New Family Info Page

Families who think they may qualify for Variable Tuition must submit a Smart Aid application in the Bobcat App, typically by April 1 prior to the next school year. An outside agency evaluates applications. Qualifying families receive notice of their awards by early May, when tuition contracts are distributed.

In mid August, RCLS sends a packet via email to each school family. Packets contain class lists, supply lists, athletics registration information, a school year calendar, and more.

PS-8 students may be dropped off starting at 8:00. 

School will be dismissed at 2:50. Bus riders will be dismissed first, then Stepping Stones students & siblings, and finally car riders, walkers, and Clubhouse/Post students at 3:00.

Parents may drop students off in front of the sidewalk in the morning. A car line that approaches the school from the north forms on 9th Avenue. Parents may pick up in the car line or walk in to classes at the end of the school day to pick up students.

Preschool and prekindergarten students must be walked and signed in/out of the building.

Clubhouse extended school-day care is available before school starting at 6:30 am and after school until 6:00 pm. Post Homework Academy (grades 3-8) is available until 5:00 PM in the cafeteria. Additional charges apply.

Meet-the-Teacher Nights are typically held on the Tuesday and Wednesday nights prior to the start of the school year..

Students are welcomed to bring their school supplies and unpack into lockers and desks. Students also have the opportunity to register for athletics teams, if they have not already done so, as well as other clubs and activities. 

Each student in grades K-3 is assigned a school Chromebook that will be kept in the classroom. Each student in grades 4-8 must purchase his/her own device or a Chromebook from the school. These typically sell for approximately $300. Watch for information about ordering a Chromebook from Mr. Nelson and/or in newsletters from the Enrollment Office.

RCLS promotes neatness and appropriateness as the two key words in relation to the selection of school clothing. Clothing styles that reflect good taste and modesty help maintain a Christian atmosphere, good behavior, and respect for others. Details of the dress code are included in the Student Handbook, which can be found under School Procedures in the Current Families tab.

Meet-the-Teacher Night: This kick-off event is typically the week before the school year begins. Students are encouraged to bring their school supplies, settle into their lockers and desks, and meet their teachers. An ice-cream social is held at the end of the evening and is particularly intended to welcome new families and to give them a chance to meet others in the school family.

Back-to-School Night: During the second week of school, parents are invited for a school year kick-off with staff and faculty. Campus actions and goals are shared briefly and parents then visit classrooms to learn specifics regarding curriculum, expectations, class trip, and more. Childcare is provided.

VIP Day: Very Important Person(s) are special friends over the age of 18. Parents, grandparents, other relatives, or other friends are welcomed to RCLS to attend school with a student in mid April on a Friday. Traditionally, school is dismissed at noon on VIP Day.

Fall Play: The theater department produces a stage play, open for participation to students in grades 3-8, each November. Try-outs are held in early September and practices are held after school until the production.

Christmas Program & Advent Concert: PS-grade 4 students have a Christmas program, typically about the first Friday of December. Grade 5-8 students have an Advent concert, which is typically held the following Friday.

National Lutheran Schools Week: Each year, Lutheran schools throughout the nation celebrate with a themed, week-long celebration of activities during the last week of January. Details of the celebration will be communicated in the Pawprint and classroom newsletters prior to the event.

RCLS Basketball Tournament: This annual tournament is held at the school each February. RCLS hosts local 7th/8th grade boys' and girls' teams, with a championship and consolation bracket for each.

Spring Musical: Students in grades K-8 are invited to participate in all aspects of producing a musical. Try-outs are held in January and regular practices are held after school until the production, typically in March the week before Spring Break.

Winona Track & Field Day: Students in grades 3-8 are transported on school buses to this annual athletic event in mid-May. Parents are encouraged and welcomed to attend.

RCLS Field Day: This all-school (PS-8) celebration is held on a Friday in the last weeks of the school year.

Students use prepaid accounts for hot lunch, snack milk, a la carte and other lunch items. An initial lunch deposit ($40) is charged in June prior to the school year. Hot lunches cost $3.50. Students may choose the hot lunch, a yogurt pack, a sandwich, or a salad. RCLS follows the state and national dietary guidelines and free or reduced lunches are available. Applications for free/reduced lunches are included in the August back-to-school packet.

Parents will replenish lunch accounts as needed via a lunch management module in Blackbaud, the school's information management system.

Students may elect to learn a band instrument and join Beginning Band in 4th grade. Registration for band takes place in August at Meet-the-Teacher night, or you may email RCLS's band instructor, Mr. Tim Gullicksrud, with questions beforehand. Band students participate in a small group lesson and a group rehearsal time, both scheduled during the school day, each week. An annual band fee is assessed to a student's account. 

For more information on band, other elective music options, or the music program more generally, see Music.

Basketball is offered as an extracurricular activity beginning in 5th grade with boys' and girls' teams in 5th, 6th, and 7th/8th grades.

Soccer, volleyball, and softball are offered as co-ed teams beginning in 5th grade.

Cross-country is also offered as a co-ed sport, though boys and girls compete separately at meets. Cross-country is open to students in grades 4-8.

Track and field is offered as a co-curricular activity beginning in Kindergarten. Students train during the school day and compete in two meets: RCLS Field Day (held at RCLS for grades PK-8) and the Winona Track & Field Meet (for grades 3-8).

For more information, see Athletics.