Browse the images of our photos for a peek into various CLS activities and events! Click the View Photos icon after each to view the gallery, then click any image thumbnail to view full-size images and move through the gallery.
Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. -Psalm 51.10 On March 2nd, 2022, CLS held the Ash Wednesday Chapel service led by Bishop Gohl and Vicar Charlie. This was the 5th Ash Wednesday at Carroll Lutheran School that Bishop Gohl has been with us.
The entire month of December 2021, CLS had a “Giving Tree” charity drive to benefit the less fortunate families in Carroll County. The CLS families generously left toys, warm clothing items, and school supplies under the Christmas tree in the CLS vestibule. At the end of the drive, the 4th Grade students stuffed the Christmas stockings with various donated items and the stockings were taken to Shepherd’s Staff.
Before the 2021 Christmas break, CLS Kindergarten students recreated the scene of Jesus’ Birth. Children dressed up as Mary and Joseph, Shepherds and Wise Men.
In December 2021, CLS 7th grade students used their imagination and science knowledge to create a model of an animal or a plant cell.
In December 2021, CLS held an interactive clogging presentation for the entire school, all CLS students were able to participate. The clogging presentation turned out to be a huge success. Students have fun learning lots of individual steps like the Outhouse, the Turkey, the Cowboy, and the Rocking Chair. The classes were taught by The Carroll County Cloggers which is the longest continuously active clogging group in Maryland.
At the beginning of December 2021, CLS students from grades 3 to 8 who earned all Bs and As for the 1st Academic quarter were received a certificate of accomplishment and a pizza lunch.
The month of November 2021 began with The Operation Christmas Child kickoff during the first chapel of the month. Operation Christmas Child collects shoebox-gifts filled with fun toys, school supplies, and hygiene items and delivers them to children in need all around the world. Participation in different charitable drives teaches CLS students how to be compassionate and generous towards others.
Science can be so much fun and Ms. Baber proved it! At the end of October, Elementary and Middle school students had fun experimenting with dry ice, studying its properties and effect on other objects.
At the end of October, CLS had a chapel with The Rev. William (Bill) Gohl Jr, bishop of the Delaware-Maryland Synod. Students sang hymns, prayed, and praised the Lord alongside the Bishop, CLS staff, and guests.
In October, CLS held their 19th annual golf tournament, Swing for CLS Students. The weather was beautiful and everyone enjoyed their day golfing and socializing. All proceeds from the tournament went to the CLS scholarship fund. CLS staff and families are very grateful to all participants for their generosity.
In the middle of October, the CLS Kindergarten students released the butterflies that they fed and cared for until they hatched as a part of their nature studies.
At the beginning of October 2021, CLS students went on a field trip to First Fruit Farm, a non-profit Christian ministry dedicated to providing fresh, nutritious produce to those experiencing hunger in the Mid-Atlantic region. Students helped pick green beans and sort potatoes. CLS prides itself on focusing on rigorous academics, character development, and community service.
During the first week of the new academic year, CLS students spread positive affirmations through their chalk art.
The first chapel service of the new academic year was launched with a message of hope and good spirit.
A good beginning makes a big difference! CLS students begin this academic year with new hopes and a positive mindset to make it a brighter chapter in their school life.
To kick off the new 2021-2022 academic year, CLS held the Meet the Teacher Social event for the new and returning CLS families. During this fun and warmth-filled event, the CLS students and their families meet their teachers, left their school supplies in their cubbies, ate ice cream, and socialized with other students and family members.
The last day of 2020-2021 was marked by the celebration of the student academic and civic achivements.
CLS students and staff are so very proud of our Principal, Mrs. Mandy Gilbart, who received Governor Hogan’s Citation for her commitment to educational leadership and helping to increase student achievement and academic development during the course of a global pandemic.
The 8th-grade Promotion Ceremony took place on June 8th, 2021. We, at CLS, love and applaud our 8th graders and are very proud of them for reaching this point. We congratulate them on their well-deserved achievements!
At the end of the fourth quarter of the 2020-2021 academic year, the 7th-grade students had a biology lab lesson on the organ systems of a complex organism. During the lesson, they studied the organ systems of a complex living thing.
The 8th-grade Class Trip was to Rock Bottom Climbing in Hanover, PA for an amazing bouldering experience and to Hickory Falls to finish the day with laser tag and go-carts. These five young men and the young lady will be missed!
