Lutheran Schools Association

 LSA: Facilitator, Partner and Advocate

The Lutheran Schools Association facilitates regional networking for administrators and professional development conferences for teachers in NY-metropolitan area Lutheran schools and early childhood centers.  LSA partners with vendors to arrange product discounts for its members as well as discounts in health, auto and home insurance for their employees. And finally, we advocate for schools at state, local and federal departments of education, and working with the Metropolitan New York Synod and the Atlantic District.  

One of LSA's best resources is its Educational Planning Process (EPP), developed to help schools meet today's challenges by studying seven focus areas: community, Lutheran identity, governance, finance, enrollment viability, academic program and facilities. With both the principal (or director) and pastor on board, the EPP includes school, church, community and parent leadership and helps them identify strengths and weaknesses, share ideas, determine an action plan, and work to meet benchmarks. To date, 10 schools have undergone the EPP. Here is a recent endorsement by the principal at Emanuel Lutheran School (Patchogue NY):

Our partnership with the LSA has afforded Emanuel a great structure for strategic planning through the EPP Process. Linda Mitchell is present for almost all of our Governance meetings and serves as a welcomed advisor for our School Committee meetings as well. Her leadership has been invaluable to us these past few years. It is true that I appreciate meeting with the other administrators, but Linda is the greatest resource LSA has to offer!"

Are you a member of Thrivent?  If so, consider directing your Thrivent Choice Dollars to the Lutheran Schools Association, by logging in to www.thrivent.com.  Under Thrivent Community, select Thrivent Choice, then Search -- Organization name: Lutheran Schools Association and Organization Type: Other Lutheran Organization.  Thanks for making a difference to LSA with Thrivent Choice!

Congratulations to the winners of LSA's Spelling Bee held January 12, 2012:

1^st Place Evan Katsounis, Gr. 6 Trinity Lutheran School, Hicksville

2^nd Place Eric Young, Gr. 6 Redeemer Lutheran School, Glendale

3^rd Place Nia Osman, Gr. 8 Martin Luther School, Maspeth