in PDF format - St. Mark`s Lutheran School

50th Anniversary Celebration
St. Mark’s Lutheran School
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Achieving Excellence Together
1963 – 2013
Humorist Erma Bombeck once said, “When I stand before
God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not
have a single bit of talent left, and could say, ‘I used
everything you gave me.’” That is the passion for
education and love for our students that I have witnessed
time and time again at St. Mark’s from our dedicated staff
members. Most members of our staff over the years have
not looked at working at SML as a job, but as an actual
calling, believing that God put them at this place at the
time they serve or served for a reason. As principal, I have
had the honor of working with inspiring Day School
Committees who consistently hold what is best for
students as a guiding principle for all their decisions. I am
appreciative of the hard-working parents who have
supported and continue to support SML School. And, to St.
Mark’s students past and present, I would like to
say,“Thank you.” You have made us laugh and made us
cry, you have challenged us to be better educators, and
reaffirmed our faith in our country’s future. We all
appreciate you more than you can ever know. May God
continue to bless your lives as St. Mark’s looks forward to
its next 50 years. Barbara M. Clark
Pastor Mark Marius
Barbara M. Clark
2013 - Present
1981- Present
"And now, my children, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. 33Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
34Happy is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. 35For whoever finds me finds life and
obtains favor from the LORD; Proverbs 8:32-35
50 Years of cultivating faith and reason in our young people. Martin Luther would be proud. It took a lot of faith to begin this
ministry and a lot of reason to make it so successful. May God continue to bless our efforts and may the fruits of Christian
Education continue to be a blessing in our world. Pastor Mark Marius
St. Mark’s Principals
Pastor Gerhard Belgum
1963-1964
Pastor Obed Nesheim
1964-1970
Carol Boyken Koosmann 1970-1971
Annette Peterson
1971-1975
Diane Menius
1975-1983
Bill Dieckoff
1983-1986
Barbara M. Clark
1986-present
Annette Peterson
Diane Menius
Pastor Belgum
Pastor Nesheim
Bill Dieckoff
Carol Koosmann
Barbara Clark
Day School Committee 2013
He has shown you O mortal what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you but to do
justice, and love kindness, and to walk humbly with
your God? - Micah 6:8
Betty Castaneda
Alex Cormack, Secretary; Lynn Alcala, President: members Tracy
Nishizu and Dr. Glenn Ault
Peggy Pennington
Treasurer
Marian Locke
Tom Wadkins
50 Years of Educational Excellence 1963-2013
St. Mark’s early years, our first three elementary teachers
K-8 Staff 2013
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that
love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
Romans 8:28
The Beginning
Pastor Belgum, the founding pastor of St. Mark’s, had a vision for the school. His widow, Olga Belgum describes
her husband’s viewpoint, “He came to St. Mark’s in 1961, not only to fulfill his priority which was the preaching of
the Gospel, but his second priority was to have Christian education be part of his mission. So, almost before
anything else, he made sure a school was started. He maintained that the first priority in starting a school was to hire
the most remarkable teacher you could persuade to come to such a fledgling project, and success would follow.”
That first remarkable teacher was
Wanda Badgley.
This is the very first class of students
at St. Mark’s Lutheran School, the
kindergarten class of 1963.
And, many remarkable teachers later . . .
September, 2013
The two kindergarten classes of 2013
Ms. Marilyn Wanke with Ms. Sue and Ms. Lea La Croix with Ms. Ashley
1960s
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St. Mark’s Lutheran School is established
Luther Hall Education Unit (current Kindergarten Building)
completed 1964
First school choir, 1964
In 1965, classes began for kindergarten, first, and second grades
as St. Mark’s moved forward with plans to increase the school by
adding a grade each year
First playground built by church members
West Hall (current office/preschool) finished in 1968.
Preschool program begun in 1968
1960’s
1960’s: Our First Three Buildings on Campus
Fellowship Hall
“I have set the LORD always before me:
because he is at my right hand, I shall not
be moved.” - Psalm 16:8
Fellowship Hall & Luther Hall
West Hall
The 1970’s
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Added new programs, established a strong K-6 school.
Hired a full-time principal
Began building the church sanctuary, which currently
houses first grade students in classrooms beneath the
sanctuary.
Heights Lutheran School
In the 1970’s the eight acre property adjoining St.
Mark’s Lutheran School was purchased and a junior
high begun. Heights Lutheran opened its doors for
the 1972-1973 school year. The first junior/senior
high classes were held at Heights Christian School on
Tetley until the Scott Hall building was constructed
in 1976. The gymnasium was completed for the
1979-1980 school year. In 1983 the school closed and
St. Mark’s Lutheran purchased the property and
expanded from a preschool-grade 6 school, to a
preschool-grade 8 school. Two teachers from Heights
Lutheran, Sharon Elmore and Barbara Clark were
asked to join the SML staff as junior high teachers.
Heights Lutheran School Principals
Pastor Richard Anderson
Margaret Lotz
Vernon Stenberg
Michael Pilcher
Dr. Arthur Bruhns
Jerry Betker
Pastor Pam Davis
Dr. Alfred Roth
1972-1973
1973-1974
1974-1976
1976-1978
1978-1980
1980-1982
1982
1982-1983
(Principal tenure dates based on best available information)
Heights Lutheran 1982
The 1980’s
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September 20, 1984, purchased the property, gymnasium, and classroom facilities adjacent to St.
Mark’s, a total of eight acres, which was previously known as Heights Lutheran School for 1.6
million dollars. This addition enabled expansion of the SML education program Total student
enrollment in preschool through eighth grade was nearly 500.
