Winter 2016
Renovations begin at new West Park campus
Construction noise can be heard at Luther Memorial’s new campus and it is music to Principal Nicole
Creutz’ ears.
Last month, renovation work finally started on
the nearly 100-year-old school building that will become LMS’ second campus in August 2016.
“We’re on a tight timetable, but we fully expect
to be ready to welcome students on the first day of
school,” says Principal Creutz.
After months of meetings with contractors, dealing with City Hall regulations and fire inspectors, it’s
safe to say Principal Creutz will not be leaving education
for an HGTV renovation show anytime soon.
The West Park campus is located in the old
school building attached to Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
at 12826 Lorain Ave., Cleveland, just east of 130th
street.
Structurally, the old
“We’re focused brick building
is in good
on the end goal, shape. However, wiring the
for 21st century
which is to bring building
technology and updating the
high-quality fire alarm system were two
education and necessary improvements.
Also critical is the
the Good News need for a new gymnasium
to a whole new floor. The school is considtiles.
neighborhood of ering rubberized
Additionally, all five
classrooms will get a needed
kids who
, including paint and
need both.” facelift
LED lighting. Bob
Beastrom, of Beastrom Construction in Lakewood and a member at Trinity Lutheran in Cleveland, is the general contractor for the project.
Luther Memorial is sharing the cost of renovations with Mt. Calvary. LMS’ share, including new furniture, is about $80,000.
“We are looking to our supporters for help with
these renovation costs,” says Principal Creutz.
“Ultimately, the commotion of construction will give
way to great opportunity. We’re focused on the end
goal, which is to bring high-quality education and the
Good News to a whole new neighborhood of kids who
need both.”
In the first year, the school expects to enroll 70
students at the West Park campus. By the 2017-18
school year, total enrollment at West Park and the Old
Brooklyn campus is projected to reach 310 students,
making Luther Memorial one of the larger elementary
schools in the region.
“We want everyone to know that Lutheran education is alive and well in Cleveland,” says Principal
Creutz. “With God’s help, a third and fourth campus is
within reach.”
(At right) The student
entrance at LMS’ West
Park campus at 12826
Lorain Avenue. Enrollment is projected at 70
students for the first year
and 115 by the second.
(At left) Not quite
ready for basketball:
The West Park campus
gymnasium and stage
needs some work, including new flooring.
The stage is an exciting
addition to LMS’ arts
programming.
(At right) Before renovation: The 1st/2nd
grade classroom is
large and bright and
will be ready for students after new paint,
lighting and furniture.
Wanted: loving teachers, eager students
Luther Memorial has two needs when it comes
to its new campus — staff and students.
In order to ensure that
Having an ex- LMS’ culture becomes engrained
at its new campus, several teachceptional
from Old Brooklyn will move
teaching staff ers
to West Park. That will leave a
at both loca- couple of teaching positions
tions is our open at both locations.
“Finding exceptional
number one
teachers is of great importance
priority. Please to us,” says Principal Creutz.
help spread the “Notices have gone out to our
word that LMS Concordia colleges and to collegneeds teachers! es in the Greater Cleveland area
appealing to their new graduates
and alumni.”
“Salary-wise, we know we can’t compete with
the public schools,” continues Creutz. “Our hope is to
find teachers with a heart for urban Christian education
who view the school as a personal mission, more than
just a job.”
LMS teachers sent notices to area Lutheran
churches asking them to publicize want ads in their
weekly bulletin or newsletter.
Finding students should be far easier than finding teachers, says Principal Creutz.
“Some of our current families will choose to
make the switch from Old
Brooklyn to West Park because it’s closer to their
home,” she explains. “Many
of our refugee families live
in West Park and will find
our new campus much
more convenient. “
But Creutz is quick
to add that keeping the diversity balanced between
the two campuses is crucial. Third grade teacher Melissa Rusnak
“We love that our students keeps a careful eye on her students.
get to learn from one another,” she says. “A strong cultural awareness and developing respect for all is a skill that will serve our students well for the rest of their lives.”
Family Life Director tackles big issues with heart
Andrew Brazeal, Luther Memorial’s new Family nors for making this position possible.”
