We are delighted your family has chose to join the LuHi community! We can’t wait to get to know you and we are here to answer all of your questions. While some families may know LuHi well, others may be new to our community. No matter where you are, rest assured that we are here to support you!
Class Schedule
Be on the lookout for correspondence from our School Counseling Office in the Spring as they will be reaching out regarding course schedules. Course selections are based on final grades and teacher recommendations. Please send copies of final report cards to the Admissions Office as soon as you receive them.
Check out our Course Catalog and Blog Post, “Selecting Courses” to help you choose courses for next year and beyond!
Please contact the School Counseling Office with any questions.
myLuHi Account
Create Account
In the coming weeks, we will be creating myLuHi accounts for all parents. This is where you’ll log in to view your students grade book and important resources for your LuHi journey! Look out for an email regarding your account.
Resources
When you have logged into myLuHi, you should locate the “Resources” tab where you will find links to important information such as Family ID (registration for athletic clearance), Smart Tuition, Land’s End, Cafeteria Hub, and the “Important Documents” Library. In the document library, there are links to the School Calendar, PE uniform guidelines, required summer reading assignments, supply lists per grade level along with many other documents that will help you prepare for the upcoming school year.
Uniforms
LuHi students wear Land’s End Uniforms. Uniform components can be ordered online at www.landsend.com. Be sure to use LuHi’s ID Code (9000-6637-4) when ordering to ensure that your student has LuHi’s required uniform components.
Click here for a quick look at the available components as well as our dress code. *Be sure to order early, as Land’s End requires several weeks of lead time to deliver uniforms, and this process can take longer during the summer!
When is the first day of school?
New Student Orientation is on Wednesday, September 6 (More details to follow!) and the First Full Day of School is on Thursday, September 7. Check out the 2023-24 Calendar!
How do you help students and parents ease into the LuHi community?
New students can meet their future classmates by attending new family events and connecting with their middle school Buddy or high school HART member prior to the start of school. Our New Student Orientation Day provides our new students the opportunity to meet their peers and teachers as well as walk through their course schedule and set up their device before the first day of school.
During a typical school year, each grade level has the opportunity to participate in a retreat experience. From overnight trips to on-campus events, retreats provide students with the opportunity to deepen their faith through worship and devotion, and to bond with their classmates and teachers through fun activities. Retreats are a hallmark of the LuHi experience, and one of our most unique programs. You will receive detailed information when your student’s retreat date is approaching.
Please speak with your student’s teacher(s), school counselor, or one of our principals if you or your student need extra support at any point during the year.
When will students know their course schedule?
Your student discussed their course selections during their admissions interview. High school students will receive their assigned guidance counselor over the summer and course schedules for high school students will be released online in late August. Middle school students share one guidance counselor and will receive their schedule at New Student Orientation.
Counselors:
Kim Kuck (kim.kuck@luhi.org)
Kelly Walters (kelly.walters@luhi.org)
Janet Mullen (janet.mullen@luhi.org)
When do we submit the Medical Forms?
Please submit a copy of your child’s immunization records and most recent physical to our school nurse, Linda Carroll, as soon as possible. Questions? Reach out to Nurse Carroll at linda.carroll@luhi.org.
All new students must have proof of an updated physical exam. Medical and dental forms must be on file prior to the beginning of school.
All students entering 7th grade must have the meningococcal (meningitis) vaccine. Two doses are required by 12th graders unless the first dose was given on or after the age of 16. Proof of immunization must be provided prior to the beginning of school. To learn more, visit www.health.ny.gov/immunize or contact our school nurse.
In order for the school nurse to dispense any medication (prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers, antihistamines, antacids, etc.) to a student, a medication authorization form must be completed and signed by the student’s health care provider. A parent’s signature is also required. Forms must be returned with the medication in its original packaging to the health office.
Will my child be expected to complete Summer Reading?
Summer reading is required of all students; assignments vary by grade level and course level (i.e., regular placement, honors placement, AP). Summer reading assignments will be posted in the Document Library at the end of June.
How do students purchase food from the cafeteria?
If you would like to have your child purchase breakfast and/or lunch from our cafeteria, you can put credit on your child’s lunch account through SLA Management. Allocating credit to your child’s account will help the lunch line run a bit more quickly because student cards are faster than cash transactions. You will be able to create an account and add money to that account starting in August.
Instructions will be included in the Principal’s Newsletter mid-August.
Where do I purchase uniforms?
Uniforms can be ordered online at www.landsend.com. Be sure to use LuHi’s ID Code (9000-6637-4) when ordering.
What school supplies will my child need?
