Good Shepherd

Monday - Created to be Brave: We are created to be brave - to try new things and trust God.

Tuesday - Created to be you: You are created to be you - to be yourself, every inch of you loved by God.

Wednesday - Created to be Curious: We are created to be curious - so that we can know God better.

Thursday - Created to be Helpful: We are created to be helpful - sharing with each other.

Friday - Called to be Discipled: We are created to be disciples - to love our neighbor, just as we are loved by God.

Be on the lookout for a daily email with questions and a coloring page for each day's topic.

Remember, every Wednesday is Chapel, and we’re continuing our Hearts and Hands offerings! We encourage students to bring offerings each week. To make this a fun and positive experience, students can decorate their offering envelopes based on the weekly theme. While bringing an offering is not required, we hope everyone will join in the spirit of giving!

Below are the chapel themes for the month of January:

• The Widows Offering (March 2nd)
• The Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin (March 9th)
• The Prodigal Son (March 16th)
• Two Masters (March 24th)
• The Parable of the Rich Man (March 31st)

We can’t wait to see everyone’s creativity!

This month in Project Curiosity it is all about the human body and math. The five senses, the different body systems, geometry, probability, and mass. Of course, we cannot forget about Pi!

March 14th is Pi Day (3.14), a day when we celebrate this fascinating number.

Want to learn more about Pi? Here are some fun books and websites to supplement your Pi day celebrations.

• The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos by Deborah Heiligman (Author) & LeUyen Pham (Illustrator)
• Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi by Cindy Neuschwander (Author) & Wayne Geehan (Illustrator)
• https://mathigon.org/course/circles/introduction#pi-day
• https://www.piday.org/pi-facts/

Enrollment for the 2025–2026 school year is now open! If you plan to enroll your child(ren) in the elementary school for the next school year, please complete the attached form. Hard copies of the form have also been sent home for your convenience. We look forward to another great year ahead!

Below is a link to our Campus Satisfaction Survey. We’d love for you to take a few minutes to fill it out and let us know how we’re doing. Your feedback is incredibly valuable and helps us keep improving the experience for our students!

By popular demand, our Teacher Appreciation Survey has returned! 🎉 Take a moment to fill out the survey and give a well-deserved shoutout to your amazing teachers. Your kind words mean the world to them, and we’re even displaying them on the wall so our teachers can see just how much they are appreciated!

Thank you for helping us celebrate the incredible educators who make a difference every day! 💙📚

Thank you to everyone who supported and participated in our Valentine-Gram fundraiser. We raised $400 for the school and enjoyed sending Valentines! PTL sponsored one valentine for every student and staff member in the building!

Please join us on Wednesday, March 5th at 8:30 PM via Zoom for our next meeting. We will provide information on funds raised to date for the ‘24-‘25 school year and next steps to meet our fundraising goal by May. Funds raised this year will be presented to the school board by check to kick off the ‘25-‘26 school year. Our support helps the school invest in new technologies, programs, security, and other needs. Also learn about exciting opportunities to engage in PTL leadership in ‘25-‘26.

A friendly reminder that tuition rates will increase again this month and will continue to adjust until June, when they will reach the final rates. Please refer to the chart below for the updated tuition amounts.

As always, if you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to the school. We’re happy to help! 😊

We will have Spring Break Camp from March 17th - 21st, and we would love to have your child join us!

Please be sure to sign up on the sheet located on the door into the Family Life Center to secure a spot. This will help us plan accordingly for a fun and engaging week.

We are so proud of all our students who participated in the Austin Science Fair! Their hard work, creativity, and dedication truly shined. Please join us in congratulating them on their achievements and the ribbons they earned!

Kayden Gattis - 1st

Vincent Ly - 2nd

Charlie Fritsch - 2nd

Oliver Perkins - 1st

Khaleesi Valladares - 1st

We are so proud of our students who competed in the Private Schools Interscholastic Association (PSIA) competition! Their dedication and hard work paid off, and we are excited to recognize their achievements.

Congratulations to all our students for their hard work and achievements! 🎉 Keep striving for excellence!

At the February 19th GSB School Board Meeting, key topics included a security task force update, and Hearts & Hands chapel offerings. Plans for ELCA Lutheran Schools Week (March 2-8) and potential updates to the school handbook were discussed.

