Staff Message - Martin Plocher
Since God owns it…what do I do with it?
As I write this article, Christmas is fading away in the rear view mirror. In our house, the Nativity scene, tree and its decorations are returned to their boxes and storage areas. It has been a month since we opened those gifts under the tree. And for many, our hectic daily schedules are beginning to synchronize once again.
During any gift giving celebration, the anticipation and excitement of getting something new and hopefully useful to your life brings great joy and I am sure that as you opened that much awaited gift, you had to try it out or put it on. You showed it off to others, talked about it with your neighbors, coworkers, and friends. Your heart may have been overjoyed with what you received. Unfortunately, that “newness” wears off, the gift is set aside, seldom used, and often forgotten.
I can think of many such gifts from my past: a massage chair pad, a pasta machine, automatic apple peeler, deep fryer, and many tools that I thought were indispensable, now sit idle in my tool chest.
Does this happen to the gifts that God gives us? Do I often let those things be neglected, fade away, seldom used and then forgotten?
I would like you to contemplate these two statements:
“Since God owns everything...What are YOU doing with it?
And consequently: “Since God owns everything...What are you DOING with it?
These two profound statements bring my life of thankfulness into focus as I receive the gifts that my heavenly Father has graciously afforded to me. God did not have to grant me the things that I now have in this life. He gave them to me freely by His Grace. Not only has he provided me with everything that I need for this earthly life, but he has also granted me all that I need for Life with Him eternal – the forgiveness of ALL of my sins and a relationship with Him as His child and heir of salvation.
My response to this Grace is simply this: If God has given me the gifts that I now possess, then he expects me to use them out of thankfulness to Him for his generosity. He was not obligated to give me anything, rather through His LOVE for me, I have all things. My life is an offering in response to Gods love for me. My physical and spiritual gifts then are to be used to praise and thank him for all that I have. What I do with my possessions and how I use them to bring blessings to those around me is a direct response to the time, treasure, and talent that God has given me.
Our earthly gifts may fade and decay, the newness of temporal things often does, like the flowers and grass of the field, after all they are short lived and fleeting as the world is. God’s gift of Love for us and Salvation, will never fade or be destroyed. I encourage you, brothers and sisters, to live your lives out of thankfulness and generosity for what God has done for you. This is Grace in action!
Upcoming Events
Spring Musical
The Drama Club from Manitowoc Lutheran High School proudly presents, Fiddler on the Roof. Rich with musical hits you know and love, including “Tradition,” “Sunrise, Sunset,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” plus many more.
Fiddler on the Roof tells the heartwarming story of father and daughters, husbands and wives, and the timeless traditions that define faith and family.
A wonderful cast of forty-nine and a live pit orchestra will entertain you as they bring this story to life on the MLHS stage.
Please join us in this family friendly production March 11-13 at MLHS. Production times: Friday and Saturday evening at 7:00 P.M. and Sunday at 2:00 P.M. Tickets go on sale for the upcoming Spring Musical tonight at midnight! Purchase tickets at www.mlhslancers.org/drama
ACT Prep Sessions for Juniors
Juniors will be taking the ACT test on March 8th at Manitowoc Lutheran High School. To help prepare for this important test, MLHS will be offering 3 ACT test prep sessions.
The dates and times are as follows: Saturday, February 12, 2022- Science (Room 108) 9:00am - 11:00am Saturday, February, 19, 2022- Math (Room 101) 9:00am - 11:00am Saturday, February 26, 2022- English Language Arts (Room 210) 9:00am - 11:00am
All juniors taking the ACT should strongly consider attending these three sessions. Sign up sheets will be posted outside of each classroom as the dates get closer. Please make arrangements to ask off of work for these mornings. A light breakfast will be provided. Thank you to Mr. Otto, Mr. Hochmuth, Mr. Barthel and Mr. Foelske for leading these sessions! Feel free to contact Mr. Marohn with any questions you may have at cmarohn@mlhslancers.org.
Girl's Poms Camp
Poms camp is for girls grades K-8, and will be from 8:30 - 11:00 am on February 5th in the MLHS Gym. Participants will learn a short routine from our high school dancers. There will be an opportunity to perform the routine at the basketball game on Tuesday, February 8th. The cost for this camp is $10 per student. If you have any questions, please contact Abigail Bosin. Click here to register for Poms Camp!
MLHS SPRING SHOWCASE
It’s time once again for the MLHS Spring Showcase, and we’d like to invite you! This year’s event will be held on Saturday, March 19th at Knox’s Silver Valley and will include a plated dinner, live & silent auctions, a raffle (with top prize of $5,000!), and entertainment by Riley Haupt. All proceeds this year will benefit the MLHS Track & Field program as we work to build our own facilities. Click the link for all the details: https://www.mlhslancers.org/showcase. And be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates. We hope to see you there!
Christian Family Solutions Presentation: What is going on in there?
