History of Trinity Lutheran School 1890 - Present
God's people have always sought opportunities to fulfill His command that parents "bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." In many southern Minnesota communities, German Lutherans were determined to accomplish this challenge by supporting a full-time Lutheran day school; Janesville was one such community.
The voting assembly of Trinity Lutheran Church passed a resolution to build a school on September 21, 1890. The structure was a wood-frame building measuring 20 x 30 feet with an entry measuring 6 x 8 feet; it was furnished with double homemade desks. Dedication was held November 30, 1890.
The first classes began in December, 1890, with forty-three student enrolled. Resident pastors served as the teachers of Trinity's school until 1906 when Mr. G. M. Schmidt was called as the first teacher. Until 1906 classes were conducted exclusively in the German language. With the calling of the first teacher, the school became bilingual.
Because the first school structure was too small and no longer adequately served the educational needs of Trinity, a new two-room brick building measuring 32 x 54 feet was built costing nearly $4,000, which included the furnace but not the furniture. Dedication was held September 21, 1914.
Following the tenure of three subsequent teachers, Mr. William Tonn accepted Trinity's call to teach. During his sixteen years at Trinity, enrollment grew from twenty to 103 students; three women teachers were hired to assist with the additional classes; and the school needed more classrooms. Trinity constructed a new addition to the 1914 building measuring 24 x 48 feet and costing nearly $8,000, which included a new heating and ventilating system. This addition featured a classroom to accommodate fifty students and a basement that could eventually serve as another classroom. Dedication was held August 23, 1937.
The school continued to grow. In 1942 with three teachers and three classrooms, enrollment reached 122 students. Obviously, multiple class levels were taught within one classroom that accommodated approximately forty students in each room. A ninth grade was added in 1944, thus making a complete elementary and junior high school. The pastor and teachers agreed to add these additional duties without additional expense to the congregation. Because of a lack of students and space, the ninth grade was discontinued in 1953.
Two classrooms, a playroom, kitchen, and bathrooms costing nearly $57,000 were added to the school and dedicated on October 5, 1952. Students were served a hot lunch due to participation in 1954 in the National School Lunch Program. Efforts to add a spring kindergarten program with thirteen students succeeded in 1955; a lack of space, however, cancelled those plans. The practice of teachers having a personal consultation with parents, discussing their student’s progress, and issuing report cards was instituted by Principal Leonard Schulenberg in 1955. In that same year, teachers were offered the choice of being paid their salaries on a nine- or twelve-month basis. Teachers in 1957 were hired for nine and a half months rather than nine months.
A resolution was passed in January, 1961, to raise the women teachers’ salaries to $275 per month for ten months. Due to critically crowded conditions, Trinity once again considered the option to enlarge the school facilities. Votes held in September, 1962, and February, 1963, both failed to pass the needed two-thirds majority. To alleviate the lack of classroom space, the voters agreed to rent Miss Minnie Flemming’s house in 1966 – 1967.
The Parent Teacher League was formed in 1970 with the express purpose of discussing topics concerning Christian Education and providing opportunities for close parent and teacher communication and support. PTL has remained an active and vital organization of Trinity Lutheran School to the present time.
In October, 1971, the voters agreed to participate in the Minnesota Tax Credit Law, but it was not compulsory for parents. To be eligible for this credit, parents paid a $100 per month tuition per child enrolled at school. However, at a later date, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled this tax credit unconstitutional.
During the 1970’s the annual reports indicated that a Wednesday morning children’s chapel service was being held weekly. The purpose of this service was to provide the children with a worship experience tailored to their level of understanding. The format included an abbreviated liturgy, Scripture readings, prayers, a brief sermonette or object talk, hymn singing, and an offering for charity. This tradition continues today.
Various committees throughout the 1970’s had researched possibilities regarding needs for property and facilities, personnel, and programs at Trinity school. In 1979 bathrooms, a custodian’s room, a boiler room with a new boiler, and a service entrance were added to the school. At this time the 1937 and 1952 additions were repaired and improved; this included the implementation of energy conservation measures. Dedication was held on March 16, 1980.
To compliment the kindergarten program implemented in 1976, a self-supporting pre-kindergarten program was instituted in September, 1980, with two two-day sessions weekly. Tuition for non-member students in 1982 -1983 was $1,100 for grades one through eight and $550 for kindergarten. In April, 1986, Trinity voters adopted a no-tuition, open-door policy of enrollment for member and non-member students. During the summer of 1983, the basement of the 1914 section was remodeled into a library; the former library became a classroom. The Mission of Love building project was approved in November, 1986; the additional classrooms, a parish hall/gymnasium, kitchen, and locker rooms were dedicated in September, 1989.
