Staff Report

MACHESNEY PARK, Ill.­— “A new day is dawning at Concordia.”

With those words, Concordia Lutheran congregational President Nathan Heinrich, vice president of Rockford Structures, talked about three exciting happenings that bring a new outlook to a school that has been in operation in Machesney Park for 53 years.

“Last month, we received notice of a major gift from the estate of a parishioner,” Heinrich said. “That money is going to reshape our school.”

Concordia, a preschool through grade six operation, welcomes students from a large geographic area to their location at 7424 N. Second St., Machesney Park.

The school will be using the money for improvements to the physical plant, an update of technology and classroom materials. Enhancements will also be made to the large parcel of land that sits on the edge of the Rock River.

“There are many ways to use this wonderful property to impact the community, with discussion about a picnic pavilion, a softball field and a new Early Childhood playground,” said congregational board member Robert Edmiston, a retired Army 1st Sergeant, who has committed many hours to the growth of the school.

The gift comes as the school is celebrating its highest summer enrollment in recent years. The summer program is an extension of the school’s commitment to serving families 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. year round.

In the summer, the highlight is a strong series of field trip experiences for fun and learning. Space is still available for this summer. Parents can sign children up for a single week or for the remainder of the summer. Although many of the summer students do attend Concordia during the school year, non-Concordia students are welcome.

A unifying factor as so much activity swirls around the school is the involvement of Rockford Lutheran School. The Rockford institution, which operates two campuses for its preschool though grade 12 programs, will be acting in an advisory role as the school sets a new direction.

New teacher Ken Blake, former principal at St. John’s Lutheran School in Beloit, Wis., said, “A major focus will be teaching young people to learn through discovery and greater awareness of the community in which we are planted.”

Returning teacher Trina Gritzmacher added, “I am confident that as people hear more about what we are doing, there will be a buzz in the community about the good things happening at Concordia.”

For details about the school, contact the school office at (815) 633-6450 or visit www.clc-mp.org ^[1]. Tuition assistance is available, and classes start in August.

From the Aug. 8-14, 2012, issue