November 2011 | Northwest Home | January 2012

THE MISSION STATEMENT

Lutheran High School Northwest is committed to equip students for a life of Christian service through a curriculum of academic excellence, encouraged through a caring Christ-centered environment where God's word is shared daily.

"To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps."  
 I Peter 2:21

Christmas Blessings

Celebrate CHRISTmas!

No way around it. There is no Christmas celebration without CHRIST! It is so easy to start December by scrambling around making all kinds of plans and lists; checking things off our list as we frantically speed toward Christmas Day. Yes, it's a time of preparation. And the most important acts of preparation we can do is to prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ, His birth and our salvation through His death and resurrection! From all the faculty and staff of Lutheran Northwest, may God bless you and your family as you prepare to celebrate the "night of our dear Savior's birth."

Music Department Christmas Concert  ~ Saturday, December 17 at 7 p.m.

The Music Department will present a concert of sacred and secular Christmas favorites. The concert will be held in the Gymnasium of Lutheran High School Northwest (1000 Bagley Drive, Rochester Hills). Mark your calendars now and begin your holiday season with this excellent concert! A free-will offering will be collected to help support future efforts of the Music Department.

First Semester Final Exams

Please make sure that your son/daughter is well prepared for their final exams. Make sure that they have had a good evening of sleep and proper nutrition to help them do their best on the finals. (Studying wouldn't hurt either!) Final Exams are worth 20% of their semester grade.
 Hours for first semester exams are:
 
Exam Times
8:30 - 10:00 a.m. - First Exam
10:15 - 11:45 a.m. - Second Exam
 
Exam Schedule
Friday, December 16 - Periods 1 & 2
Monday, December 19 - Periods 3 & 4
Tuesday, December 20 - Periods 5 & 6
Wednesday, December 21 - Periods 7 & 8 

EXAMS MUST BE TAKEN AS SCHEDULED!

IMPORTANT DATES

Christmas Break ~ December 22-January 3

The school office will be closed from 1:00 p.m. December 21 to 7:30 a.m. January 4, 2012.
 
School Resumes January 4, 2012 

First Semester ends January 20, 2012

Remember that although we have final exams before Christmas vacation, first semester does not end until January 20.

Second Semester begins Monday, January 23, 2012

Ninth Grade Registration Night (for current 8th graders)

Freshmen Registration (Class of 2016) will be held on January 12 beginning at 7 p.m.  All freshmen and their families who are registered by that date for the 2012-2013 school year should attend.  Families may bring the completed registration card and fee that evening.  Again, earlier registration is encouraged.  The Principal and Guidance Director will provide an overview of the school curriculum that evening and guide our new families through the course selection process.  Please contact the school office with any questions.

SENIOR CLASS INFORMATION

Commencement

Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2012 will be held on Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 7:00 p.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Troy (16 Mile and Dequindre).

VERY IMPORTANT SENIOR PARENT MEETING

~JANUARY 5, 2012 AT 7:00 p.m. - Music Room
This is a very IMPORTANT meeting! Issues regarding your student's senior year and graduation will be discussed with Mr. Looker.
Also at this meeting, the Senior All Night Party Committee will present information regarding the SANP, and tickets will be available for purchase. 
This year the Senior All Night Party will be held at the Oakland Yard in Waterford on June 5 from 10:30 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. Ticket prices will be $75.00 until April 1, 2012 and $85.00 from April 2, 2012 until May 14, 2012.
 
The next S.A.N.P. meeting will be held January 16, 2012 @ 7:00 p.m. in the school library.
  
ATTENTION - Senior Ads for the Yearbook!!!

 Senior Ads will now be accepted for the 2012 Yearbook. Information sheets and order forms have been passed out to senior students. Please check the Lutheran Northwest website (lhnw.lhsa.com) in the near future to download an Acrobat information Sheet and an Acrobat Order Form. Please contact Mr. Prechel if you have any questions at dprechel@lhsa.com or call 248-852-6677.
 
 School Closings

Yes, it's that time of year when we all anxiously wait to spot those first few flakes of snow in the air!  This is also the time of year when we anxiously wait to see or hear that wonderful/terrible announcement that school has been closed for the day.  Here is some helpful information regarding the process of the closing the school due to inclement weather:

1.      Since Northwest does not have any public school bussing, we are independent when it comes to the decision of whether to have school or not.

2.      However, when a majority of the Oakland County school systems around us close, we will usually do the same.

3.      We especially watch for Rochester, Avondale, Birmingham and Troy.  When one of these systems closes, they usually all close.  When Rochester closes, we USUALLY close, but it's NOT automatic.

4.      There is then a second "layer" of school systems that we keep an eye on:  Waterford, Pontiac, Clarkston, Oxford and some in the Lapeer, Livingston and Macomb Counties.