Trinity Lutheran School celebrated its first one hundred years of providing a Christ-centered education in 1990. And within that tradition, music was especially significant. Participation in school choirs was mandatory and enhanced the weekly church services throughout the years. The Christmas Eve children’s services were eagerly anticipated and performed by the entire student body. Music had continued to be a significant part of the student’s education to the present time.
By January, 1990, fifteen computers were being used by students in many classrooms; today each classroom has computers for use by all students. Because of a gift of real estate in July, 1991, Trinity now owned all of the city block on which the school was located. Due to increased enrollment, the kindergarten in 1995-1996 scheduled two half-day sections each day. The new catechism was adopted for use in July, 1995. As mandated by Minnesota state law in 1995, all future employees would need to have a security clearance check as an added protection to the students’ welfare and safety.
A Reunion 2000 celebration was held in August, 2000, to commemorate the new millennium; an Alumni Association was formed to support the continued education opportunities offered by Trinity Lutheran School. In June, 2001, a pledge system of tuition was adopted for all students. The pre-school program became part of the church budget in July, 2002. The PTL provided fifth grade students with a copy of Luther’s small Catechism and partially paid for a study Bible for seventh grade students. The PTL in 2003 continued to provide a Bible for third grade students. Trinity Tots Child Care, a day care program, opened in August, 2003, on a self-supporting basis.
During the 2006 – 2007 school year, Trinity Lutheran School staff went through the National Lutheran School Accreditation process. Trinity Lutheran School was accredited in September of 2007. Trinity will go through this process again during the 2013-2014 school year. Based on the accreditation report Trinity continues to make many improvements to its school.
The origin of Trinity Lutheran School can be found in the vision of the church’s congregants in 1890 and in that first sparse and simple one-room wood-framed building with its pot-bellied stove, homemade desks, slate board and chalk, and few books, and with its one teacher and forty-three students encompassing eight grade levels. None of these people could have imagined the complex education facility of today with its multiple classrooms and varied furnishings, library, gymnasium/lunchroom, kitchen, and bathrooms; its variety of programs, textbooks, teaching aids, and technological equipment; and with its teaching and support staff of 15 people and 129 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade levels. Speaking in German has been replaced with speaking in English. Much has changed in 120 years; however, the original mission to “bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” thankfully has never changed.
The voting assembly of Trinity Lutheran Church passed a resolution to build a school on September 21, 1890. The structure was a wood-frame building measuring 20 x 30 feet with an entry measuring 6 x 8 feet; it was furnished with double homemade desks. Dedication was held November 30, 1890.
The first classes began in December, 1890, with forty-three student enrolled. Resident pastors served as the teachers of Trinity's school until 1906 when Mr. G. M. Schmidt was called as the first teacher. Until 1906 classes were conducted exclusively in the German language. With the calling of the first teacher, the school became bilingual.
Because the first school structure was too small and no longer adequately served the educational needs of Trinity, a new two-room brick building measuring 32 x 54 feet was built costing nearly $4,000, which included the furnace but not the furniture. Dedication was held September 21, 1914.
Following the tenure of three subsequent teachers, Mr. William Tonn accepted Trinity's call to teach. During his sixteen years at Trinity, enrollment grew from twenty to 103 students; three women teachers were hired to assist with the additional classes; and the school needed more classrooms. Trinity constructed a new addition to the 1914 building measuring 24 x 48 feet and costing nearly $8,000, which included a new heating and ventilating system. This addition featured a classroom to accommodate fifty students and a basement that could eventually serve as another classroom. Dedication was held August 23, 1937.
The school continued to grow. In 1942 with three teachers and three classrooms, enrollment reached 122 students. Obviously, multiple class levels were taught within one classroom that accommodated approximately forty students in each room. A ninth grade was added in 1944, thus making a complete elementary and junior high school. The pastor and teachers agreed to add these additional duties without additional expense to the congregation. Because of a lack of students and space, the ninth grade was discontinued in 1953.
Two classrooms, a playroom, kitchen, and bathrooms costing nearly $57,000 were added to the school and dedicated on October 5, 1952. Students were served a hot lunch due to participation in 1954 in the National School Lunch Program. Efforts to add a spring kindergarten program with thirteen students succeeded in 1955; a lack of space, however, cancelled those plans. The practice of teachers having a personal consultation with parents, discussing their student’s progress, and issuing report cards was instituted by Principal Leonard Schulenberg in 1955. In that same year, teachers were offered the choice of being paid their salaries on a nine- or twelve-month basis. Teachers in 1957 were hired for nine and a half months rather than nine months.
