406 W. B ST. IRON MOUNTAIN, MI 49801
CON TENTS MIDDLE SCHOOL YEARS - PAGE 3 PROFILE OF A GRADUATE - PAGE 5 TUITION - PAGE 6 WINTER RECAP - PAGE 7 ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT - PAGE 8 NEW RAFFLE - PAGE 9 VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT - PAGE 10
GROWING IN OUR FATHER’S HOUSE
KRISTIN SOMMERFELD EDUCATION COUNCIL CHAIRMAN
The benefits for students who stay through the middle school years are many. Middle school retention is not a new challenge for our school. I remember losing classmates to the public schools from my DACS class when we reached junior high. Choosing what is best is a constant struggle when it comes to our children, and no situation is the same for everyone. Yet with one son graduating from BBCS this spring and another starting middle school in the fall, my husband and I are confident in our decision to give them the complete BBCS experience. Kids in the 11-14 age group are exposed to increasing pressures of adolescence. During this time, they are developing a moral character. These years are pivotal to establishing students’ behaviors, attitudes and work habits. There is no better place to be during this period than in a school with an entire faculty and staff that personally knows each child and how to best support and challenge them. BBCS develops our middle school students’ academic and social-emotional skills while encouraging and contributing Page 1
PREPARATION FOR HIGH SCHOOL ADAM HUSING PRINCIPAL
As a public school student, I remember entering into high school, nervous about the challenge but excited about new possibilities and friendships. I was most excited about the new students coming from the Catholic School (known then as Dickinson Area Catholic Schools - DACS) who were joining the class. I had the opportunity to hang out with the DACS crowd growing up, and I distinctly remember feeling “our class is finally complete”. When we finally graduated Iron Mountain High School four years later, the top ten percent of our class was made up DACS students, including our Valedictorian and Salutatorian. Our middle school has always been, and continues to be, a fantastic high school preparatory curriculum. We hold our students to the highest standard, and help them form both mind and soul. Our primary goal is to help them become saints in heaven, and enlightened scholars here on earth.
PARENTS AS PRIMARY EDUCATORS REV. JANUSZ ROMANEK PASTOR, ST. MARY AND ST. JOSEPH
The Second Vatican Council noted the importance of education in young people’s lives and of parents and their right to educate their children. In addition, the council strongly affirmed the Church’s contribution to and involvement in education. Young Christians should be gradually introduced to the mystery of salvation and become ever more aware of the gift of Faith they have received. Through a Christian education, they will learn to worship God in spirit and in truth, especially through participation in the liturgy. Great emphasis on the responsibility of the parents is given as they are bound by serious obligation to educate their children and therefore must be recognized as the primary and principle educators. As an aid to them, our Catholic schools can play an essential role in the life of the Church and the formation of our youth. CONTINUED FROM KRISTIN SOMMERFELD
deeply to their spiritual formation. Continuing at BBCS ensures an education infused with Catholic values and faith. We are all familiar with the scripture story of Jesus staying behind in the temple at the age of 12 because he knew he needed to be in his Father’s house. Those years were critical in his development, they are critical for our kids as well. Let’s keep our children at BBCS and allow them to grow, as Jesus did, “in wisdom and age and favor before God and man.” Luke 2:52
SEMINARIAN ON CAMPUS A FRIENDLY FACE AROUND THE SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY SEMINARIAN, DUSTIN LARSON
Mr. Dustin Larson is currently studying for the priesthood in the Diocese of Marquette (Upper Peninsula). He is on a yearlong internship and works primarily with Rev. Mike Woempner and the people of St. Mary Queen of Peace. Dustin has also been a substitute teacher and all-around presence weekly at our school since the fall. Sarah Nieschulz had the opportunity to interview him: DUSTIN, HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE AREA? I
began a year-long parish internship at St. Mary Queen of Peace last May, and will be here through most of May this year. A parish internship (either just for a summer or for an entire year) is a regular part of the seminary program at my stage in the seminary.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TIME OF DAY/WEEK HERE AT BBCS? I love watching the younger kids come up to receive a
blessing from the priest when the Eucharist is being distributed. I feel a joyful anticipation for them; I can’t wait for them to receive Jesus in the Eucharist and encounter Him in that new, profound way. YOU SERVE AS A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE FOR THE KIDS OF BBCS. THEY ARE VERY IMPRESSED TO SEE A YOUNG MAN DEDICATE HIS LIFE TO CHRIST. AT WHAT POINT IN YOUR LIFE DID YOU FIND YOURSELF ON A PATH TO THE PRIESTHOOD? It wasn’t until college that I began to find
myself drawn to the priesthood. I went to a priestly ordination after my second year of college, and it all kept going from there. God is really good about opening doors if we are open to Him. I really hope that my time at the school is a positive witness that brings encouragement to all the kids, that they might dedicate their lives completely to Jesus regardless of what vocation that will consist of for them. WHAT IMPACT DID COLLEGE HAVE ON YOUR FAITH?
