Hello Concordia,
It is hard to believe, but we have already completed the first month of this school year. Our Cadets’ sports teams are well into the fall season. Marching Band have completed their first competition. Seniors are busy with college applications. Our visiting students from Madrid, Spain have one week remaining of their studies at Concordia. Mr. Thom and Mr. Sommermeyer have returned from a very successful and exciting visit to our sister-school in Dalian, China. And we have a new daily time schedule.
The New Schedule is working. Well! Many positive comments from students and teachers confirm our goals for the new schedule, namely more time in class periods for work and conversation between students and teachers. An increasing number of students are taking advantage of Teacher Office Hours during the lunch period (aka Cadet Hour) for individual help and I am confident that this trend will continue to grow as students accept the agency for their learning. Also good seeing student clubs and activities that meet during the Cadet Hour. Student and parent feedback is always welcomed via a visit with me at school or email. Pastors and Youth Workers are always welcomed to meet with their youth groups during Cadet Hour (lunch).
Congratulations to Senior Hannah Koch, who was recognized as a Semifinalist of the National Merit Scholarship. This award is based upon Hannah’s high scores from her PSAT exam she took in October 2016 as Junior.
The past two weeks have also drawn our attention to God’s amazing and powerful creation, particularly Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Please continue to keep in prayer and encouragement the millions of people directly affected, and in supporting roles of service and help. For immediate help, Concordia will be collecting monetary offerings during our Chapel services with monies directed to the LCMS Disaster Response in our LCMS World Relief and Human Care. To learn more please click Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma. Concordia Lutheran High School will be sending teams of students and adults to the affected areas at a later time, when our help will be appropriate and still needed.
We have a number of partner LCMS schools and congregations in the Houston area that were affected by Hurricane Harvey. Lutheran South Academy, a Preschool-High School campus was significantly flooded. The combined efforts of the Lutheran Education Association of Houston is working to ensure the education and restoration of facilities in their community. LCMS Texas District - Harvey Response. At the time of writing this article, Hurricane Irma was making its way toward Florida.
Within our own school campus our Seniors are busy with college applications. As Principal and a parent of a Concordia Senior, I share the following for our students and parents which I have learned through the years.
Grades and GPA are important. Freshmen - work hard now and ask for help from teachers and peers to understand your academic work. The more agency you take now in your studies, the better you will be in your future. Grades and GPA do open doors for college scholarships and future programs of study. Act now!
The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) is a standardized test administered by the College Board and cosponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation in the United States. All of Concordia’s Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors will take the PSAT Exam on October 25. Freshmen and Sophomores take the PSAT as an introduction and practice for future standardized exams. Juniors PSAT scores are entered into the NMSQT for college program and scholarship opportunities. The College Board also sponsors the SAT exam which is used in the college admissions process, similar to the ACT (American College Testing).
Khan Academy is a fantastic and free service to aid students in their academic and career work. It’s Free! More importantly, it works! Please take a moment to visit Khan Academy and use this free resource for your academic work. A wonderful feature of Khan Academy is their test prep programs. After taking the PSAT Exam on October 25, every student receives a score card of their PSAT results, that includes a unique code that coordinates their PSAT results to an individualized study guide for the SAT Exam. My family has experienced the success. This service is free! Khan Academy - SAT Test Prep.
Concordia’s School Counselors are here to help you through the college planning and application process. Please meet with your counselor, often! Concordia will also continue with college planning presentations for parents during our Parent-Teacher Conferences on October 19 and February 1.
Go Concordia!
Patrick Frerking