Life Director, faced a tough question recently from a
Brazeal has been working with the middle
Luther Memorial School mother — when and how do
schoolers on the importance of setting priorities, and
you tell your young child about a new pregnancy after a developing life skills that they will need to be successdifficult miscarriage?
ful in and out of school.
Drawing on his psychology coursework and
During Lutheran Schools Week, he played an
some internet research, Brazeal was able to work with
interactive version of the “game of life” with the midthe parent to determine the best wording and timing
dle schoolers to show them how responsibility works
for a conversation with the child.
in real life and how to prioritize needs over
Seven months into the school year,
wants.
Brazeal is finding that it takes time to build
Another big focus of instruction has
relationships. He’s grateful that this parent
been on self-worth. Many students take
felt comfortable to come to him with this
criticism very hard and lash out if they feel
concern.
they’ve been personally attacked, he said.
“I’m here to be a resource and help
So he had the middle schoolers write down
to parents,” says Brazeal. “Getting them to
ten things they like about themselves.
confide and trust is key.”
“One child was near tears because
There is no typical day for Brazeal as
he couldn’t come up with four things,” he
he makes himself available to the teachers
says. “It’s an odd dichotomy. On the one
who may need him to diffuse a difficult situhand, some of these kids have delusions of
Time well-spent: Brazeal gets
ation with a student or to a parent who
grandeur
but at the same time they can’t
to know LMS students in and
needs help with a problem.
come up with a handful of things they like
out of the classroom.
“Andrew has already had a tremenabout themselves. My job and the teachers’
dous impact on our school community,” says Principal
job is to make sure they understand that they’re
Creutz. “His manner around the kids is like a big broth- wrong sometimes, that maybe they made a poor decier. They love his attention. We’re thankful to our dosion, but they still need to know that they are a valued
and loved child of God.” he says.
Page 2
Former student excels at School of the Arts
Teagan Walker, former LMS student, is a girl on
a mission. Make that two missions.
Teagan, now a junior at Cleveland School of the
Arts (CSA), is working hard toward a future that will include both archeology and music.
Her second mission is to be an advocate for the
aspiring musicians at Luther Memorial.
Don’t doubt for a minute she’ll accomplish both
goals.
Teagan was first handed a viola as a first grader
at LMS. She enjoyed playing in those early years but admits to seldom practicing and not growing much as a musician.
In seventh grade she started private lessons and
practiced more. As her skill grew, so did her enjoyment
and love of the instrument.
“If it weren’t for LMS, I probably wouldn’t be involved in music,” she says. “It’s not for everyone, but it
started me down a path that I know can take me places.”
This past fall she was accepted into CSA and
Come celebrate our expansion
at this year’s Gala
This year’s Spring Gala and Auction will take
place Sunday, April 17 at 4 p.m. at Westwood Country
Club in Rocky River.
“Join Hands. Together, anything is possible!” is
our theme for the evening’s celebration.
The school’s
Advanced Orchestra
will perform under the
direction of LMS Orchestra Director Miss
Genevieve Gilbert.
The evening
will also include a sitdown dinner, raffles
and live and silent aucAll smiles at the 2015 Gala: Board mem- tions. Tickets are $70
ber and LMS alumnus Walt Fischer,
per person. Donations
teachers Missy Beckman and Laurie
for our auctions would
Kubiak and Principal Creutz.
be greatly appreciated!
Consider donating theater tickets, restaurant gift cards,
vacation getaways, jewelry, or sports tickets. Send an
email to Peggy Sexton at [email protected] if you’d like to make a donation.
This year’s Fund-A-Need benefits LMS’ Music
Program. We hope to raise $10,000 for new instruments and supplies; an orchestral assistant; field trips
and in-house concerts with professional musicians and
performing groups; and a scholarship fund to give interested students the opportunity to participate in community orchestra programs and summer music camps.
holds a leadership position as second chair viola in
the school’s orchestra with chances to play at venues
around University Circle as well as interact with great
visiting musicians.
“Teagan is very excited about music. It’s easy
to tell she has a real passion for it,” says Dianna Richardson, orchestra director at CSA. “Through her private lessons, I’ve watched her grow technically and
that has helped her gain confidence.”
Teagan says her success comes with a bit of
regret. “Had I practiced more and gotten private lessons at an earlier age, who knows how things could
have turned out,” she
says.