Growing up, I received the sacraments and went to Mass almost every Sunday. I think this is the normal experience of many people, but because of God’s love and mercy, we are called to so much more! I was fortunate to get involved in the strong Catholic Campus Ministry program at St. Albert the Great in Houghton. During my first year, I went on a mission trip and had a very powerful encounter with Jesus in the Sacrament of Confession. From that point, my faith grew and deepened and became a major part of my life. AFTER YOUR YEAR-LONG INTERNSHIP, WHAT’S AHEAD FOR YOU IN THE PROCESS TO BECOME AN ORDAINED
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOUR PAST? WHERE ARE YOU FROM? I grew up in Kalamazoo. After high
school, I studied at and graduated from Michigan Tech before entering seminary. I have a double major in Computer Science and Discrete Mathematics and then went on to pursue a master’s degree in Computer Science. THE KIDS HERE LOVE HAVING YOU HELP WITH RECESS AND YOU REALLY SEEM TO RELATE WELL TO THEM. I
normally try to get to the school on Fridays for the morning Mass and then spend the school day visiting each classroom. Different teachers regularly ask me to prepare a short lesson related to religion or the virtue of the month. It gives me a chance to get to know the kids and try and get them excited about Jesus and the faith at the same time.
PRIEST? I have two years of schooling left at Sacred Heart
Major Seminary in Detroit. God willing, I anticipate my diaconate ordination in June of 2017. I will continue on in my studies as a deacon and then, again, God willing, I anticipate my priestly ordination in June of 2018. IS THERE ONE MAIN IDEA THAT YOU WILL TAKE WITH YOU FROM THIS YEAR-LONG EXPERIENCE?
I keep discovering a desire to share the Gospel, and I find joy in doing so. This joy really enlivens my heart, and I’ve been blessed to share that joy both in the parish and at BBCS. I hope that by living out this joy, others are inspired to both learn about God and desire to encounter Him in a relationship that is life-changing. Page 2
MUCH TO OFFER SUPPORTING MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FAMILIES A SWEET SPOT FOR BBCS
Bishop Baraga Catholic School seeks to be a strong support to students and families during the middle school years. In conjunction with the formation provided by parents, our school is a perfect partner during these important and formative years. The middle school years can be a challenging time for students and their families. It is our goal to provide formation to reinforce the values which are being lived out in the home— strong morals, right living, self-sacrifice for others, quality academics, and a dedication to becoming a virtuous person.
(and which ones to shed). Many of these questions bump up against the big moral questions. Determining what the “right” actions are in more difficult and serious situations is not as easy as it was when they were younger elementary students.
Parents often feel as though the rules they create at home are not backed up MORAL FORMATION by society-at-large, and adolescents are Students of every age benefit from sometimes all too happy to remind them a strong moral formation—both at of this fact. However, we work to buoy school and at home. At the beginning this effort by reinforcing a strong moral of adolescence (around age 13) students character at school as well. begin to ask life’s important questions. Middle school students benefit from Who am I? What should I do with my the additional years of religious, moral life? Does God have a plan for me? and virtues instruction we provide. For The middle school years are a time of example: transition and change: adolescents are Theology of the Body – In eighth working to determine who they are as grade, students are exposed to the a person-what their interests might be Theology of the Body for Teens: and what personality traits are their own School Edition. Throughout the ALL SAINTS DAY WITH BISHOP JOHNMiddle DOERFLER page 1 Page 3
course, students learn of God’s plan for sex and marriage. As young persons on the cusp of learning about relationships and their view of them, we feel this is an important time to inform and encourage them in healthy relationships (before too many feelings enter the mix).
