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2013-2014 Annual ReportGrace Lutheran School

Walking in theLight of God

FamiliesFor parents, the familyatmosphere is what theymost appreciate about GraceSchool. Families and teacherswork together to nurturechildren’s development in faith, academics and character. Children grow in discipleship, surroundedby witnesses to God’s loveand grace.

“It means so much to me thatmy kids feel comfortable atGrace. It’s a community, it’shome to them. That’s what isallowing them to flourish.Grace is more than just aca-demics.”

— Brian Henderson, father ofTyler (JK), Julia (1) andAndrew (2)

“Our children attended GraceLutheran School because itnurtured and developed them as “whole persons.”They have a better sense of themselves and of their placein the world as a result oftheir experiences at Grace.”

— Deborah Braxton, mother ofChristina (’10) and Alan (’07)

New things happen at Grace School everyday. Students discover new ideas, makenew connections, master new skills.

Teachers teach in new ways—with Smart Boards and iPads andhands-on activities in math and science. We’re preparing studentsfor lives of learning in the fast-changing world of the future.

Some things, though, stay the same. Weekly chapel services, schooldays that begin and end with prayer, learning about the Bible andwhat it means to live as disciples of Jesus Christ. But here too,Grace School is preparing students for the future, teaching them totrust and serve God in all that lies ahead. Our school-year theme for2013–2014 was “Walking in the Light of God.” We reminded stu-dents that day and night, in good times and bad, they walk in God’slight, surrounded by God’s mercy and love.

As we look back on the 2013-2014 school year, we are thankful for ourstaff, our students, their parents. We’re thankful for the extendedfamily of support behind Grace School, including the Grace Churchcongregation, our school alumni and our alumni families. We’regrateful for the three teachers who retired last spring, EllieSchnack, Maureen O’Connor and Bill Thompson, and for the min-istry of Grace’s Senior Pastor, Bruce Modahl, who retired in August.

God has blessed Grace Church and School. As you look through thesepages, you’ll see many things to celebrate, in academics, the arts,sports, and service. For these abundant blessings, we thank andpraise God!

Bill Koehne, principal

Greetings

Annual Fund Gifts, continued

Friends of GraceHope BellDevin BreenCalvin BorchardtHoward BurgdorfPeter and Elinor CraneCarol GarciaMark and Candy Mae GewekeGregory GrasseJennifer KempWayne LuchtMolly MacGowanRobert MeyerLinda MuseSarah OhanesianNancy PilafasAdrienne RottKathryn SangalisJohn and Marge SangerTimothy StewartWilliam Werner

A GracefulEveningSponsorsA Graceful Evening is an annual benefit that supportsthe school's educational andextracurricular programs.

Platinum Christopher Family Foundation

Gold Hoogendoorn Talbot LLP Reggie and Miriam Moore

Silver Neal and Esther ArmstrongDeborah and Alan Braxton Forest Park National Bank Scott and Julie KruegerTom, Deborah and Katie MaxwellBruce and Jackie ModahlJeff and Claudia Wood

Angel Doug and Ann Anderson Paul and Candice BuchbinderMichael and Bonnie Marcucci

Faculty/Staff Table Jay Christopher

Wine Judge Al and Irmgard Swanson

2013-14 Financial ReportIncomeSchool contributions $ 994,608Fundraising and donations $ 105,704Endowment income $ 21,973*Program fees and other income $ 270,715Support from congregation $ 453,529Total $ 1,846,529

*Represents a 4.5% distribution compared to 5% in previous years.

ExpensesPersonnel $ 1,500,367Instructional material $ 62,921Utilities $ 67,225Property and maintenance $ 95,159Technology support $ 20,605Office and supplies $ 35,909Other $ 64,343Total $ 1,846,529

Shared costs with Grace Church were approximated for the purposes of this report.

Fundraising and DonationsAnnual Fund for Grace School $ 24,519A Graceful Evening dinner and auction $ 45,592*

*plus $14,200 raised for gymnasium sound system and staging

Walk with Grace walkathon $ 20,500Other fundraising $ 15,093Total $ 105,704

Financials

Distinguished Alumni Awards were presented to StephenBouman, Joan Rohlfing and Noelani Ho at A GracefulEvening, the benefit for Grace School on February 22.

Who weare

Academics Grace School students consistentlyperform above national averages onstandardized tests and are well prepared for competitive area high schools.

Of the 29 Grace graduatesattending OPRF in 2012-13*:n 26 had taken one or more honors

courses during their high schoolcareer.

n 21 had a cumulative weightedGPA of 3.5 or higher.

n 4 had ACT scores of 31 or higher.

