The Days of Our Lives

ARIZONA LUTHERAN ACADEMY
V OL U ME 2 2 # 4
N OV E MBE R 2015
6036 South 27th Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85041
phone 602.268.8686
fax 602-243-1353
ALAcoyotes.org
MARK THESE DATES
November 1
Area Reformation Service at
ALA, 4pm
November 3
Pre-season winter sports
meeting, 6pm
November 4
Half-day of school, 11:30 am
dismissal
November 5 & 6
No School - AZ/CA Teachers’
Conference
November 12
Senior graduation orders,
7:30am
November 13-15
National Choral Festival - A
Cappella in Wisconsin
November 19
Senior picture day
Tuition Assistance Workshop for
parents, 6:30pm
November 25
Half-day of school, 11:30 am
dismissal
November 26 & 27
No School - Thanksgiving
December 18
Christmas Concert, 7pm
The Days of Our Lives
Watching the end of a taped episode of
“Wheel of Fortune” recently, I was surprised
to see two aging actors step out. They played
Abe and Marlena on “The Days of Our Lives,”
and they were making an appearance to
hype the 50th anniversary of the first
showing of this daytime drama (soap opera).
I must confess—to my embarrassment—
that I had my “Days” period many years ago,
but more surprisingly, the same characters I
watched more than thirty years back are still
characters on the show…and played by the
same actors! The days of their lives have
mired into a sordid, hopeless, self-serving,
melodramatic waste of time.
Besides rejoicing that the experiences of the
“Days” characters are not repeated entirely
in ours, there is also value in examining the
days of our lives and how our time is used.
Think back on the last month—October.
Remember that all things motivated by the
love of our Savior and for his glory are sweet
aromas to the Audience of One whom we
serve. You spent time—probably a lot of it—
cooking meals, buying groceries,
transporting kids, etc., and maybe even
caring for your own health and wellness. All
of these mundane things coupled with the
love of Jesus and faith in his work for us
become ways to honor the Audience of One.
Christmas Break
December 23-January 5
However, there may have been time spent in
ways that served the old nature that lurks
within each of us: time spent in gossip about
people or programs, time wasted in “blind”
surfing of the Internet, time used for
idleness and evil thoughts considered or evil
words expressed. Are there areas where
improvement can be made as you “Live for
an Audience of One” through the days of
your lives?
Of course, the answer for all of us is yes. An
honest assessment of the use of the time we
have leaves us coming up short. Our time is
actually one of the gifts God has given us;
our times remain in his hands, and it is only
through his pleasure that we live and move
and have our being. It was also his pleasure
that caused him to enter time as a man and
serve as our substitute. Now it is our turn to
serve him! Thank God for the days of our
lives!
Notes on school breaks in November and December
 There is a half-day on Wednesday,
November 4, with periods C, D, E and F,
and an 11:30am dismissal. Buses will
leave at 11:45am. Thursday and Friday,
November 5-6, are also off for the AZ/CA
Teachers’ Conference being held at
California Lutheran High School in
Wildomar.
 School is in session on Veterans’ Day,
November 11.
Semester Exams
December 18, 21, 22
Principal Kurt Rosenbaum
 Thanksgiving Break begins at 11:30am on
Wednesday, November 25 (half-day—
periods A, B, G and H). Thursday and
Friday, November 26-27, are also off for
the holiday.
 Because of the number of teachers and
students involved in soccer and basketball
events, there will be no school on Friday,
December 11.
 Christmas Break begins after tests
conclude on Tuesday, December 22.
Semester test days are Friday, December
18, as well as Monday and Tuesday,
December 21-22. Please do not plan trips
or appointments for these dates. The test
schedule is posted on the Parent
Resources page of ALAcoyotes.org.
 After Christmas break, school resumes and
semester two begins on Wednesday,
January 6, 2016.
POINTS OF INTEREST
Christmas Concert
The annual Christmas
concert takes place on
Friday, December 18, at
7pm. All choir and band
members are required to
attend, including freshman
choir. Please do not plan
anything else for that
evening; participation is a
part of the semester grade
for music courses.
Coyote Gear
Place your gear order by
November 16 for Christmas
gifts. There are lots of
great, new, limited-edition
options. Look for the order
form soon. This is the last
special order of the school
year.
Staff News
 Mrs. Lynnette Stahmann
presented a day on our
international program to
delegates of the Lutheran
Women’s Missionary
Society in Payson, AZ, on
October 24. She was
assisted by the five
international girls that
we have on campus this
year: Lynn Lin, Lin Zhu,
Linda Hu, Caroline Xu,
and Zoe Li.