The course is based on St. John Paul II’s compelling teaching on love and life and answers many questions students have about themselves-issues on sexual morality and how they are uniquely created for greatness. (more info at thetheologyofthebody.com) Some questions answered here are: • Who am I? • Are there consequences to my actions? • What is the difference between love and lust? • How do I balance family, friends, school, God, music, TV, internet,
IN MIDDLE SCHOOL texting, etc., in my daily life? • How can I discern my vocation to marriage, or religious life? • How do I deal with bullying, gossip, peer pressure, pornography, divorce, etc? • Can I live my Catholic faith no matter how I’ve messed up in the past? The Gospel of Luke – Seventh grade students delve into the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament. In Luke, we find Jesus’ parables to offer moral direction and formation. Luke also offers a complete picture of Jesus’ life on earth – His family lineage, announcement of birth and nativity, life, death and resurrection. Here seventh grade students get the life of Christ as well as an in-depth study of His teachings. At this age, they often ask more complicated questions about His parables and we can give them answers that really challenge them to live out these teachings. Faith and Life Series – Throughout middle school, students continue on with the Faith and Life Series of Catechesis. Each year, they learn more about Christ, His Church and what that means for them as an individual; i.e. how they can carry out their faith on a daily basis. Each chapter is reinforced by references from the Bible, the Catechism of the Catholic Church and examples from the lives of holy men and women in the Church. LEADERSHIP
Leadership opportunities include: Mass Partners – Each middle school student is partnered with a preKindergarten or Kindergarten student to walk with to school Masses. The
older student is asked to be a good example at Mass and to encourage good behavior from their younger cohort during Mass. These relationships are enjoyable for everyone involved and are remembered fondly throughout the rest of the week as each student sees the other “partner” in the hallways during the week. Family Groups – Older students take on more leadership roles in guiding their groups through activities and setting an example for the younger students. Their exposure to each month’s virtue reminds them of actions for right living (affability, courage, charity, kindness, etc.). CHALLENGING ACADEMICS
We provide an academic experience second-to-none in the area, and this continues on into the middle school years. Mathematics and science continue to challenge and prepare students for Geometry in high school as well as any science class they begin with. Spanish and Latin instruction continues and grows in depth. Language Arts entail vocabulary, writing and grammar as well as poetry memorization and reading of classic literature. History works chronologically through Ancient History, Western Hemisphere, Eastern Hemisphere and
then U.S. History. To round out the arts, students are exposed to band, guitar, choir, art and drama. In addition to top-notch academics, middle school students compete with local school districts in the Spelling Bee annually and against the nine other Catholic schools in the U.P. during the Religion Bee (a team-based contest with questions about the faith). PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
Success in the middle school years means working collaboratively with parents to create a strong sense of morals, hard work and discipline. Mass attendance, prayer throughout the day, a positive, friendly school environment, encouragement in right living from staff and classmates—at the end of the day, the key is pulling these elements together with their family environment to help students become the very best person they can be!
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PROFILE OF RECENT ALUMNI AGRADUATE SPEAK ALLI SPARPANA BBCS CLASS OF 2013
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
We take seriously the importance of graduating students that are well rounded and centered on Christ. Partnering with parents and families, we believe our curriculum is a great fit for students now, and will serve them well no matter what their future will hold. In an effort to work towards this goal, we created our “Profile of a Graduate” to guide us daily.
BBCS has prepared me for high school not only academically but spiritually as well. The small class sizes and personalized oneon-one attention helped me grow academically and be ready for the tough classes in high school. BBCS has also helped my public speaking skills because of all the opportunities at the school to do so. The school has also instilled in me Christian values. I learned to treat everyone with respect and kindness and to see God in every person I encounter.
CHRISTOPHER ROELL BBCS CLASS OF 2012
BBCS prepared me for high school extremely well. The faithbased education helped me stay true to my morals as I went through years of temptations. It’s small class sizes helped me from an educational standpoint. I am going to graduate in the top 10% and I know that the one-on-one time I received with teachers helped me tremendously. The English and grammar that I learned from Mrs. Gardner (English teacher in 7th and 8th grade) also put me well ahead of my classmates. I am confident with who I am and what I believe in because of BBCS.