At the end of the fourth quarter of the 2020-2021 academic year, the 2nd-grade students presented their biography reports on the prominent people in American history. The students could select people who they admired the most and shared their accomplishments with the rest of the school.
The CLS Field Day was one of the most anticipated events in 2020-2021 school year. The weather was beautiful, the students had so much fun participating in various games, contests, and water activities. It was a day to remember!
The CLS Kindergarten Farewell program took place on the 3rd of June, 2021. “You’re off to great places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, so… get on your way!” – Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
At the beginning of June, CLS held an internal National Geographic GeoBee competition to select and crown a 2021 school champion. CLS middle school students took qualifying tests and ten students who earned the highest scores were competing for the title of the CLS GeoBee Champion.
In the first week of June, CLS 7th grade students had a special biology lab lesson where they examined worms, made observations, and learned about worm anatomy by dissecting them.
At the end of May, CLS kindergarten students had an opportunity to show and tell about their favorite stuffed animals. They brought their stuffed animals to school and wrote an essay on why their animals were special to them. They shared their stories with all CLS students and staff.
At the end of April, John Hadfield visited CLS with his “Science is Everywhere” program. The goal was, in a fun way, to prove that science was all around us. Hats were floating in the air, Rice Krispies were flying, a student’s hair stood up and Mrs. Gilbart’s head disappeared. The show was a big success!
At the end of April, CLS students in grades 3-8 were recognized for their hard work in the 3rd quarter of the 2020-2021 academic year. All students who received A and B grades for the 3rd quarter attended a celebratory luncheon and received their award certificates.
In April 2021, CLS held its annual Scholastic Book Fair. The students from every grade had a chance to browse the fair, look through books and magazines, select and purchase the books they were interested in.
In April, CLS 1st Grade students had an opportunity to show and talk about their favorite hobbies to the rest of the school. Every 1st Grade student decorated a display with pictures of their hobby or items they collected. They also prepared some fun facts and stories which they shared with groups of students from other grades.
CLS 3rd Grade teacher turned an Easter celebration into an awesome engineering challenge for the students! The 3rd-grade students split into groups and built jellybean STEM tower structures using toothpicks and jelly beans.
At the end of March 2021, CLS Elementary School students enjoyed their afternoon out hunting for Easter eggs. The weather was beautiful and the students had tons of fun!
Right before the school Easter break 7th and 8th-grade students celebrated the true meaning of Easter by baking traditional Resurrection rolls, also known as empty tomb rolls.
At the end of March, Eric Energy brought his live, interactive, science show right to CLS. The students enjoyed things like vortex fog rings, bubbling potions, and clouds on the ground. It was a great Science Spectacular Show focused on the weather.
CLS Westminster Wednesday was a day to celebrate and give back to the community. The project involved collecting cereal boxes for Carroll County Food Sunday. The 154 cereal boxes that were collected were then stacked up and fell like dominos.
At the end of March, CLS 7th grade students practiced dissecting chicken wings as a part of their life science class.
Move it Monday brought us, Yvette Castillo. She helps the community get fit and healthy! She volunteers as a walk leader for the organization, Partnership for a Healthier Carroll County. She’s a certified fitness trainer and Zumba ™ Fitness instructor. She came to CLS to lead our students in aerobic activity.
In March 2021 CLS Middle School students celebrated Pi Day with individual assorted pies. Pi Day became an annual tradition at CLS and we make sure we celebrate this day by talking about math concepts and sharing a variety of pies.
This Spring CLS FPP held a limited sitting Easter egg painting event for CLS families. The students and their parents had lots of fun painting and decorating the eggs provided by Firehouse Pottery and Arts Studio in Taneytown, MD.
This year Mrs. G entered CLS into the Annual Peep Show contest held by Carroll County Arts Council every March. The theme of the display was “Keeping Our Peeps Safe at School”.
Warm days are back and CLS students enjoyed Chapel Services outside in the fresh air.
For one of her Health and Creative Spark lessons in March, Mrs. Howard invited Kim Golliday from Taneytown Dance Center to give CLS students an opportunity to practice some fun dance moves.
At the end of February, middle school students had 20 minutes to build a bridge with a length of at least 14 cm using two cups, 30 toothpicks, four gummies, and 30 marshmallows. The longest bridge was Antoine and Langdon’s bridge at 37.5 cm with Mackenzie at a close second with 37 cm.
