St. Matthew Lutheran
The “90 Days of May”: A Season of Celebration, Growth, and Gratitude

Mr. Dan Burk • Principal
May 8, 2026

3 Minute Read


In education, there’s a phrase you may have heard before—*the “90 days of May.”* While the calendar may say just one month, anyone in a school knows that May is filled from beginning to end. It’s a fast-moving, yet full and meaningful stretch of time that captures so much of what makes our school community special.


At St. Matthew, May is a beautiful reminder of the blessing it is to walk alongside our students and families, sharing the love of Christ each and every day. It’s a month where learning, faith, and celebration all come together.


One of the most meaningful parts of this season is celebrating our 8th grade class. For many of these students, St. Matthew has been their home for 10 or even 11 years. Watching them grow from young children into confident, faith-filled leaders has been an incredible journey. As part of their final weeks, our 8th graders write and share their Faith Statements during a special Chapel service. This is always a powerful moment—not just for them, but for our entire school—as they boldly share what they believe and how their faith has been shaped during their time here.


In addition, a number of our 8th graders will be confirmed in the Lutheran faith. This important step marks a deeper commitment in their walk with Christ and is a testament to the spiritual foundation that has been built over the years.


May also brings one of our most joyful traditions—VIP Day. On this special day, students invite someone important in their life—whether it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend—to join them at school. Our students love the opportunity to perform songs for their VIPs, welcome them into their classrooms, and share a glimpse of their daily life. The day ends with a Closing Chapel, bringing everyone together in worship and thanksgiving.


Another highlight is Field Day, where laughter, teamwork, and friendly competition take center stage. It’s a day where students can showcase their talents, enjoy time outdoors, and simply be kids—celebrating the joy of community and togetherness.


Amid all the excitement, May is also an important academic time as we complete our Spring NWEA testing. These assessments help us measure the growth our students have made throughout the year. Even at this point in testing, the results have been incredible. Looking at our first-grade class alone, the growth has been truly remarkable—a clear reflection of the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers.


As we begin to look ahead to June, the celebrations continue. The final week of school is filled with events that honor our students and all they have accomplished. One of those special moments is our Raider Invite-Only Dinner, where we recognize students who have gone above and beyond—whether through academic achievement, being named Student of the Month, or earning state-level honors in athletics.


When we take a step back and look at all that has happened this year, one thing is clear: none of this would be possible without you—our church and school community. Your support, encouragement, and love for our students make a lasting impact every single day.


So as we move through the “90 days of May,” we do so with full hearts.


Thank you.

Thank you for your prayers.

Thank you for your support.

Thank you for being part of the St. Matthew family.

From the bottom of my heart—thank you.


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May 8, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
The “90 Days of May”: A Season of Celebration, Growth, and Gratitude
In education, there’s a phrase you may have heard before—*the “90 days of May.”* While the calendar may say just one month, anyone in a school knows that May is filled from beginning to end. It’s a fast-moving, yet full and meaningful stretch of time that captures so much of what makes our school community special. At St. Matthew, May is a beautiful reminder of the blessing it is to walk alongside our students and families, sharing the love of Christ each and every day. It’s a month where learning, faith, and celebration all come together. One of the most meaningful parts of this season is celebrating our 8th grade class. For many of these students, St. Matthew has been their home for 10 or even 11 years. Watching them grow from young children into confident, faith-filled leaders has been an incredible journey. As part of their final weeks, our 8th graders write and share their Faith Statements during a special Chapel service. This is always a powerful moment—not just for them, but for our entire school—as they boldly share what they believe and how their faith has been shaped during their time here. In addition, a number of our 8th graders will be confirmed in the Lutheran faith. This important step marks a deeper commitment in their walk with Christ and is a testament to the spiritual foundation that has been built over the years. May also brings one of our most joyful traditions—VIP Day. On this special day, students invite someone important in their life—whether it’s a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or family friend—to join them at school. Our students love the opportunity to perform songs for their VIPs, welcome them into their classrooms, and share a glimpse of their daily life. The day ends with a Closing Chapel, bringing everyone together in worship and thanksgiving. Another highlight is Field Day, where laughter, teamwork, and friendly competition take center stage. It’s a day where students can showcase their talents, enjoy time outdoors, and simply be kids—celebrating the joy of community and togetherness. Amid all the excitement, May is also an important academic time as we complete our Spring NWEA testing. These assessments help us measure the growth our students have made throughout the year. Even at this point in testing, the results have been incredible. Looking at our first-grade class alone, the growth has been truly remarkable—a clear reflection of the hard work of our students and the dedication of our teachers. As we begin to look ahead to June, the celebrations continue. The final week of school is filled with events that honor our students and all they have accomplished. One of those special moments is our Raider Invite-Only Dinner, where we recognize students who have gone above and beyond—whether through academic achievement, being named Student of the Month, or earning state-level honors in athletics. When we take a step back and look at all that has happened this year, one thing is clear: none of this would be possible without you—our church and school community. Your support, encouragement, and love for our students make a lasting impact every single day. So as we move through the “90 days of May,” we do so with full hearts. Thank you. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support. Thank you for being part of the St. Matthew family. From the bottom of my heart—thank you.

Mr. Dan Burk

Principal

May 7, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Growing, Learning, and Exploring God’s World
Our preschool has had a busy and exciting season filled with meaningful learning and joyful discovery! As we wrapped up March, our classrooms focused on the true meaning of Easter. Through engaging Bible stories, thoughtful discussions, and creative hands-on arts and crafts, the children explored the incredible truth of Jesus’ resurrection. It has been a blessing to watch them begin to understand what Jesus’ love and victory over the grave mean for each of us. As we moved into April, our focus shifted to the fascinating world of insects and farm animals. The excitement in the classroom has been contagious as students learn about different creatures, their habitats, and how God has uniquely created each one. From buzzing bees to friendly farm animals, the children have been actively engaged through stories, activities, and imaginative play. To bring our animal unit to life, we are especially excited for our upcoming field trip to a real-life farm! This hands-on experience will give students the opportunity to milk cows, ride horses, and feed baby animals. It’s sure to be a memorable day filled with learning, laughter, and new experiences that connect directly to what they’ve been studying in the classroom. As we look ahead, we are now enrolling for the fall at our Early Learning Center. While our GSRP program is currently full, we still have a few openings available in our tuition-based program. We offer flexible part-time options that are perfect for introducing your child to a school setting—where they can learn, play, grow in their faith, and build lasting friendships. We also have a limited number of spots remaining in our full-day program. If you are considering preschool for your child, we would love to connect with you. Call our office today to schedule a tour and see firsthand what makes our preschool such a special place. We would be honored to welcome your family into our preschool community!

Mrs. Jamie Schenavar

Preschool Director