Separate supply lists for middle and high school classes will be available in the Document Library at the end of June.
How do students receive their textbooks?
Our school office will order textbooks for all Nassau/Suffolk students directly from the school district. Your district will send out notices as to when you can pick up your books. All books must be returned at the end of the year before receiving the next year’s books.
The LuHi Bookstore orders textbooks for New York City (Queens) students directly from the publisher(s). Families are required to pay for workbooks. NYC textbooks can be picked up from the bookstore beginning on New Student Orientation, Wednesday, September 6.
If a student loses a textbook, families pay the district.. it can be expensive, so keep track of all books!
When do students sign up for clubs and sports?
Clubs
Co-curricular clubs and service activities generally begin within the first 4-6 weeks of the school year. Students are updated weekly on Friday afternoons via an email from the Principal that outlines the availability of activities for the following week. We encourage our students to get involved and plan their weeks using this important weekly communication!
Athletics
Varsity and junior varsity athletes trying out for fall sports teams should be prepared to begin on-campus workouts in mid-August. (These sports include varsity football, girls’ j.v. and varsity volleyball, boys’ and girls’ varsity soccer, boys’ and girls’ varsity cross-country, girls’ varsity tennis, and girls’ varsity cheerleading.)
The actual start date will be set by NYSAIS and will be communicated to LuHi families via the athletics section of the LuHi website and Principal’s Newsletter. Any middle school athlete trying out for a junior varsity or varsity sport must complete the New York State Athletic Placement Process before competing. Notices will be emailed home over the summer providing start dates, coaches contact information, and Family ID Registration information.
Middle school fall sports teams will begin try-outs after school begins.
Additional questions can be directed to our Athletic Director, Todd Huebner (todd.huebner@luhi.org).
How does my child receive Medical Clearance for athletics?
In an effort to simplify the medical clearing process, LuHi has a digital clearing process. In order for students to be properly cleared, parents must register online via Family ID. Please follow these steps:
*Parent permission forms are only good for one season and MUST be done for each season. If your child participates in a fall sport, you do not need to create a new account.
Can my student rent an instrument from the school?
Yes, you may rent an instrument privately or through our program.
Students scheduled to take band or orchestra as their Fine Arts elective will receive information in August about lesson requirements and instrument rentals. Instrumentalists and high school choir members must be enrolled in a lesson program. Lessons can be taken privately or in school for an additional annual fee of $590.
The middle and high school band programs utilize a computer-based practice program called SmartMusic. You will need to purchase and upload the program to your home computer for your student to use for practice and homework assignments. Please reach out to John Rodis with any questions regarding the performing arts program (john.rodis@luhi.org).
Coming soon…
Keep an eye out in the Document Library for the following items:
– Summer Reading
– School Supplies
– 2023-24 Handbook
Important Dates
New Student Day:
Wednesday, September 6
Times: TBA
First Day of School:
Thursday, September 7 | 8:20am – 2:30pm
Looking for more?
Dear Families,
Welcome to LuHi! I am truly thankful that you have chosen to join our school community. Recent years have allowed us to reflect upon what is important in life, and I know that lots of time and energy went into your decision. As the school year begins, I am confident that your family will quickly see and feel why LuHi is so special. Our caring faculty, beautiful campus, and enriching programs all combine to create an experience unlike any other on Long Island.
My LuHi journey began in 1998 as an incoming freshman. The ensuing four years in Brookville were incredibly impactful, as I grew physically, mentally, and spiritually. Leadership opportunities in the classroom and on the athletic field prepared me for success at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Here at LuHi, I have served as a mathematics teacher, dean of students, summer camp counselor, boys varsity basketball coach, and now as Head of School. I’m passionate about helping our students grow in body, mind, and spirit because of how LuHi changed my life for the better. The world needs more LuHi graduates!
My wife, Kasey, and I have two young boys and a baby daughter. Although our children are not yet old enough to attend LuHi as students, they enjoy watching theatre productions and cheering at sporting events. Our students always welcome them with genuine kindness, and I feel fortunate that my children can grow up in such a positive environment. You are now part of this wonderful, engaging, and supportive community! I look forward to getting to know you all, and am honored to play a role in your child’s journey.
God bless,
John Buck
Head of School
Mrs. Jessica Raba ’98 – Mrs. Raba (pronounced “Ray-ba”) serves LuHi as the Assistant Head of School/Principal. She has been a member of the LuHi staff since 2017, and is a proud LuHi alum! Mrs. Raba graduated from Valparaiso University in 2002 with a BSEd in Elementary Education with endorsements in Special Education and Reading. She earned a master’s in Literacy Education from Fordham University in 2005. Prior to working at LuHi, Mrs. Raba taught Middle School English, served as a consultant for Authentic Education, and served as the Executive Director for the Lutheran Schools Association. She shared, “LuHi’s focus on body, mind, and spirit demands that we think broadly about human growth. I love that we see our students as individual gifts from God and recognize that each experience and interaction shapes the individual. Couple this with our desire to be in community with one another and I find that we are uniquely poised to support students (as well as the faculty, staff, and families) in both growing personally and growing as a community.”