She also wishes
she’d known about music
camps and community
youth orchestras earlier
to gain more experience.
“If kids want to
play an instrument, they
should have the opportunity to excel at it,” she
says. “I want to figure out
ways to make that happen.”
Teagan is especially motivated to get her
LMS fifth grade brother,
Cael, the opportunities
Teagan Walker tunes up in the
orchestra room at CSA’s brand new
that she lacked.
She’s supported in building in University Circle.
her mission by Richardson
and by LMS’ new orchestra director, Miss Genevieve
Gilbert.
Richardson is working to get Cleveland private school students the same benefits as students at
the public schools have in terms of price reductions at
area youth orchestras and camps.
Gilbert is also on board with linking LMS students with the musical resources they need to thrive.
“I’m looking forward to having Teagan be involved in
our program as much as her schedule will allow,”
says Gilbert.
Teagan spends part of her lunch time researching colleges and knows a music scholarship is a
possibility. But as much as she loves her viola,
Teagan’s dream is to be an archeologist. A museum
curator at the Cleveland Natural History Museum
would be pretty great too. She credits her LMS Social
Studies teacher, Mrs. Laurie Kubiak, for sparking
her interest in archeology.
As much as she’s able, she also plans to be at
Luther Memorial, encouraging and inspiring a new
generation of students.
Page 3
Enter stage left: creative fun and learning
The weather outside might be frightful, but inside our kindergartners through third graders are having a delightful time with the actor-educators from
Cleveland’s Talespinner Children’s Theatre (TCT).
After all, what six-year-old can pass up the opportunity to be a ham — and be praised for it?
The theatre has taken up residency in the building for 12 weeks this winter, giving our kids lessons in
teamwork, communication and problem solving skills,
poise, confidence and creative expression.
It sounds serious, but it’s all wrapped in
loads of fun.
“We love Luther Memorial. This
school is the
model for our
12-week residency program.
We started it
here first,” says
TCT’s Carrie
Williams.
For the
first few weeks,
LMS kindergartners look forward to Fridays and workTCT works on
ing with Miss Kate from Talespinner Children’s
fundamentals — Theatre.
voice inflection, body movement and facial expression. Then each class will write its own play, rehearsing it for weeks until finally performing it for fellow
students and parents on April 29, Theater Day at the
school.
The upper grades will also get to participate
in drama workshops on Theater Day.
TCT director of education Katelyn Cornelius
says the group asks the kids to at least try everything.
“Some kids are reluctant, but it’s a huge victory
when you have the one shy kid who ends up the
biggest ham,” says Katelyn.
LMS kids will
be especially excited to
see all of their TCT
teachers perform for
them in April when
they take a field trip to
the Reinberger Auditorium in the Gordon
Square Arts District.
Donor dollars
make this residency
Warm-up facial exercises are a
and field trip possible.
must for any aspiring actor.
Thank you!
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A smile and a thank you for our 2015 donors
Bethlehem Lutheran, Parma
City Of Garfield Heights
Cleveland Lutheran High School Association
Concordia Lutheran, Independence
Dominion Matching Gift Program
East Cuyahoga Thrivent Chapter
Faith Lutheran, Mentor
Gloria Dei Lutheran, Hudson
Lake-Geauga Thrivent Chapter
LCMS Foundation
Master Printing, Old Brooklyn
Messiah Lutheran, Fairview Park
Ohio District LCEF
Our Redeemer LWML, Solon
Prince of Peace, Medina
Shore Haven Lutheran, Euclid
South Cuyahoga Thrivent Chapter
St James Lutheran Church, Cleveland
St. John Lutheran, Garfield Heights
St. Philip Lutheran, Cleveland
Stifel Nicolaus
TelecomPioneers - Ohio Chapter #2
Northwest Cuyahoga Thrivent Chapter
Albrecht, Deborah & Dennis
Angelini, Dolores
Ascension LWML, North Olmsted
Aspery, Robert
Aukerman, Leo & Judith
Babich, Bob & Janet
Bartsokas Huth, Patricia
Beckman, David & Missy
Beckman, Jean
Beckman, Marty
Beltman, Megan
Bender, Melanie
Benson, Steve & Allison
Benz, Allan F.
