The Glance

Like many of you, I love the fall for many reasons. The weather starts getting cooler (at some point), the routine of school kicks in, and of course, college football. Last Saturday there was a college football game between Western Michigan and the University of Michigan. A game that should not have been competitive and a game that caused a stir on the Sunday morning sports shows. While the game itself was exciting, it was what happened afterward that really piqued my interest.

Western Michigan traveled to Ann Arbor to play the University of Michigan as a significant underdog. Late in the game, Western Michigan found itself on the verge of a remarkable upset. On what appeared to be the final play, Michigan threw an incomplete pass into the end zone and the clock showed 0:00. Western Michigan had seemingly won.

Except it hadn’t...

Get better, not bitter.

It is a simple phrase, but an important reminder of what we are trying to accomplish together. We are not simply preparing our children for their next grade, their next school, or their next opportunity. We are helping prepare them for the moments when life does not go according to plan, and helping them develop the character, confidence, and resilience to decide what they will do next.

Mike Jenkins, Head of School

St. Luke’s is beginning an exciting new Strategic Planning process, and we want to hear from our community! A strategic planning survey is now open for families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends to share what they value most about St. Luke’s and what they hope to see in our future.

Your voice matters. Take a few minutes to complete the survey and help shape the next chapter of St. Luke’s.

Want to learn more? Listen to our latest State of the School podcast with Head of School Mike Jenkins for an inside look at the strategic planning process and what’s ahead for St. Luke’s.

Head of School Mike Jenkins kicks off Season 2 with a look at where St. Luke’s is today and where we’re headed next. Hear about progress from the past year, priorities for 2026–2027, and what’s ahead—including the development of our new Strategic Plan.

This year, our 2026–2027 yearbook is truly student-led! The yearbook will be produced by our 7th Grade Yearbook Staff, giving students the opportunity to take ownership of the creative process—from capturing the moments to designing and telling the story of the school year.

Help support their hard work and make sure your family has a copy of this year’s memories!

Order your 2026–2027 yearbook today! And, for a limited time, you can add free personalization to your yearbook. Place your order by September 18 and use code YBPERSONALIZATION at checkout to receive your free personalization.

Don’t miss your chance to celebrate the year—and support the students who are creating it!

International Dot Day is a celebration of creativity, courage, and making your mark. Inspired by the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds, the day encourages students to embrace their creativity, try something new, and remember that even the smallest “dot” can make a difference!

Special Dress Day Guidelines (PK3-4th ONLY)

Students are encouraged to dress "in/with dots", while still meeting school dress expectations.

All clothing must be clean, in good repair (no holes or tears), and appropriately sized.

• Skirts, skorts, and shorts must fall no higher than two inches above the knee, measured from the top of the kneecap (front and back).

• Clothing should not expose bare midriffs, backs, or shoulders, and should not include revealing necklines or spaghetti straps.
  
  

Examples of appropriate attire include:

• A comfortable dress that aligns with the theme

• Denim jeans, casual pants, or shorts (no higher than 2” above the knee) paired with a themed top

• Comfortable shoes and fun or colorful socks

The following are not permitted on Free Dress Day or Spirit Day

• Athletic wear (including gym shorts/skorts, sweatpants, athletic leggings, or joggers)

• Costumes

• Pajamas

Middle School students will be in regular uniform

Come see what it’s like to be a St. Luke’s student in Early Childhood!

During Tiny Tiger Tuesday, students will rotate through fun and engaging stations of experiences, including art, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), PE/movement activities, and Godly Play with the St. Luke’s Chaplain.

Join us on Sunday, October 4 at 11 a.m. as St. Luke’s Episcopal Church celebrates our school community and kicks off Episcopal School Week!

This special service will feature our school choir and musicians, student readers, prayers, and acolytes, along with a special message from Chaplain Sarah Kates. The service will also include a special prayer and blessing for our St. Luke’s students and families.

We hope you’ll join us for this meaningful celebration of the connection between our church and school communities!

We’re so excited to host our second annual Mahjong & Mingle! This year, we’ll gather at Adair Kitchen from 1–3 p.m. on Wednesday, October 14 for an afternoon of fun and, of course, mahjong!

A special thank-you to Kimberly Wogrin for generously volunteering to host this year’s event!

Space is limited to 24 participants, so be sure to RSVP soon to reserve your spot. We can’t wait to see you there!

The first Hilltop Stroll is officially in the books! A special thank-you to Amanda Cavender for rallying our first group and leading the way. We loved seeing our St. Luke’s community come together for a little fresh air, conversation, and connection!

The Hilltop Stroll is a monthly walking group open to everyone in our St. Luke’s community. No signup is needed—just show up and join us in the South Parking Lot at 8 a.m!

Mark your calendars for the remaining walks:

Whether you’re looking to catch up with friends, meet someone new, or simply enjoy a little time outside, we’d love to have you along!

Parent Council depends on the generosity of our amazing St. Luke’s parents! We invite you to share your time, talents, and resources to help make our school community even stronger.

There are so many ways to get involved, from helping with school-wide events and celebrations to supporting our faculty and staff throughout the year. Please let us know how and where you’d like to volunteer below, and we’ll be in touch!

About Parent Council
The mission of Parent Council (PC) is to promote school spirit and a well-rounded student experience through events, communication, and involvement. PC plans and executes school-wide, student-centered holiday events, supports and celebrates our faculty and staff throughout the year, and hosts monthly meetings to keep parents informed, connected, and engaged.

Calling all SLES Parents and Friends! Visit The Roar Store online to secure your St. Luke's Spirit Wear to support your athlete at their upcoming Volleyball, Soccer, or Flag Football games. Let's show our TIGER Pride in the stands and on the fields. Try our new, breathable dry fit shirts, the perfect answer to staying cool in the heat!

We are so excited to invite you to Grandparents and Special Friends Lunch at St. Luke's Episcopal School! This is a wonderful way to experience your student's day and see our vibrant school community firsthand.

To make sure everyone has a great time, please review these quick details:

• Sign-up required: Space is limited for each grade.
• Limit one visit: Please sign up only once per student this fall semester so every family gets a turn.
• No outside food: Due to severe food allergies, please do not bring outside food or drinks.

We look forward to sharing a wonderful lunch with you!

This semester, Rachel Sanborn’s Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Snapshot will feature weekly, parent-friendly takeaways from Jessica Lahey’s book The Gift of Failure. Mrs. Sanborn, along with Student Achievement Coordinator, Donna Finch will wrap up the series with a book talk during the December 1st Parent Council Coffee.

One of the greatest gifts we can give our children is the chance to experience competence—the feeling of “I figured that out myself!” Lahey encourages parents to resist doing things for children simply because it is faster or easier. Whether it is packing a backpack, solving a problem, or remembering an item for school, allowing children to experience the natural consequences of their choices helps build independence. It may take longer (and sometimes be messier!), but those experiences are where growth happens.

Join us this fall for eight Sundays of learning, growing, and connecting in community during the 10 a.m. formation hour! We look forward to welcoming children and youth back as we begin a new season of faith formation together.

Children

Godly Play | Pre-K–2nd Grade - Room 201

Through storytelling, wondering, and hands-on materials, Godly Play gives younger children space to experience the stories of our faith in a way designed especially for them.

Bible and Faith Lessons | 3rd–5th Grade - Room 201

Older elementary students will journey through the stories of the Bible, building a stronger understanding of Scripture and discovering how these stories connect to their faith and everyday lives.

Youth

Exploring Scripture - Youth Room

Explore the books of the Bible through close reading and discussion, while considering the historical, cultural, and social contexts in which these texts were written.