In February 2021, Creason Schafer, a Community Outreach Specialist at Johns Hopkins Pediatric Center in Baltimore, and a CLS alumni, came to CLS to talk to our Middle school students about fire and burn prevention. February is fire and burn prevention month, and she talked about the different types of burns, how to prevent burns, and what to do if someone they know gets burned. They played a competitive, yet friendly game of jeopardy about what they had learned.
In February 2021 CLS students in grades 3-8 were celebrated for their outstanding academic achievements. Students who received all A’s and all A’s and B’s for their second quarter of the 2020-2021 school year attended CLS quarterly Academic Achievement Pizza Lunch.
On Ash Wednesday, Bishop Bill Gohl of the Delaware-Maryland Synod, ELCA, was the presiding pastor for our Ash Wednesday Chapel service. He spoke about the meaning of Ash Wednesday and the season of Lent. He provided ashes and bars of soap to the students and staff that were interested in participating in this portion of the service.
In the 3rd Quater of 2021, the 3rd Grade students were split into teams and had to build a catapult out of popsicle sticks, a plastic spoon, and 4 rubber bands. They practiced and tweaked their projects to see which would go the farthest. Once built, the students had a contest to see which team’s catapult would throw a marshmallow and a candy heart the farthest.
In January 2021 CLS Seventh Grade students could try their hand at the Archaeological excavation of terracotta warriors as a part of their Social Study curriculum.
In January 2021 CLS First Grade students had an opportunity to showcase their Arctica and Antarctica study inspired Polar Project presentation. Each student could pick if they wanted to focus their presentation on the polar bear or the penguin habitat.
In mid-December, the CLS Kindergarten students were getting into Christmas mood with some fun activities like building gingerbread houses.
As part of our community service, each year CLS students fill stockings for The Shepherd’s Staff Stocking Donation program. Each year, Mrs. Gilbart chooses a grade to fill the stockings with the donations that we receive from the CLS families. This year 6th-grade students were the ones to fill the stockings.
Honoring our star students is a long-standing tradition at CLS. At the beginning of December, CLS students who earned A and B grades for the first quarter of the 2020-2021 academic year were treated to a special pizza lunch.
At the end of November, the Middle School students got to experience fire prevention training. They were able to get acquainted with the day to day work of Carroll County firefighters. The students were given lessons on how to extinguish a fire, use a firefighter hose, and how to perform first aid in case of smoke inhalation.
At CLS we honored our veterans and as a tribute students performed a short concert for their peers, teachers, and staff.
In November, Covid 19 didn’t hold CLS back from holding its annual Fun Run event. The weather turned out great and all students and staff participated. The event began with some light exercises, then progressed to a student marathon with students running as many laps as they could and their friends cheering for them. The big finish culminated with some fun staff competition.
At the beginning of November, all CLS students had fun with staff from Mar Lu Ridge Camp. The entire day was filled with team building crafts and physical activities.
At the end of October, 7th Grade students had an opportunity to express their creativity through their science class Cell Project. The students had to put together a 3D image of either a plant cell or an animal cell. The project displays turned out colorful and informative. Some were even edible!
At the beginning of October, the CLS Elementry School students had a visit from Nature Irvine Center. It was an exciting and at the same time educational event where students met and learned about madagascar hissing cockroach, box turtle, gray rat snake, opossum, and a small falcon.
During these trying times when all schools are adjusting to the new covid guidelines, CLS has been holding their weekly Chapel services outdoors. CLS students, staff, and visiting Pastors enjoy the warm fresh air and change of scenery. The outdoor Chapels will continue while the weather stays warm.
A second-grade student saved up her classroom earnings to buy a certificate good for the opportunity to read to Mrs. Gilbart. Second grade loves their classroom economy, and Mrs. Gilbart loved storytime.
On June 4, 2020, our 8th Grade students were able to enjoy a very special promotion ceremony. Although this ceremony was a bit different this year, due to the current pandemic, they were able to enjoy their end of school year traditions in a unique fashion. The “parking lot promotion” took place in front of the very doors they have walked through every day for the last 5-9 years. The Principal, Middle School lead Teacher, Instructional Assistant, Development Director, Board of Trustees President, Pastor Martha Clementson, and their families, all were able to participate in such a beautiful evening.
In February 2020 CLS students in grades 3-8 were celebrated for their outstanding academic achievements. Students who received all A’s and all A’s and B’s for their second quarter of the 2019-2020 school year and their family members attended CLS quarterly Academic Award Breakfast.
