Dear Bethany Staff,
My letter has been 12 years in the making—words of reflection and gratitude gathered since the first day that Mason walked through the doors of Bethany Lutheran School for his very first day of Early 2s Preschool. I cannot believe it is now his last first day! They say all good things must come to an end—but I don’t believe 8th grade is an ending. While it is Mason’s 12th, and final first day walking through the doors of our school, it is not where his journey with Bethany will end. What Bethany has given our family, and especially Mason, is not something that concludes with a goodbye. It’s something we carry forward—woven into the fabric of who he is and who he’s becoming.
As a parent, you always want the best education for your child—but I’ve come to understand that “best” means more than rankings, ratings, first place sports banners, or accreditation. Bethany of course has all of those, yes—but what sets Bethany apart is the heart and soul of this Church and school. It’s where children are not only taught, but nurtured. It is an extension of family.
Bethany Lutheran School is a place where trust is built, resilience is modeled, hope is believed, and connection is woven into every lesson. It’s where confidence is gently drawn out, and where creativity is celebrated through art, music, and play. It’s where voices are heard and respect is displayed. Bethany doesn’t just prepare children for tests—it prepares them for life. And in a world that often rushes past the heart of a child, Bethany stops, listens, and helps that heart grow.
The foundation you’ve laid here is more than academic. It’s spiritual, emotional, and deeply personal. You’ve helped secure the soul of our son—the quiet strength he walks with, the kindness and compassion he offers freely, the courage he shows in being himself. These are not just traits. They are gifts. And they were nurtured in your classrooms, your prayers, your gentle corrections, and your unwavering belief in him.
Bethany has been a sanctuary—a place where faith and learning are not separate paths, but one radiant journey. And because of all of you and the compassion, love, and guidance you bring to your classrooms each and every day, Mason doesn’t just know facts and figures. He knows grace. He knows grit. He knows purpose. He knows what it means to be part of a community that sees the light in him and calls it forth.
As we step into Mason’s 12th and final year at Bethany, we do so with full hearts. We carry Bethany with us—not as memories, but as a living part of Mason’s story. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” — Jeremiah 29:11
I wish there were words more powerful than thank you—something to express the depth of our gratitude. Your presence has been a steady light all of these years, a reminder that kindness is both gentle and fierce. Your support, your wisdom, the ways you show up for each student and family at Bethany makes a lasting imprint and does not go unrecognized. While “thank you” feels small, your impact has been massive. Thank you to each and every one of you for being the architects of something eternal.
May God continue to bless the halls of Bethany, the hearts of its staff and teachers, and the journey of every child who walks through its doors. May Mason’s life and journey at Bethany be a reflection of the love, wisdom, and faith that were first planted here at Bethany Lutheran School. If given the choice we would do it all over again and not change a single thing.
Choosing Bethany, and continuing to choose Bethany for twelve consecutive years, was the best decision we have ever made for our son, Mason Sidney Scheimann, Bethany Lutheran School Class of 2026!
With deepest gratitude and love,
Courtney Scheimann