LIBBY BROWN BBCS CLASS OF 2013
BBCS strongly prepared me for high school in many aspects. While at BBCS, every student feels welcome and loved by all the staff members and students old and young. The more challenging work given throughout my years at BBCS has really helped me in high school. All of the teachers have been so helpful to me before and during high school, which has helped me remain a part of the family environment, even while I am past the elementary and middle school years. From the religion, history and math classes to the vocabulary and writing has really helped me thus far in high school. Because of my Catholic education through 8th grade, I entered high school feeling better prepared then some of the public school students, because of the challenging curriculum. I recommend Bishop Baraga for kids of all ages, from kindergarten to eighth grade, not only to make amazing friends and to kindle a wonderful relationship with the staff, but to be best prepared for the years awaiting you. Page 5
CHECK IT OUT! AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL
We believe in working with every family that seeks a Bishop Baraga Catholic School education for their children. Our Tuition Angels are a big reason why we are able to do so (see Tuition Angel update). Please contact the school office for more information. New families with students in Kindergarten - Eighth Grade can try our school--with the first quarter free! No tuition due until the second quarter of the school year (nine weeks for free!). We’re sure you’ll love what you find here! BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL TUITION RATES 2016-17 SUBSIDIZED RATES
for families that are registered at one of the four IM-K Catholic parishes One Student $2175 Two Students $4075 Three Students $4645 Four Students $5230 Each Add’l Student $575 *pre-school & pre-Kindergarten rates pertain to a different rate schedule 2016-17 NON-SUBSIDIZED RATES
One Student $3210 Two Students $6075 Three Students $6935 Four Students $7800 Each Add’l Student $860 *pre-school & pre-Kindergarten rates pertain to a different rate schedule
TUITION ANGELS UPDATE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE
Thank you for your response to our Tuition Angels campaign for this academic year. As you know, our endowments have yielded very little interest to draw upon for tuition assistance. Your contributions have given us much to be thankful for! Total Tuition Assistance Need this Year: $38,450 Donations + Endowment Interest: $32,528 You have brought us so close to our goal!
WE HAVE JUST UNDER $6,000 LEFT TO RAISE TO FULLY FUND OUR TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM!
If you are interested in donating, simply designate your donation “Tuition Angels”. Thank you! This year we have 132 students enrolled at our school and 22 of them have applied for tuition assistance. Your help will get us to our goal! Only 6 donors to give $1,000 Only 12 donors to give $500
Tuition Angel
BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
*any money raised over our goal will go toward staff tuition discount* Thank you!
Registration Fee: $50 For information on the rates for pre-school & pre-Kindergarten, please contact the school office.
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WINTER RECAP
UPCOMING EVENT
4TH ANNUAL GOLF OUTING
Friday, June 3, 2016 - Oak Crest Registration deadline - May 13, 2016 Register online - baragaup.com
STRATEGIC PLANNING IN JANUARY GREAT TURNOUT - GREAT IDEAS
Twenty-five parents and staff members turned out to spend a Satuday morning thinking about our school. Attendees were led through a discussion of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis) regarding the school. Gathering together a diverse group of people, we feel as though there were a number of actionable ideas and suggestions to move forward on. The outcome from the day will feed into a five-year plan for the school. Currently, the Strategic Planning Committee is working on a few tasks that came directly out of the Strategic Planning Session in January: • Communication Matrix - to create fluid channels of communication for different activities at our school • Year at a Glance - we’ll have a school-wide Year at a Glance calendar to organize activities and ensure timely communication with families and the community at large The Strategic Planning Committee continues to meet regularly to review and coordinate action items directly related to the planning session.
NATIONWIDE FOR 55 YEARS
INTEGRITY • INSPIRED • INVESTED www.mjelectric.com
LEGACY DINNER IN JANUARY A MAJOR IMPACT FOR THE SCHOOL
This year, we raised just over $6,000 for our school at the Bishop Baraga Legacy Dinner. Local businesses donated many unique and high-quality items for the silent auction. Attendees enjoyed a fine meal by Pine Grove and a rousing keynote speaker. Mr. Dale Ahlquist spoke to those gathered about the importance of a liberal arts education (a curriculum we are implementing at the elementary level). In addition, he encouraged our effort to create a high school solution for the area. We continue to work toward this goal and look forward to sharing some significant information on these developments soon! Thank you to those area businesses that sponsored and donated items and a big thank you to those that attended!
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Rev. Janusz Romanek, Pastor Corner of Prospect and “A” St. Iron Mountain Masses Sat. 5:00 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Confession Sat. 11 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.