5.      Northwest will always announce independent of any of these school systems.  When we close it will be announced on Channel 2, 4, and 7; also, WJR-760 and WWJ-950.  IF LUTHERAN HIGH NORTHWEST IS NOT ANNOUNCED, WE'RE NOT CLOSED. Parents can sign up for automatic personal alerts of school closings and weather related events from either radio station.
WWJ Newsradio 950:  Go to schoolclosed.com and click on "GetAlerts" for more information.
WJR Talkradio 760: Go to WJR.com. Click on the school closing link and enter your information. Once your school closing has been reported by our administrator WJR will provide the following:
1. An immediate email notifying you of NW closing
2. Listing of NW closing on the WJR.com School Closing Page
3. On-air announcements

 6.      As a parent, you always have the option to hold your student out of school when the weather is bad.  That absence, with your approval, is excused.

If a storm hits while we are in school, we only allow students to leave early if their parents have called us.  We do not allow students to call home or parents' place of work to ask if they can leave early.  Also, remember that students are not allowed to use their cell phones during school to call you. 

Health Issues

Health Department Advice

Help slow the spread of colds and flu!
*        PLEASE...Keep your student home if they exhibit flu-like symptoms that include fever, cough, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue and sore throat, and contact your family doctor.
*        Cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away; or into your sleeve if you don't have a tissue.
*        Wash hands often.
*        All faculty have been given a bottle of hand sanitizer for their classroom. Provide a small bottle of hand sanitizer for your student.
*        Avoid sharing cups and glasses.

Oakland County Health Division Flu Hotline
For up-to-date flu season information use the following option:
Flu Hotline: 800-434-3358
Nurse on Call: 800-848-5533
Health Divison website: www.oakgov.com/health

Student Medication

Medication-Your child will not be given any type of medication, including pain relievers such as Tylenol, by school personnel without a medication form, signed by a parent &/or physician, on file in the school office. The medication/pain reliever must be brought to the office. Students are not allowed to carry medication with them or keep it in their lockers.

Asthma-If your child has asthma and carries an inhaler, a medication form signed by a physician must be on file in the school office.

Forms are available in the school office.

LHNW Devotion Groups Sponsor Children through "Gifts For All God's Children"
 
For 23 years Gifts For All God's Children has been matching needy children from the Detroit area with caring individuals in churches, schools and businesses.  The gifts purchased have met needs, shared hope, joy and the love of Christ.

All LHNW devotion groups have sponsored children again this year.  

The unwrapped gift(s) (with angel tag attached) were returned to GFAGC Moms in the Media Center on Tues. Nov. 29 or Wed. Nov. 30.  Moms are needed to help on  Dec 7 in the morning. If you can help, please contact Patti Jacques at pjacques@wideopenwest.com or 248-933-7472.

 Guidance Department News

2011 - 2012 ACT/SAT Tests

Juniors and Seniors need to plan on taking the ACT and/or the SAT Tests. Neither test is given at Northwest . You may apply online. The school Code is 231-408. Typically students take these tests in the spring of their Junior year. 

Check out these websites: www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com.

  ACT/SAT I Test Dates

ACT Prep Course ~ Coming in January

Karen Carson of Carson Academics will be conducting an ACT preparation course in January. The sessions will be held every Tuesday, from 5 to 6 p.m., for five weeks, starting on January 10 and ending on February 7.   The cost will be $150 for all five sessions, which will include a prep book with five practice ACT tests in it. Students will also be able to attend individual sessions for their trouble areas. The cost per session will be $40, which does not include a prep book, but will include instructor's materials and practice questions.  Registration forms will be available in the school office.
 
MME

NW will NOT offer the MME this year. The decision was made due to losing the Michigan Promise Scholarship money and gaining three days of classroom instruction back.  Students may choose to take the MME at their local public school and will be excused to do so if they wish.  Call the school office for information.

Joy Hours

Remember that each student must volunteer twenty hours of community/church service each year as a requirement to be promoted to the next grade. Please contact Mr. McDonald with any concerns.
 
College Bound? Now transcript requests are available online!

Check out this link for easy access to transcript requests. Transcript Requests Online.

Athletic Department News
 
Euchre Party~ Save the date! Saturday, March 3

Saturday, March 3 will be the annual LHNW Euchre Party, sponsored by the Crusader Booster Club. This event has been a tremendous success over the past few years, and we would look to continue that this year. Tickets will be in the office when we come back from break. They will be on sale for $30 per person. Get your tickets early!
 
Schedules - on www.highschoolsports.net

Don't forget to register and check www.highschoolsports.net. There are always changes and additions during the sports season. This will be the most up to date and accurate place to check for changes.
 
Booster Club

You can get to our booster web site through a link on our school web site. Check out what is going on with our Crusader Booster Club at www.lhnw.lhsa.com.
 
Finals Practices

Monday the 19th of December there are NO Practices for any teams. The 20th through the 22nd practices are limited to 1 ½ hours. Please check www.highschoolsports.net for practices over break. Practices over a break can not be mandatory, but are strongly encouraged.
 