Gaining Ground
Weddings...births...graduations...paying off a
mortgage. All of these are major milestones for
a family. The date October 30, 2015, is now a
milestone in the history of Arizona Lutheran
Academy and our family.
Why? Because we now own the 3.6 acres of
land on 27th Avenue and Southern. Praise
God!
October 30, 2015
The ALA student body
stands in front of our
newly acquired 3.6 acres
of land. This is a milestone
day in the history of ALA!
Thank God for your prayers
and support!
Tuition Assistance Workshop
A Cappella updates
The next Tuition Assistance Workshop
(TAW) will be held at ALA on Thursday,
November 19, at 6:30pm.
Congratulations to Miss Andrea Oppermann
and our A Cappella choir! Their performance
was aired during the week of October 19 on
94.5 KOOL FM as the noon salute, and
subsequently their performance was selected
as the October winner. A check for $1000
will be presented to the Fine Arts
Department after chapel on Wednesday,
November 4. The rendition the choir
performed was a setting of “The StarSpangled Banner” written by Miss
Oppermann.
The choir travels to Wisconsin in November
to participate in the WELS National Choral
Fest begin held at Kettle Moraine Lutheran
High School. The festival takes place
November 13-15. Concerts will be live
streamed so you will be able to watch them.
Go to ALAcoyotes.org for the link.

from the faculty and staff of ALA
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Like any milestone though, we celebrate and
then start looking forward to the next one.
Gaining Ground moves on to the next phase
which involves construction of the exercise
facility. We plan to break ground soon so that
we can better serve our present students and
community.
Thank you to all of the ALA supporters who
have been so generous and shared your
blessings with us. Motivated by love for our
We ask that you join us in thanking God for
Savior, you have helped us reach the $450,000 blessings to this point in our Gaining Ground
mark so that ALA could purchase the land.
campaign, and that he would move more of his
This is a day that many have prayed about.
people to support the continuing needs of our
God showered his blessings on us through you. school.
 We are rejoicing with
Heidi Martz, our
receptionist and Scrip
coordinator, that she is
steadily recovering from
her mid-October surgery.
Andrea Oppermann will
also undergo surgery in
late-October. God bless
these two ladies as they
seek to resume their full
duties as soon as
possible.
He answered those prayers. Purchasing the
land opens up many new avenues for ministry
and opens the door for an exciting future.

Learn more about the Arizona Tuition Tax
Credit Program and ACSTO.
Hear tips on finding donors and resources
available to help you.
Register at ALAcoyotes.org/TAW.
Share ALA
Do you know families who might be
interested in ALA? Do you have a student
starting at ALA next year? The first ALA
Admissions Night of the year is Wednesday,
November 11, at 7pm.
Eighth grade students are also invited to
shadow during that day, being a part of the
ALA student body for the day.
Register for the Admissions Night online at
ALAcoyotes.org/AdmissionsNight. You can
also sign up for the Shadow Day here or
contact [email protected].

Friday, Nov. 13 - Pops Concert, 6pm
(Arizona time)

Sunday, Nov. 15 - Sacred Concert, 1pm
(Arizona time)
C O Y O T E
C O N N E C T I O N S
Guidance at a Glance
College applications
Finish the semester strong
Colleges visiting in November
Seniors are encouraged to complete
college applications by December 1,
although many schools may accept them
later. Finishing now can help you focus
on completing the FAFSA after January 1.
A part of the college application process
is requesting your transcript from ALA
through Parchment.com. Student
accounts must be in good standing in
order for transcripts to be sent.
Students are reminded that once the
second quarter ends on December 22,
grades are posted to the transcript
which is the permanent high school
record. Colleges will see these grades—
even from ninth and tenth grades! Be
sure to put forth your best effort, avoid
turning in assignments late, and study
for those semester exams in December.
 Monday, November 9 - Bethany
National Portfolio Day
Scholarship searches
If an art or design school is of interest,
plan on attending National Portfolio
Day at Mesa Community College on
Saturday, December 5, noon to 4pm.
A poster about the event is posted in the
ALA media center. This event is free, is
open to the public, and does not require
registration. Go to portfolioday.net to
find our more about what you should
include in your portfolio, what schools
plan to attend, and what you can expect
from the day.
In October, all seniors received a
packet of information and an order
form for graduation items which
includes the required cap, gown and
tassel. Please look through this before
November 12, 7:30am, when our
Herff Jones rep will return to take
orders. Please consider the following:
Scholarship America
There are many scholarships listed
including a few of their own programs,
like Dollars for Scholars. As you create
an account and look at the lists of
scholarships, you will need to look at the
criteria to determine whether or not to
apply.
scholarshipamerica.org/students
College Depot
This is a free, full-service college access
center located at Burton Barr Central
Library in downtown Phoenix. Their
college planning advisors offer one-onone appointments and workshops
regarding admissions, financial aid, and
scholarships. Check it out at
phoenixpubliclibrary.org/collegedepot.
