April Newsletter - Salem Lutheran

Easter Break

School will not be in session Thursday, April 2nd – Monday, April 6th, for Easter break.

Please join us for these important worship services at Salem:

Holy Thursday, April 2 – 6:30 pm

Holy Thursday (also called “Maundy Thursday,” from the Latin for “command”) commemorates the night Jesus was betrayed, when he gave his disciples a new commandment: to love one another as he had loved them. Christians gather to remember the Lord’s Supper, which replaced the Passover as the sign of God’s new covenant with his people. Just as the blood of the Passover lamb once delivered Israel from God’s wrath, the body and blood of Jesus deliver his people from sin, death, and the devil.

Good Friday, April 3 – 10:00 am & 6:30 pm

Good Friday is part of the sacred Triduum, the three-day observance of Christ’s Passion. The name is likely rooted in “God’s Friday,” and is fittingly “good” because of the gifts Christ won for us on the cross. The day is marked by repentance and restrained joy, with minimal music, a bare altar, and no Invocation or Benediction. The Tenebrae service — in which church lights are gradually extinguished to symbolize darkness — is observed this evening.

Easter Dawn Worship Sunday, April 5 – 7:00 am

Easter Dawn gathers Christians at sunrise to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, who conquered death and returned to resurrected life. Just as the first Easter brought dawning realization to Mary, Peter, John, and the disciples, this service is an opportunity for the risen Son to break through our own hearts and minds. With Job and Paul, we await the day we will see God with our own eyes — and with the psalmist, we rejoice: “The LORD is God, and he has made his light to shine upon us.”

Easter Breakfast 8:00 am

Easter Festival Worship Sunday, April 5 – 9:00 & 10:45 am

The Easter Festival is a joyful gathering to sing praises to the risen King and celebrate the hope of everlasting life he secured for us. While parallel to the Dawn service, this service focuses on what the resurrection means for daily life. It centers on what Paul calls the message “of first importance” — the Gospel of the risen Christ — which the Apostles were sent to proclaim and which all believers are invited to live out.

Open School Board Meeting

You are encouraged to join us on April 9th at 7 pm for a school board meeting.

During the meeting, we will be providing updates and discussing:

Fundraising ideas connected to long-term tuition support and reduction
The musical education initiative
Classroom planning updates
Restarting the SPTO
Prayer Partners planning
Ongoing Vision and Mission planning for the future of Salem School

In addition, we would greatly value your input and ideas regarding clubs offered at Salem, spiritual support for families, and improvements and/or programs Salem should consider implementing. We are also looking to gauge interest in Salem hosting a summer program.

Please fill out this survey to share your valued thoughts and opinions.

Fine Arts Festival

Come support Salem students who are participating in the Fine Arts Festival at St. Croix Lutheran Academy! We have students who have submitted art, who are playing piano, flute, and students who are playing in the band. The festival is on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Preschool and Kindergarten Play

On April 16th at 6:00 pm, our preschool and kindergarten students will perform “Getting Down with Mama Goose”. You will love this fresh take on some beloved classics. Bring your family and friends to enjoy this wonderful presentation that our children have been working hard to prepare for you!

Piano Recitals

Spring piano recitals are coming right up! There will be two recitals this year. The first recital will be on April 14th at 6 pm, and the second on April 17th at 6 pm. The recitals will be held in the church sanctuary. All are welcome to attend!

Field Trips!

We have a couple of fun field trips planned for April!

On April 10th, the preschool classes will attend St. Croix Lutheran Academy’s Performance Day. They are hosting Dazzling Dave the Yo-Yo Master. If your children come back asking for a yo-yo, you’ll know why! A permission slip was sent home with your child. Please return them as soon as possible.

Our K-8 students will be attending a show at Orchestra Hall on April 14th. The Minnesota Orchestra is presenting “Disney in Concert: The Sound of Magic”. A permission slip for this trip was sent home with your child. Please return it as soon as possible. We are not accepting chaperones for this field trip.

Spring Sports Update

Our spring sports season has begun! The bowling team has begun its practices at Stillwater Bowl, and they are starting off with lots of enthusiasm. More to come, as the season progresses! The track team will begin their practices on April 13th. If you are interested in helping out or supporting spring sports in any way, please contact Tom Stob at tstob@salemlutheran.org.

Everyone gets a Yearbook

Everyone will be receiving a yearbook this year, so there is no need to order one! The yearbooks will arrive in May and will be sent home with your children.

Vacation Bible School 2026

VBS will be here before we know it! VBS is scheduled for June 15 – 19, from 9 am – 12 pm. The theme this year is “Gone Fishing”; it’s sure to be a fun time!

Thursday, June 18, will be Family Night from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Please sign up your child and invite your neighbors and friends to join us for a week of Bible stories, songs, crafts, and fun! Register here

SCLA Summer Programs

St Croix Lutheran Academy offers summer programs available for K-8 students. There are academic and sports options to choose from. Here is a link with information on what is being offered and how to register. Register soon, as they do fill up!

Youth Programs – St. Croix Lutheran Academy

Youth Bible Camp at Camp Croix

Youth Bible Camp is one of Camp Croix’s longest-standing ministries. It is a great opportunity for youth entering 4th-9th grade to enjoy a week filled with camp activities while growing their faith in their Lord, surrounded by friends and Christian role models. Most of our campers come back year after year and make friendships that last long after the week of camp is over. Many campers, when they are old enough, move on to become counselors at Camp Croix! Register Here

Upcoming Events

April 2-6 – Easter Break
April 9 – Open School Board Meeting
April 10 – PK Field Trip to SCLA
April 11 – Fine Arts Festival
April 14 – MN Orchestra Field Trip and Piano Recital
April 16 – Pre K and K Play
April 17 – Piano Recital
April 28 – Salem Night at Culver’s
April 27-May1 – MAP Testing

Referral Program

The school board approved a program that offered incentives to recruit new families to our school. If a family with children enrolled refers a new family to Salem, they will receive a $200 tuition credit at Christmas for each family they refer. A church family that refers a new family will receive a $200 script gift card at Christmas per family if they so choose. There is no limit to the number of families you can refer. If you have any more questions about the program, speak to a School Board member or Mr. Klatt.

Box Tops for Education

Raise Right (formerly Shop With Scrip)

You can buy gift cards from your favorite brands to earn money for Salem on your daily purchases. Visit www.raiseright.com/enroll to set up an account today. Use enrollment code: 2241AD6C14415

We Are Also Collecting Aluminum Cans and Pop Tabs

Aluminum cans benefit our athletic program. They can be bagged up and placed in the wooden bin next to the garage facing Panama Ave. (I’m sorry, this is hard to find. We have had cans stolen, so we keep them hidden.) We will continue to support the Ronald McDonald House by participating in the Pop Tab program. The cash received goes directly to support the Ronald McDonald House. Cans can also be dropped off in the bin at the school entrance.

Prayer

One way we often forget to help our school and church is to pray for them throughout the year. Your prayers are always a blessing, and it is great to know that you are asking God for his blessings in our school and church year.