Pilgrim journey winter 2017

PILGRIM Journey Winter 2017

IN THIS ISSUE

Student-Centered Learning and the Changing Role of the Student p.2 STEM in Middle School p.7 Project-Based Learning p.10 Athletics p.15

Student-Centered Learning and the Changing Role of the Student

By Wendy Hofman, Head of School

When we ask parents what they value most about an education at LCS, the number one answer is always about teachers. Parents continually express appreciation for teachers who know and care about their children as individuals. Parents also value the positive relationships between teachers and students and the important daily role modeling both in and outside the classroom.

Simply put, everything valued most about a Christ-centered education at LCS is about great teachers. It continues to be a priority to fill our classrooms with teachers who are capable and passionate about what they teach, love kids, and live out their faith authentically.

While the important role of the teacher continues to be a hallmark of the student experience at LCS, the role of the student in the learning process is changing. The term “student-centered learning” has become a term used widely in education. At LCS, emphasis on a more studentcentered approach to learning has become a priority.

What is student-centered learning? At the most basic level, student-centered learning is about changing the focus from how teachers are teaching, to how students are learning. In our PreK12 classrooms, our goal is for students to more actively engage in the learning process and take more ownership of their individual growth.

Student-centered learning does not imply that a great lecture, memorizing scripture or learning important facts does not play an essential role in a child’s education. At LCS, we are working to engage students in the learning process in new and different ways in order to develop life-long learners who are able to contribute to college, career and service to others in meaningful ways.

We are implementing ways to create more time and space for students to explore and investigate, to design and create, and to learn critical thinking skills for deeper understanding of content and ideas. We are also teaching students to work and collaborate meaningfully with their peers to prepare them for a world where knowing how to work effectively with people is essential.

In some classrooms students are engaged in project-based learning and hands-on activities as a way to explore and engage in authentic and relevant learning. In other classrooms students are presenting their learning to real audiences for real feedback. We are also giving students access to opportunities outside the classroom where they can grow in their interests and abilities through connections to community resources.

Outstanding Christian teachers will always be at the heart of achieving our mission to equip young men and women to engage the world for Jesus Christ. At the same time, as a school we are striving to equip our students to make learning their own. We want Lansing Christian students to value and enjoy learning so that our graduates are able to engage the world with faith and knowledge that exhibits the kind of skill, curiosity, empathy, compassion and service the world needs. I invite you to read about new ways we are working to engage LCS students in learning in this month’s edition of the Pilgrim Journey.

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Lansing Christian School Recognized Among Top Schools in America Lansing Christian School has been recognized as a 2017 Best School by Niche, the largest website for researching K-12 schools! This year, we ranked #1 Best Christian High School in Michigan.

Lansing Christian School earned this ranking by scoring highly on a variety of factors including SAT/ACT scores, student-teacher ratio, the quality of colleges students consider and reviews from students and parents. The statistical data used in this ranking was obtained from the U.S. Department of Education and then analyzed

by Niche’s team of data scientists to create the 2017 rankings.

Factor

Description

Weight

Composite ACT/SAT

Average SAT/ACT composite score (normalized to the same scale), as reported

by Niche users from this school.

30%

Top College Score

Average score of colleges that students are most interested in or go on to attend, based on Niche Best Colleges ranking.

25%

College Enrollment

Percentage of seniors who go on to fouryear colleges based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

15%

Culture & Diversity Grade

Based on racial diversity and survey responses on school culture and diversity from students and parents.

10%

Parent/Student Surveys on Overall experience

Niche survey responses scored on a 1-5 scale regarding the overall experience of students and parents from the school.

10%

Student-Teacher Ratio

Ratio of students to full-time teachers based on data from the National Center for Education Statistics.

10%

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GLORIFY GOD Engaging the World through Art

By Katie Emery

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Lansing Christian Alumni Dane Porter (‘14) is passionate about making art. Since middle school, Dane has enjoyed creating art. In high school, he attended ArtPrize on a field trip with Mrs. Emery’s class. ArtPrize, an international public art competition, takes place in downtown Grand Rapids each year. One of the more unique elements of ArtPrize is that there is a juried and a popular choice competition - so public opinion matters.