A resolution was passed in January, 1961, to raise the women teachers’ salaries to $275 per month for ten months. Due to critically crowded conditions, Trinity once again considered the option to enlarge the school facilities. Votes held in September, 1962, and February, 1963, both failed to pass the needed two-thirds majority. To alleviate the lack of classroom space, the voters agreed to rent Miss Minnie Flemming’s house in 1966 – 1967.
The Parent Teacher League was formed in 1970 with the express purpose of discussing topics concerning Christian Education and providing opportunities for close parent and teacher communication and support. PTL has remained an active and vital organization of Trinity Lutheran School to the present time.
In October, 1971, the voters agreed to participate in the Minnesota Tax Credit Law, but it was not compulsory for parents. To be eligible for this credit, parents paid a $100 per month tuition per child enrolled at school. However, at a later date, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled this tax credit unconstitutional.
During the 1970’s the annual reports indicated that a Wednesday morning children’s chapel service was being held weekly. The purpose of this service was to provide the children with a worship experience tailored to their level of understanding. The format included an abbreviated liturgy, Scripture readings, prayers, a brief sermonette or object talk, hymn singing, and an offering for charity. This tradition continues today.
Various committees throughout the 1970’s had researched possibilities regarding needs for property and facilities, personnel, and programs at Trinity school. In 1979 bathrooms, a custodian’s room, a boiler room with a new boiler, and a service entrance were added to the school. At this time the 1937 and 1952 additions were repaired and improved; this included the implementation of energy conservation measures. Dedication was held on March 16, 1980.
To compliment the kindergarten program implemented in 1976, a self-supporting pre-kindergarten program was instituted in September, 1980, with two two-day sessions weekly. Tuition for non-member students in 1982 -1983 was $1,100 for grades one through eight and $550 for kindergarten. In April, 1986, Trinity voters adopted a no-tuition, open-door policy of enrollment for member and non-member students. During the summer of 1983, the basement of the 1914 section was remodeled into a library; the former library became a classroom. The Mission of Love building project was approved in November, 1986; the additional classrooms, a parish hall/gymnasium, kitchen, and locker rooms were dedicated in September, 1989.
Trinity Lutheran School celebrated its first one hundred years of providing a Christ-centered education in 1990. And within that tradition, music was especially significant. Participation in school choirs was mandatory and enhanced the weekly church services throughout the years. The Christmas Eve children’s services were eagerly anticipated and performed by the entire student body. Music had continued to be a significant part of the student’s education to the present time.
By January, 1990, fifteen computers were being used by students in many classrooms; today each classroom has computers for use by all students. Because of a gift of real estate in July, 1991, Trinity now owned all of the city block on which the school was located. Due to increased enrollment, the kindergarten in 1995-1996 scheduled two half-day sections each day. The new catechism was adopted for use in July, 1995. As mandated by Minnesota state law in 1995, all future employees would need to have a security clearance check as an added protection to the students’ welfare and safety.
A Reunion 2000 celebration was held in August, 2000, to commemorate the new millennium; an Alumni Association was formed to support the continued education opportunities offered by Trinity Lutheran School. In June, 2001, a pledge system of tuition was adopted for all students. The pre-school program became part of the church budget in July, 2002. The PTL provided fifth grade students with a copy of Luther’s small Catechism and partially paid for a study Bible for seventh grade students. The PTL in 2003 continued to provide a Bible for third grade students. Trinity Tots Child Care, a day care program, opened in August, 2003, on a self-supporting basis.
During the 2006 – 2007 school year, Trinity Lutheran School staff went through the National Lutheran School Accreditation process. Trinity Lutheran School was accredited in September of 2007. Trinity will go through this process again during the 2013-2014 school year. Based on the accreditation report Trinity continues to make many improvements to its school.
The origin of Trinity Lutheran School can be found in the vision of the church’s congregants in 1890 and in that first sparse and simple one-room wood-framed building with its pot-bellied stove, homemade desks, slate board and chalk, and few books, and with its one teacher and forty-three students encompassing eight grade levels. None of these people could have imagined the complex education facility of today with its multiple classrooms and varied furnishings, library, gymnasium/lunchroom, kitchen, and bathrooms; its variety of programs, textbooks, teaching aids, and technological equipment; and with its teaching and support staff of 15 people and 129 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade levels. Speaking in German has been replaced with speaking in English. Much has changed in 120 years; however, the original mission to “bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” thankfully has never changed.