Fastweb
Fastweb.com is another free scholarship
search that targets scholarships based
on your strengths, interests and skills.
Once a profile is completed, you'll have
access to a database of more than 1.5
million scholarships.
Lutheran College
 Tuesday, November 10 - Wisconsin
Lutheran College
 Wednesday, November 18 - Grand
Canyon University
Graduation orders
1.
All seniors must order a cap, gown
and tassel at this time. The total
for this is $54.04. Payment is
required when ordering on
November 12.
2.
If additional items from the
catalog are ordered, $54.04 is the
required deposit. You do not have
to order announcements or
anything other than the cap, gown
and tassel.
3.
The gowns are rental gowns so
they will be returned. Caps and
tassels are kept. Ordering a
separate tassel is optional.
4.
Caps are one-size-fits-most. If you
think your child will need a larger
cap, order an XL or XXL. Indicate
this in the CAP SIZE section.
Otherwise the cap size is left blank
(they do not need the inch
measurement of the head).
5.
If you order a package, the cap,
gown and tassel are included. You
will still need to indicate height
and weight, but do not add the
price again.
6.
NOW is the time to order
graduation announcements and
other items from the catalog if you
want them. We do not always get
extra announcements, so they may
not be available at a later date.
Prudential Spirit of Community
Awards Program
Grades 5-12
Deadline - November 3, 2015
This contest is to recognize students in
grades 5-12 who have contributed
through volunteer service. Find out
more and apply at nassp.org/spirit.
ALA can nominate only one student.
Once chosen for our school, we will
nominate that applicant for the statelevel judging.
NATIONAL TEST DATES
Test
ACT
Test Date
Dec 12, 2015
Feb 6, 2016
April 9, 2016
June 11, 2016
Registration Deadline
Nov 6, 2015
Jan 8, 2016
March 4, 2016
May 6, 2016
Late Registration (w/late fee)
Nov 7–20, 2015
Jan 9–15, 2016
March 5–18, 2016
May 7–20, 2016
actstudent.org
SAT
Nov 7, 2015
Dec 5, 2015
Jan 23, 2016
March 5, 2016
May 7, 2016
June 4, 2016
Oct 9, 2015
Nov 5, 2015
Dec 28, 2015
Feb 5, 2016
April 8, 2016
May 5, 2016
Oct 27, 2015
Nov 23, 2015
Jan 12, 2016
Feb 23, 2016
April 26, 2016
May 25, 2016
sat.collegeboard.org
Please include ALA’s high school code—030262—on all test registration.
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If you have questions, our Herff Jones
rep’s contact info is found at the
bottom of the order form. Extra order
forms are available in the ALA office.
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November 2015
Sunday
Monday
1
2
4PM Area WELS
3:20 PM
Reformation Service Basketball & Wrestling
Practice begins
6:15 - 7:45 PM
A Cappella Practice
8
6:30 PM Bethany
Lutheran College
event at Rustlers
Roost
Tuesday
3
6PM Pre-season
Winter Sports Meeting
for parents & athletes
(BKB, Soccer,
Wrestling & Cheer)
Wednesday
4
HALF DAY OF
SCHOOL - CDEF,
dismissal at 11:30AM
Thursday
5
Friday
Saturday
6
7
CC State @ Cave
Creek Golf Course
NO SCHOOL - Teachers’ Conference in CA
VB State @ PVEC
9
Bethany Lutheran
College on campus
10
Wisconsin Lutheran
College on campus
3:20 PM Soccer
Practice begins
3:20 PM Cheer
Tryouts
Chapel - Pastor Brauer
3:20 PM Cheer
Tryouts
6:00 PM Volleyball
Banquet
8AM - 3PM
Student Shadow Day
5 PM Board of
Directors meeting
11
Veterans Day
8:08-8:38 AM
Observance in gym
12
13
14
7:30 AM Cap & Gown
orders
National Choral Festival at Kettle Moraine
Lutheran High School, Jackson, WI
6:PM Choral Fest Pops
Concert - Livestreamed
(AZ time)
3:20 PM Cheer Tryouts
6 PM CC Banquet
6:15 - 7:45 PM
A Cappella Practice
6:15 - 7:45 PM Sol
Singers Practice
7 PM ALA Admissions
Night | 2016-2017
Applications available
for new students
15
National Choral
Festival at Kettle
Moraine Lutheran
High School,
Jackson, WI
16
Coyote Gear orders
due at midnight
17
18
Chapel - Pastor Else
1:00 PM Choral Fest
Sacred Concert Livestreamed (AZ
time)
22
23
ALA Sunday Shepherd of the Hills,
Tucson
24
H GBKB vs Gilbert
Christian JV 5:30/V
7:00
19
20
Senior Picture Day - All 5PM H Varsity Boys
seniors
BKB vs Tonopah
Grand Canyon
Valley & Coolidge
University on campus at 5PM H Varsity Girls
(scrimmage)
lunchtime
BKB vs Tonopah
Valley & Benjamin
6:15 - 7:45 PM Sol
Franklin (scrimmage)
Singers Practice
6:30 PM Tuition
Assistance Workshop
21
9- 11 AM Speed
Clinic for athletes
25
HALF DAY OF
SCHOOL - ABGH,
dismissal at 11:30 AM
28
26
Thanksgiving Day
27
4-10 PM
Quartermania
Wrestling Event
NO SCHOOL - Thanksgiving Break
4 PM A WR @
Buckeye Union HS
29
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6:15 - 7:45 PM
A Cappella Practice
4
Calendar Notes
 Volleyball State Tournament times are posted on the online ALA calendar and at azpreps365.com. All
tournament matches are at Prescott Valley Event Center (PVEC).