Using the skills he gained at LCS and working at Delphi Glass, Dane paired his artistic abilities with his knowledge of glasswork to create “Metropolis,” a sculptural piece that begins a conversation with the viewer about urban spaces and what existed before them.

After attending his first ArtPrize, Dane was hopeful that, after graduation, he might be able to enter ArtPrize. This year, his dream became a reality. Using the skills he gained at LCS and working at Delphi Glass, Dane paired his artistic abilities with his knowledge of glasswork to create “Metropolis,” a sculptural piece that begins a conversation with the viewer about urban spaces and what existed before them. “Metropolis” was displayed at the JW Marriott in Grand Rapids. When asked about his participation in ArtPrize, Dane said it was the most exciting experience and he is already planning what he will enter in the competition next year.

This year, Mrs. Emery’s art students were able to meet Dane and see “Metropolis” at ArtPrize.

Dane was able to explain his firsthand experience of creating a concept and securing a venue as well as finding a space that complimented his artwork.

Dane has been commissioned to create a number of pieces including the mural hanging in Lansing Christian School’s commons.

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This mural, created in 2015, is a visual representation of our vision. Dane lives out this vision every day as he engages the world for Jesus Christ through his art.

GLORIFY GOD

LCS Israel Study Tour

By Tim Blamer

Last summer, twenty-two students and parents from LCS had the opportunity to travel to Israel and experience the Bible in the land and culture in which the events happened.

The trip was led by Mr. Blamer and was also facilitated by Mr. Anderson. The group spent two weeks traveling throughout the land and immersing themselves into the settings of David and Goliath, Samson, the disciples, Jesus and much more. They spent time in the wilderness, the Dead Sea, Jericho, Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The Bible came to life as they walked in the footsteps of the heroes of our faith. The body of Christ was broadened as the group got to know Khalil, a Christian Arab tour guide from Nazareth, and many fellow Palestinian believers in the area of Bethlehem are living in the midst of the politics of the Middle East. Our understanding of the Bible was deepened in ways that continue to enrich our faith journey long after being home.

Our engagement with that part of the world, different cultures and unique political situations has better equipped us to think critically about the events that often dominate the news headlines.

And, most importantly, we learned and experienced what it meant to be disciples of Jesus Christ as we followed in his footsteps.

In the past six years, over sixty people in the LCS community have been able to experience this life changing trip. These have included students, parents, alumni and people from area churches. The participants have ranged in age from incoming freshmen to eighty year old grandparents. Parents have been able to grow alongside their sons or daughters in this significant faith journey for a family. Students have grown in faith through an immersive, biblical experience and have engaged with individuals, cultures and life in a way that gets beyond headlines and classroom walls. The participants have been able to bring the LCS community to people from different ethnicities and religions and have them not only understand how much we value being a community of Pilgrims, but also now much our faith in Jesus Christ drives who we are. We have been changed by this trip, but we have also been able to bring the heart of Jesus to the other side of the world and be a light to others. The seeds that were planted in a short two weeks have blossomed into trees that continue to bear God’s fruit in our and other’s lives.

The next opportunity to participate in the LCS Israel Study Tour will be in the summer of 2018.

More information will be coming in the fall, but we encourage you to consider and pray about joining LCS in this experience of a lifetime. Be part of engaging and transforming the world for Jesus Christ by journeying to the very place where God lived among us and still speaks to His people.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE LCS Earns Re-accreditation Status with CSI and AdvanceEd

By Wendy Hofman

Major Commendations Received from Our Recent Accreditation Site Visit in October, 2016 The teachers’ love and care for the students is apparent and is to be commended.

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation is a quality assurance process that involves external evaluation of our school’s programs, services and operations according to standards that will help LCS focus on our Christian distinctiveness within the context of school improvement. The work towards re-accreditation is a year-long, selfevaluation process that involves teachers and administers, with the goal of creating a new five year school improvement plan.

Why is Accreditation Important?

Simply put, when we claim that Lansing Christian is an excellent school that embraces a culture of continuous improvement, we need to be able to back that up. AdvanceEd accreditation is recognized nationally by colleges and universities.