Winter Pictures~December 20

Winter Picture day is Tuesday the 20th of December. Students will be given forms for pictures the week before the pictures are taken. Pictures will begin after finals starting at 12:30pm. Coaches have schedules to let them know when they are taking their team picture.

Miscellaneous Items

Contact Information

If you change your e-mail address(es), phone number(s), and/or address, PLEASE let the school office know!!

Using E-mail to Communicate with the School Office

When using e-mail as a means of communication with the school office, please e-mail BOTH secretaries. (Mrs. Baldwin (gbaldwin@lhsa.com), Mrs. Riske (triske@lhsa.com).
Neither Mrs. Baldwin nor Mrs. Riske work every day, and e-mail messages may be missed. Thank you to those who have been doing that all along.

Student Pick Up

This is a reminder that Lutheran Northwest operates a closed campus during lunch and after school.  Students are not allowed to leave campus during the school day or after school while waiting to be picked up.  Students should be picked up no later than 5:30 p.m. if they are not participating in a school co-curricular event.  Students who are not picked up by this time will be subject to a nominal latchkey fee.  NW does not give permission for students to leave the campus after school to walk to nearby stores.  If you have any questions concerning this policy, please speak with Mr. Looker.
 
Courtesy Driving School

Courtesy Driving School will be offering another Segment I class at Northwest starting January 30. Brochures are availble in the office.   
 
Ongoing Fundraising Opportunities

Help Lutheran Northwest by Using the Internet!

Do you search for information online? Do you shop online? Well, by simply continuing to do what you normally do, you can help raise money for the Lutheran Northwest Art Program.
 
GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. With each search you make a penny is donated to your designated organization.
 
GoodShop is a shopping portal that works in much the same way. Every time you click over to one of the over 600 partner stores from the GoodShop site and then make a purchase, your charity or school earns money - sometimes up to 30% of your purchase!
 
To have your searches/purchases credited to LHNW, just type in "Lutheran High School Northwest" in the box under "Who Do You Goodsearch For?"
 
Please consider making Goodsearch your search engine of choice, and think about doing your online shopping through GoodShop - and help LHNW in the process!

Paper Recycling

Please continue to drop off your recyclable paper at the paper bin in the school parking lot.
 
Kroger, Meijer, GFS

Parent Network runs these ongoing fundraisers. See the PN Newsletter section for more information.

Thrivent Financial Funds

See the Thrivent Financial News section.

 
News from Friends and Neighbors 

 Peace Christmas Concert~Sunday, December 4, at 4 p.m.

Peace Lutheran Church and School, Warren (11701 E. 12 Mile Road at Hoover) will present a joyous celebration of Christmas in song this Sunday, December 4th at 4:00 p.m.
 
Our annual Christmas Concert includes the choirs of our church and school along with various instruments presenting a wide variety of choral numbers, ranging from a lovely Advent anthem, E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, to Handel's glorious Hallelujah Chorus.   
 
A free will offering will be received to help support the music ministry at Peace.  Refreshments will be served following the concert.  
   
Spaghetti Dinner~Sunday, December 4
 at St. John, Fraser starting at 4:30 p.m.

The eighth grade class at St. John Lutheran Church in Fraser (14 Mile & Utica) is holding a spaghetti dinner to raise funds for their trip to Washington, D.C. this spring. They will be serving spaghetti, salad, rolls and dessert. A free will offering will be collected.
 
St. John Lutheran Church, Rochester
Christmas Cookie Walk
 ~Saturday, December 10, 10 a.m. - 1p.m. (or until cookies are sold out)

1011 W. University Dr., Rochester, Michigan 
248-402-8000 - www.stjohnrochester.org
Contact Joyce Gangwisch @ 248-701-2586 / email: joycegangwisch@aol.com or Marge Coleman @ 248-852-4439 for more information.
 
 
LHSA Academic Calendar for 2012-2013
 
91 Days - First Semester
90 Days - Second Semester
181 Days - School Year
 

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Appleton, Wisconsin ~ Minneapolis, Minnesota
800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836) ~ www.thrivent.com
 
 Ring in the New Year with financial resolutions
 
With the New Year comes the opportunity to improve your financial well-being. Here are five financial resolutions to get you started:
 
1.      Establish your 2012 financial goals, including your retirement and overall savings goals. Post them where you'll see them often.
 
2.      Establish a budget based on what you spent last year, taking rising gas, heating and food prices into account.
 
3.      Cut back on debt by paying off a credit card balance, foregoing unnecessary purchases or adding $50 a month to your mortgage payment.
 
4.      Prioritize major purchases you want to make and figure out how to pay for them out of your current income.
 
5.      Review your will or estate plan to ensure it reflects your current life situation.
 
  
For help reaching your financial goals, contact Matthew Newcomb, FIC (matthew.newcomb@thrivent.com) Financial Associate at 248-822-7700 or James Riske, MSF, LUTCF, FIC  (james.riske@thrivent.com) Financial Associate at 586-726-8899 x 119 today!