familytimes The Holy Family Catholic Schools magazine REAPING RIBBONS THE SECRETS OF AWARD-WINNING SCHOOLS FALL 2018 | ANNUAL REPORT EDITION IN THIS ISSUE Annual Report brief ...............1 CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR Enrollment, staff & tuition figures Alumni Spotlight .....................2 Aaron Behnke ‘08, Dear friends, Wahlert Catholic High School A message fromIn early June, theThe Wall Street Journal Eagle Updates ..........................3 published an opinion article entitled Memorials, class of “The Catholic School Difference,” 2018 snapshot which highlighted a recent University of California-Santa Barbara study Reaping Ribbons .....................4 comparing the behaviors of students Award-winning schools in Catholic with those in public and HFCS Highlights .....................6 other private schools. The study’s researchers presented “statistically meaningful evidence” that Catholic school students exhibited less disruptive behavior than their counterparts in other schools. In addition, these students “were more likely to control their temper, respect others’ property, accept their fellow students’ ideas, and handle peer pressure.” In short, the study showed it’s possible to instill self-discipline in students and that self-discipline is a key factor in students’ academic success. Shortly after that article was published, a graduate from Wahlert’s early years shared a letter his parents received regarding his self-discipline from Dean of Boys Rev. John R. McClean. That communication, sent in 1968, opens with a priceless line: “Mindful of our position as Have you seen our new guides of your son during the hours you entrust him to our care, we website? Visit us at feel confident that you wish to hear from us regarding his progress in HolyFamilyDBQ.org. achieving self-discipline.” As you can imagine, the receipt of the letter caused the application of no small amount of discipline by the boy’s parents. Those of us who attended Catholic schools or have worked in them understand well the value of this instilling of self-discipline. Though discipline systems and parenting styles are very different today than they were in the early days of Wahlert, the value of setting the bar high for students so they can achieve more than they ever thought possible remains. While the UC-Santa Barbara study focuses on behavior, we see the fruits of self-discipline in our students’ academic achievement as well. Through our adoption of Personalized Learning, self-discipline and similar skills are embedded in the learning and intentionally taught by our teachers. There’s a focus on the 16 Habits of Success, including self-regulation, resilience, agency and academic tenacity, and weekly 1:1 meetings with a teacher mentor ensure students are developing these skills that will lead to life-long success. In this issue, you’ll read about the national ribbons our schools have earned, including St. Columbkille’s Green Ribbon for environmental protection activities and Resurrection’s second Blue Ribbon for being an exemplary high-performing school. St. Columbkille is Iowa’s only Green Ribbon winner and Resurrection is one of 49 non-public Blue Ribbon winners from across the United States. This recognition at the national level validates our emphasis on high expectations and, yes, students’ self-discipline. Sincerely, COVER PHOTO: Resurrection fourth graders Cole Reimer and Jack Gansen. Photo by the Telegraph Herald/Eileen Meisner. Carol (Schmidt) Trueg ‘79 Chief Administrator ELLIE KIRBY ‘22 SHARES HER TAKE ON PERSONALIZED LEARNING. ANNUAL REPORT “Personalized learning allows you to learn at your pace and in the way that’s best for you. It’s really for anybody. Sometimes, I struggle in school, and personalized learning is awesome for me. Last year, if I didn’t understand a math concept, it For the full annual report and donor might be, ‘we’re moving on. I can help you after honor2017 roll, visit holyfamilydbq.org – 2018 class.’ Now, if I don’t understand something I Enrollment get help from my teacher and extra time in class until I do understand it. Also, if I do understand Wahlert Catholic High School ..........................508 Followsomething us righton Instagram away, I can @holyfamilydbq possibly move on afor lot morefaster instead of Mazzuchelli Catholic Middle School ..............355 “Humanswaiting for everyoneof Holy elseFamily.” to understand.” Holy Ghost Elementary School ...........................81 Our Lady of Guadalupe Spanish Immersion Program ................................................202 Resurrection Elementary School .....................210 St.y Anthon Elementary School ...........................81 St. Columbkille Elementary School.................247 Total ...................................... 