Lansing Christian has developed a caring community in which all people feel loved.

The school is to be commended for being debt free and having a sixty-seven acre campus with great facilities.

Students are highly engaged in classroom learning.

The facilities are warm and welcoming in addition to being well maintained and clean.

There is a strong respect among administration faculty, parents and the Board.

People clearly know where LCS is headed and are willing to follow the leadership at LCS.

Improving Education through Professional Learning Teams

By Andrew Kleyn

At LCS, expecting excellence means a mindset of continual improvement. Both the strategic plan and school improvement plan contain recommendations for increased teacher collaboration. As a result, this year, teachers have begun to work together in an exciting new way.

Using the LCS Teaching Statement as a guide, teachers articulated goals for individual professional growth. Teachers joined in teams based on similar goals. These “professional learning teams” provide teachers with opportunities to collaborate with one another across grade levels and departments. Together, teachers can share ideas, research best practice methods, implement innovative teaching strategies, and receive feedback and support from colleagues. The teachers are eager to work with each other. The professional learning teams continue to lead to the development of individual teachers as well as the advancement of the school as a whole.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

STEM in Middle School

By Neliswa LeCorn and Omar Bjarki

The LCS commitment to equip students to excel in the areas of STEM is taking a step forward this year with the implementation of a Project-Based STEM course in the middle school. All seventh and eighth grade students will spend a nine-week session in this course, which is team taught by high school teachers, Mr. Omar Bjarki and Dr. Neliswa LeCorn.

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The course is built around some of the twenty-three events that make up the national Science Olympiad competition.

Eighth-grade student Grace Whipple shared about her experience in the first nine-week session of this school year, “I was able to learn about things I never knew before, like H-R diagrams in astronomy and what DNA looks like without a microscope.”

As teachers we believe that, in order to really learn, our students need time and freedom… time to play, time to think, time to fail, time to come up with their own plans, and time to create. This STEM-based class allows us the time and freedom to truly experiment and wrestle with the subject material.

In the spirit of student-centered learning, both teachers provide instruction using the approach of “playful pedagogy.” The course is built around some of the twenty-three events that make up the national Science Olympiad competition. Each group of students is provided with introductory instruction including creative problem solving and proper laboratory procedure. Then, students cycle through a variety of projects that so far have included: An epidemiology unit in which students have to crack the fictional case of the food poisoning bug from the latest staff dinner party.

A food science project in which students are tasked to design a calorimeter to measure the calories in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

A forensic science challenge where students have to investigate a crime scene in which somebody has broken into the chemistry lab.

As teachers we believe that, in order to really learn, our students need time and freedom… time to play, time to think, time to fail, time to come up with their own plans, and time to create.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE EXPECTING EXCELLENCE Providing a Safe and Secure Environment for LCS Students

By Wendy Hofman

Providing our families the assurance that we have a safe and secure school environment is important in our commitment to providing an excellent Christian education at LCS.

Teaching students how to perform and conduct themselves during routine safety drills is an opportunity to teach students how to be safe at school and how to be safe in life. At LCS, we teach students why it is important to follow safety drill instructions, and we teach them how.

Each year, we invite personnel from the Ingham County Sheriff’s department to visit our school during one or more scheduled safety drills. Without exception, on every visit the Sheriff’s department communicates that Lansing Christian School conducts drills at an effectiveness level that far surpasses any other school in the greater Lansing area. What is the difference? We teach students why a level of seriousness and compliance is important and we ask our teachers to expect it.

During the past year, the school reviewed its policies and procedures related to school safety, security, crisis management and crisis response. This review included extensive research and discussions with respected experts in the area of school safety.

As a result, LCS has implemented a new crisis response manual with additional school safety protocols, expanded security camera coverage, single door access during the school day and ongoing training for building staff leadership in school safety.

Assessing school safety and security is an ongoing process. As part of our commitment to providing a safe school environment for our families, we will continue to evaluate the measures we have in place and analyze their effectiveness in an ongoing manner.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

Beyond the Classroom An aspect of student-centered learning is helping students create connections and continue learning in the world beyond the classroom. This year, two senior students were able to participate in unique opportunities to further their learning with realworld applications.

