Principal’s Newsletter • Oct. 2025
In reflecting on the last couple of months, it has been an incredible blessing to see the Lord’s beautiful work at hand. His love continues to shine through our students, and we are continually blessed to see them growing as children of God. Below are some of the ways we celebrate their growth, as well as information about initiatives designed to help students thrive.
Academics Updates
We have students challenging themselves through real-world problem solving, in classroom discussions/debates, persuasive writing assignments, and various projects and hands-on activities in academics. Our students are stretching themselves academically every day, and we are so proud of them for accepting the challenge. Listed below are just a few examples.
Our new Trades class kicked off the year with an automotive unit. Fondly known as the “pit crew,” students were given hands-on lessons and real-life car maintenance opportunities.
Students in Video Production and Photojournalism have been busy around campus, capturing our students and staff in action. Their efforts help support the creation of the yearbook and other multimedia items used to promote the school.
Our new Foundations of Leadership class jumped in right away, supporting various student events and experiences at CA. Their planning efforts were greatly appreciated at this year’s Freshman Retreat, and school spirit is exploding with homecoming decorations up and theme dress days in full swing. Next, they will help plan our Vision4Life program, which takes place in November.
Our new dance class includes students from all skill levels. They have bonded over both old and new skills, and many are looking forward to our upcoming dance season.
Fine Arts Updates
CA’s Concert Band and Orchestra had their first concert of the year on Monday, Sept. 29. It was a blessing to hear their gifts and talents being shared with our community that night as they shared a wide range of music.
Visual arts students have been working hard on projects, with many beautiful items now on display near the art room.
Set build and practices are taking place for our fall play, Harvey. Opening night is set for Friday, Nov. 14, and tickets will go on sale soon.
His People participated in The Songwriter Initiative Sing Along Concert at Woodbury Lutheran Church on Sept. 30. The event showcased new music written by worship leaders from around the country, with our students singing backup harmony to the solo artists. A portion of the program will be filmed as part of an upcoming PBS special broadcast. The conference was sponsored by the Center for Worship Leadership at Concordia University Irvine’s Christ College.
Athletics Updates
Thank you to our fans for praying for and supporting our amazing Beacon athletes this season!
Our football team recently won the Dale Street trophy in a tough game against St. Agnes. This is the first time in six years the team has won this competitive award.
Cross country has many athletes beating previous meet times and working hard towards playoff positions. Early in the season, Girls Cross Country finished 2nd overall at the Ron Kretsch Invitational. Our top seven runners all ran under 14 minutes for the 3200m. The Beacons were one of only two teams to accomplish this.
Volleyball and soccer have played tough schedules at all levels this season, growing in talent and character.
For a full list of game times and locations, please visit our calendar here.
Campus Safety Updates
Our mission is to lead, teach, and inspire students to become all that God would have them be. Part of that mission is ensuring they feel supported in a safe and protective learning environment.
Building Improvements: During the 2024–2025 school year, CA was blessed by generous donations that supported our ability to install significant security upgrades to our building.
- The first part of this project included replacing window coverings in classrooms.
- We have also implemented a new visitor management system that scans state-issued IDs, enabling us to track visitors more closely.
- Additionally, all exterior doors were replaced, and access control was installed to ensure our building is locked at all times. This system also allows us to check the status of each door and remotely lock them down, if needed. We have also added this system to our auditorium doors and plan to extend it to additional spaces on campus. Lastly, all exterior doors and windows near entry points were treated with a 3M security film to help strengthen and darken glass.
Drills and Emergency Procedures:
- Before school started, teachers and staff worked through extensive training on all emergency-related protocols and procedures.
- A regular schedule of drills has been established, along with educating our students on emergency preparedness and response.
- All classrooms are stocked with first aid kits.
Additional Campus Safety Measures:
- We have contracted with the Roseville police department to provide police coverage for our home football games this season.
- We have also been working with various security companies and entities to assess the safety of our building and provide recommendations for additional security measures, procedures, and/or personnel that may be needed. Once we have a full breakdown of those recommendations, we will communicate any associated changes with our community.