As part of their community outreach efforts, CLS students performed their Winter Song concert at Carroll Lutheran Village. CLS makes service to community and to others a core value in education and life decision making. The residents enjoyed listening to songs and instrumental solo performances by the students and faculty members.
In the end of December 2019 all CLS students took part in the Christmas concert. The concert featured several instrumental band performances as well as solo performance on piano and guitar. The elementary school students delighted the audience by singing traditional Christmas songs whereas the middle school students performed by using bells and buckets as musical instruments.
CLS annual Book Fair & Fun Night took place on November 21st. The theme this year was Book Fair at the North Pole. CLS students and their families enjoyed shopping for new books, dancing, snacks, crafts, and photo booth.
Every year CLS middle school students visit a number of local preschools and read a selection of childrens books to small groups of children. The purpose of this program is for the middle schoolers to demonstrate their leadership skills while inspiring a love for reading in the smaller children. This year CLS students were able to visit 4 different preschools in Carroll County to share this experience with a number of young readers.
This year’s CLS Grandparents’ Day took place in the beginning of November. The students and their Grandparents were able to enjoy an extended lunch together and a presentation by the Reptile World with Michael Shwedick. The Reptile World program gave the CLS students, their Grandparents, CLS faculty and staff the opportunity to meet and interact with an interesting selection of live, large, colorful, and gentle reptiles from all over the world.
The 2019 Fun Run Fundraiser took place on October 25. The CLS students run to raise money for new equipment for the playground expansion. After the run, the students and their families gathered in the CLS gym for some entertaining competition between members of CLS faculty and staff.
17th Annual CLS Golf Tournament that took place in the beginning of October was a big success. It raised enough funds to allow 2 students to attend CLS for an entire year with their tuition paid in full! CLS students, their families, and staff are very grateful to the local businesses and individuals who came to participate and for their continued support of the CLS mission.
Our 6th and 7th grade students attended Carroll County Outdoor School at Hashawha. Their three-day adventure in early October included stream study, night hikes, the raptor program, an owl prowl, and an action project where they worked to improve the environment at Hashawha. This was a wonderful time of fellowship and learning. CLS staff enjoyed spending time with the students during daytime and evening activities. We look forward to continuing this environmental education back at CLS through service projects and classroom instruction.
Every Fall, CLS hosts their Annual Fun Run event for the students. The students then get to vote and determine how the funds raised from the event will be spent. Last year, CLS students wanted to use these funds to expand the playground area, specifically the swings, as they are very popular with the children and almost always in use. At the beginning of this 2019-2020 academic year, the new playground expansion was completed with a new section that includes additional swings, as well as tetherball, rock-on-riders, and new playground benches.
CLS teachers and staff were happy to welcome all CLS students back to school on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019! Family members and friends were welcomed to join CLS students and staff for a special chapel service to start a new and exciting academic year.
The CLS Annual Academic Award Ceremony started with Reverend Martha Clementson saying the Lord’s Prayer and CLS Principle, Mandy Gilbart, recognizing teachers and staff who have dedicated 5 years of service to CLS. CLS students grades 3-8 who received all A’s and all A’s and B’s for the entire 2018-2019 school year were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Four CLS students from 8th and 5th grades received the prestigious Presidential Award. To receive the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, elementary and middle school students must meet a minimum A- grade average and must excel at the state tests. Mrs. Gilbart also recognized students who received the American Citizenship Award for being outstanding students and consistently helping and mentoring their fellow students throughout the year.
On the last day of the 2018-2019 Academic Year, all CLS students and staff went to Mar-Lu-Ridge Summer Camp and Retreat Center situated in the beautiful Catoctin Mountains of Central Maryland. Mar-Lu-Ridge is a year-round outdoor ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They minister through their summer camp, year-round retreat and conference center. The Mar-Lu-Ridge mission is to encourage, to educate, to mentor, to love unconditionally, and to pray for each other. CLS students participated in many team building activities and exercises organized by Mar-Lu-Ridge counselors, they had lunch, explored nature, socialized, and overall had tons of fun. The day’s activities concluded with praise and singing to the Lord at the afternoon Chapel Service.
The end of the 4th Quarter was marked by the CLS Annual Spring Concert. The theme of the concert was Jungle & Sea Jamboree. The CLS student families enjoyed the CLS instrumental band’s performance, solo piano, and flute performances and many fun songs.
