St. Stephen’s Weekly News 2/16/2025

Singing Schedule:
Thank you to grade to for singing this past Thursday.

Children’s Choir will sing on Sunday, March 2 during the 8:00 service.

No School:
There is no school Thursday (2/20) and Friday(2/21) of this week.  The teachers will be in Tomah at the Western Wisconsin District Conference. 

Mission Collection:
We are off to a great start with our mission collection this quarter.  We have collected a total of $292.55.  This puts at 58.5% of our goal of $500.00.  Please remember that your child does not have to have the envelope to give an offering.  The 3rd quarter mission collection will be for WELS Home Missions to support a new mission congregation in Bend, Oregon.  

We thank Pastor Paul Schupmann for his presentation on planting 100 missions in 10 years in the WELS.  We also were introduced to the core of believers that we are serving in Bend, Oregon.

Kindergarten Round-Up:
Tomorrow is our annual Kindergarten Round-Up.  This will be from 6-7.  It is an opportunity for new Kindergarten parents and students to meet and greet the faculty of the school.  If you know of a family that has a child that would be in Kindergarten next year, please encourage them to be part of this Round-up and learn more about the importance of Christian elementary education.

Accreditation News:
Thank you to all who participated in the Accreditation process.  This process will continue throughout the next 5-6 years as we work on the recommendations of the visiting team.  We have been Accredited with Conditions.  There are a few items to fix within 6 months to gain full accreditation.  We met 89% of the standards that were presented to the site team.  According to Captain Ben Rank, “This is a good score for a first time accreditation visit.”  Well done St. Stephen’s Church and School.  The Lord has truly blessed us and will continue to bless us as we move forward.

“COIN DUEL” – A Fun School-Wide Competition!
Sponsored by PTS, our Coin Duel will take place from February 24-28! Help us reach our goal of $200 to support the new playground by collecting and bringing in coins to your classroom’s collection bucket.  The goal is to collect coins only.  Any currency that is not coin will be collected, but not counted toward the team count.
Team breakdown:
Team 1: Grades 5-8 Team 2: Grades 2-4 Team 3: Grades K-1
The winning team will be announced on February 28 and will enjoy root beer floats as their reward!
Start collecting and let’s make a difference together!

Sundae Fun Day!
The Student Council is hosting an Ice Cream Fundraiser on Friday, February 28.  They will be serving ice cream sundaes in the church basement from 2 to 3, staggered by class,  to raise funds for the playground.  This is a preorder sale.  If you or your child would like a sundae with up to 2 toppings, please send orders in an envelope or ziplock bag with names on them by Wednesday, February 26 to your child’s classroom teacher.  We do ask that only 1 order per person be placed, but if you are able to attend, please come on down to the church basement.  All orders will end up with Mrs. Cooper.

Movie nights coming up:
Friday, February 28, Movie night at St. Stephen’s in the gym starting at 6:00.  We will be watching Moana.  Water and 1 “Moana themed snack” will be provided.  You are more than welcome to bring a snack to share as well. 

Friday, March 7, Movie night at Good Shepherd to wrap up Read Across America week.  Details to come on which movie they will be watching and the time they will be starting.

2025-2026 Registration:
Online registration for the 2025-2026 school year will be opening tomorrow.  Please fill out the registration as soon as you see it appear on FastDirect.  If for some reason you are going to delay your registration/intent for the next school year, please let us know.

LLHS info:
7th and 8th grade parents interested in Lakeside Lutheran High School: Click here is a form for shadowing.   If you would like your student to shadow for a day at Lakeside,  fill out the form and let Mr Schulz know.  Any questions, just let Mr. Schulz know. 

2025-206 School fees:
After discussions at the Board of Education, the 2025-2026 school year will see an increase in the book fees that are assessed to the families.  This book fee is assessed to help with certain parts of the school’s mission:  curriculum, technology, certain fees, supplies, yearbooks, certain maintenance items, etc. 

St. Stephen’s Members—- $1,150
St. Stephen’s members support the rest of the ministry (salaries, benefits, utilities, main maintenance items, etc)  through their weekly giving.

Fee for other WELS/ELS Congregations—-$3,700

• Members of other WELS/ELS congregations would have to consult with their home church about any book fee assistance they might have.
• WELS/ELS congregations can make   monthly payments to St. Stephen’s.
• At this time, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will subsidize this fee (Please continue to support Good Shepherds Mission offerings to help in this matter).  The parents will be responsible for the $1150 book fee school year.  (This process is the same as this year)

Fees for Students Outside of Our Fellowship or unchurched—-$4,350

• If, after meeting with the principal and pastor, families intend on becoming members of St. Stephen’s and are enrolled in a Bible Information Class, they will be charged as a St. Stephen’s member for one (1) year.

St. Stephen’s School Mission:
St. Stephen’s Lutheran School will offer a Christ-centered education to all students. We will instruct them in the Word of God, educate them in secular subjects, train them to become responsible citizens in our community, and prepare them for their eternal victory in heaven when they die. We will do this by holding Jesus and his love before them each day by appropriately using law and gospel as we instruct and discipline.   

Please remember that if you need assistance with anything that you can reach out to the teachers and leaders of St. Stephen’s.  You can also find answers to some questions on the website: www.ssbdwels.com

Blessings on your week.