The board reviewed the timeline for upcoming cognia accreditation assessments, and Texas Rising Star evaluations. Facility concerns, including cleaning issues, were addressed, and potential board members are being considered.

Additional topics included Picture Day (March 12, with retakes on March 14), the school calendar, Vacation Bible School planning, and a possible sponsorship for students participating in the Bastrop Youth Baseball & Softball League.

Updates from LSLC covered personnel, preschool enrollment, and afterschool programs . GSLS updates highlighted projected fall Kindergarten through 6th fall enrollment the Lions of the Month character focus on “Love,” Spring Break Camp details, and a discussion on upper-grade subject area divisions.

Hello Lion families,

Pe Get ready for March Madness! We're excited to host an NCAA Sweet 16 basketball bracket at Good Shepherd.

Be on the lookout for the bracket next week.

All Lion families, teachers, and staff are invited to pick 2 teams they believe will win the tournament. Have your athlete submit your picks to Coach Turner, and we'll display everyone's predictions on a bracket!

Practices:

3rd 4pm at Hunters Crossing

10th 4pm at Hunters Crossing

24th 4pm Hunters Crossing

31st 4pm Hunters Crossing

Scrimmage: 3:30pm at Bastrop Youth Soccer Field across from Buccees

Game: Home 3:30 vs TNT at Bastrop Youth Soccer Field across from Buccees

Children must wear tennis shoes on Wednesdays and Fridays. No flats, boots or sandals.

Dear Good Shepherd families,

March is here! March 2nd

is Texas Independence Day! Students will

have projects that will be influenced by what make Texas well, Texas!

Also, I have been in contact with the Lost Pines Art center about the

Salinas Art Competition, more information will be coming soon.

Please don’t forget to make it out to the Art Walk, March 7th

We will have our very own booth and make our very own craft for students and

the public to make. Our booth will be set up outside the old Art Institute location.

Hattie Wesley

Art Teacher

www.hwesleygsbastrop@gmail.com

🌟 March Lion of the Month – Faith 🌟

This month, we are celebrating our March Lion of the Month, recognizing students who exemplify the biblical trait of Faith.

🦁 Lions of the Month:

Lillian Uresti

Valen Luna

Emma Wobus

David Gonzales-Lopez

Vincent Ly

Join us in congratulating our Lions of the Month for their outstanding display of Faith! Keep shining your light and inspiring others. ✨🦁

Mark 9:23 reminds us: "Everything is possible for one who believes." Faith means trusting in God's plan, even when the path is uncertain. Our students are demonstrating faith by showing trust, perseverance, and belief in God's promises in their daily lives.

Chef-prepared meal plan includes breakfast if here by 7:30am, lunch, and afternoon snack. If you do not take part in the meal plan, you will need to provide your child's meal daily. We are a peanut free facility. If you do not provide food, and are not enrolled in our meal plan, we will gladly serve your child food, for a $5.00 charge to your account.

At Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School we believe that a Christ-centered education has the power to shape the hearts and minds of our children, preparing them to walk in faith, serve their community, and thrive academically. As a ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Bastrop, we are committed to providing this opportunity to as many families as possible, regardless of financial circumstances.

However, we recognize that the cost of tuition can be a significant barrier for families who desire this type of education for their children. That’s why we are excited to announce the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School Scholarship Fund, a new initiative aimed at making Christian education accessible to all.

Our Mission

The purpose of the Good Shepherd Lutheran School Scholarship Fund is to provide tuition assistance to families who are unable to afford the full cost of attending our school. By alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with tuition and fees, we hope to open our doors wider to students of diverse backgrounds, abilities, and economic statuses. We believe that fostering a diverse and inclusive student body enriches our entire school community, allowing students to learn and grow in an environment that reflects God’s love for all people.

Why It Matters

At Good Shepherd Lutheran School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn in a nurturing, faith-filled environment where they can grow spiritually, academically, and socially. A Christian education can make a lasting difference in a child's life, helping them build a strong foundation of faith and values that will carry them into adulthood.