PROUD SUPPORTER OF BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL
ALUMNI
SPOTLIGHT
My wonderful experiences at Dickinson Area Catholic School begin for me in fifth grade in 1982. DACS is definitely one of the best decisions my parents, Rick and Gretchen, have ever made for me and my younger siblings, Joe and Alicia. It didn’t start out easy though. Due to our family’s recent moves, DACS was my third new school in two years. A tough adjustment was thankfully made far easier by three of the school’s teachers, Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Pucci, and Mr. Cavalieri. I made numerous friends that year, many of whom are still friends today. I graduated from DACS in 1986 and went on to graduate as valedictorian of Iron Mountain High School in 1990. I earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 1995, and a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1998, both in aerospace engineering. As an undergraduate at Michigan, I was offered and accepted a fantastic opportunity to “co-op” at NASA’s Johnson Space Center (JSC) in Houston, Texas, which ultimately turned into my first career in August 1998. I worked at JSC for 9 years as a trajectory engineer and flight controller in Mission Control, before accepting an engineering supervisory position, in which I served nearly 7 years.
In May 2014, I married my beautiful wife, Emily. Emily was working at the McDonald Observatory in far west Texas, about 10 hours away and in the middle of nowhere, with some of the darkest skies in the world. God had previously called her to a quieter, more contemplative life, and was now calling me to the same. So rather than Emily moving to Houston, I left NASA
and moved to west Texas. West Texas’ natural beauty revived my original love for nature that comes from growing up in the U.P. This led me to begin my second career. This year I will finish a master’s degree in Natural Resources Management at nearby Sul Ross State University (SRSU). My graduate work is on estimating how many mountain lions we have in the Davis Mountains. I also teach graduate-level biostatistics classes at SRSU, and have fallen in love with teaching. After graduation, my plans are to teach and perform research full-time at SRSU on carnivore ecology and conservation. Looking back at my four years at DACS, I know that I received an A+ education, but also it was there that I had solidified the Catholic values I have relied on my whole life. Being in a Catholic environment and surrounded by genuinely good people, all discussing God at school and praying side-byside at weekday masses, made all the difference for me. Today my faith is at the center of my life and my marriage. I am nearly done earning a certificate in scripture from the University of Notre Dame, which I have found to be a fantastic way to really learn my faith! My wife and I are actively involved in St. Mary’s Parish in Marfa, Texas where she lectors and sings and I serve as a Eucharistic minister. I’m not sure that would have happened if not for DACS! Finally, and most importantly, Emily and I are expecting our first child this May or June. God is good! Rich Mrozinski, DACS Class of ’86. IF YOU’RE AN ACQUAINTANCE OF RICH AND YOU’D LIKE TO RECONNECT, HE CAN BE REACHED AT: RICHMRO@MINDSPRING.COM
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OF
FRIENDS BISHOP BARAGA RAFFLE
EXCITING NEW RAFFLE
JOIN AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR AS A TEAM
We are excited to announce the Friends of Bishop Baraga Raffle. The raffle offers an opportunity to give on-going support to our school while providing many chances to win cash prizes. Tickets are $1,200 each, payable upfront or monthly beginning in July. You can purchase a ticket as an individual, or with any number of friends to get to the full ticket purchase amount. ONLY 100 TICKETS WILL BE SOLD.
Each month, three winners will be drawn: 1st prize - $3,000 2nd prize - $1,500 3rd prize - $500 This is a year-long raffle and, once drawn, tickets will be inserted back into the raffle, offering multiple chances to win! Get your Ticket Reservation Forms now at our office or on our website (BaragaUP.com). Sign up yourself or gather a team to purchase a ticket. *If you’re a 52-Club enthusiast, stay tuned for a 52-day raffle this fall.
