Thursday, March 28, 2024

Connect with us:

Enrollment drive underway at St. John Lutheran School

by Carrie Steinweg

LANSING, Ill. (February 28, 2019) – St. John Lutheran School continues this year in celebrating the school’s 125th anniversary, culminating with an end-of-the-year gala on April 28 at the Serbian Social Center. Two community events are also coming up that will serve as Open House events for interested families as the school works on an enrollment drive to draw in new students.

On March 8, from 6:00–8:00pm, the school will hold a Literacy and Game Night that is open to the public. Pre-K through second grade classrooms will have story readings, and grades 3–8 will have games in the gym. “They’re offering a dinner of sloppy joes and hot dogs, free of charge,” said Principal Allison Clous. “We are trying to get people to realize that we are here and there’s a school behind the church. A lot of people don’t realize that. It’s kind of tucked away.” Visitors can take a tour of the school during the event.

On April 13, at 9:30am there will be a community Easter Egg Hunt open to ages 3–10 years. Tours of the school will be available before and after the event. “We offer a Christian-based education with small class sizes,” said Clous. “There are art classes, computers, a Spanish program—and each student is assigned a Chromebook.”

Enrollment is open for preschool through 8th grade. Preschool is available for 3- and 4-year-olds, and Clous noted that there are flexible schedules. Students can enroll for half days or full days and for three days or five days. “We can work with a parent’s schedule,” she said. “For working parents, we can work along with what they need.”

David Swanson, a former teacher, principal, coach, and athletic director, emphasized the athletic opportunities for students. “St. John has soccer for boys and girls, basketball for boys and girls, and track, and volleyball. The volleyball team won the championship last year, and the boys’ basketball team has been undefeated the last two years,” he said.

The school also has a band program and choir, as well as an active Parent Teacher League that does fundraisers and other events.

Sue Planer has two children, ages 7 and 12, who currently attend the school. Her older daughter started at the school in the 4-year-old preschool program. “I have nothing but good things to say about St. John’s,” she said. “The staff, pastor, teachers, and kids are so nice and friendly and helpful.”

Planer said her in-laws had been church members, and that is what led her to registering her daughter there. “We were looking for something smaller and a more of a tight-knit kind of school,” she said. “I’ve made good friends with the parents of other students. It’s kind of like a big family. We’re always there for each other, and because of the smaller classes, everyone knows each other and has grown up together, and they’re all able to get along. It’s been a great experience.”

St. John Lutheran School is located at 18100 Wentworth Avenue in Lansing, Illinois. For information or to schedule a tour, call 708-895-9240 or visit stjohnlutheranlansing.com.

Carrie Steinweg
Carrie Steinweg
Carrie Steinweg is a freelance writer, photographer, author, and food and travel blogger who has lived in Lansing for 27 years. She most enjoys writing about food, people, history, and baseball. Her favorite Lansing Journal articles that she has written are: "Lan Oak Lanes attracts film crew," "Why Millennials are choosing Lansing," "Curtis Granderson returns home to give back," "The Cubs, the World Series, fandom, and family," and "Lansing's One Trick Pony Brewery: a craft beer oasis."