Lumen News – April 11, 2019
Important Upcoming Dates:
- Tomorrow – Last day of 12:35 pm Friday Dismissal Time (Lent Schedule)
- Tomorrow – Last day of “40 Cans for Lent” Canned Food Drive
- April 15th: Lumen students present Passion Dramatic Reading at Lumen, 2pm
- April 16th: School Board Meeting, 6pm
- April 18: Lumen students present Passion Dramatic Reading at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, 9am
- April 18th: Holy Thursday (half day–Friday B schedule)
- April 19th: Archdiocesan Faith Walk
- April 19-22: Easter Weekend (no school Monday, April 22)
- April 23rd: Art Demonstration Day (details below)
- April 30th: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Science Day
- April 30th: Lumen Christi “Dine Out” at Texas Roadhouse, 5pm – 8 pm (details below)
- May 2: Last School Mass w/Class of 2019, 9am
- May 6: Baccalaureate Mass, 7pm
- May 9: Class of 2019 Graduation, 7pm
Principal’s Update:
Our Principal-Parent Forum was a great success, with over 20 parents in attendance. We stayed late into the evening having a productive and informative discussion on many topics including:
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Uniform vendors
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Sacrament of Confirmation
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Lumen-SEAS bus route
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Grant opportunities
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Role of the Parent Volunteer Organization
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Undergraduate/AP credit opportunities for high school students
Other areas of discussion involved looking at several things going into next year, including evaluating the homework load/schedule for our junior high students, our cell phone/digital device policy, and improving our communication to families about athletic activities and events. I’ll also be discussing with our staff ways to offer “intensives” during 7th period on Tues and Weds. These are expected to be 4-6 week non-credit classes that would be offered on a limited basis (6-8 students) as an alternative to study hall, yearbook, art, and drama. Ideas suggested/being pursued include first aid/CPR certification, hunter safety orientation, basic automotive skills, cooking/culinary arts, book or poetry club, or winter/outdoor survival skills, to name a few. I also suggested to parents that the school could benefit from a Parent Ambassador Program, whereby families agree to be our school’s advocate at local parishes and churches (advertise about our Open Houses, speak at Masses and services, host prospective families from the parish/church, etc.). We will be exploring this as a means to increase enrollment with another way for families to earn the majority of your Share Hours next year. Finally, we owe the Class of 2020 a decision soon on where our maroon Senior sweaters will come from for next year.
I closed the meeting by sharing with parents that our School Board is committed to developing a 3-5 year strategic plan for our school, and would like to solicit parent input in how we can add/change/improve our school in three areas: Faith, Family, and Excellence. Your feedback and comments will assist the Board in identifying key objectives and achievable goals to grow and improve the school over the next several years. The survey can either be completed in writing (see attachment) or online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CPHD7NV. The survey will close on Wed, April 24th, so thanks in advance for your time and assistance in helping with this strategic planning for our future!
Thank you as well to those who attended our Forum. I really enjoyed our conversation and I deeply appreciate your love for our school, your questions, and your feedback. The next Forum is scheduled to take place in September, in the first few weeks of the next school year.
Virtue of the Week:
This week’s Sportsleader Virtue is HEROIC – The strength to be willing to sacrifice yourself, your wants and needs for the good of others.
Campus Ministry:
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Registration for ACYC (Alaska Catholic Youth Conference) 2019 is now open. ACYC is a gathering of Alaskan teens, young adults, parents, pastoral administrators, and parish staff members. It features both Alaskan and national Catholic musicians and speakers who will help teens live as missionary disciples in their communities, whether that be rural or urban. The week will include Eucharistic liturgies, reconciliation, workshops, a concert, and yes, fun! As Pope Francis tweets: “A Christian is never bored or sad. Rather, the one who loves Christ is full of joy and radiates joy.” Teens who journey to ACYC will return radiating the joy of renewed faith and a strengthened desire to live as God’s disciples! For registration and more information, check out: http://bit.ly/2019ACYC.
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How is your Lenten Promise holding up?
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Consider attending Stations of the Cross with your family tomorrow, at your Parish.
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~OR~
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Join us for our last in-school Stations of the Cross tomorrow at 9 a.m.
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The Campus Ministry Bulletin board outside room 120 has information for remaining Lenten events at our Anchorage Catholic Parishes.
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Holy Week services and Masses for all Anchorage and Eagle River parishes can be found on our Campus Ministry Bulletin Board.
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A group of our students will be leading a Holy Thursday Spiritual Drama at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School on Holy Thursday, April 18th at 9 a.m. in the Miki Center. Please come join us and St. Elizabeth students for a prayerful morning.
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You can also join us for the dress rehearsal at Lumen Christi at 2 p.m. in the gym Monday, April 15.