Rachel Smith participated in the Shakespeare Immersion Project hosted by the Wharton Center and led by professional actors from the Stratford Shakespeare Festival from Stratford, Ontario.

Pictured Above: Rachel and her instructor, Mike Shara, known for his part as Laertes in Hamlet at the Stratford Theatre. He is also one of the head designers of Stratford fight scene choreography.

In the weeklong, intensive program, Rachel studied Shakespeare and acting at the Wharton Center alongside students from a variety of schools in the area. The experience culminated in Rachel and the other students acting out Shakespearean soliloquies at a public performance. When asked what she thought of the experience, Rachel said, “[It] was such a lively little piece of life that I will treasure always, and I am so incredibly grateful I stepped far outside my comfort zone to do so.”

Gage Cutler is another senior student who is pursuing a passion and learning outside the classroom. This year, Gage has been attending the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, which is a nationwide program developed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Gage attends YEA at the Michigan chamber of commerce.

Students in the program work on developing their own businesses by developing a detailed business plan, designing a logo, forming a LLC and thinking of a name for their business. Throughout the year they go on field trips to local businesses and meet CEOs and business leaders in the Lansing area. Later in the year, students will pitch to a panel of investors for investment capital of up to $5,000. The winner of this local competition goes on to compete in bigger and more competitive competitions through YEA, eventually at a national level. At the end of the year, Gage, and other YEA students will display their businesses at a local trade show.

Gage explains his excitement for the program when he says, “I’m excited about YEA because of the opportunity to pitch my business to investors.

It will be a great experience and will give me more confidence in my business.

Also, I'm excited to meet local business owners in and around the Lansing area. I look forward to asking them questions and hearing of their success and failure, as well as what advice they have to offer me.” For more information about his business, visit www.

CutlersCatch.com.

These specific examples, combined with the various trips, service projects, jobshadowing opportunities, and other unique learning opportunities, demonstrate Lansing Christian School’s commitment to deepening student learning in a relevant and engaging way.

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EXPECTING EXCELLENCE

Project-Based Learning

By Jason Lohman

This year, our fifth graders began an endeavor in project-based learning. Projectbased learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time on investigating and responding to an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem or challenge.

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This journey was, at times, confusing and difficult for both myself and the students.

Seemingly small tasks took longer than expected, countless good ideas collapsed under the weight of trial and error, and conclusions that initially seemed selfevident turned out to be foggy and difficult to interpret. However, as we pressed on through these failures, authentic learning took place in the successes that followed. We realized that reaching these successes through trial and error was the ultimate goal of this endeavor in project-based learning.

The whole project began when an aquaponics system was donated to our classroom by a friend. While I could spend the entirety of this space to clarify what exactly this system is, an abridged version would simply note the following: aquaponics is a closed system that consists of two plant beds, a fish tank and a pump that draws “fertilized” water from the fish tank into the plant beds and drains “fresh water” back into the fish tank. The result is excellent growing conditions for the plants and cleaner water for the fish.

It should be noted that the donated system came in a completely dissembled, IKEA-like I 10 I Journey

Students used an incredible amount of critical thinking to organize this puzzle without instructions

fashion. I mention this for two reasons: 1) Planning for the assembly of this system in a way that would be meaningful for student learning took considerable preparation time. I strived to engage them in every step of this process, and that began with peaking their curiosity about the pile of random materials that sat in the back of the classroom. Also, 2) Assembling the puzzlelike system, sans instructions, became one of the most exciting portions of this project.

On the first day of the project I set up five stations around my classroom, each containing a piece or pieces of the system and some clues as to the purpose of system. The first task for the day was to measure the dimensions of the items, make a sketch of each individual item and organize it into one closed system.

