SACRED HEART SCHOOL WHERE THE HEART AND THE MIND CAN LEARN TOGETHER

Transcription

1 SACRED HEART SCHOOL WHERE THE HEART AND THE MIND CAN LEARN TOGETHER Sacred Heart School is unique because although we are only forty-eight years old, we have already established a tradition of excellence thanks to the many blessings and determination of Father Kiernan, who was the pastor of Sacred Heart Parish for over fifty years, and the dedicated parish members. Father Kiernan, along with the first building committee, made up of parishioners, met in 1940 and never gave up the dream of a school until it opened on September 7, Father came to Reedsburg as the Pastor of Sacred Heart Church in 1911 and over the years he had a vision of completing his parish work by building a school to instruct the children of the parish who would be taught by nuns. A definite step was taken in April 1940 with the selection of the building committee. During World War II, the committee continued to function. After more than a decade of dedicated and faithful work on the part of so many people, a dream was reaching fulfillment. The promise was given by the Dominican Order to staff our school with sisters. Four sisters from Sinsinawa came to teach in the fall of Four nuns, Sister Vianney (7th and 8th grades), Sister Davide (5th and 6th grades), Sister Sybillina, (3rd and 4th grades), and Sister Madelon, (1st and 2nd grades) opened classes for 174 students on September 7, 1955, marking the fulfillment of years of hoping, planning, and praying. Today we use the original convent for kindergarten and prekindergarten classes. It is named the Mazzuchelli Center to honor Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, who founded the Sinsinawa Dominican Order of the Most Holy Rosary in When our school opened in 1955, only four classrooms were utilized. Since the opening of school there has been a phy-ed program, with a lay person from the parish volunteering to Sacred Heart Parish 125th Anniversary Sacred Heart School 25

2 direct the program. At one time a sister taught music at school, but she was also music consultant for four other area schools. Beginning in January of 1956, hot lunches were served through the government lunch program at a cost of twenty cents per meal and the program has continued through the years. By 1961, all eight rooms of the school were in use and enrollment had increased dramatically. Father Brickl, pastor in 1965, organized a ten member school board, one of the first in the Madison Diocese. In 1967, our students at Sacred Heart were permitted by state law to ride on the public school buses to attend school. The next year, seventh and eighth grade students participated in shared time classes with the public school. The students were at the middle school for science and physical education. The Spring-Im, a week-long experience for our students was started in Volunteers from the parish and community came to work with students in small groups each afternoon to share their skills such as: basket weaving, sewing, learning outdoor games, woodworking, needlework, crocheting, knitting, cake decorating, bowling, singing, playing card games, stamp and coin collecting, archery, and other activities. This program was a great opportunity and lasted for over ten years. Under the direction of Sister Kathleen Loughrin, computers were added to the curriculum in 1983 with the changing technology of the time. Today we have computers in each classroom and a computer lab for classes each week. Also in 1983, Sacred Heart brought seventh and eighth grade students back to Sacred Heart all day. Our junior high became departmentalized with teachers teaching one subject to more than one class (science, English, and math). Charles Vaughn was hired as principal in the fall of 1989, passing the leadership from the Sinsinawa Dominicans to a lay person. During his time at Sacred Heart, a kindergarten was added in the fall of 1990, followed by pre-kindergarten in the fall of The rectory basement was changed to accommodate these two classes. In 1992, Kathleen Courtney (a second grade teacher since 1974) became principal of the school In the fall of 1994, kindergarten and pre-kindergarten were moved to the renovated convent to provide adequate space for the growing numbers in these classes. A celebration began in 1995 to celebrate forty years of education at Sacred Heart School. Various activities were carried on throughout the year for our students, families, parishioners, and friends of Sacred Heart. Bishop George Wirz came to Reedsburg on September 6, 1995 to celebrate a special liturgy in honor of our anniversary. He gave our school a gift of the Smiling Jesus print which hangs in the school foyer. Bishop Wirz has a great connection to Sacred Heart. He was a young priest in 1955 when the parish celebrated the dedication of Sacred Heart School on the Feast of Christ the King, October 30, He came with Bishop O Connor, the main celebrant of the dedication liturgy that day. Bishop Wirz has been back here many times to celebrate the 26 Sacred Heart School 125 th Anniversary Sacred Heart Parish