Purchased first portable unit
Added grades seven and eight to St. Mark’s School.
Began participation in 8th grade East Coast Trip with area Lutheran schools.
Departmentalized upper grades in 1986 doubled enrollment in junior high
Added after school sports to extracurricular events, began participation in Lutheran School League.
St. Mark’s Hacienda Heights basketball league is formed in 1989.
The 1980’s
“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these
three; but the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:13
The 1990’s
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Construction of Nesheim Hall completed in 1992
First computer lab installed
School reconfigured with kindergarten through four grade operating in traditional school manner, self-contained
classrooms, grades five and six set up as a middle school with three main teachers delivering core instruction, and
the junior high departmentalized into a nine period day.
Activity period added for band, yearbook, newspaper, and music
Tremendous growth in extracurricular activities
Track built and lower field redesigned to add basketball courts and playground
Four additional portables purchased to handle growth in enrollment
Renovated kindergarten playground, leveled surface area, installed new fencing and equipment, remodeled
classrooms in Luther Hall by dropping ceiling, adding acoustical tile and installing new cabinets
Classrooms above gym remodeled to turn four small classrooms into three large ones in 1999
Resurfaced gym floor
The 1990’s
!
2000 - 2010
Honors:
• Barbara Clark is selected as a National Distinguished Principal for 2001
• St. Mark’s is named as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2005
• Initial WASC accreditation granted 2007
New Curriculum Enhancements:
• Vice Principal, Curriculum Director & Director of Development positions
• School spring musical series begins with “Annie, Jr.”
• Fifth through eighth grade goal-setting program
• Robotics extra-curricular program
• Beginning Teacher Support Program (BTSA)
• ActivBoards in the classrooms
• First Annual Fund Drive 2008-2009
• Quarterly Leadership Seminars for eighth grade
• Korean Home Stay summer and winter programs
Campus
• Completed West Wing expansion to West Hall, which added preschool kitchen and classroom as well as second
computer lab and new science lab
• Renovation of preschool play yards
• Replaced two double wide portable units with triple wide units for grades two and four
• New SportsCourt gym floor
• All-weather track
• Remodeled the preschool classrooms with drop ceilings, acoustical tile, and new lighting
• Rock-climbing wall installed in gymnasium
2000-2010
2010-2013
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WASC Accreditation 2010/Mid-Year Review 2013
SML Broadcast Podcast informs and entertains 2011
After school Spanish class begun for K-5 grades 2011
$25,000 Clorox Grant won in 2012 for Podcast
After school robotics team restarted in 2013
After school soccer camp sessions in conjunction with Whittier College Women’s Soccer 2013
Hacienda Heights Youth Science Center collaboration on school science classes 2013
First Summer School Health and Fitness Week led by Next Level Training 2013
Scott Hall gets a facelift with new stucco
Girls’ restroom in the gym remodeled/new tile, sinks and counter installed
St. Mark’s financial education through program with MegaBank results in SML mini-Mega formation
SML garden renovated
iPads and iPad mini’s spread through the grade levels for student use
New website unveiled with grades on line available 2013-2014 school year
Preschool Staff 2013
And, through
the years. . .
Blue Ribbon Day
Chapel/Church
Sports
Podcast
“Now faith is the assurance of
things hoped for, the
conviction of things not seen.”
Hebrews 11:1
Fun and Fitness
Special Events
Drama
Trips
St. Mark’s site in 1962
St. Mark’s
September
2013
“Every Time I Think of You I Thank My God.”
-Philippians 1:3
In Memoriam:
Students:
Staff:
Deborah Gray
Melanie House
Heather Hackett
Jesus Oronoz
Tawnia View
Nicky Young
Julie Falk
Brandon Ezaki
James Friemann
Brandon Krock
Jason Wohlmuth
Helen Bracey
Christina Baertling
Susan Platfoot
Madonna Stroud
Diane Brister
Ms. Madonna
Ms. Bracey
Ms. Platfoot
Ms. Baertling
Ms. Brister
Special Thanks to:
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Bob Merchant: Photography
Eugene Reitz: Readying Reproductions, Inc.: Printing
Diana McFarland & Maddy Shipherd: Photo scanning
Jeff Walker: Computer wizardry
Leslie Merle, Carolyn Collosi, Connie Cruz: Food trucks
Jonathan Ong-Siong: Heath screenings
Gwen Andrizzi & Gail LeGros: LA County presentation
In great appreciation to: St. Mark’s Assistant Principals
They continue to inspire!
Extra Special Thanks to:
Joyce Evangelista, Mary Rosentreter,
Tammy Perez, Traci Navarro & Linda Merchant: for
their support and dedication to making it happen
Carol Nixt
Betty Castaneda
Student Gift Bag Donors:
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St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
PIH
Hacienda Pizza Company
Fea Family
Chou Family
USC
Puente Family
Valley Vista
Cook Family
Thrivent
Bain Family
Kranz Photography
Lady Bug Exterminator
Snak King
Christy Pomerleau
Ann Marie Nelson
Looking forward to our next 50 years!
I lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come
from? My help comes from the
Lord, the Maker of heaven and
earth
Psalm 121: 1 & 2
One of former Pastor Demers
favorite verses
This booklet and cd are just the beginning. The cd has all the school yearly class
photographs we could find. We are going to create a link on our website:
www.stmarks.ws that will be called 50th Anniversary & Beyond and we will
post photos of our 50th anniversary and plan, over time, to get all yearbooks,
newspapers, random photos organized and online for you.