Berghaus, Kim & Sharon
Berghaus, Norm & Julie
Berghaus, Scott & Diane
Bippus, Jacob & Janet
Blackburn, John & Karen
Blaha, Linda
Bloch, Helga
Bloom, William
Bluhm, Rev G. David
Boenker, Margaret
Bonus, Paul & Marlinda
Bosinger, Elsbeth
Bourell, Jennifer
Bowers, David & Carole
Braatz, Ellen
Bracken, Philip & Ann
Brandes, Tina
Page 4
Braun, Donald & Leonie
Buetow, John & Jennifer
Bunt, Richard & Donna
Burtzlaff, David C.
Caldwell, Jack L. & Ellen S.
Camp-White, Dorthea A
Carpenter, Robert & Brenda
Cool, Martin & Jayne
Coulter, Ronald & Anne
Cox, Janet
Creutz, Nicole
Dicello, Anthony & Norene
Difiore, Meg & Chip
Dress, Arline
Duquette, Robert & Kathryn
Ehlert, Ralph
Eigenbrod, Carol
Fecht, Bill & Charlotte
Fecht, William & Rebecca
Felch, Jack & Hannelore
Felten, John & Dorothy
Fischer, Hennie
Fischer, Walter & Natalie
Florjancic, Karen M.
Forni, Peggy
Forwick, Bernd & Anne
Funk, Betty
Gahl, Rev. Richard & Judith A.
Gerdes, Bill & Nancy
Giessler, Dr. Phillip
Grandberry, Bart & Angela
Gray, Joseph & Regina
Gretta, John & Maribeth
Gretta, Lorelei
Grulke, Travis & Laurel
Grunenwald, David & Sue
Gutheil, Phillip & Virginia
Handschin, Barbara
Hardy, Gordon & Alissa
Haumann, John & Bonnie
Hazek, James
Head, William & Beverly
Heinz, Ronald And Diane
Heipp, Fred & Ruth
Helmick, Lois
Herbkersman, Gretchen
Herbkersman, Linda
Hessler, Peter & Viola
Hinz, Clarence & Ellen
Hovanec, Beatrice
Howard, John & Diane
Howlett, Bill & Beverly
Huebner, Ed & Rita
Janetzke, David C.
Janke, Ardis & Robert
Jochum, Emma
Just, Allan & Christa
Keller, Neil & Judy
Kempke, Linda & Robert
Kersten, Allan
Kicielinski, Nicholas & Emily
King, Joseph & Ruth
Kinnear, Mrs. Pat
Kittelson, Roger & Eleanor
Klaus, Michael & Denise
Klimek, Lynn M.
Knaggs, William & Janet
Kozak, Doris
Kozak, Kenneth & Nancy
Kraemer, Harriet
Krause, Debbie L.
Krause, Regan & Carol
Kunze, Ralph
Kurth, Rev. & Mrs. Richard
Landrey, Margaret & Warren
Le Pere, Rev Ronald & Char
Lewis, Dorothy
Lieberman, Carl and Nancy
Linebrink, Mike & Cheryl
Ling, Raymond & Wendy
Linn, Richard & Nixie
Losely, Gertrude
Luecke, Rev. Mark
Luecke, Todd & Joann
Luther, Gerri & Ralph
Mahler, Bruce & Ruth
Manti, Clifford & Elsa
Mather, Dale & Beverly
Mcaninch, Alex & Natalie
McFadden, Scott & Ellen
Meyer, Judith
Milanich, Nancy
Minnick, John & June
Miralia, Lisa
Morgan, Rev. Ronald K
Morrison, Hart & Janet
Murdock, Scott & Sue
Myers, Robert & Susan
Myers, Steve & Kim
Nehrenz, Thomas
Netland, Leslie A.
Neumann, Carrie
Neumann, Phillip & Kathy
Continued on next page
Humbled by challenges; inspired by you
“Run with Perseverance” (Heb. 12:1) is our
theme verse this school year. Little did I know that it
would perfectly foreshadow what God had in store for
me!
Being a part of the expansion of Luther Memorial to a second location has been wonderfully
exciting and incredibly humbling. There
have been far more challenges than I ever
anticipated. I often find myself wondering,
“What have I gotten myself into? I am not
qualified for this!” From negotiating a lease,
to planning renovations, to dealing with the
city for occupancy and approval of fire system upgrades, there have been no shortages
of frustrations.
