Catholic Schools Updates

What a Year 10

Submitted by JACKIE PROBST

ollowing is an update on what has been happening at St. Mary’s School since last year.

We have been very busy, including all summer long! Many volunteers gave of their time as we painted two levels of the school. Four bright colors were chosen and used throughout the school. In addition, our Kindergarten, first- and second-grade classrooms were moved around in order to make room for Little Blessing Preschool. We now offer preschool classes for both three-year-old and four-year-old students.

During the summer, Mrs. Prieto, Kindergarten teacher and Ms. Probst, school principal, attended the Latino Institute at Notre Dame University along with educators from across the United States. The focus of the program was to devise and incorporate solutions and strategies for welcoming Latino children into the school. The Latino population is the fastest growing population in our Catholic Church. Correspondingly, due in part to the improved outreach to our Latino families, we are very happy to announce that our K-6 enrollment rose from 68 to 79 students. That is a 17% increase over the previous school year.

We were also presented with an opportunity by the Schulze Family Foundation to raise funds via their Matching Grant program. St. Mary’s School was indeed very blessed in this venture: $34,415 was raised in new donations! This amount, coupled with the $25,000 grant match received from the Schulze Family Foundation, garnered the school a total of $59,415. The money is slated to be used to increase our academic excellence and enrollment. Plans are underway for upgrading technology and building security, increasing enrollment, and professional development for our teachers.

Our annual Marathon and Barn Dance fundraisers both produced greater returns that previous years, and we expect the upcoming Catholic United School Raffle to do the same.

We thank you all for your continued prayers and financial support! It is by the grace of God and your help that we continue to be blessed each and every day. Jackie Probst is the principal of St. Mary School in Worthington. Marsha Stenzel Superintendent of Catholic Schools mstenzel@dowr.org SMS Super Readers Catholic Schools at St. Mary School, Worthington! Students cheer on Paycheck, the racing turkey from Worthington.

Submitted by ANGIE WINCH hroughout the long history of Loyola Catholic School, many individuals have made significant and lasting impacts on advancing the success of Loyola’s fine arts and athletic programs. Five years ago, the Activities Hall of Fame was created to honor these successful artists, athletes, coaches, and advisors of Loyola Catholic School in Mankato.

On Saturday, January 11, the newest members of the Loyola Activities Hall of Fame were honored. Inductees gathered with their families for an informal social hour prior to the Loyola boy’s varsity basketball game and were announced and celebrated during halftime of the game.

Congratulations to the newest members of the Loyola Activities Hall of Fame (headshots L to R, top row first):

Athletics: Kim (Sheldon) Brunmeier ‘92, Sarah (Price) Boyle ‘05, Stephanie (Price) Reneau ‘08, Kevin Mettler ‘85, Dan Ward ‘91, Truc Ho ‘04 Fine Arts: Kim Rotchadl ‘75, Bridget Hermer ‘80 Coaches: Dale Compton ‘91, Chris Biehn We are honored to recognize these athletes, coaches, and artists for outstanding achievement in fine arts and athletics at Loyola. Their stories are a testimony to the rich history and success of our activities and their dedication enhances the legacy of excellence at Loyola. Angie Winch is a marketing and communications associate for Loyola Catholic School in Mankato. Loyola Inducts Members to Activities Hall of Fame February 2020 w The Courier w dowr.org