The Scholarship Fund will enable families facing financial hardship to provide their children with the kind of education that not only teaches academic excellence but also shares the Good News of Jesus Christ each and every day. It will also promote greater diversity and inclusion in our student body, giving children from all walks of life the chance to grow in a loving, Christ-centered community.

How You Can Help

We invite you to partner with us in this meaningful mission. Your contributions to the Good Shepherd Lutheran School Scholarship Fund will help us extend the blessings of a Christian education to more children in our community. By making a donation, you are directly investing in the lives of young people and helping us cultivate future leaders rooted in faith and equipped with the knowledge to serve and succeed in the world.

Together, we can ensure that no child is turned away from the opportunity to attend Good Shepherd Lutheran School because of financial hardship. Whether you’re able to give a one-time gift or become a recurring donor, your generosity will have a lasting impact on our school and the children we serve.

Join Us in Our Mission

We are grateful for the support of our church family and the broader community as we strive to make Christian education at Good Shepherd Lutheran School available to all. Please prayerfully consider contributing to the Scholarship Fund and helping us share the love of Christ through education.

For more information on how to donate or apply for tuition assistance, please contact our school office at 512-988-1778 or email at headofschoool@goodshepherdbastrop.org.

In Christ's Service,
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church & School
A Ministry of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church
Bastrop, TX

Cooking as a Family Activity

When everyone’s busy with work and school, it can be hard to find time for family activities. But chances are good that you spend a lot of time in the kitchen fixing meals and snacks, so think about it as a good opportunity to bond. Having your kids help make family recipes and share stories can keep family traditions alive and create new ones. Don’t wait for special occasions to cook together—start now!

Small Kids, Big Help

When it comes to cooking, kitchen safety is so important. Start by giving small children a safe place to be in the kitchen while you do the cooking. Let them know where their special spot is so they aren’t under your feet or in front of the stove. You might have them sit at the table, at the counter, or on the floor—somewhere they can bang on pots and pans, stack plastic bowls, or color paper placemats for family mealtimes. You can also let your kids help choose family recipes. They can smell, taste, and touch different foods and talk about their colors and flavors. They can also start helping with simple cooking tasks when you think they’re ready.

Let 4-year-olds:

• Turn a salad spinner.
• Tear lettuce and snap green beans.
• Cut soft foods with a dull plastic knife.
• Spread butter and jam.
• Peel oranges.
• Get out and put away kitchen tools and ingredients.
• Put spoons, forks, and plastic items in the dishwasher.

Let 5-year-olds:

• Roll out dough.
• Grease pans.
• Crack and beat eggs.
• Dip food in sauce or breadcrumbs.
• Measure dry ingredients.
• Wipe down the counter to make sure it is clean.

Let 6-year-olds:

• Help set and clear the table.
• Make balls or patties.
• Scoop batter into muffin cups.
• Dry dishes.
• Put dishes (except knives) in the dishwasher.
• Help put groceries away.
• Read recipes out loud.

Plan for Family Together Time

Give your kids a special family activity time to look forward to each week. You might do Friday pizza night, Saturday lunch, or Sunday pancakes. Let your child help plan the menu for your special meal and talk together about what everyone in your family likes to eat. Make it a goal to follow the MyPlate guidelines, which recommend that half of the plate should be fruits and veggies.

If you need some kid-friendly family recipe inspiration, we’ve got some ideas:

• 4-Ingredient Banana Pancakes: You won’t believe that these tasty pancakes have no added sugar. Can you guess the four ingredients?
• Unicorn Smoothies: The recipe calls for bananas, berries, and mango, but you can use any fruit you have on hand.
• Funny Face: This delicious toast is a great way for kids and adults to be creative in the kitchen.
• Mexican Snack Pizza: Good for picky eaters! It’s easy to choose the toppings that each person likes.

You can follow us on Facebook, and Instagram! Please follow our page at Good Shepherd Lutheran School ( make sure Bastrop, Tx) (1) Facebook

Good Shepherd - Bastrop (@gslsbastrop) • Instagram photos and videos

We appreciate all of your support always!

Email: headofschool@goodshepherdbastrop.org
Website: goodshepherdbastrop.org
Location: 202 State Highway 71, Bastrop, TX, USA
Phone: 512-988-1778