 BKB = Basketball
 WR = Wrestling
C O Y O T E
C O N N E C T I O N S
NOVEMBER
2015 Prayer Calendar
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
1
2
3
4
Thank you for
Christian leaders
who share the true
gospel. Be with
those who gather to
worship at today’s
Reformation Service.
Be with our
student-athletes
and coaches who
are beginning
winter sports
practices this
week.
Thank you for the
graciously blessing
us and allowing us
to raise the
needed funds to
purchase the 3.6
acres of land to
the north.
Bless our A
Cappella
students as they
prepare to
attend the
National Choral
Festival next
week.
Thu
5
During the AZ/CA
Teachers’ Conference
this week in
California, strengthen
our teachers with
your Word, help them
to grow, learn, and
recharge their
batteries.
Fri
Sat
6
7
Bless our efforts
as we raise funds
for Gaining
Ground and
begin
construction on
our exercise
facility.
Grant joy, safety,
and success to the
fall sports teams
in their state
competitions this
weekend.
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Thank you for the
blessings of our
fall sports seasons
and for the tireless
efforts of all those
involved.
Bless the posthigh school plans
of our seniors, as
they have
opportunities to
meet with many
colleges here on
campus.
On Veterans Day
tomorrow, thank
you, Lord, for
providing people
to serve and
protect our
country.
Bless the 8th
grade families who
attend our
Shadow Day and
Admissions Night
today.
Grant safety and
joy to the A
Cappella choir
members as they
travel to
Wisconsin for
National Choral
Fest this weekend.
Thank you for
providing our new
and capable
building and
grounds staff,
Barry Preston and
Paul Drewitz.
Be with our Gala
team members,
who are planning
for our March
2016 Gala and
Auction.
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Give diligence to
students as they
pursue excellence
in their classes.
Be with our
coaches during
the winter sports
season. Give them
excitement for
their work and the
rest they need.
Be with the efforts
to sell the H.E.L.P.
Thrift Store
building.
Bless the families
who attend our
Tuition Assistance
Workshop
tomorrow night.
Bless the
basketball, soccer,
and wrestling
athletes as they
compete in their
first competitions.
Thank you for the
health of our
teachers,
students, and
parents. Grant
healing to the sick
and injured.
Motivate many to
participate in the
Tuition Tax Credit
Program, which
helps offset the
cost of tuition for
our families.
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Bless the ministry
of Shepherd of the
Hills, Tucson, and
the A Cappella
choir as it travels
there today.
Be with the “event
planners” in each
home. Give them
joy and
thankfulness
during the busy
time of
Thanksgiving.
Thank you for the
many pastors
who share God’s
word with our
students in
chapel
throughout the
year.
Be with new
students and
families, so that
they may feel a
part of our family.
On Thanksgiving
Day, we thank you
for providing all
that we need—in
this life and for
eternity!
Please bless
Jeremy
Strassburg,
Spanish instructor,
as he celebrates
his birthday.
Bless our students
and faculty with
much-needed rest
this weekend.
29
30
Refresh and
renew us as we
begin the busy
Advent and
Christmas
seasons.
Be with
prospective
students and
families in their
decision-making.
ALAcoyotes.org
Personal Prayer Thoughts:
Arizona Lutheran Academy
602-268-8686