Sedation, Family, & Cosmetic Dentistry
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SCHOOL SUPPORTERS
Your support allows us to succeed! Thank you! DONORS JULY 1 - FEB. 2016 Alison Alquist Maureen Anderson Mr. & Mrs. Walter Arnold Jeanette Asam Mary Beth Bergeron Patricia Bray Mr. & Mrs. Francis Brouillette Mr. Richard Burke Mr & Mrs. Scott Cameron Michele Carroll Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Caswell Dr. & Mrs. Daniel Cecconi Mr. & Mrs. Alexander Claverie Mr. & Mrs. Doug Caudell Mr. & Mrs. Lea Ellis Mr. & Mrs. Vincent Fiorucci Mr. & Mrs. Matt Fleming Mrs. Eleanor Fornetti Drs. Paul and Angela Fornetti Dr. and Mrs. Anthony Fornetti Drs. Kristi & Ted Fornetti Mrs. Mary & Dr. Ted Fornetti Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Fornetti Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Freeman Debra French Jessica Frost Mr. & Mrs. Donald Gabbert Mary Gagala Mr. & Mrs. John Gaudette Mr. & Mrs. Matthew Gauthier Betty Gingrass Letitia Guinter Mr. & Mrs. Eric Hackstock Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Hanson Mr. & Mrs. Bill Hasse Mr. & Mrs. Adam Husing Mr. & Mrs. David Karban Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Kastner Mr. & Mrs. Marshall Kesler Mr. & Mrs. Bob Koerschner Mrs. Mary Ann Koerschner Gertrude Koller Mr. Thomas Krueger Mr. & Mrs. Hector Lavigne Mr. & Mrs. Terry LeHouillier Mr. & Mrs. Joe Limback Cynthia Lindstrom Mr. & Mrs. Randy Lorenz
Mr. & Mrs. John McCole Mr. & Mrs. Scott Meiner Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Menghini Mr. & Mrs. Bernard Menghini Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Moln Rev. Paul Nomellini Sue Noskey Beatrice Occhietti Mr. & Mrs. Tony Occhietti Mr. William Paupore Heddy Pearson Mr. & Mrs. Larry Raiche Mr. & Mrs. Mike Richards Mrs. Paige Schulz Ms. Elizabeth Simon Mr. & Mrs. Al Tobey Mr. Ronald Tortelli Mr. & Mrs. Steven Wentarmini Mr. & Mrs. Dan Wentarmini CORPORATE SPONSORS Antonio’s B’s Country Cafe & Catering Blagec Bros. Classic Carpet Care Dickinson County Hospital Dr. Kristi and Brian Olson Econo Foods Edward Jones Investments-Matt Lockhart Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home, Inc. Fleming Construction Hall Orthodontics G&G Lumber Hometown Lumber M. J. Electric mPower Miller Floral Monette’s IGA Northern Carpets Northern Michigan Bank & Trust Northern RV Center Northwoods Manufacturing Paul J. Fornetti Dentistry Pro Tech Lube Center Romagnoli’s Santini Dental Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres Spiro’s Downtown Restaurant St. Mary and St. Joseph St. Mary Queen of Peace Super One Foods The Bakery Shop
A HERITAGE OF GIVING VOLUNTEER HIGHLIGHT
FORMER STUDENT NOW PARENT AND VOLUNTEER
Bishop Baraga Catholic School is thankful for volunteers like Amy Rodriguez, who help the school in many ways. Currently the Vice-President of the Parent Association (PA), Amy has temporarily taken over coordinating the PA activities and running the monthly meetings while the President is taking some time off for medical reasons. Amy helps with most of the PA-sponsored activities, such as pancake breakfasts and various receptions for special occasions. She has also helped in the past with classroom parties, activities and school field trips, such as shopping for the needy and the corn maze trip. Amy also sells Scrip after weekend Masses. Amy says her favorite part of volunteering is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. “I think of the PA as the organization that provides the ‘extras’ that the kids really enjoy, such as the Halloween carnival, Enrichment Day, the Fat Tuesday breakfast, and Penny Wars,” she says. “These are activities that I know my kids come home talking excitedly about, and I can tell the other students look forward to also. I like knowing that I have a small part in making that happen.” Amy also says she loves surprising her kids if they don’t know she’s going to be at the school. “They look at me like, ‘Wait a minute, what are you doing here?’ and then give me a hug. It doesn’t get better than that!” Years ago, if someone would’ve told Amy she would be this involved in BBCS, she wouldn’t have believed it. It all started with her attending