Catholic Schools Raise the Standards is the theme of Catholic Schools Week celebrated January 27 through February 2 at St. Francis Catholic Church and School.
With an enrollment of more than 130 students in pre-school through grade eight, the school is a ministry of St. Francis parish which has been in existence for more than 100 years.
“Through the week we will be celebrating our past, present and future,” said Principal Jaclyn Behnke. “As you look at our school we prepare the whole child for life. It stems from our faith. Our number one mission is to give glory to God by being the best person we can be.”
A week of special activities honoring Catholic education will kick off Sunday with a 10 a.m. Mass at the church and an Open House of the school to follow. Music will be provided by the combined choirs of the school. During the week, students in grades four through eight will travel to Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in Rhinelander to participate in a Mass led by Bishop Peter Christensen.
“The uniqueness is in the long history with the church and school at St. Francis,” said Father Mike McLain, parish priest and religion instructor at St. Francis. “It’s bringing together a good education and the 3R’s with an understanding of Christian values.”
Known as Father Mike by the students and staff at St. Francis, McLain especially enjoys teaching the Catholic faith to students starting with the basics for children as young as age three.
“I like interacting with the children,” he said. “I like to see how different kids respond, in that moment when a light bulb goes on and they say ‘I get what that means’.”
Behnke appreciates Father Mike’s presence in the school on a daily basis, whether it’s greeting children at the door or having lunch with them in the cafeteria.
“The greatest contribution to the school is his presence,” Behnke said. “He’s there on a daily basis and he’s involved. He’s there to help promote the school and it comes from the heart. We are very fortunate.”
Father Mike is also known for his famous pepperoni and pickles pizza and specialty popcorn which he will be serving to the school during Catholic Schools Week. The Home and School Committee plans to use the pizza as a fundraiser later this spring.
“Pizza making has been one of my traditions,” he said. “I’ve made pizza in Ireland and Mexico when I studied there. It’s an opportunity to break bread together and get to know people.”
As part of Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis will also have a Career Day, an all school Spelling Bee, a sledding party, play board games and make Valentines for the residents of Bell Tower.
A student Lock In begins at 7 p.m. Friday and runs until 8 a.m. on Saturday in the school cafeteria sponsored by the Home and School Committee. Special activities include Zumba and karate sessions, movies and games.
“It’s a good bonding experience,” said Amy Drew, chairperson of the Lock In and a parent of two children who attend St. Francis. “It’s a time for the kids of all ages to connect with other ages at the school.”
As a parent, Drew especially likes the family atmosphere at St. Francis and attributes the success of the school to the dedication of its teachers.
“Catholic Schools Week is to celebrate the teachers and to celebrate that we have a Catholic School,” she said. “It means so much to have the dedication of the teachers.”
At the conclusion of Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis Middle School teacher Herb Hornischer will be honored as Teacher of the Year by VFW Post 1638. Hornischer, a math and social studies teacher at the school for more than 10 years, will be eligible for state competition.
“I nominated him as Teacher of the Year,” said St. Francis parent Alicia Weix, a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. “He’s always willing to talk to the kids and he will always take the time to teach them. The kids just love him.”