1,684 Staff For the 2017-2018 Donor Honor Roll, visit holyfamilydbq.org to view the full annual report. Administrators ..................................................................9 Food Service ..................................................................40 Dubuque’sWith 11 Gratitude Catholic parishes, Church of the Nativity, Maintenance ...................................................................15 Church of the Resurrection, Holy Family New Melleray, Holy Support .............................................................................32 Spirit, St. Anthony, St. Catherine, St. Columbkille, St. Joseph Teachers .........................................................................137 Key West, St. Joseph the Worker, St. Patrick and St. Raphael Classroom Associates................................................25 Cathedral are the pillars of a faith community that provides Early Childhood Associates .................................113 vital support for our schools. We are truly grateful for your Total ......................................... 371 commitment to Catholic education. WeBecky wish Shappell the following 2018 retirees many blessings in Tuition (2017-2018) retirementSt. Joseph the and W thankorker Earlythem Childhood,for their years 21 years of dedicated service. Sharon Steuer Elementary School ............................................$3,075 Wahlert Catholic High School, 30 years Middle School ......................................................$3,465 High School ...........................................................$6,000 Mary Beth Ferring St. Columbkille Elementary, 39 years Tuition Assistance Breakdown Fr. Andy joins Holy Family as the Chaplain for Wahlert Catholic High WAHLERT School and Mazzuchelli Catholic HOLY FAMILY FOUNDATION Middle School. He was recently GRANTS GRANT ordained in the Archdiocese of Did you know, Dubuque and serves as the Associate 43% of our Pastor at Church of the Resurrection. families receive PARISH $280,322 $60,000 some form of SCHOOL TUITION GRANTS Fr. Andy will offer a weekly Mass at 7 a.m. ORGANIZATION on Fridays in the Wahlert/Mazzuchelli tuition chapel for students and community assistance? members who wish to attend. $177,770 $934,464 HOLY FAMILY MEET FR. ANDY UPAH, OUR NEW CHAPLAIN RECONSIDERATION Read his full introduction at holyfamilydbq.org. 1 $298,434 ALUMNI WORTH KNOWING Aaron Behnke ‘08 AARON IS THE VOCAL MUSIC TEACHER AT WAHLERT CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL. HE HAS TAKEN THE CHOIR TO ROME TO PERFORM AT A PAPAL MASS AND IS Spotlight PREPARING TO HOST WAHLERT’S FIRST HOME SHOW CHOIR COMPETITION. Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. A: After graduating from Wahlert Catholic in 2008, I attended the University of St. Thomas and graduated with a degree in Vocal Music Education. I came right back to Wahlert to begin my teaching career in 2012. I was very excited to rejoin a community that I loved as a student, where I was involved in football, theater, show, choir and a number of other clubs and organizations. It’s been a blast to come back and be a part of those same activities now as a teacher. I am currently in my seventh year teaching, helping to run everything related to vocal music here at Wahlert. Q: What led you to this career path? A: Despite being involved in the arts in high school, I had no intention of going into music in college. I knew I wanted to work with youth and teens in some way, but it was thanks to some guidance from my collegiate professors that I made the connection to music. Q: What is the most rewarding part about your work with students? A: Our students impress me every single day. They are so creative and offer so much to the world around them. The best part of my job is seeing students take pride in their accomplishments. Q: What have you carried with you from your Wahlert Catholic High School years? SUBMIT YOUR SUGGESTION A: The character demonstrated by my teachers and classmates and the values I learned are what I hold dear about Wahlert Catholic. While I don’t remember all of my curriculum, the drama, or all the ups and downs, FOR THE “ALUMNI WORTH I remember the people I met and I’ve learned how important it is to form and treasure relationships. The KNOWING” SPOTLIGHT AT community at Wahlert is like no other, and when you are surrounded by people who celebrate being part of that community, there is no better sense of belonging. HOLYFAMILYDBQ.ORG/ EAGLEUPDATES. Q: The arts are alive at Wahlert – what have you had to do with that? A: I was very fortunate to inherit a strong program in which I participated in high school. Show Choir at Wahlert is one of the most rewarding and exciting programs that I am involved with – I am proud to say it has grown to become the single largest activity in the school! I feel blessed