Student Life

Praise & Worship

Word of Life students participate in praise and worship during chapel time on Wednesdays each week. Students in Kindergarten through 8th grade attend chapel from 8:30 to 9:00 a.m. on the days listed on the schedule below. Preschool students have similar worship opportunities at their campuses as well.

Faith in Action

Word of Life staff leads students in at least one Faith in Action mission project each semester.

Our school theme for 2022-23 is “Take Heart – I Have Overcome the World” – John 16:33    

Our project for 2022-23 was to create “birthday boxes” for area food banks.  These boxes will be given to families in need so that they can “provide a birthday” for their child.  Each box included everything needed for a fun birthday experience (cake mix, cake pan, streamers, birthday hats, etc.)!  

Theatre & Choir

The WOL Music Program is led by Mr. Gabe Maichel.

Word of Life produces a biennial WOL Musical with a WOL Spring Concert in subsequent years.

Band

Word of Life Band Leader: Mr. Matt Janssen

Contact: mjanssen@wordoflifeschool.net or 815-325-4940

The Lutheran High School South grade school instrumental program offers instrumental music education to students in grades 5-8 at Word of Life. The program is based on the premise that instrumental music education is an important aspect of the child’s total education and is effectively offered at the elementary school level. Participation in this program leads to the development of skills and attitudes that are necessary for a complete education. Researchers in child development believe that the study of music is very beneficial to every child’s intellectual development. The program may be continued in grades 9-12 at Lutheran High School South or other area high schools.

How It Works

1. Group band rehearsals take place during the school day. Each band rehearses twice per week for 30-40 minutes. Students are grouped according to grade level and receive regular weekly assignments in their lesson books. In addition, students practice supplementary sheet music for concert programs.

2. Combined school concerts occur twice per year at Lutheran High School South. Each grade level combines with their counterparts from other schools to provide a full band sound. The individual grade school band also performs at school concerts and chapel services.

3. Lutheran South Junior Winds rehearses on Monday evenings at LHSS. This band of select students rehearses challenging music designed to raise everyone’s performance level. Comprised of mainly 7th and 8th graders, the Junior Winds provides a challenge and responsibility for more advanced musicians. (Additional fee of $30 per semester.)

How to Begin

Your child begins his/her band experience as a 5th grader in a free music education class. This short class will introduce all the band instruments to your student and give him/her the opportunity to be tested on his/her favorite instruments. After three or four sessions, you will receive an evaluation regarding your student’s suitability on his/her favorite instruments and an invitation to our Band Registration Night. Band Registration Night at Lutheran High School South will give you important information about the band program and be your opportunity to officially register your student as a member of the band program. Within just a few days of this meeting, your student will need an instrument and will begin receiving instruction at his/her school.

Costs

$340 per year. This fee is paid to Word of Life on a semester basis and includes all music. Not included is the cost of an instrument. There are a limited number of instruments available through Word of Life and Lutheran South for greatly reduced rental fees. Most families participate in music store rent-to-own programs where the monthly rental fees are applied to the eventual purchase of the instrument.

Questions about the Program

Please contact Mr. John Miller at Lutheran High School South at 314-631-1400 or jmiller@lhssonline.org.

Piano Program

  • 1 private half-hour lesson each week
  • Lessons during the school day
  • Available to students in 2nd through 8th grades
  • Spring Recital
  • National Piano Guild participation offered
  • Many playing opportunities available
  • Reasonable rates
  • Piano instructor: Claudia Niemann

For more information, please contact the school office: ddavis@wordoflifeschool.net.

Cross Country

Contact Information: athleticdirector@wordoflifeschool.net

Cross country is the only sport at Word of Life in which students in Kindergarten through 4th grade can participate. It is a sport with many physical and mental benefits. Athletes learn how to push themselves physically, which helps them develop greater mental toughness. Athletes also learn how to run properly without injuring themselves and learn that running is a sport that can provide benefits throughout their lives.  Cross Country is not just an individual sport, there is a strong team aspect to it. Athletes learn how to train and race as a team which helps them see that when one person on a team works hard and succeeds, it benefits other team members individually and benefits the team as a whole. Overall, cross country is a great opportunity for students in grades K-8 to discover the joy of running and competition.

