome!

Finally, please see below for the announcement of a challenge I highlighted during our 6th Annual State of the School in February: the design of a school crest! We tried to do this two years ago and COVID disrupted our efforts (as it did in so many other ways, as well). While I love our Archangel school mascot, a great Catholic school needs a great school crest, which symbolizes our emphasis on whole body development, captures the uniqueness of our Alaska location, and stands as a visual representation of our entire school community. I look forward to seeing the creativity and artistry from our students, staff, parents, alumni, and anyone else who wants to submit an entry. Details are below!

School Crest Design Contest

Awesome opportunity! Design a crest that best represents our school! The winner will be selected by a committee of faculty, students, and parents, after input via survey from the Lumen community. The winner will receive a $100 gift card of his/her choice.

Deadline for submissions is Holy Thursday, April 14, 2022 by 1pm. Click here for more information: School Crest Design Challenge.pdf

2022-2023 School Calendar

Next school year’s calendar is out! Click here to see:

Lumen Christi 2022-2023 Calendar (Final as of March 23 2022).pdf

Spring Speaker Series!!!

Continuing the fall success of our annual Speaker Series, our illustrious School Board has planned and organized the next event scheduled for Saturday, April 23rd at 7pm here at Lumen. Details are below and posted on our Facebook page. We hope you will come join us in this social, informative, and family event in a faith-filled environment. Parents, please note the reception afterward sponsored by Matanuska Brewing!!!!

As we look ahead to the end of the year, we know some families are still short on Share Hours. Know that we’ll have a couple of excellent opportunities coming up to help you meet those requirements!

1. High School Prom set up, chaperoning and clean up (Saturday, 4/30.) We anticipate needing 4-5 parents for decorating during the day (noon-8pm); 3-4 for chaperoning during the dance (8-11pm); and 5-6 for clean up afterward.

3. It’s not on the calendar yet, but we anticipate there being a St. Benedict’s spring clean up event; in fact most parishes around town have one. If you’re a parishioner or congregant at another Catholic Church or House of Worship, know that serving in that capacity is another fantastic way to earn hours.

4. Finally, while it’s going to be a fantastic event in its own right, Principal Ross is offering Share Hours for attendance at the Spring Speaker Series (info above.) Come and support your school community, deepen your faith and have a cool beer afterwards (thank you Matanuska Brewing for your generosity in hosting the post-talk reception!)

Sign-ups for Prom and the Garage sale will be out within the next couple of weeks. Until then, if you’re short on hours, look for opportunities within your own ‘sphere of influence.’ Do you have an hour to help at Brother Francis Shelter or Clare House? Can you donate supplies for Friday Sandwich-Making with Mrs. Loeffler? Can you pick up trash as part of the City Wide Clean Up beginning on May 1st? Thank you for working to fulfill not just your hours, but to support our community in so many ways.

Lumen Students To Visit Washington D.C- 2023 Close Up

In really exciting news, a select group of Lumen high school students will have an opportunity to visit Washington D.C. next April 2023! Close Up Foundation works with students to develop skills needed for citizenship development while introducing students to memorials, museums and monuments around our nation’s capital. Students will be expected to fundraise or pay their way and are welcome to use miles or companion fares to help with travel expenses. A sample schedule is attached below. Letters to students were sent home to all interested incoming 9th-11th graders on Tuesday. An informational meeting will be held in the Lumen Library on April 12th at 7:00 p.m. If you are interested or have additional questions, please contact Mrs. Spillers at [email protected] for more information.

Space is limited to twenty students. For more information click here:

Close Up Tour 2023 &

Close Up ProgramInfoandSign-UpSheet .pdf

Follow us:

https://www.instagram.com/lchs_student/

@LCHS_STUDENT

Volunteer/Parent Share Hours Opportunities

Sign-ups will be posted soon for the Garage Sale and Prom! Stay tuned.