Students used an incredible amount of critical thinking to organize this puzzle without instructions into a system that not only “looked” finished, but functioned with purpose. Most groups reasoned that the system was some sort of fish tank with a pump to circulate water, which is incredible in and of itself. One group in particular, decided that the system must be both a garden and a fish tank. I prompted them to remember that this needs to be one closed

EXPECTING EXCELLENCE system which was met with many “Whats!” and “Hows!” After another moment of brainstorming and discussion amongst the group members, one of the students in the group noted with excited caution, “Whoa! Ok…so...you know how farmers fertilize their crops with cow...waste? What if this uses fish waste to fertilize the plants in the beds?” His group responded with playful laughter and joking, “Oh gross! No… don’t go there!” responded a group member. I quickly interjected, “YES! Go there!” This was a classic “the best part of teaching kids is those light bulb moments” moment. Smiles rolled across the group members’ faces one by one as they all realized that they had gotten it.

After students had gathered their final conclusions and drawn the final diagram, we took time for each group to present their findings to the class. The best part was that whether students were “right” or “wrong” in their conclusions, they had made conclusions!

Not whimsical, wild guess conclusions, but real conclusions based on real evidence, trial and error, and critical thinking. Each student now had an invaluable piece of growing as a learner; ownership.

I had originally planned to do the next portion myself after school, but after seeing how excited students were about the system, I asked myself how I could involve students in the process. I knew that I needed to design the shelf that would accommodate the system, decide how much wood to buy and measure and cut the wood according to the design. I gave these tasks to my students.

On the second day I informed students that we needed to assemble the system, but in order to do that we needed to build a shelf that would house it. Students divided into groups and jumped into their designs.

Once final designs were drawn to scale, I set them

on the next task which was to build a scale model using card stock “2 X 4’s.” This was a part of the project that became even more rich than I had intended due to a road block.

The card stock 2 X 4’s were much more flimsy than anticipated and, coincidentally, would not stand when the models were built. My initial inclination was to say, “Well, that didn’t work as we had hoped” and move on, but I realized that this was an opportunity. I asked my students, “What can we change to make it work?”

Students felt ownership of their designs and because of that, wanted to make them work.

I had students asking for stronger materials to reinforce joints. I had students asking if they could adjust the scale to 1/20 instead of 1/10 and doing it. I had students showing the entire class how they, “Got their structure to stand so steadily” and “How they got so good at this.” Smiles stretched from one ear to the other. My whole class had risen to a difficult challenge and succeeded. Some succeeded in building a solid structure that fit the scale and dimensions. Others succeeded in failing, but being able teach others what does and does not work.

For the last portion of the project I made blueprints based on the student structures.

From the blueprints students calculated the number of eight foot 2 X 4’s that I would need to buy to make the shelf for the aquaponics system. I bought the wood, students measured out the pieces according to our blueprints and we cut and assembled the shelf which now houses our functioning aquaponics system.

What began as a one day critical thinking exercise in math turned into a two week, cross-curricular, academically-rich project.

This project not only met our math goals for our unit, but truly engaged students in learning, gave them an opportunity to think critically and do real work for a real problem and to gain confidence in approaching future unfamiliar and challenging material. This is the point of an endeavor in project-based learning. This is discovering the “why” of education. This is seeing and appreciating God’s intricate, and beautiful design through learning.

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Learning by Doing It is a Catch-22. A hopeless cycle. Getting a job requires experience, yet getting experience requires a job. It is the old chicken or egg scenario. That is why LCS is offering more and more hands-on learning opportunities like the Video Production Internship, which is currently in its second year. Under the tutelage of awardwinning filmmaker Scott Magie, six self-motivated high school students currently receive class credit by working on LCS promotional videos and marketing as interns.

Senior Abby Krueger, a video production intern, interviews alumnus Ronnie Wilmarth ('09) for her semester video project.

These students enjoy the project-based style of the internship because it is different than their other typical classes and is like a real job, focused on the marketing needs of an actual client (LCS). For example, their weekly responsibilities include photographing a certain topic of daily life here at LCS – such as events, sports, arts, STEM or people – that can be used to promote the school on Instagram, on Facebook or in other marketing materials. By taking these photos and writing captions to accompany them, the interns learn hard skills like photography, marketing and copywriting that will serve them well in a variety of academic and career settings, as well as soft skills like time management, self-discipline and creativity.

