This Wednesday, LHS came alive with the warmth of gratitude and community as our Chapel Families hosted their annual Friendsgiving celebration—a school-wide feast that brings students together in their chapel family to share food, fellowship, and thanksgiving before the holiday break.

The Friendsgiving tradition has heartwarming roots in our school community. What began as Mrs. Urban's Chapel Family gathering over lunch for a Thanksgiving meal has blossomed into a school-wide event. When other families saw the bonds being strengthened around that shared table, they knew it was too good not to share. Now, every Chapel Family at LHS participates in this special celebration of community and gratitude.

Chapel Families are central to the LHS experience, providing every student with a home away from home throughout their high school years. Students are sorted into their Chapel Family when they enroll and remain connected to that group for their entire time at LHS. These families meet regularly on Mondays and Wednesdays for devotions, activities, and often food—building the kind of lasting relationships that make high school meaningful.
Friendsgiving exemplifies what makes Chapel Families special. It's not just about the turkey and sides (though those are certainly appreciated!). It's about pausing in the midst of busy school schedules to recognize what we're thankful for: each other, our community, and the bonds we've formed through shared faith and experiences.

While Chapel Families know how to compete—the Chapel Family Olympics each quarter keeps things lively as groups vie for points by winning competitions and exhibiting our school pillars—events like Friendsgiving remind us that we're all part of one larger LHS family. Whether your Chapel Family is currently leading in the Olympics standings or cheering from behind, everyone comes together as equals around the Friendsgiving table.

As we celebrated the annual Friendsgiving this Wednesday, we're reminded that the best traditions often start small—with one family deciding to share a meal and open their hearts to gratitude. Thanks to Mrs. Urban's Chapel Family for inspiring this beautiful tradition, and to all our Chapel Families for making LHS a place where faith, community, and relationships thrive.

​Happy Friendsgiving, Mustangs! We're thankful for each and every one of you.

Lutheran High School of San Antonio's commitment to pursuing excellence was on full display this month as faculty members participated in specialized professional development designed to enhance student learning and support.

On Friday, November 7, the entire LHSSA faculty gathered for a professional development session led by UnboundED, focusing on a powerful approach to teaching: leveraging students' "funds of knowledge" to strengthen academic learning.

The core message was clear—when teachers intentionally get to know their students on a deeper level and connect learning to their lived experiences, engagement and understanding flourish. The session challenged faculty to move beyond surface-level relationships and discover the rich assets, experiences, and community knowledge that each student brings to the classroom.

Teachers worked through a structured planning process that asked them to consider:

• What assets and lived experiences do students bring that can strengthen their academic learning?
• How can student assets be embedded into grade-level tasks while maintaining rigor?
• What evidence shows that these connections are strengthening student learning?

The approach emphasizes practical strategies, such as differentiated choice boards for assignments and assessments, which allow students to connect their learning to their own experiences and strengths. The goal isn't to connect every lesson to every student—that would be impossible—but to ensure that with reasonable frequency, every student can connect meaningfully to multiple lessons throughout the year.

Faculty left the session with a clear mission:

• Reflect on whose knowledge shows up—and whose doesn't—in lessons
• Recognize opportunities to connect learning to students' lived experiences
• Revise lessons so student assets deepen—not replace—grade-level rigor
• Celebrate students' community knowledge and lived experiences as sources of strength

In addition to the whole-faculty training, LHSSA sent two key staff members to deepen their expertise in special education support. Liesel Urban, Dean of Student Success, and Amelia Hessong, a second-year mathematics teacher, attended the Herzog Foundation's Special Education training.

The Herzog Foundation Institute provides specialized training through three series—Leadership Development, Organizational Development, and Teacher Development—all designed to sustain growth in Christian education. The special education training equips educators with strategies and resources to better serve students with diverse learning needs within a Christ-centered educational framework.

This investment in specialized training reflects LHSSA's commitment to ensuring all students receive the support they need to thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.

These professional development opportunities represent more than just required training hours—they demonstrate LHSSA's dedication to nurturing faith and pursuing excellence with our students. By investing in faculty growth, the school ensures that teachers have the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to create classrooms where every student is known, valued, and challenged to lead lives of impact to the glory of Jesus Christ. 
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As LHSSA faculty implement these new strategies and insights, the entire Mustang community benefits from educators who are committed to both excellence and equity in the classroom.

At Lutheran High School of San Antonio, service isn’t just something we do—it’s who we are. On our annual Service Day, the Mustang community stepped out of the classroom and into action, living out our mission to lead lives of impact to the glory of Jesus Christ by serving others. Students, teachers, and staff spread across San Antonio and the Hill Country, lending their hands and hearts to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.

Several of our chapel families headed to Sleep in Heavenly Peace, a local organization dedicated to building and delivering beds for children who don’t have one. Mustangs measured, sanded, drilled, and assembled dozens of bed frames, learning that even small acts of craftsmanship can carry deep meaning. Each bed represented more than wood and screws—it was a gift of rest, dignity, and love.

Other chapel families traveled to Hill Country Daily Bread, where students sorted, packed, and distributed food for families in need. Working alongside volunteers and staff, Mustangs helped organize the food pantry, assemble care packages, and prepare donations for delivery. Through this hands-on experience, students saw how their time and teamwork could bring hope to those facing food insecurity.

Still other chapel families rolled up their sleeves to take care of the home they all share. Crews spread fresh mulch in flower beds, repainted parking lot lines, and helped with maintenance on the soccer and football fields. Their efforts not only beautified the grounds but also strengthened the sense of pride and stewardship that defines the Mustang community.

Service Day is a reminder that the classroom extends far beyond four walls. By serving both the wider community and their own campus, our students learned that faith becomes most powerful when it moves from words to deeds.

Lutheran High School of San Antonio is proud of our students for their hard work, joyful spirit, and servant hearts. Together, they lived out the truth of 1 Peter 4:10:
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”