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Salem Lutheran School (SLS) began its school year with a record enrollment of 470 students in kindergarten through eighth grade and 175 children in its early childhood program.

New this year is a one-to-one laptop project. More than 200 students in fifth through eighth grades received MacBook Air laptops to use in class and for homework. Students in kindergarten through fourth grades will use MacBook laptops, iPads, and iPods in special technology classes, as well as during their regular classroom instruction time.

“The goal is the integration of 21st century skills for today’s learner. The students will be able to use the latest technology to carry out research and to create multimedia projects,” said Steve McEwin, SLS director of technology.

Social studies teacher Dave Boldt is teaching a geography class that is completely online this year.

“I am looking forward to the students being excited about using their MacBook Airs for this class,” Boldt said. “They will no longer need to carry textbooks back and forth. The internet will allow them to access multimedia knowledge in a way that will truly enhance their learning experience.”

“The laptops will make school more interesting. We’ll be able to be more organized,” seventh grader Breanna Lauder said.

Mary Beth Gaertner, Director of Educational Ministries and National Distinguished Principal of the Year, attributes SLS’s enrollment record to its mission to educate tomorrow’s leaders.

“We are truly achieving our mission. We are empowering a generation of leaders,” she said. “God brings us kids with huge potential, and we are able to help them achieve their academic and leadership goals.”

“Salem School teachers and staff make the school a special place,” Gaertner said. “We are a school where teachers truly care about every single child and every single family. Not everybody can teach a heart. You have to really feel it, and that is how we are different.”

For information about Salem Lutheran School admissions and tours, call 281.351.8223 or visit www.salemlutheran.com.

Salem Lutheran School's eighth grade basketball team, the Saints, won the Lutheran Middle School State Tournament recently, defeating San Antonio Shepherd of the Hills in the championship game. They will now head to the Lutheran National Tournament in Indiana later this month. The Saints are 20-5 this season and many of the players will be headed to Tomball Concordia Lutheran next year. Pictured are (front row, from left) Kale Jones, Grant Jacobs, Blake Moran, (back row, from left) Clayton Cooper, Coach Bucky Honeck, Kyle Happe, Jett Shipper, Tyler Wysocki, David Wolf, Stephen Fitzgerals, assistant coach Bill Honeck Sr. and Conner Andrus.

The 2012 Salem Lutheran School annual golf tournament raised $35,000 for athletic and educational needs for the school. The tournament had 133 golfers and 20 volunteers. The winning team consisted of (from left) Chuck Orrico, Salem Executive Pastor Tim Neikerk and his son Josiah, Ray Kym, and Michael Skains.

Eight Salem Lutheran School students, along with several parents and teachers went to a taping of Great Day Houston at the channel 11 studios recently. The group partnered with Great Day Houston to fill the studio audience, while Great Day Houston aired a short promo of the upcoming Run 4 Their Lives 5K and 1-mile runs being held Oct. 13. All proceeds from the run go to Kids Caring for Kenya and are used to buy bed nets for families in Kenya. For more information visit www.kidscaringforkenya.com.

Lauren Chesshir was named the 2013 Spelling Bee Champion at Salem Lutheran School. Chessir, a third grader spelled the word caricature to win the contest. Salem Lutheran School is a private school in Tomball, located next to Salem Lutheran Church. For more information, visit salemlutheran.com or call 281.351.8223.