Meanwhile, each intern is responsible to complete a major semester video project that requires them to research, write, film and edit a short biographical vignette about one of our many successful alumni. The completed films will be screened at our annual Black & Gold Celebration on February 13, which provides the motivation of a solid deadline, an actual audience and a valuable purpose.

“It’s a bit overwhelming,” says Emma Myers (’17), a two-year veteran of the internship program, “but it’s cool to have our work going toward something that will actually benefit the school in a real way.”

“It’s purposeful work under a deadline for a client,” says Mr. Magie, who is known around school as The Video Guy. “This is exactly the sort of experience that students will encounter every day in the workplace, so it’s exactly the sort of experience that colleges and employers are looking for.”

In other words, these internships are a way to break the Catch-22 cycle – like creating a chicken without an egg – by gaining experience without a job. Perhaps years from now, these same students will return as successful alumni professionals to be interviewed by future Video Interns.

Now that is the sort of cycle that LCS strives to create!

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

New Playground

By Melissa Keeley

Recess has been a little more fun for our K-5 students thanks to the addition of a new play structure on our elementary playground. The new play structure, along with some general improvements to the playground, was the result of a generous gift from a donor.

Our students had front row seats as the structure was installed and enjoyed watching alumnus Cal Bowden pour a new and expanded cement area. Mrs. Dykstra led a dedication of the new play structure which provided our students an opportunity to pray over the new recess equipment and express their appreciation for this generous gift. This donation nearly doubles the equipment on our K-5 playground and the kids have loved playing on this new and exciting structure.

Annual Fund 5K/Fall Fest

By Melissa Keeley

This fall, we had over three hundred people and one dinosaur come out for the Annual Fund 5K/Fall Fest. Participants ran, walked or joined us for a day of fun fall family activities all in support of Lansing Christian School.

This was a fantastic event for our community and a wonderful way for families to spend time together while raising money for the LCS Annual Fund. The day included a 5K race, kids fun-run, a pizza lunch, inflatables, tractor rides and a kids’ craft area. All the money from registrations, donations and the bake sale went to the Annual Fund which helps advance the mission of the school while making a quality Christian education accessible to more families.

Black and Gold Celebration The Black and Gold Celebration is Lansing Christian School’s annual fundraising event. We welcome all members of our community to this fun night in support and celebration of Lansing Christian School, hosted at the University Club of MSU on February 13, 2017.

All of the money raised at the event goes towards the Lansing Christian School Annual Fund which supports an excellent education that has it all—a learning environment that cultivates an active faith, exceptional programs and resources, and affordable tuition. The evening will include dinner, desert, entertainment, as well as both a silent auction featuring student-created artwork and a live auction. We are also pleased to showcase video vignettes profiling some of our alumni created by students in our video intern program.

We warmly invite all members of the LCS community to be part of this exciting event!

Tickets are available via the LCS website and at the information desk.

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CULTIVATING CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY

Grandparent Day

By Sheri Shank

Grandparent Day at Lansing Christian School is about celebrating important family relationships in our students’ lives. Grandparents play a vital role in the Christian home and we appreciate the opportunity to build relationships with them at LCS.

This year, over four hundred grandparents and special friends spent the afternoon at LCS beginning with refreshments in the commons. Peter O’Neill, Vocal Music Teacher, led the students in a special Grandparent Day chapel featuring several elementary, middle and high school students. The kindergarten classes were a highlight of the program when they sang and performed with streamers. Following the chapel, Grandparents enjoyed an hour visiting their grandchildren(s) classrooms and witnessing firsthand how the teachers are equipping our students to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.

Grandparents are important in our community, and we appreciate the opportunity to engage and connect with them on this special day.

LCS and South Church bring Keith and Kristyn Getty to Lansing On December 8, Lansing Christian School and South Church jointly sponsored the Keith and Kristyn Getty Irish Christmas Celebration held at South Church. Nearly one hundred Lansing Christian students participated as singers in the choir and as servers and greeters. More than eight hundred audience members in the soldout concert joined in singing the music of Christmas, complete with amazing instrumentation, dance and lots of hand clapping!