Mrs. Laura Callahan – Mrs. Callahan is our Assistant Principal for Academics. She earned a bachelor’s degrees in Education and Communication Arts from Molloy College, and hold a master’s degree in Middle School Education, also from Molloy. Mrs. Callahan is a long-time LuHi teacher! She taught 6th grade Math and Science for 22 years, and MS English for 3 years. For the past 4 years, she has also served on the school administrative team as Middle School Principal. Mrs. Callahan shared, “Taking my career from classroom teacher to administration has been a rewarding experience. Working with families, students, and teachers to make the most out of the LuHi experience for all and supporting everyone in the process is my ultimate professional goal each day.”
Mr. Chris Reno – Mr. Reno serves as the Assistant Principal for Student Life. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Social Science Education from Concordia Nebraska, and has a master’s in History from LIU Post, as well as a graduate certificate in School Leadership from Liberty University. He started his LuHi career in 1999 as a HS US History teacher. In 2011 he transitioned to the school administration, serving as Middle School Principal for 6 years, and then settling into his current of Assistant Principal. Mr. Reno also coaches our varsity football team, and one of his favorite memories at LuHi is winning the league championship in 2019. Mr. Reno shared, “My favorite part of my current job is the opportunity to be supportive of our students and families when they are faced with challenges or difficult circumstances.”
Mrs. Kim Kuck ’98 – Mrs. Kuck, a LuHi alum, is LuHi’s Director of School Counseling. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 2002 with BA in Psychology, and received a master’s in School Counseling from LIU Post in 2007. She has been a member of LuHi’s school counseling staff since 2007, and moved into the role of director in 2019. Mrs. Kuck shared, “I love being able to have the opportunity to develop a genuine relationship with my students. Having a smaller caseload than most public and private schools allows me to get to know my students as more than just the grades they earn. Supporting students through the ups and downs of their high school years is important to me!”
Mrs. Kelly Walters – Mrs. Walters has been the heart and soul of our middle school counseling program for the past 15 years! She has a BA in Sociology from SUNY New Paltz, and a master’s in School Counseling from LIU Post. Mrs. Walters has received several awards that recognize her excellence as an educator and school counselor, including the Nassau Counselors’ Association – Exemplary Practice Award in 2017. She shared, “LuHi is a very special place, we are a family! I love working in an environment that is compassionate and focuses on nurturing the whole child.”
Mrs. Janet Mullen – Mrs. Mullen is the third member of this incredible school counseling staff. She has a BA in Behavioral Science from Green Mountain College, and a master’s in School Counseling from LIU Post. She has been a member of the LuHi staff since 2014. Mrs. Mullen shared, “I love counseling students. The best part is watching them grow throughout their high school career. Every single student matures during this pivotal period in their lives. My goal is to help guide each student by supporting them through their struggles and lifting them up to help reach their goals.”
The terms and phrases below are frequently used throughout our building, and we hope this glossary will help you as you begin your LuHi journey!
As we approach the start of school, you might start to wonder, “What does an average day look like at LuHi?” Read on to learn more about our block schedule, chapel services, important policies, and more:
HART stands for Helping And Reaching Teens and is a co-curricular group dedicated to peer mentoring and supporting students grades 6-12. HART is an organization of selected 11th and 12th grade students who are trained to listen, and to help students who are new to LuHi. As HART members, students make themselves available all year long to listen to their fellow students’ concerns regarding relationships with parents, friends, teachers or any other pressures or stress a new student might feel.
An important part of the job of a HART member is to welcome new students coming to LuHi! All incoming students are paired with a HART member. Over the summer, HART members reach out with a letter to start, and follow up with a phone call or an email. New students will meet their HART member at orientation on September 6!
Our Middle School Buddies serve as ambassadors to our new middle school students. They have all been identified as leaders among their peers. The buddies are rising 8th graders, and their main goal is to help new middle school students transition to our school. Every new middle school student is assigned a buddy. Whether you have questions about your schedule, need help finding your way in the building, want to know more about co-curricular activities, or anything else, they are here to help!
The buddies will reach out by phone to the new students to introduce themselves over the summer, and also will meet their buddy at new student orientation on September 6!