The Teen Brain – presented by Dr. Brandon Hayes
Lakeshore Lutheran Schools will be offering a presentation for all parents at Manitowoc Lutheran High School on Tuesday March 29, 2022 at 6:30pm. All are welcome to attend. Presentation Information: What is going on in there? The Teen Brain – presented by Dr. Brandon Hayes of Christian Family Solutions. Description: The adolescent brain undergoes tremendous growth during the teen years. Parents are often left stunned and confused by teen behavior. Teens’ brains are changing during the adolescent years. The reaction from teens has been, “Would someone please tell my parents about this?” So, now we are. Please contact Mr. Corey Marohn with any questions at cmarohn@mlhslancers.org. Click here to RSVP for the event!
Student News
WPCP (Wisconsin Parental Choice Program) opens February 1st
WPCP (Wisconsin Parental Choice Program) opens tomorrow (2/1/22). Families that are currently in choice and those that would like to begin 9th grade year are encouraged to apply. Email Mr Uhlhorn (duhlhorn@mlhslancers.org) for more information.
Senior Ads for the 2021-2022 Yearbook: The Excalibur
This year has been busy and productive! Because pages are so precious, the yearbook staff has set aside six pages for senior ads. They are available at a first come, first served basis. Unfortunately, when the pages are gone – they are gone. Last year, six pages were used without the yearbook staff really knowing how many pages we would need, so we are hoping that will be enough for this year.
Page prices: ½ page: $60 ¼ page: $40 ⅛ page: $20
Policy Change - Missing and Late Work
As an administrative staff, we have looked at our missing and late work policy and have noticed it isn’t working like we would like it to. Students are still not being prompt with assignments being turned in. We are going to try something different in the 2nd semester that may help to encourage our students to get their work done and done on time. We will reevaluate during summer and officially adopt a new policy then. For now, see below our temporary late and missing policy that we will do for the 2nd semester. Missing work: 7+ policy still applies with no change. Any student with more than 6 missing assignments at weeks end will be ineligible for the week, in addition these students spend time after school (or before) until missing work is done. Assignments still missing and are over 2 weeks old: 1st offense is a 1 hour detention (mutually agreed time between Administration and student) Student are still eligible assuming they aren’t ineligible by another policy. 2nd offense is a 1 hour detention and 1 week ineligibility (students can’t perform (games, concerts, etc…) but could attend practice) 3rd offense is an in school detention and 1 week ineligibility (Students can’t practice or perform for a week) 4th offence, meet with principal and parents and a plan is formed, ineligible for the rest of the semester (part of the plan may be withdraw of a class, directed study hall, after school time, out of extra curricular) Late work: 10 Late assignments is a 1 hour detention (mutually agreed time between Administration and student) students are still eligible, unless another policy puts them as ineligible 15 Late assignments is a 1 hour detention and 1 week ineligibility (students can’t perform (games, concerts, etc…) but could attend practice) 20 Late assignments is an in school suspension and 1 week ineligibility (Students can’t practice or perform for a week) 30 Late assignments is a meeting with principal and parents and academic plan is formed, ineligible for rest of semester As in the past, individual exceptions may occur and will be dealt with as they come up. Communication is key.
Drivers Education Classes at MLHS MLHS offers a classroom for Advantage Driving Center, LLC to come in and teacher drivers education. This class is offered in the spring. If you have a student that would need classes before then, you can feel free to contact Advantage Driving Center, LLC to find out other locations and dates for your student to attend. They also have online classes. Registration is done all through Advantage. MLHS simply provides the classroom. Click below for the 2022 Spring Driver's Education Classes at MLHS.
2022 - 2023 School Year Calendar
For all you planners out there, here is a calendar for the upcoming school year with no school dates, early dismissal dates and more. For the most part, these dates don't normally change, but with that being said, there could always be some changes as next school year approaches. To get real-time calendar information be sure to verify and confirm these dates with the online school calendar.
School Pictures Available
Please note that Senior Pictures for the Yearbook are due at the end of February. Have your photographer send your pictures to Mrs. Kock (kkock@mlhslancers.org). The photo can be landscape (horizontal) or portrait (vertical). Student pictures for Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors are available to order or download through smugmug. Simply find your student picture, click the green "buy photos" button and choose from many size and finish options. If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Kock.
MLHS Sunday
Did you know that you can enjoy a MLHS Sunday throughout the school year? What is a MLHS Sunday you ask? Our Lancer Singers have a 3-year rotation where they head out to the respective church on the schedule and use their gifts of music to lead you in worship.
Feel free to check out this MLHS Sunday Schedule and consider yourself welcome.
Forensic Competition
On January 26, the MLHS Forensics Team travelled to Elkhart Lake to compete in the Big East Conference Forensics Competition. It was the team's first taste of competition this season. The team took FIRST PLACE at the competition, making the Lancers this year's Big East Conference Champions. Bianca Michel (junior) earned a gold medal for her performance in Impromptu Speaking. Our school hosts this year's Subdistrict Competition on February 7 at MLHS. The public are welcome to attend to watch the different performances. Qualifiers will go on to compete at Districts.
Spirit Wear Available
Are you looking to show your MLHS pride? Our spirit store is fully stocked and make perfect gifts for yourself or anyone on your list. To view and purchase your spirit wear, stop by the SCRIP office anytime during their open hours. The MLHS SCRIP Office is open Monday - Friday, 7:30AM-3:30PM, with additional hours on Thursdays, 4:00PM-6:00PM.