Some of Our Favorite Memories from 2016-2017

Field Trips. Friends. House Team Competitions. Grandparents Day. Teachers. Mount Vernon. The Washington Chorus. School Construction. Science Camp. Spelling Bee. Class Plays. Christmas Caroling. Chili Cookoff. Reading Buddies. Student versus Parent Basketball Game. Pizza Days. Upper School Electives. Drop Everything and Read Day. Fall Parent Socials. Day of Service. Lutheran Schools Week. P.E. After-School Spanish Class. Thankful Thursdays. Journalism Club. Oration Showcase. Veterans Day. Soccer Team. Parent Coffees. Lower School Showcases. Chapel Helpers. Teacher Swap Day. Talent Show. Science Fair. Lunch Bunch Concert at First Baptist. Field Day. Patrol. Advent Evening Prayer Service. Mother-Daughter Tea. In-Class Music Recitals. 100th Day of School. Adventure Camp. ILS Day at Nats Park. Student Ambassadors. Weekly Chapel. MathCounts Competition. National Zoo. Basketball Team. The Great Zucchini. National Latin Exam. Graduation Party. 

It has been another wonderful year here at ILS, and we have enjoyed making so many great memories with all our students, teachers, and families this year. We asked students and teachers to share some of their favorite things from the year, and we hope you enjoy their responses! Let us know some of your favorite memories from this year in the comments.

Celebrating our ILS Class of 2017

As they enjoy their final days as ILS 8th graders, our Class of 2017, along with their parents, teachers, and Upper School classmates gathered on Saturday, June 3rd, to celebrate their time at Immanuel, their upcoming graduation, and the beginning of the next phase of their education journeys.

It has truly been a joy watching this class learn, grow, and lead. We celebrate their many accomplishments in their time at ILS, and we look forward to watching them as they embark on their high school years in the fall. Our door is always open, and we hope to this class, and the classes before them, back at ILS frequently in the future!

2017 Annual Field Day

Thursday, June 1st, was a gorgeous day for one of our favorite ILS traditions, our Annual Field Day competition at Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria. Coaches Schultz and Able planned a fun-filled day of competitions for all our students, from Jr. Kindergarten through 8th grade.

Students competed in the running long-jump, the distance throw, the water-balloon toss, the standing jump, the softball throw, the 50-yard dash, the 200-yard race, a baton relay, a sponge race, tug-of-war and much more.

Thank you to the many parent volunteers who joined the faculty to make sure all of the events ran smoothly. We are so grateful for your help at this event! It was a wonderful day for everyone as we come to the end of the 2016-2017 school year!

4th Annual Upper School Mother-Daughter Tea

On Saturday, February 25, more than 70 ILS Upper School young ladies, their mothers, several grandmothers, faculty and other friends gathered for what has quickly become a favorite ILS tradition, the Annual Mother-Daughter Tea. Now in its 4th year, this event is a lovely opportunity for our community to gather in fellowship, enjoy tea and delicious treats, share delightful conversation around themes of beauty.

Six Questions with Mr. Thompson

Our Six Questions Series returns this week and features the newest addition to our faculty, Upper School teacher, Mr. Will Thompson. Mr. Thompson joined the ILS teaching staff in January, serving as our Upper School Latin and History teacher. .

Our Six Questions Series features the outstanding teachers, faculty, and board members who serve our students, families and community. We hope you enjoy this chance to get to better know these wonderful individuals who so faithfully serve our school and our community!

ILS Faculty Study of Western Pedagogy

On Friday, Immanuel Lutheran School faculty and staff will enjoy the second of three dedicated professional development days scheduled during the school year. These valuable days allow teachers and administrators time for discussion, planning, and camaraderie. 

This Friday, staff will continue their eight-party study of Western pedagogy. Led by Christy Ting, Adjunct Professor of Pedagogy at Patrick Henry College, these sessions provide an opportunity to study significant educational theories while continuing to discuss, develop, and refine what classical Christian education looks like at ILS.

ILS Students Place 5th in MathCounts Competition

Congratulations to our ILS students who competed this weekend in the 34th Annual Northern Virginia Regional Mathcounts Competition at George Mason University! This was the first year ILS has participated in this competition, and we are very proud of our 6 students for competing alongside more than 400 students from 53 area schools. Students competed in an individual sprint round, a target round, and a team round. ILS was recognized in the awards ceremony three times by MathCounts:

Upper School Journalism Club: ILS Announces New Latin Teacher

By Kendall (6th Grade)

Since the beginning of the summer, ILS has been looking for a new Latin and History teacher. Ms. Habrecht interviewed six candidates- among them were teachers hailing from South Carolina, Idaho, Wisconsin, and even Colorado. Now the have found a teacher.

Only a few weeks ago, Manager of Operations, Mrs. Stone, met Mr. Will Thompson at a Bible study, and told him about the job position. He was then serving as an intern at the International Justice Mission with Field Operations for India.

Mr. Thompson is from Saint Louis, Missouri, where his dad was a Lutheran Pastor. He majored in History and Philosophy at the University of Missouri, although to choose a favorite between Latin and History, he enjoys Latin more.

Mr. Thompson taught English in Korea, and says he speaks "Survival" Korean enough to get around. After teaching he took two weeks on a solo motorcycle trip up the coast of Vietnam.

Mr. Thompson didn't always want to be a teacher. When asked what he wanted to be when he was younger, he responded, "I was thinking I wanted to be a doctor. My uncle is a doctor, and I liked how they help people in a tangible way."

When asked about the addition of Mr. Thompson as a new teacher, ILS Director of Advancement, Mrs. Work, commented, "I am always excited for new teachers to join our staff. I am confident Mr. Thompson will be an excellent addition to our ILS community."

The plan is to have him begin on January 17th.

(Stay tuned for more articles from our December Journalism Club - one of our Upper School Elective offerings!)