(Stolen, but still funny!) I just told my husband ‘may the 4th be with you’. He winked and replied ‘and also with you’ and my confused 4 year old out of nowhere said ‘thanks be to God’.nHappy May the 4th to all you Star Wars fans! #bethanyproud
Cantor Kevin Zorena wins Outstanding Beginning Teacher of the Year!!!
(Yes, this is all caps because it's scream-worthy!)
CONGRATULATIONS TO KEVIN ZORENA FOR WINNING THE OUTSTANDING BEGINNING TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD!!
Mr. Kevin Zorena was recently included in a pool of seven other Concordia University Graduates who were being considered for the Outstanding Beginning Teacher of the Year Award. This award is given by the Illinois Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (IACTE) and specifically highlights teacher graduates who work in Illinois.
It was our privilege to convey to the committee all the reasons we believe that Mr. Zorena deserved this award. We shared with them all of the programs he runs: Fine Arts Festival, Band Concerts, Christmas Program, Grandparent’s Day, and the Musical, just to name a few. Not only this, but he instituted new programming at our school like preschool music, pep band, and integration with physical education class. He brings music and band into other programming such as Literacy Night, Walcamp Outdoor Education, Parade, Athletics, and Chapel. We also shared how his positive attitude, his strive for excellence, and his team-focused mentality is the cherry on the top. Of course, sending a video of him at Literacy Night dressed as a pirate probably clenched the deal. His dedication to our church and school is a blessing to us all.
We are so proud of Mr. Zorena, and we couldn’t be more grateful that he is a part of Bethany Lutheran Church and School! #bethanyproud
Why our Middle School model makes all the difference
Here are just a few ways our Jr. High experience has so many advantages. #bethanyproud
➡️Students who share a campus with Preschool - 8th grade benefit from years of stability. Students have a sense of ownership in this place and take pride in their school.
➡️The flexible schedule allows for recess - every. single. day. Students aren't anxious because they have enough time to socialize with friends and enjoy the fresh air.
➡️Our small class sizes allow for extra time focusing on debate, peer collaboration, presentations, and many different electives as well as in-depth core studies.
➡️Our no-cut sports, drama, and band programs allow all students to gain confidence while trying something new in a judgement-free way.
➡️For young men, our male role models include our e Jr. High teachers, music director, pastors, and congregation members who serve at Bethany. At at time when life is particularly confusing, these men model the Christian way of life at every step.
➡️Even small touches like air conditioning and snack time make all the difference in the world to a student who is always hungry and whose body is in a constant change.
May God continue to bless Bethany!
Our littlest cheerlearders brought big spirit to our home basketball games!
Our 2nd graders love to celebrate the Chinese New Year! They study Ancient China and their inventions, learn about modern culture & language (complete with learning a song about Jesus in Chinese and English), sample tasty cuisine, and talk about what religion looks like in another country. Their entire art curriculum is woven into their unit study, and they finish with a Dragon Parade to all the classrooms and a party! Congratulations, Mrs. Janetzke on a job well done! #bethanyproud
Arrrrr, get ready for our Pirate-Themed Literacy Night!
Culver's Night is a great opportunity for fellowship while dining with your Bethany Family!
We've got Bethany Spirit!
Lutheran Schools Week is always a great time to celebrate our long-standing heritage
I thank God for Bethany because....
“You get to learn about God”
Before and After Care
Our Before and After Care is a huge blessing to our families. Thanks so much to Mrs. Downs, Mrs. Stehle, and everyone who loves on our students during these times! (Opens at 715 am until 6 pm).
We are on a mission from God
It’s a little different from the Blues Brothers’ Mission….. Our mission is to train, equip, and support witnesses for His Kingdom, but what does that look like? Here are just some of the ways:
TRAIN: high academic standards, Christian morals and values, respectable and productive members of society, Christian mentoring and role models
EQUIP: Immersed in the Bible, 10 commandments, catechism, apologetics, prayer, chapel
SUPPORT: prayer, physical and emotional care, opportunities to live faith, a family who loves one another
Bethany has so much to offer!
Let us count the ways....
How do Bethany teachers show our students we love and care for them?
❤️We pray with and for your children
❤️We attend their sporting events, concerts, programs, and activities
❤️We give them responsibility and set firm boundaries
❤️We praise God together in chapel and with song
❤️We nurture their passions and encourage them to develop their God-given talent
❤️We give them opportunities to live out their faith with their classmates, friends, and in the community
❤️We treat each child as a blessing from the Lord, because that's who they are!
Join our Schola Cantorum (Singing School)
Schola Cantorum is a wonderful choral music education learning experience, and the best part is that it is tuition-free! Inexpensive, but not cheap, and truly rewarding. If you or anybody you know in grades K-12 might be interested in joining, please have them contact Cantor Giuliani at mgiuliani@bethanylcs.org to schedule an audition.
Social and Emotional Learning
Our 2nd Step program (our social and emotional learning program) helps to teach children how to read body cues, how to use self-talk, how to resolve problems, and so much more!
Enjoying every moment
Watching these sweet children play together, without a care in the world, can inspire us to take it one day (moment) at a time. The Lord implores us to do this in Matthew chapter 6:
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? .... “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Jesus be with you, now and always!
Unique, Special, and Loved by God
Our learning goes way beyond the academic. Our first graders not only learned the technical skills involved with creating a self-portrait, but we can also teach them that they are unique, special, and loved in the eyes of God. They are made in His image, and they are fearfully and wonderfully made! What true comfort and peace this brings!
Boys Volleyball Team takes 3rd!
A hard-fought come back earned our young men 3rd place at our own Tournament. We also had a fun cheering section and the cutest concession salesman on the planet! Our volleyball tournaments help to offset the costs of sports at Bethany, and each sport only costs $50 to participate.
Dedicated Parents Serving at Bethany
This dedicated group of parents and grandparents is helping to plan many activities to make our students’ lives more meaningful and fun! Special thanks to our PTL for their hearts of service to BLCS!
Class Pets at Bethany
God made all creatures big and small, and our class pets make a difference in the lives of our students. From Mr. Fluffy in 6th grade (a dwarf hamster), to Charlie (a bearded dragon in 1st), Waylon our Library Dog, and this little snake in PreK named Wrigley, we love to love on our animals!