Volleyball

Girls Volleyball

Coach (A1 Team): Sarah Maxfield

Contact Information: smaxfield@wordoflifeschool.net

The A1 team is comprised of 7th and 8th graders. It is the most competitive level of play for grade school. Players learn and are assigned specific positions (setter, middle hitters, outside hitters, and libero) to play. The A-level players practice 4 days a week and compete in 2-3 tournaments. The season runs from August-October, and ends with the city playoff tournament for qualifying teams.

 

Coach (B1 Team): Dawn Schlesselman

Contact Information: 

The B1 volleyball team is comprised of 5th and 6th graders. It is an introduction to the basic skills of volleyball. All players who attend practice regularly get equal playing time in the matches, and all girls rotate around to play all positions. The B-level practices twice a week, and they compete in one tournament each season. 

Boys Volleyball

The boys’ volleyball team is only offered at the A-level, and it is for 7th and 8th grade boys. The season begins in February and ends in April. Players practice 3-4 days a week. The boys’ volleyball team gets to compete in the city playoff tournament at the end of the season. Even though this is the first experience boys get to compete in volleyball, they are trained to play specific positions.

Basketball

Girls Basketball

Contact Information: athleticdirector@wordoflifeschool.net

The A1 team is comprised of 7th and 8th graders. While we do not have tryouts or make cuts from this team, it is a more competitive team and not everyone receives equal playing time. A focus for the coaches is to reinforce fundamental skills, while teaching basic game strategy. More importantly, the coaches aim to build character in each player by instilling a mindset of hard work and unselfish teamwork. This character building provides a foundation for the themes of Christian life and service that are so important to Word of Life’s focus as a whole.

The B1 volleyball team is comprised of 5th and 6th graders. It is an introduction to the basic skills of volleyball. All players who attend practice regularly get equal playing time in the matches, and all girls rotate around to play all positions. The B-level practices twice a week, and they compete in one tournament each season.

Boys Basketball

The A1 team is comprised of 7th and 8th graders. While we do not have tryouts or make cuts from this team, it is a more competitive team and not everyone receives equal playing time. A focus for the coaches is to reinforce fundamental skills, while teaching basic game strategy. More importantly, the coaches aim to build character in each player by instilling a mindset of hard work and unselfish teamwork. This character building provides a foundation for the themes of Christian life and service that are so important to Word of Life’s focus as a whole.
 

The B1 basketball team is comprised of 5th and 6th graders. It is an introduction to the basic skills of basketball. All players who attend practice regularly get equal playing time in the matches, and all girls rotate around to play all positions.

Track & Field

Contact Information: athleticdirector@wordoflifeschool.net

Track and Field is open to 5th – 8th grade students who want to participate. The main goal at this level is to introduce athletes to the wide variety of events available. Whether it’s the hurdles, long jump, shot put or the 1600, coaches encourage athletes to try new things so they can start to develop an idea of which events are strengths for them individually.

Academic League

The Academic League promotes academic excellence and teamwork in the subjects of Math, History, Literature, Science, Religion, and more.

Contact: Mrs. Laurie Jones ljones@wordoflifeschool.net

National Beta Club

Word of Life’s Beta Club is an academic honor and service organization for eligible students in grades 7 and 8. Members of Beta Club promote the ideals of character and academic achievement while serving as role models in our Word of Life community.

In order to be eligible for Beta Club, students must:

  • Maintain a 3.5 GPA (no more than two “B’s” in core subjects)
  • Remain in behavioral good standing (no more than 5 demerits per semester)
  • Complete 15 service hours per semester.

Students may be initiated into Beta club prior to the 1st or 2nd semesters of the school year. Beta Club meetings take place from 3:15-4:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month. In addition, Beta Club members will be expected to participate in other planned service projects as they arise.

Scouts

Boy Scouts

Word of Life hosts Cub Scout Pack 34 for boys in grades 1st through 5th. Please contact Jill Pfeuffer at 314-313-4154 or cubpack3034@gmail.com for more information.

Girl Scouts

Contact Lea Majneric for more information l.majneric@gmail.com

Student Council

Student Council is a group made up of students in grades 4-8 and two faculty sponsors. Our mission is to promote self-esteem and leadership qualities within the Student Council Reps. We also promote school spirit within the school and the surrounding community.

Stuco Advisors:

Laurie Jones – ljones@wordoflifeschool.net