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The Faith Walk is coming up on Good Friday, April 19th. Please plan to join us here at Lumen or your attend with home parish. St. Benedict parish members will meet at 8 a.m. in the St. Benedict parking lot. All other parish meet times are posted on the Campus Ministry bulletin board.
Prayer Spot:
Please remember the following in your prayers this week.
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Our senior class as students prepare for finals and graduation
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Teens who are struggling with faith
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Return to a reverence for all life
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Repose of the soul of All who have lost loved ones
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All first responders
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All families in crisis
Any prayer requests that families would like listed here in Lumen News and also in the Lumen Prayer Book of Intentions may be sent directly to Mrs. Loeffler.
Our Middle School Co-Ed team swept the Alaska Christian Schools Activity Association Indoor Soccer Conference Tournament this past weekend, concluding an undefeated season! GO ARCHANGELS! Another feather in the Lumen sports cap!
Our High School Track & Field Athletes head to Seward on April 23rd for their first meet of the season. Details are still being worked out with other teams for our first Middle School meet. Stay tuned for details!
School Announcements:
2019-20 Calendar (What? Already?)
The 2019-2020 School Year Calendar has been finalized and is posted on the School’s website. New this year are a Sports Calendar and an Activity Calendar which is still being finalized. The Activity Calendar will highlight events like Spirit Week(s), Class Retreats, as well as special events both on and off campus. Stay tuned!
Student Faith in Action Hours
Anchorage is hosting the 2019 Veterans Affairs Golden Age Games (VAGAG) June 5th – 10th and is in need of hundreds of volunteers. An estimated 500-800 veterans aged 55 & older will be here and participating in different events at the Dena’ina Center, Egan Center, Sullivan Arena & Bartlett High School. This is a great way for all of us to honor those who have served, and is a great way for Lumen students aged 14 and up to get a jump on their Faith in Actions hours for next year! For more info on the Games themselves, check out: https://goldenagegames.fusesport.com/ or to volunteers, go here:
https://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?ap=1437975583
Jewel Lake Expansion Project
You might have noticed some initial road work along Jewel Lake, or excavators in our parking lot – they’re both part of the overall “Jewel Lake from Strawberry to 88th” road widening project. It’s our understanding that any significant road closures will happen over the weekends and not impact school traffic but please be alert for any new traffic patterns just in case.
PROM
This year’s “A night in Hollywood” Prom is set for Saturday April 27th from 8pm to 11p at Viking Hall. Tickets are on sale in the office, single = $35/couple = $65. After tomorrow the price goes up to $40/$70. Prom is open to students grades 9-12.
Got Dirt?
Spring is here and it’s time for the Lumen community gardens to be planted. If anyone has a large quantity of soil, please contact Mrs. Brewer at dbrewer@lumenchristiak.org or Mrs. Craig at acraig@lumenchristiak.org. Thank you!
Rabbit Rabbit
Mrs. Craig is looking for a family to care for the school rabbit, Jidor, for the summer. He’s a very nice rabbit that gets along well with others. Bedding and food will be provided. Contact her at acraig@lumenchristiak.org if you can help.
“Dine to Donate” at Texas Roadhouse
Please consider eating out on Tuesday, April 30th at the Texas Roadhouse, 9100 Old Seward Highway. 10% of all proceeds will be donated back to Lumen! Vouchers are available in the Front Office to present to your server, or simply mention that you’re there in support of the school. Any meals purchased between 4p and 8p will be included. Please share this invitation with friends and family!
SHARE HOURS
Still have share hours to complete? Two good opportunities remain:
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Prom Set up & Clean up: Set up is 10a – 1p and clean up is from 11p – 1a at Viking Hall, 8141 Briarwood Street. Let Ms. Gore know if you can help: lchs@lumenchristiak.org
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St. Benedict’s Parish Clean Up: St. Ben’s supports our school in so many ways, help support their grounds clean up on Saturday April 27th at 9a. In the event the work is rained out, a back up day is scheduled for May 18th, also at 9a. No need to sign up, just show up ready to work.
Student Volunteer Opportunity! On Friday April 12th, Lumen’s National Honor Society will be helping Catholic Social Services prepare decorations for their May 11th Annual Charity Ball. Any and all students interested in the service opportunity should ask Mrs. Craig for a permission form. Vans will be leaving at 12:45pm and we will return by 3:15.
National Honor Society Tutoring
Don’t forget – the National Honor Society has free after school tutoring every Wednesday from 2:30-3:30p. NHS members encourage any students with homework questions or who need help with math or writing assignments to stop in for additional help. This tutoring is offered in addition to what is available on Mondays in the Library.