Ascension's school welcomes new educators

Ascension Lutheran School will launch its 44th school year on Sept. 4 by welcoming three new educators to the staff.

The new principal is Diann Lavik, an educator who worked in Washington state's public schools for 20 years.

Lavik graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a bachelor's degree in nursing and a master's degree in education. She's worked in pediatric, maternal child health and public nursing, as well as serving as an instructor at PLU.

She and her husband, Torrey, relocated to California from Washington a year ago.

Deanne Phillips is the new kindergarten teacher. Phillips, who's lived in T.O. most of her life, graduated from California Lutheran University with a master's degree in education.

She's taught elementary grades in public schools for several years.

She and her husband, Greg, have two daughters, Lani, 13, and Kiana, 11.

Kyle Lorentson will teach math and also serve as the sixth-grade homeroom teacher. He's a CLU graduate and was a substitute teacher at Ascension in 2006.

The school is at 1600 E. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Classes are open to the community, not just church members, and all inquiries are welcomed.

For more details, please call the school office at (805) 496-2419 or visit the website www.ascensionlutheranchurch.org.