The end of the 2018-2019 academic year was marked by an exciting Special Science Week for middle school students. It was a week packed with fun, hands-on learning and practical experiments. The students learned to identify various rock formations, practiced with ballon pressure, and each student had a chance to dissect a worm and a frog.
At the end of May 2019 it was the 1st grade students’ turn to host their Hobby Show that they worked on for the last half of the 4th quarter. The students had colorful displays set up with information about their hobbies, along with some interesting stories and curious facts to share. They also brought some of their treasured possessions to show to the rest of the CLS Students.
May 2019 brought one of the most anticipated events for the 2nd graders of CLS, The Wax Museum Project. Each student chose someone they felt had made positive contributions to the history of our country. Wax Museum visitors (other students and families) walked around, looking at the famous people and pushing the “action” button, to hear the portrayed person tell them a little bit about themselves and what contributions they made during their life that affected our history.
In April and May 2019, CLS 3rd and 4th graders worked hard on their science projects. Every student had to pick a science experiment, make a hypothesis, do research, and conduct an experiment using the scientific method. The presentation was scheduled for the middle of May and was opened to all school students and families. The student presentations were proficient and filled with many curious and interesting facts.
At the beginning of March 2019, CLS students learned all about the life and habitats of Diamondback Terrapins native to the brackish coastal tidal marshes of the eastern and southern United States. The students had the opportunity to observe their movements and carefully touch their diamond-shaped patterned carapace.
At the end of March 2019, Phillips Wharf Environmental Program Fishmobile visited CLS. The Fishmobile had 13 interactive displays and 2 touch tanks. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff talked to students about the Chesapeake Bay aquatic animals, their habitats and environmental challenges.
In the 3rd Quarter of the 2018-2019 academic year, CLS teamed up with Little Friends of Grace Preschool to bring the love for reading to the preschoolers. CLS middle school students visited the preschool and read books, preselected by the preschoolers, in small groups of 3-4 children. This outreach program helps ensure the younger children understand the importance of reading and encouraged further discussions amongst the children.
This year’s CLS Annual Bingo was held on March 30, 2019, and, as usual, was enjoyed by a Sold Out crowd. The CLS Annual Bingo has become a tradition among Carroll County residents, as well as, others from the surrounding counties. This is an event that people know well, get excited to attend, and look forward to each year. The crowd of nearly 300 came to enjoy the delicious food while taking their chances at winning the generous prizes sponsored by the CLS families and other CLS Bingo sponsors.
On March 8 2019, CLS hosted the Open House/Family Fun Night! Many families and members of the CLS Community came to socialize, tour CLS, eat pizza, play games and have a great time. Even Chick-fil-A of Westminster joined in the fun!
In the middle of February 2019 CLS students grades 3-8 were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements. Students who received all A’s and all A’s and B’s for their second quarter of the 2018-2019 school year attended our quarterly academic achievement breakfast.
At the beginning of February 2019 CLS students, grades K-4 watched an interactive and educational comedy on the benefits of conserving energy. Students learned different ways to conserve energy and make their homes more energy efficient.
CLS 4th – 8th grade students took part in caroling and spreading the joy of Christmas at Carroll Lutheran Village.
At the end of the Second Quarter of the 2018-2019 school year, CLS kindergarten students worked on their individual projects dedicated to the North Pole and the South Pole habitats.
In December, CLS 4th-grade students worked on their individual projects dedicated to the history and culture of the American Indian Tribes in the Mid-Atlantic region. Using their research details, each student created an informative display along with a model of their chosen tribes dwelling.
In November, CLS students participated in the Mobile Lab – Ag Products Science Studies where they experimented with food dyes and different food compositions.
In October, CLS 6th-grade students became archeologists for a day and uncovered part of a single-layer archeological site.
At the beginning of May, CLS students participated in the schoolwide Fun Run event promoting healthy living and the importance of exercising.
In the middle of March, CLS students had Pie Day. It was filled with exiting math facts, hands-on experiments and delicious pie slices.
At the beginning of March, CLS students learned about the life of Diamondback Terrapins native to the brackish coastal tidal marshes of the eastern and southern United States, and in Bermuda.
Mobile Science Lab week at CLS was dedicated to farming and agriculture.
Swing for Scholarships Golf Tournament takes place at the beginning of the school year. All proceeds from Swing for Scholarships go to the Carroll Lutheran School Scholarship Fund. These scholarships are provided to families based on financial need.
Field Day takes place near the end of the school year, with a day of fun and games for students, staff, parents and visitors. There is definitely never a dull moment.