Chisago Lakes Baptist school students rang in the Christmas season December 7th with a program entitled, “The Colors of Christmas.” The concert began with the fourth grade Beginning Band playing three selections, followed by the fifth grade Junior Band playing two songs. The sixth graders through twelfth graders comprise the High School Band, which began by playing “White Christmas.” One of the highlights of the evening was the performance of “Bugler’s Holiday.” Trumpeters Quinten Bennett, Seth Elliott and Oscar Neilson, and clarinet player Christopher Chen wowed the audience with their performance. Listeners were also treated to a fun vocal performance of the same song during the offertory. The High School Band then transitioned to “Blue Christmas” and finished their part of the concert with “Let it snow” Let it snow” Let it snow!”

The second portion of the program began with the four year old preschool class playing “Ring the Bells” on melody bells and singing “We Will Ring the Bells for Jesus,” followed by the kindergarten class singing two songs. First and second graders donned sheep and cow headbands to perform “The Friendly Beasts,” while third and fourth grades, and fifth and sixth grades each performed two selections.

The Junior High Choir performed a skit called “Singing in the Rain” complete with umbrellas and sound effects, as well as the song “Manger Carols.” Another highlight of the evening was the stunning a cappella performance of “Silent Night,” sung by the high school guys, arranged by CLBS music director Chris Young. The High School Choir sang “Variations on Jingle Bells,” “It Was Enough,” and “At the Cross”. The entire student body joined in for the finale, “Christmas Time.”

A pie social, hosted by the junior and senior classes followed the program. For years the CLBS band has used band tour to minister through music to schools and communities outside the local area, but last year and this year they are presenting their concert at local senior care facilities whose residents have been delighted with their music as well as their interaction with students.

Chisago Lakes Baptist School will proudly present Get Smart, a two-act comedy based on the classic television show. When the nefarious criminal, Madame Big, gets her hands on a dangerous weapon that could destroy one of America’s greatest treasures, it’s up to Maxwell Smart and his partner Agent 99 to step in a foil KAOS’s plot.

The play consists of a cast of 25 secondary students from Chisago Lakes Baptist School under the direction of Chris Young and Cindy Posey. Mrs. Young has directed 24 high school plays in her long career as a teacher. Riley Keck plays Maxwell Smart, Emily Linden is Agent 99, Quinten Bennett plays the Chief, and Alayna Hraba is Madame Big.

[Chisago Lakes Baptist School administrator Michael Elliott, happily joined the kids in wearing “prairie duds” in celebration of reaching the school reading goal of 40,000 minutes during “I Love to Read” month in January. Top readers include: Top row (L to R) Levi Reed, Aaron Brink, Ava Lee, Nolan Anderson (top all school reader), and Michael Elliott, CLBS administrator. Front row (L to R) Rebecca Lutgen, James Rutten, Ava Burmeister, and Lincoln Jewson.]

Students of Chisago Lakes Baptist School proved that reading can be lots of fun! The elementary school’s “I Love to Read” month began January 3rd. The morning began with a magic show called “Amazing Science,” presented by local professional magician, Norm Barnhart. Several students were invited to help with the tricks, and all were amazed as Norm related that magic is science. Preschool and kindergarten classes read Little House books during class, while first through sixth grade classes participated in an all school read-aloud, Prairie School, by Lois Lenski. Daily prizes were awarded to the first student who found a golden snowflake that was hidden throughout the school. For ten minutes each day, students were invited to “stop, drop, and read.” Occasionally a mystery reader read a selection from a well- known book over the loudspeaker. Each week, the names of children who returned their reading logs were put into a drawing for one of a dozen books.

Students read 54,142 minutes outside of class, surpassing the school goal of 40,000 minutes in just four weeks. On Friday, February 3rd these eager readers were rewarded with a celebration, which included watching the “Founders Day” episode of “Little House on the Prairie” while enjoying popcorn and pop. Children were encouraged to dress as they would have on the prairie, or in western garb.

Nolan Anderson, 2nd grade, won first place and topped the charts by reading 2654 minutes and received a new 2017 Guinness Book of World Records. Rebecca Lutgen, 3rd grade, came in second, reading 2530 minutes and third place went to Ava Lee, 5th grade, reading 2310 minutes. Top readers for each class were: Ava Burmeister, K4 preschool; Lincoln Jewson, kindergarten; James Rutten, 1st grade; Nolan Anderson, 2nd grade; Rebecca Lutgen, 3rd grade; Aaron Brink, 4th grade; Ava Lee, 5th/6th grade, and Levi Reed, 2192 minutes from homeschool. Top readers received a new book, a balloon, and an award.

Earlier in the school year grandparents and parents were asked to sponsor new books. Over 100 new books, many of which were Newbery Award winners, were welcome additions to the school’s library.

Chisago Lakes Baptist School offers a foundational Christian curriculum, small class sizes, and dedicated caring teachers. CLBS holds classes for preschool (4 year olds) through twelfth grade and is located off Highway 8 in Chisago City. For more information or a tour of the school, contact Michael Elliott, school administrator, at 651-257-4587, ext. 5.

This picture and caption appeared in the Forest Lake Area Lowdown on January 20, 2017.

Ryder McKinnon and Ashley Scott help Norm Barnhart with an experiment during his Amazing Science program, which kicked off "I Love to Read" month for elementary students at Chisago Lakes Baptist School.