Principal's Pennings
Principal's Pennings
26October
Before school started, I attended an Administrator's Workshop that spoke on discipleship. Being new to MLA, I was curious, how successful are we at modeling discipleship for our students. I surveyed the teachers, asking them to rank four statements from one to four and provide evidence if they rated high on the scale:
Our students love being a part of the body of Christ.
Our students feel and know the presence of God.
Our students know how to forgive.
Our students understand, can use, and share scripture.
I was pleased with the responses given. There were many 3 and 4 rankings with evidence from the teachers as to why they rated the statement that way. There was evidence shared about the students’ enthusiasm during chapel, completing memory work, the daily opportunity to ask and forgive others, and much more.
Moving forward at MLA, we desire to continue this spiritual growth. We want to partner with you. “Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6. It is such a great opportunity for us to be able to work together with the children you have entrusted us to teach. We are blessed to share with our children here and at home about the love of Christ, to worship together, and share the gift of prayer daily. As the school year continues, we want to make sure that our faith continues to grow in Him both at home and at MLA.
Blessed to serve MLA and our Lord,
One project I started when I arrived at Martin Luther Academy was to develop a vision and direction for MLA. I spent time meeting the Pastors, of the four congregations that support MLA, parents, constituents of MLA, board members, faculty and staff. I asked them what they would like to see from MLA in the future and ways we can work together to achieve these areas discussed.
I have learned over the years that when leadership works together and communicates the vision, everyone will have better knowledge and understanding of the direction desired for MLA. We are blessed to have a very broad range of constituents that have interest in the direction of MLA. Throughout the conversations, there were several common areas that continued to arise. These areas were/are: spiritual, academic, population, and facilities. When this information is shared with different groups, it is explained that they are not areas that are being done poorly, but areas that we can improve. Over the past week, parents of alumni have shared the successes their children are having in high school both academically and spiritually. The areas being identified are just areas that we can grow, and that is a part of this vision. MLA needs to continue to grow stronger in these areas as we move forward.
A couple of years ago, I attended a conference on marketing and branding. The big take away for me was, know your niche. It was interesting when I asked other principals what their niche was because they had a hard time identifying it. As I worked through the development of a vision, I also wanted to find our niche. I have been praying for an answer to identify why MLA is appealing to others. I believe that God has put that answer before me through observing others around me. I have discovered that MLA has a family oriented atmosphere. The parents care for each other and our children, the congregations care for MLA, and the students care for each other. Paul tells us in Romans 12:4-5, “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” I am thankful that even though we are individuals we are one body in Christ, and that He guides and protects us daily.
Blessed to serve MLA and our Lord,
Martin Luther Academy is blessed through all the volunteers that work to build MLA. Volunteers are visible on a regular basis: lunch, athletics, room parents, event organizers, etc. There are also volunteers that are not always visible such as the Executive Committee (EC) and members of the Board of Delegates.
The Executive Committee consist of LCMS church members from the four member congregations that support MLA. The Executive Committee works with the principal concerning matters of policies, appoints committees as necessary, directs specific items of business, and examines the MLA budget. The EC meets once a month to discuss these matters. Currently, the Committee is exploring avenues to balance the yearly budget.
The Board of Delegates consists of two lay (uncalled workers) delegates from each association member congregation and a pastoral delegate. Delegates are entitled to one vote concerning major matters regarding Martin Luther Academy and are responsible for reporting information back to their congregations on the activities at Martin Luther Academy. The Board of Delegates meet four times a year.
Thinking back 8 years ago. . . Jessica and I were married about 2 years. We had each been called to Wisconsin about a year and a half earlier. We served the first cold, snowy winter either one of us had truly experienced. I was still in shock that the Lord would lead us to Wisconsin. As I am continuously reminded, God al-ways has a plan. It may not be easy and in this case, it was definitely not nearly the warm, sunny beach, some of us dream of living. In the Spring, eight years ago, the faculty and staff where I taught, learned that we were in need of taking a pay cut of about 30% for the remain-der of the year; otherwise, a few teachers would be out of a job for the rest of the year. Jessica and I cancelled our cable, adjusted our priori-ties, and even though things seemed tight, we saw that we lived comfortable, especially after knowing the cost of twins. Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Last week, I shared that the Executive Council had been exploring ways to be good stewards of what the Lord has giving MLA. The council approved a Walkathon which was a great success, raising about $7,100 to be used towards a student information system and basket-ball goals for the parking lot. They have explored health insurance options, energy saving methods for the building, increasing enrollment and finding grants. The council is also exploring the tough decision of raising tuition. Tuition at MLA has remained the same for the past 8 years. It currently costs MLA about $8,100 to educate a single student. MLA is
Being at Martin Luther Academy is great! It is amazing to be part of a community that cares for each other like family. I am able to see this more and more each day through many of the events listed below.
- · We had great participation for our first TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) meeting last week. TEAM’s next dinner fundraiser is Tuesday, October 10, at Panera.
- · Thanks to everyone for making the 1st Annual MLA Walkathon a success. The students walked over two miles and raised over $7,100. The money will be used to purchase basketball goals and a student information system. A special thank you to Julie Battista and her committee!
- · We had a strong number of students that sang on Sunday at King of Kings Lutheran Church. Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 12, when we sing at Holy Cross Lutheran.
- · The Liberty Fall Festival was a great opportunity to partner with St. Stephen and share with visitors about MLA and St. Stephen Lutheran Church ministries.
- · The students held their first Family Group activity on Tuesday. Family groups are students from each grade mixed together so they can interact with each other.