Beacon Block Updates
Opening Chapel: The message was given by Campus Pastor Andrew Asp, focusing on the theme for this year, “The Will and the Way,” with a reminder that our true home is found in Jesus Christ.
Academic Support: Our new Academic Support Beacon Block provides students with opportunities to check in with teachers, complete make-up assignments, study, collaborate on projects with peers, receive tutoring from National Honor Society students, and visit our counseling office.
Beacon Breakouts: This new monthly time allows teachers to lead fun, engaging activities that support student belonging and connection. Through this program, students have more than 20 different options to pick from to support their interests and to connect with one another.
Cohort Conversations: This year’s Cohort Conversations kicked off with Kat Hitzeman, a Bronze Sculptor, Painter, and Creativity Coach. The next week, students heard from Sally Hed Dahlquist, a successful biotech entrepreneur.
Assemblies: Through our new bell schedule and Beacon Block programming, we are able to address additional educational topics with the entire student body. This helps to support school pride and educates our students on relevant and important topics through the lens of a Christian worldview.
- In September, we were blessed by Pastor Tom Pfotenhauer of Woodbury Lutheran Church. He shared a biblical lesson that focused on how the Lord instructs us to support one another in love, particularly in regard to politics. We also had an exciting Homecoming Week, with activities led by our new student leadership class.
- In October, we can’t wait to welcome Pastor Vue Lee for a presentation entitled, “Different Cultures: Weird or Just Different?” Pastor Lee explains, “Sometimes when we see a culture that’s not like ours, our first reaction might be, ‘Whoa, that’s weird.’ But here’s the truth: it’s only ‘weird’ if we don’t take the time to understand it. If you stop and actually listen, learn why people do what they do, try their food, and hear their stories, you realize it’s not weird at all. It’s just different. And that difference? That’s what makes the world way more interesting. So next time you catch yourself thinking something is ‘weird,’ pause and ask: ‘Is it just different? Pastor Lee serves as the Assistant to the President for Missions at the MN South District of the LCMS. He desires to help bring the Good News of Jesus to all nations. Pastor Lee previously served at King of Kings Lutheran for 13 years. Before moving his family to Minnesota in 2008, he worked with planting churches and making disciples in California.
Counseling & College Planning Updates
Guidance Visits: The guidance team has met with every grade level to start CA’s counseling curriculum. All students have joined a Google Classroom for college and career counseling, where resources are provided and will continue throughout the year.
- Freshmen: Students received an introduction to counseling services, logged into SCOIR, and completed a survey check-in. Counseling will complete interviews with freshmen in the coming weeks to assess how the transition to high school is going.
- Sophomores: Students received an overview of counseling for the year and will focus on identifying ways to serve and engage in their communities, exploring careers, and developing academic skills. The guidance team also completed a stress management lesson in health classes.
- Juniors: All juniors have created a college folder in SCOIR; they should be working on their activities sheet. Upcoming lessons will cover career exploration and college major searches. Juniors have been provided with free ACT prep materials and are encouraged to take the ACT this school year.
- Seniors: One-on-one check-ins are occurring to support their post-high school plans. Following a successful college workshop in August, many seniors are well into their college applications and can continue to utilize guidance services as needed.
Coming Up:
- College Webinar on Oct. 6; PSAT on Oct. 15
- Freshmen and Sophomore Renaissance STAR testing will start in November.
College Representatives continue to visit in the Commons during CA’s lunchtime. All students are encouraged to visit the reps to hear more about college opportunities.
We are also deeply grateful for the incredible support we receive from our community. None of this would be possible without our amazing volunteers and the family members and friends who sacrifice so much for their students at CA. The Lord is moving in amazing ways, and we are blessed beyond measure to see the fruits of that manifested in our students every day. May this October be a blessing to your family as we look towards the upcoming holiday season!
In Christ’s Love,
Mrs. Jasmine Anderson, M.Ed, ATC
Principal