3 sacrament of Confirmation. It is a tribute to the Sacred Heart Parish families that he feels so welcome in Reedsburg. From the beginning to this day, our priests of the parish have shown interest and support of the school. They have been a part of the weekly liturgies, have worked on sacramental programs, and have come to different events in school such as visiting classes, school programs, or sharing a teaching moment with the whole school or just one grade. Their support has been an asset for our staff, students and families. Since the opening of Sacred Heart School, parental cooperation and interest have been great. Because they had worked so long for the school itself, parents were interested in developing excellent programs. Parishioners whose families have grown up continue to give generously so that our school can remain a vital source of life in the parish. At Sacred Heart School, a creative staff provides examples of Christian values through their actions with each other, students, and parents. There are ten full-time teachers in the classroom; five aides; three part-time teachers who teach music, physical education, computers; and a school counselor. Parents volunteer in the school on a daily basis in our library, classrooms, on field trips, and for special events. The Home and School Association, Athletic Association, Endowment Committee, Knights of Columbus, Council of Catholic Women and Catholic Daughters assist our school in many different ways that benefit our computer lab, music and phy ed programs, our library, and our instructional curriculum. During the past twelve years, Sacred Heart has been able to renovate and remodel not only our structure but also our curriculum. Lights in hallways and classrooms, replacement of windows, installation of window treatment, renovation of locker rooms to accommodate space needs, new classroom chairs for all grades, risers for the music program, stage drapes, gym curtains, new gym floor, all walls painted, a new blacktopped playground with Sixth street being abandoned and given to Sacred Heart Parish, and a new garage constructed are just some of our building improvements. Our curriculum also has undergone a renovation with the addition of pre-algebra and algebra classes, accelerated reading program, and updated reading, literature, civics, and religion series. Sacred Heart Parish 125 th Anniversary Sacred Heart School 27

4 We celebrate at Sacred Heart School in many different ways. The culture of our school is about remembering our past, living in the present, and always looking to our future: Sacred Heart School Endowment Fund School liturgies each Wednesday led by different grades each week 8th and 7th grade students assist 2nd and 1st grade students at the liturgies Student council delivers snacks and milk each morning to the classrooms 8th grade students visit Snyder Nursing Home each month Catholic Schools Week - national celebration during the last week of January Home and School Association - fund raising to provide for students 8th grade graduation liturgy and dinner that has become a tradition All-school picnic and games on the last day of school - planned by parents Veteran s Day celebration planned and led by the 8th grade students and local veterans are our honored guests School dances sponsored by student council An overnight science outdoor education opportunity for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students at Camp Gray -totally led by teachers and parents HEARTBEAT!!! swing choir for seventh and eighth grade students (volunteer) Collections of food for the food pantry School newsletter each week to families Bulletin information to the parish each week Stories of our past Christmas and Spring music programs Story of the llama walking down the hallway of school Stories from parents who went to our school Stories of grandparents and great-grandparents who built our school Story of the principal kissing a pig to raise money Sacred Heart School also has programs that are important to our curriculum: Accreditation by Wisconsin Religious and Independent School Accreditation Association Iowa Tests of Basic Skills for grades 3-8 Accelerated Reading Program for grades 1-8 Pre-algebra and algebra for accelerated math students Peer Mediation Program Character Building Program Guardian Angel Program At Sacred Heart we are proud of: a dedicated staff who show creativity and a willingness to go beyond the classroom in teaching their students 28 Sacred Heart School 125 th Anniversary Sacred Heart Parish

5 devoted parents who take an active role in school through volunteering, communicating, and working with the staff loyal parishioners and numerous parish organizations who are involved in Sacred Heart through their prayers, donations, and participation Sacred Heart is a place to be heard and a place where there is respect and everyone feels that they belong. Treating students, staff, and parents as individuals and providing quality education is an important mission. It is a mission that challenges us each day. Sacred Heart Parish 125th Anniversary Sacred Heart School 29