In the Michigan District we have several Projects and Missions that the Lutheran Schools work with and use each year.

Hearts for Jesus

Lutheran School Portal

Michigan Association of Non-Public Schools (MANS)

National Lutheran School Accreditation (NLSA)

Strengthening Schools and Congregations (SSAC)

Beginning in 1972, Lutheran Elementary Schools in Michigan have gathered their February chapel offerings and designated it for one ministry selected by the District’s School Committee. Over the years, students have given over 1.2 million dollars to numerous causes. Ministries selected are based on the following three criteria:

- The ministry must benefit children. Children reaching out to children is the key to the success of this project.
- The sponsored agency must be able to do a “publicity package” including a video, activities, chapel talks, and a bank.
- The ministry must be a recognized charitable organization that provides a service to individuals or groups that match the ministry heart of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

Ministries selected may be international, national, or Michigan based. They also may be LCMS or of other denominations depending on the scope of their ministry. Contact Bruce Braun by email or at 888.225.2111 for more information.

Here is a listing of the Hearts for Jesus Projects and Contributions

The Lutheran School Portal is a service of the LCMS District and Congregational Services School Department. The portal is here to link our schools and our educators in a new and exciting way. The Lutheran School Portal is a closed community web site. You need and ID and Password to access the resources. Some of the benefits of subscribing to the Lutheran School Portal include e-mail, a personalized home page, access to resources and news on District and National levels, discussion groups, and the annual school mailing.

For more information, go to www.lcms.org

MANS is an association of Michigan Catholic Schools, Michigan District Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod Schools, and the Michigan Region of Christian Schools International. MANS offers services that enhance quality faith-based schools. MANS holds a combined teachers' conference every third year, an administrator's conference on Mackinac Island and an annual Parents’ Group conference. MANS also provides a voice in Lansing regarding school legislation and serves as a conduit with the State Board of Education. Schools also have the opportunity to apply for accreditation through the Michigan Association of Non-public School Accrediting Association (MNSAA). MNSAA is affiliated with the National Federation of Non-public School State Accrediting Associations. For these services, member schools are assessed a fee of ten cents for every Pre-School student and $1.75 for every K-12th grade student. Mr. Barry Blomquist, Principal at Our Savior, Grand Rapids and Mr. Bruce Braun represent Michigan District Lutheran Schools on the MANS’ Board of Trustees. Brian Broderick is the Executive Director with Barbara Stork serving as the Assistant Director. They can be reached at 800.394.5949. Visit them on the web: www.m-a-n-s.org

The Michigan District encourages our Lutheran Pre-Schools, Elementary Schools and High Schools to actively follow an improvement plan. Accreditation is the method schools use to print out a plan for continuing success. The National Office for Lutheran Schools developed a tool for National Lutheran School Accreditation. This standards based procedure involves a comprehensive self-study followed by an on-site visit with written documentation. The phase one program is based on certain standards and every seven years (through 2008; five years for schools applying 2009 and beyond) after completion a school can either repeat the standards based procedure or develop an Ongoing Improvement Plan in which they identify 3-7 areas in which they are seeking improvement. The Chairman for the Michigan District Accreditation Commission is Dale Vorwerk, retired principal. The National head of NLSA is Terry Schmidt. For more information visit www.lcms.org

The Missouri Synod offers congregations with schools an opportunity to evaluate their program using outside resources. Intended to assist struggling schools it can also examine personnel, relationship and governance issues. Schools apply through the District Education Office and complete an application including various exhibits. Upon acceptance a three-member team of trained resource people vist each site. They will observe school in session, worship and Bible class plus meet with a wide variety of focus groups over their three-day stay. They will issue an oral exit report followed by written recommendations. The team captain will continue to work with the congregation as needed. All expenses are paid for by a grant Synod has obtained. Contact Bruce Braun for more information.