Add in all the day-to-day responsibilities of being a principal and it has been overwhelming
at times. God tells us that His strength is made perfect
in our weakness. It is amazing to watch Him keep that
Odrumsky, Richard
Oravets, Arlene & Raymond
Osborn, Bill & Mary
Paganelli, William & Janice
Paluck, Gerald
Pangrace, John & Ruth
Parnell, Charley
Parnell, Collins & Cheryl
Parnell, Wayne & Charlene
Parobek, Donna
Paul, Robert & Ruth
Pawlisch, Ida
Peterson, Jon & Janice
Pieplow, Ruthanna
Ponstingle, Timothy & Jennifer
Poorman, Brad
Potter, Linda
Prok, George
Prusinski, Andrew & Leslie
Quinn, Chris & Sheri
Ramey, Doris
Page 5
promise. As I strive to persevere through these challenges, I just keep telling myself, “One hundred more
kids will get to hear about Jesus every day.”
I am thankful for all of you who have supported
us in our expansion efforts. God continues to bring in
exactly the right people at the right times.
What a
great thing
From the Principal
it is to be a
part of a community of believers! I ask for
your continued prayers and support as we
press forward to the goal of sharing the Gospel with 100+ more kids!
To that end, I would like to invite you
to our Annual Spring Gala & Auction, April
17 at Westwood Country Club in Rocky River.
It will be a wonderful evening celebrating the great
things God is doing at LMS. Invitations will be mailed
soon.
Raquet, Charles & Sharon
Renkel, Harold & Virginia
Repak, Michaela
Richter, Kenneth & Judith
Richter, Nancy J
Roberts, Kimberly
Roman, Joseph & Amy
Roth, Jane
Roth, Jerry & Beth
Royster, Louis
Rozsa, Nicole
Rychel, Jackie & Mark
Sauerman, Dorthea
Scheuermann, Henry & Shirley
Scheutzow, Paul & Karen
Schiffrik, Theodore & Naomi
Schmidt, Marlis
Schnittger, Philip & Wendy
Schroeder, James & Marge
Schroeder, Ryan & Jeanie
Schuett, Briggs A.
Schuller, Patricia
Schuller-Mayer, Joyce S.
Schultz, Harry & Carol
Schwartz, Ernest & Christine
Scott, Jeffrey & Tracy
Senney, Wally & Joyce
Sexton, Daniel & Peggy
Shermak, Carl & Tracy
Shinabery, Jeff & Tammy
Sichau, Arthur & Sandra
Smith, Kevin & Csilla
Smola, James & Kimberly
Snider, Mary And Jimmie
Soltis, Rev. Thomas
Sprinzl, Rosemarie
Steinmann, Chris & Sara
Stinehelfer, Debby & Michael
Stone, Rev. Ed & Lee
Stuckert, Gordon & Mary
Stumph, Paula
Suchovsky, Nancy
Tenkku, Wayland & Lois
Terry, Charles & Diane
Thieme, Lanny G.
Thomay, Henry
Tornberg, Ed & Hildred
Trapp, Rev. Allen & Mrs. Joanne
Tubergen, Michael And Amy
Tysl, Karl
Vidovik, Mark & Karen
Wade, Kevin & Patricia
Wadle, Timothy And Jean
Waugh, David And Darlene
Wegner, Emmi
Welsh, Ken & Gay
Wensel, Carol & Robert
White, Duane & Judy
White, Jerroldyn
Wilder, Sandy
Wildner, Sylvia A.
Williamson, Frank & Esther
Willmann, Wendel & Doris
Wilms, Robert& Lucille
Wilson, Barbara A.
Wimer, Clyde & Jean
Wright, Harold
Zalent, Lois
Zubin, Susan
Special thanks!
No LMS thank you list would be
complete without recognizing John Pangrace and his printing company, R.E. May in
Cleveland. John prints our materials at no
cost which is an incredible blessing to us.
His endless patience and willingness to help
is much appreciated.
Thanks also to Meredith Pangrace, of Map Creative, who designs our
materials at a lower cost than she would
ordinarily charge. We’re grateful for her
creativity and professionalism.