*Data from Oak Park River Forest High School

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

Grade 3Grade 4Grade 5Grade 6Grade 7

National median: 50%

Reading Language Math Science Social Studies Spelling

Terra Nova Achievement TestsComposite median scores for 2014

The bar heightrepresents themedian score forGrace students. Ascore of 75 meansthat our middle-scoring studentsscored betterthan 75 percentof studentsnationally.

2% Hispanic1% Asian

2013-2014 GraceStudents

2013-14 school year enrollment:

215

Geography: Students come from Chicago and 19 suburbs.

23% Chicago

22% Oak Park

12% Forest Park

11% Maywood

7% River Forest

6% Elmwood Park

3% Melrose Park

3% Berwyn

2% River Grove

11% Other suburbs

Religious background:

Grace Church

Other Lutheran/Protestant

Christian, non-denominational

Catholic

Orthodox

Buddhist

No home church

75

92

5

12

1

1

29

76% white

13% African-

American

8% bi-racial

Our mission at

Grace Lutheran Church

and School is to

bring in, build up and

send out disciples

for Jesus Christ.

Annual Fund Gifts2013-2014The Annual Fund for GraceSchool supports the school'sdaily operations.

Legacy CircleAndrew and Ruth Massmann

Heritage CircleDouglas and Ann AndersonNeal and Esther Armstrong

Founders CircleDale HermannWilliam and Denise ScholtensDavid and Connie Zyer

Graceful AngelsSusan CozartKen and Robin CozetteJayson and Melissa DeVriesConstance SchwabJan WestrickDavid Waldschmidt

Red and White ClubJeff and Leanne CribbsBetty ElmenDorothy KinnairdWilliam and Karla KoehneAlexandra LinnRandall and Janet PetersonGeorge ReinhardtHildegarde Schmidt

Century ClubDeedra BejaranoJames and Jean Marie DaleoDorothy FosterMichael and Roberta GillespieArt and Patricia GrundkePatricia HowardNadine KragerNicole LennieDonna LenoxBill LongRichard and Linda MartensJeff MeilahnGregory MeyerSharon MinarikSusan MlotGeorgene PhillipsRuth RehwaldtRalph SprandelEunice SpurgatLinda TjadenGrant UittiHelene Zarcone

Albrecht, Kat 4th Grade TeacherBerendt, Mary 3rd Grade TeacherBernier, Julie Band DirectorBrayton, Jennifer Clasroom Aide, Extended DaycareBrooks, Kathy Jr. Kindergarten TeacherByrne, Deirdre Resource TeacherClauss, Laura 6th Grade Teacher,

Athletic DirectorCostello, Michael CantorDennen, Janel Music TeacherFaulstich, Kelly Associate PastorGuagenti, Lisa Social WorkerHammer, Melissa Art Teacher, Classroom AideHedlund, Kristin Orchestra DirectorHoffman, Abby Extended DaycareHoffman, Kim Classroom AideHolm, Christa School Media SpecialistIammartino, Joyce School NurseJohnson, Jacquette Sr. Kindergarten TeacherKoehne, Bill School PrincipalKoekte, Ramona Pre-Kindergarten TeacherKruse, Margaret Teacher EmeritusMaggio, Eileen School Administrative AssistantMassmann, Ruth 5th Grade Language Arts TeacherModrich, Julie Children’s Ministry Coordinator,

Extended Day Care Director Mortensen, Lyle School Assistant AdministratorReddel, Paulette 1st Grade TeacherSprecher, Rhea Art History TeacherSchultz, Brian Jr. High TeacherShaner, Robert Interim Senior PastorSorg, Stacy 2nd Grade TeacherStrong, Ashley Extended DaycareWashburn, Kristine Resource TeacherWolfanger, Lisa Jr. High TeacherZielinski, Jennifer German TeacherZielke, Joel 5th Grade Teacher

Faculty&Staff Highlightsfrom 2013-2014

n Grace teamscompete withother largeLutheranschools in a newsuburban sportsconference.

n Students in grades 3–8 work at Phil’sFriends, packing support kits for cancerpatients.

n Coach Thompson celebrates his 900thcareer win as the 7–8 Boys Basketballteam qualifies for the state tournament.

n Grace School wins the WaltherAcademic Triathlon Championship for the2nd consecutive year.

n Grandparents and “grand friends” bravelate-winter snow to attend GrandparentsDay at Grace School.

n Students and faculty celebrate “Poemin Your Pocket” day.

n Grace student musicians and choirsreceive multiple blue ribbons at the Trinity,Roselle, music festival.

n Junior high students present rousingperformances of “The Music Man Jr.”

Board of Elementary EducationMelisssa DeVries, ChairReggie MooreEsther ArmstrongJonathan GrollAndrew AugustineTom Maxwell

AccreditationGrace Lutheran School isaccredited by AdvancEd.