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Memorial Lutheran School
Building a Strong Foundation
News and Updates
November 2, 2012 |
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Headmaster's Greeting |
THE NEED TO KNOW
Watching the presidential debates this year confirmed my commitment to classical education. It seemed to me that the skills important for success in those debates included a command of the facts, the logical presentation of one's case, and a bearing that conveyed both civility as well as conviction to one's causes. The trivium of classical education seeks to train children in these skills. Grammar level instruction trains the mind to memorize and retain the facts of a subject. Dialectical instruction teaches children to logically construct arguments and to spot faulty and erroneous arguments. Instruction in rhetoric equips students to speak, write, and defend their causes persuasively and winsomely.
Inadequate or neglected training in these skills can not only jeopardize one's debate success, but it may also put at risk what is right and true. When the 16th century Protestant Reformation was just beginning, a Roman Catholic theologian named Johann Eck challenged Andreas Karlstadt of the University of Wittenberg, where Martin Luther also taught, to a debate. Karlstadt was a competent theologian, but his debate skills were no match for Eck. One historian recounts, "Eck talked freely, seldom using his notes and books. Karlstadt, on the other hand, read constantly from the pile of books that surrounded him, In fact, he read so much he put many in the audience to sleep." It wasn't until Martin Luther took over for Karlstadt that the truth of their cause won the day and went on to change the world.
The point is this: we live in a world where technology allows us to function without knowing much of anything-after all, we can always "Google" the answer. That approach to learning, however, leaves one in the same situation as Dr. Karlstadt-always needing to find the answer (tedious) and read it to prove our point (boring). Much better that we train the brain through much memorization to retain the information one needs. Much better that we equip students with the skills to defend their convictions logically and freely without the need for debate notes. Much better that we give children the power of language to defend what is good and right and to persuade others of its wisdom. Much better that we give our children a classical education.
Pastor William Heine
Memorial Lutheran Church and School
5800 Westheimer Road
Houston, TX 77057-5617
School phone: 713-782-4022 ext. 317
bheine@mlchouston.org
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Fall Festival This Evening 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thank You PTL! | |
 The Fall Festival is this evening, November 2, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the gym and back playground. The ticket table will be in the gym, and you may pick up pre-ordered tickets or purchase tickets if you did not pre-order. The MLS Faculty and Staff would like to thank Marte Stangeland and her great team of volunteers for helping to make this event possible! We also thank all parents who generously donated items and time in support of this annual event.
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MLS Band Students to Play at Renaissance Festival November 6 | |
 Our middle school band students will be playing at the Texas Renaissance Festival this coming Tuesday, November 6. The Pilgrim Lutheran School Band will join our students!
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Character Counts! Dress Day for Trustworthiness, November 9 | |
 The Character Counts! Trait for November is Trustworthiness. Students are encouraged to wear the color blue on Friday,. November 9. Blue T-shirt, jeans and tennis shoes are acceptable. If you have any questions, you may contact Mrs. Lamberson at dlamberson@mlchouston.org.
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MLS Open House Sunday, November 11 - 2 to 4 p.m. | |
 Open House for our current families and prospective families is Sunday, November 11 from 2 to 4 p.m. Come meet the teachers your child will have next year, and get to know more about Memorial Lutheran School. Did you know that he computer lab and iPad2s are available even to our Pre-School 3 classes? We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions, please contact LouAnn Webber in the office at lwebber@mlchouston.org. You are welcome to invite a friend who may be interested in our school.
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Prayers this Week | |
 This week's prayers:
We continue to pray for 3rd grade teacher, Michelle Kleb as she continues to recover from surgery.
We pray also for Miss Eleanor Andree, former MLS receptionist and MLC church member, who is recovering from surgery. |
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Grandparents Day November 16 | |
Grandparents Day at MLS is set for Friday, November 16. Look for a form to be sent home early next week. The schedule for Grandparents Day is as follows:
- 8:00 - 8:30 a.m. - Students should be in classrooms. Grandparents are welcomed in the gym. Coffee, juice and snacks available for Grandparents.
- 8:30 - 9:00 a.m. - Chapel in the gym
- 9:15-10:00 a.m. - Students and grandparents spend time in the classroom
- 10:00 - 10:15 - Grandparents return to the gym and are seated
- 10:15 - 11:15 - Performance by students in the gym
- 11:00 a.m. - Children who are NOT leaving with grandparents will return to classrooms for lunch
- 11:15 a.m. - Dismissal of children leaving with their grandparents
- 11:30 a.m. - Children remaining at school will eat lunch in their classrooms
Parents with babies and toddlers in BabyLand wing should check with their child's teacher for special Grandparents Day times. |
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Students of the Week | |
 Congratulations to last week's Students of the Week:
Kindergarten - Alexander Stangeland and Joshua Stoneburner; 1st grade - Isaiah Bohot, Aston Clarke, Mille Flinder, Gage McDermott, Raleigh Nam, Victoria Rebber, Nelson Starbranch, Leavitt Syed, Arianna Torres and Isabella Traverse, 2nd grade - Elise Bias and Lonnie Turner; 3rd grade - Katyana Luquinda; 4th grade - Chloe Cooper; 7th grade - Erica Bomar, Chris Filby, Rory Lamberson, Tara Nored and Ghonche Pooladian; 8th grade - Joelle Tshikuta |
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Thanksgiving Holidays | |
All classes, Infants through 8th grade, will be closed for the Thanksgiving Break Wednesday, November 21 through Friday, November 23. In addition, school will be closed for Kindergarten through 8th grade on Monday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 20, due to teachers attending the annual Lutheran Educator's Conference. Childcare will be available. |
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Calendar - Events | |
Looking Ahead - Calendar:
- Friday, November 2 - Fall Festival 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Sunday, November 4 - "fall back" - set your clocks back one hour
- Tuesday, November 6 - MLS Band performs at The Renaissance Festival with Pilgrim Lutheran's band. They will compete in the music festival there.
- Friday, November 9 - Wear blue for Character Counts!
- Sunday, November 11 - Kindergarten class sings in Church at the 8:15 a.m. service
- Sunday, November 11 - MLS Open House 2 to 4 p.m - meet teachers and learn about curriculum and programs
- Friday, November 16 - Grandparents Day at MLS in the gym - breakfast snacks for grandparents at 8 a.m.; Chapel at 8:30, classroom visits 9:30, concert 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children are then dismissed to parents, grandparents or the teacher
- Monday and Tuesday, November 19 and 20 - No School for K to 8, teachers are at the annual Lutheran Educator's Conference
- Wednesday through Friday, November 21-23 - All programs are closed in observance of Thanksgiving (Infants through 8th grade)
You are welcome to call the school office at any time with questions - 713.782-4022. |
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| LouAnn Webber
Director of Admissions
Memorial Lutheran School
713-782-4022 school office |
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