For the most current information, please click on one of the following:
e-Learning (Extended Learning Plan) Elementary School (Pre-K thru 6th grade)
e-Learning Junior High & High School
April 17, 2020
Illinois Lutheran Schools Update – State Mandated Closure
April 10, 2020
Illinois Lutheran Schools Update
Dear ILS School Families,
We are truly in uncharted waters. No one could have seen this coming. No one could have anticipated the speed and ferocity of this virus. No one could have estimated the financial impact on the economy and jobs. Certainly no one could have imagined what it would do to the lives of our children. So what can we do for our children? During this time of uncertainty, one thing we can do to offer stability is to offer them a sound, Christ-centered education on a daily basis.
At the high school and junior high, we are doing that through regularly scheduled classes that meet each day. Teachers are interacting with their classes through Google Meet which offers face to face instruction. Our teachers have worked tirelessly to learn this new instructional method and are spending many additional hours preparing lessons, nearly doubling their prep times. Each day in our morning meeting, we discuss the overall welfare of our students. How can we help to meet the needs of every student during this time? What is the best way to reach them? Our teachers remain totally dedicated to serving your children.
At the grade school, the elementary faculty has made it their collective goal to provide meaningful educational activities for all students from Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 6. The teachers have been creating work packets that include activities that provide students the opportunity to review skills from throughout the year. They have also been creating new lessons with things like visuals, outlines, and storyboards that allow the students to grow in their grade level knowledge even though they can’t meet in person. The teachers have also been working to incorporate videos of themselves reading, sharing devotions, teaching lessons, and simply – yet very importantly – connecting with the students. Teachers have established contact hours for families to know they can have real-time feedback as well as kept open lines of communication even during their “off” times. A couple of teachers have even been working at providing live lessons using platforms such as Google Meet to give students the opportunity to see each other and collaborate.
The last thing we want to happen to your children during this epidemic is for them to fall behind in their education. Our teachers, working in a difficult environment, will do extraordinary things to make sure that this doesn’t happen. We will all need to make extraordinary sacrifices to keep our children on track. We applaud your dedication and continued financial support in this joint effort.
What can I do if I’m unable to pay my tuition on time? We are fully aware that this epidemic has created financial hardships for many of our families. We want you to rest assured that we will do everything we can to help you through this time so you can continue to keep your children in our school. If you are experiencing a loss of employment or other financial stresses out of your control, please contact the school office at jbushey@ilhs.org. We will work with you to make arrangements to delay payments. If your situation continues, you may apply for emergency financial aid.
In these uncertain time there is still One whose word remains certain. Under God’s divine inspiration the prophet Isaiah writes in Isaiah 41:10, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah lived in what could only be called a chaotic, troubled time. All around him in 8th century (BC) Israel swirled many social problems not unlike the ones we are currently experiencing. Plague, famine, homelessness, unemployment, and the like were abounding in his country. Yet, with full confidence he could face each day’s challenges with the utmost belief that God is with him, guiding and protecting him. We too have that same assurance. God is with us. He will help us in these challenging times.
May the Lord be with you and your family during this Holy Week as you meditate on and celebrate the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.
In our Risen Savior’s name,
Joe E. Archer
Senior Administrator
March 31, 2020
Illinois Lutheran Schools Update – State Mandated Closure
Dear ILS School Families,
I pray that this message finds you and your family safe and healthy. As you probably heard this afternoon, Gov. Pritzker extended the Stay at Home and school closures order until April 30. With this news, we will continue to keep our schools closed to onsite classes. This also means that all co-curriculars and calendar events are cancelled until future notice.
We will continue to conduct school through eLearning at the high school and junior high. The grade school will continue with its distance learning through packets and some online activities. We will continue to do our very best to provide a quality, Christian educational experience for your children through this difficult time.
If you have questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. You can reach me at jearcher@ilhs.org, or you can reach Mr. Falck at jfalck@illinoislutheran.org.
God bless and keep you safe.
In His service,
Joe E. Archer
Senior Administrator