the PA meetings about a year ago, and then volunteering to be the Vice President for this school year. Not one to sit and let someone else do the work that needs to get done, Amy stays very busy. “I work part-time, and with a now one and a half-year old at home, along with her two brothers and sister, my days are busy to say the least,” she smiles. “I was a bit overwhelmed when I first found out I would be running the PA for awhile, but I’ve found it gives me a lot of satisfaction to be a part of something that makes the school even better than it already is.” Amy says she feels joyful – and purposeful – the moment she walks through the doors of her former school. “It’s almost like I’ve gained another purpose in my life, something I can be proud to be a part of. I’ve known for a long time what a great
school BBCS is, from my years there as a student and now as a parent. In the last couple years, the school has really found its track and is on its way to doing even greater things. I look forward to seeing the school grow and become an even brighter presence in the community.” Amy and her husband have four children – a son in third grade, another son in kindergarten, a daughter in the threeyear-old preschool program and a one and a half-year old daughter who, Amy says, “will be a Bishop Baraga student before we know it.” “I think volunteering is important for many reasons,” Amy explains. “First, by being in the classroom for parties or other activities that require a lot of adult help, it takes some of the pressure off the teachers. I also think by seeing me at school, it shows my kids that what they do at school is important to me. It’s more than just somewhere I drop them off in the morning and pick them up in the afternoon. It shows them I’m interested in what they are doing. Plus, by seeing me volunteer, I hope they learn the importance of volunteering and instill in them the desire to give back to their school and community as they get older.” As for Amy’s future with BBCS, she sees herself helping out at the school for quite some time. Page10
STAFF
Pre-K Mrs. Jennifer Gauthier Kindergarten Mrs. Meredith Pipp First Grade Mrs. Laurie Moln Second Grade Mrs. Cathy Menghini Third Grade Mrs. Marci Ellis Fourth Grade Mrs. Ann Brown Fifth Grade Mrs. Karen Hackstock Middle School Miss Jeanette Asam Mrs. Sheila Caswell Mr. Joe Limback Specials Mrs. Gloria Koerschner Mr. Bill Morrison Mr. Craig Recla Mrs. Aimee Tatangelo Mrs. Brenda Wilkey Business Mgr. Mrs. Annette Meiner Office Mrs. Adrien Brzoznowski Custodial Mr. Brad Hicks Principal Mr. Adam Husing
EDUCATION COUNCIL Chairman
Mrs. Kristin Sommerfeld Mr. Tony Carobine Mrs. Monique Claverie Mrs. Dianne Gauthier Mrs. D’Nelle Kelly Mrs. Jane Lebouef Mrs. Cathy Menza Mrs. Jen Raiche
CONTRIBUTORS & EDITORS
Mrs. Julie Gendron Mr. Adam Husing Mrs. Victoria LaFave Mr. Joe Limback Mrs. Sarah Nieschulz Mrs. Kristin Sommerfeld Rev. Janusz Romanek
DESIGNER & PUBLISHER
Mrs. Jen Raiche
DID YOU KNOW? At Iron Mountain High School, from 1999-2012, Bishop Baraga Catholic School graduates made up 16% of the Top Ten Percent of graduating seniors, with five Valedictorians and two Salutatorians. Also, the 2014 Valedictorian and the 2015 Salutatorian, were BBCS alumni.
LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE WAY TO HELP OUR SCHOOL? WE ASKED OUR TEACHERS WHAT THEY’D PUT ON A WISH LIST AND HERE IS WHAT THEY HAD TO SAY: MRS. KOERSCHNER ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENER MRS. CASWELL BULLETIN BOARD TO COVER CHALKBOARD MRS. MOLN ELECTRIC PENCIL SHARPENER MRS. HACKSTOCK NEW FLOORING (VINYL) IN CLASSROOM MRS. ELLIS SET OF 20 SAFETY GOGGLES WEATHER SCIENCE KIT LAMINATED MAP OF MICHIGAN MRS. BROWN CLASSROOM PIANO REPAIRED AND TUNED SCIENCE KIT AND SAFETY GLASSES NEW WHITEBOARDS MISS ASAM DIVINE MERCY POSTER ROUND WOODEN TABLE MRS. PIPP REAMS OF CARDSTOCK, WHITE AND COLORED MR. LIMBACK NEW FLOORING (VINYL) IN CLASSROOM MISC. SCIENCE EQUIPMENT
If you would like to help out with any of these Wish List items, please contact the school office at the contact information below.
BISHOP BARAGA CATHOLIC SCHOOL 406 W. B ST. IRON MOUNTAIN, MI 49801 OFFICE PHONE: (906)774-2277 OFFICE@BARAGAUP.COM