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More than eight hundred audience members in the soldout concert joined in singing the music of Christmas

We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with South Church in bringing this extraordinary event to the Greater Lansing community.

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ATHLETICS Volleyball

Boys’ Varsity Tennis

Varsity team lands in Sweet Sixteen! What a thrilling season for the Pilgrims 2016 varsity volleyball team! This talented group of girls gathered a 38-12-5 overall record while securing a place in the final 16 teams state-wide. Senior duo Adair Cutler and Paige Porter will leave behind a strong legacy in the Pilgrim volleyball program; both earned a spot in the Michigan High School Athletic Association record books for assists and kills, respectively, while also earning Individual Academic All-State honors.

Collectively, the entire team earned Academic All-State status. All seniors will be greatly missed; their passion and spirit will pave the way for success in 2017!

Team finishes 5th in Regional Tournament!

The Lansing Christian/Leslie co-op tennis team performed well this season and earned a 5th place finish in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Tennis Regional Tournament. Thank you to seniors Gage Cutler and Bo Tate for their excellent leadership and numerous contributions to the team. Congratulations to Coach Winters for leading the team to such a strong showing in the 2016 season!

By Bonnie Binioris

By Bonnie Binioris

Boys’ Soccer

By Bonnie Binioris

Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country

By Bonnie Binioris

Davis Tebben takes 10th Place in State Finals!

Both of the boys’ and girls’ teams enjoyed a great measure of growth and success in the 2016 season. Nowhere was this more evident than during the Stockbridge meet in October.

Davis Tebben, Ethan Combs and Evan MacKay all shattered their personal records by running a 16:37, 18:03 and 20:33 respectively. Wesley Tate, in his first year with the team, finished with a 21:43; his own personal record! Not to be outdone, the girls’ team saw Ellen Durling and Kealeigh Usiak set their own PR’s with times of 21:26 and 22:09. Natalie Krueger set her own season record with a course time of 22:09.

On November 5, Davis Tebben competed in the Division 4 Lower Peninsula State Finals at the Michigan International Speedway and took home a solid 10th place finish!

Congratulations to Coach Jon Watson for leading the boys’ and girls’ cross country teams through a positive, exciting season!

Pilgrims win League and District Championship! After an exciting 2016 season, the boys’ soccer team will have to move forward without its core group of six seniors: Nick Jamieson, Noah Usiak, Preston Granger, Jack Gillespie, Luke Hagy and Jon Hull. As a unit, this group helped collect three conference championships, three district championships, two regional championships and one state championship! The 2016 team ended their season with an impressive 18-4 record. While the six seniors will be greatly missed, their energy and talent will continue to drive future teams forward.

Swimming / Diving

By Bonnie Binioris

Congratulations to Natalie Crandell, a statewide diver of the year finalist! Natalie won the 1-meter diving title at the Capitol Area Activities Conference Red meet. She finished 15th overall at the Division 3 state meet.

Senior Madison Casteel and sophomore Kaylie Felton also provided key contributions for the talented Williamston/Lansing Christian girls swim team. Congratulations to Coach Robert Oliver for a successful season!

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NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO 410 LANSING, MI

3405 Belle Chase Way, Lansing, MI 48911 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

All School Information Night February 7, 7:00pm Prospective families are invited to attend the LCS Information Night on Tuesday, February 7, at 7:00pm in the media center. Together with Christian parents, we are committed to equipping young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ. We look forward to meeting you and discussing the opportunities LCS has for your child.

Group Campus Tours & Student Shadow Days LCS welcomes prospective families to tour the school campus or shadow a current student for a half-day of classes on the following dates. To schedule a personal tour at a more convenient time for you and your family, please feel free to call the admissions office.

Tuesday, April 18, 2017 Tuesday, May 2, 2017

Tuesday, February 7, 2017 Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Please RSVP to the Admissions Office at 517.882.5779 x107 or email: admissions@ lansingchristianschool.org or just drop in. In case of inclement weather please check our website homepage for cancellations and reschedule dates.

Equipping young men and women to engage and transform the world for Jesus Christ.