Welcome Alumni!

Welcome back Vikings to Grace Lutheran School. Whether it has been a few years or many decades since you walked the hallways, sang in the cross, or wore down a pencil, Grace remains a part of you. This site has these purposes: to allow you access to our present database of alumni, to provide a means to update your information and news, to provide opportunities for you to continue to support the ministry of the school and to provide a schedule of upcoming events.

Grace Boy’s Volleyball Team Finishes 4th at State
During the first week in November the Grace Lutheran Boy’s Volleyball climaxed their highly successful season with a run in the Lutheran School State Tournament that led to a fourth place finish. Mark Carioscio, a 7th grader was named to the all-tournament team. The team completed their season with a 24-6 record.

Grace Receives Recommendation for Full Accreditation
Accreditation provides a process for a school to carry out the goal of continuous improvement. During the past two years the community of Grace Lutheran School completed an extensive self-study. This rigorous study asked the question over and over again, “How does ______ (fill in the blank with any component of the school) improve student learning?” Evidence that this was occurring was provided with artifacts that varied from samples of student work to budgets and mission statements. All of these were held up to the light of national standards.
Once the self-study was completed, a seven-member visitation team imbedded itself into the life of the school to verify the results of the self-study and to assist the school in its development of it long-term improvement plan. The team was sponsored by the Evangelical Lutheran Education Association and headed by Dr. Cynde Kuck of Concordia University. Other members of the team included, Mrs. Nell Agnew, teacher from the River Forest Public Schools, Dr. Jeff Dobler of Valparaiso University, Mrs. Karen Huelskoetter, teacher from Pilgrim Lutheran School, Dr. Jonathan Laabs, Executive Director of the Lutheran Education Association, Dr. Virgil Leopold, observer from the North Central Accreditation Association, and Mrs. Joanne Tranhanas, principal of Roosevelt Middle School in River Forest.
After many days of conversations with members of the Grace community, study, and extensive discussion, the team recommended the school receive the full seven-year accreditation. After the final steps are completed the school will conduct an awards reception during Lutheran Schools week in March.

Alumni News

Class Reunions
On Sunday, November 12, graduating classes whose year ends in a 1 or 6 (i.e. 1971, 1986) gathered at a brunch and reception at Grace Lutheran Church following the 11:00 a.m. service. Classes from 1921 through 2001 were represented. Click here to view a scrapbook of photos from that day. Graduating classes who year ends in a 2 or a 7 are invited to the reunion November 11, 2007

Amazing Grace
The fall issue of Amazing Grace was mailed out during the week of November 15. Not on the mailing list? Contact us with your name and address at alumni@graceriverforest.org.

Christmas Eve Services
As one of Grace’s traditions, an alumni reception is held between the 4:15 and 6:00 PM services. Come and worship the newborn king and renew ties with your classmates.