Students celebrate special week
By Kristie Linden, Staff writer
March 06, 2002

Students at Redeemer Lutheran are singing and dancing their way through many German customs
and lessons this week to celebrate Lutheran Schools Week. The annual event kicked off last week
when Dr. Ruth Kuschmierz, originally from Brandenburg, Germany, taught the children about the
connection between their church and German culture.

She took the students on a verbal exploration of the ways that children participate in German festivals throughout the year.

"The Lutheran denomination originated in Germany," says Kuschmierz. "It is essential that children learn about German
culture and the connection to their religion."

Fastnadht, the German Mardi Gras or Eve of the Fast, is a celebration in which children dress up for school in festive clothing.
Grimm's fairy tales are told and everyone eats rich, fattening foods.

Kuschmierz says the students were especially interested in this festival.

Maifest is a festival that follows the long winter during which children dance in school.

Students at Redeemer got to experience these events by learning German songs, dances and eating German foods.
Throughout the day Kuschmierz was dropping bits of knowledge to the children.

She talked about Dinkelseuhl, a festival celebrating a kindergarten class that faced a general on horseback to beg him to save
their town during the 30-year war.

"This is perfect for children because they can see that they do have influence."

The students carried lanterns and imitated the processionals associated with Martin Luther's birthday festival. Luther is
recognized as the father of Lutheranism.

The lanterns are carried to demonstrate Luther "carrying light into the world of theology." Discussing this celebration connects
the lessons of German culture back to the Lutheran religion.

Kuschmierz moved to America in 1957 and taught German and English at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. She met
Debra Terhune of Redeemer School who asked her to share her knowledge of German culture and history with the students.

The children were very receptive to Kuschmierz, asking questions and working to learn the songs she taught. The week will
culminate with the children singing during church on Sunday with a German Fest luncheon to follow.

"It is important for our students to celebrate this week as a statement of thanks to the Lord for the blessings of Lutheran
schools," says Gail Holzer, principal.

Holzer wants her students to appreciate all Lutheran schools and worked with Christ Lutheran and St. Luke Lutheran schools
to arrange a field trip on Monday.

First, second, fifth and sixth-graders traveled to other Lutheran schools this week to learn more about other schools and how
they celebrate this week.

Redeemer's third and fourth-graders stayed in their home school to host students who were visiting from the other schools.

Today (Wednesday) is ties, tights and tea day. Students are dressed in fancy clothes and get to have a punch and cookie party
with their reading buddies and work on a special project together.

Tomorrow students will dress as their favorite storybook characters and will meet with their chapel buddies. The pairs will use
their characters to write and illustrate a new story.

Friday is bring a friend to school day. Students are to bring adult friends (other than their parents).

Friends will share the morning with the students and stay for lunch.

The final celebration will be on Sunday during church when the students will show their appreciation for the congregation with
a performance.

"Our schools typically do not charge the full cost of educating a child," says Holzer. "Because Christian education has always
been a mission of the church, the congregations hold a large responsibility for the financial support of its schools."

ŠOakmont Advance Leader Star 2002