RCS Newsletter Summer 2013 Publication Anna Sizer, Communications Director Shannon Rahkola, Graphic Designer and Photographer Spencer Eklund, Sharp Photo & Portrait, Photographer C ntents RCS Administration Father Konopa, RCS Pastoral Dean Mark Gobler, President Denise Boos, RCS Controller Howard Ludwigson, Regis Principal 3 Letter from Howard Ludwigson Renee Cassidy, Immaculate Conception Principal Kelly Bowe, St. James and St. Mary’s Principal 4 Faculty Appreciation & Changes Gayle Flaig, Director of Child Development Centers 5 Faculty Awards & Anniversaries Alumni Relations Jim Gobler, Special Events 6 Pastor Changes RCS Foundation Bill Uelmen, Advancement Director 7 Strategic Plan Overview Mandy Mann, Administrative Assistant 8 Investment Updates RCS Foundation Board Members Dr. Todd Hehli, Chairman 9 Donations Received John Sackett, Vice Chairman Bernie Hull, Treasurer Dr. Rob Ridenour, Secretary 10 Curriculum Updates “I am so grateful Mark Beckfield Earl Benning 11 Welcome Mark Gobler Dr. Rick Daniels to be a part of Regis Ron Farley 12 Scholarships & Awards John Folstad Mona Mathews Catholic Schools 13 Regis Graduates Dr. Andrew Pankratz Mark Seyer and all we have 14-15 Co-curricular Supporting Parishes Immaculate Conception - Eau Claire 16-17 Hall of Fame Newman at UWEC - Eau Claire accomplished.” Sacred Heart of Jesus/St. Patrick - Eau Claire 18 Alumni Updates St. James the Greater - Eau Claire St. Mary’s - Altoona St. Olaf - Eau Claire 19 Planned Giving Join Us on Facebook 20 Alumni Directory Regis Catholic Schools Regis High School Regis Sports Contact Information Publication Questions: Anna Sizer, [email protected], 715-830-2273 ext 6 Donation Questions: Bill Uelmen, [email protected], 715-830-2273 ext 7 Mailing List Update: Mandy Mann, [email protected] Alumni Updates: [email protected], 715-830-2271 ext 1019 Websites On the cover, Regis graduates celebrate www.RegisCatholicSchools.com after the ceremony. www.RegisCatholicSchoolsFoundation.com 2 Letter From Howard Ludwigson It was an honor last spring when the pastors of our Deanery asked me to be the Interim President of Regis Catholic Schools. This is truly one of the best educational systems in Wisconsin, and to help shape its future was an awesome task. We have great employees, parents, and students that continue to contribute to our success. The support from everyone made my job easier. When I started, there were many great puzzle pieces in place for growth and improvements, but RCS needed a clear direction for its future structure. Bishop Callahan listened to our requests, which were supported by research and demographic studies, and agreed to allow RCS to continue forward with the structure it has today. Today, we are on track to meet all of our academic, financial, and enrollment goals. With the help of the RCS supporting parishes, the Education Commission, the Finance Council, the RCS Foundation, the RCS leadership team and many others we have accomplished many great goals and achievements: • We are on track to reach and exceed our enrollment goal of 839 next year, up from 820 this year. RCS will have the largest kindergarten class it has had in many years. • Our fourth grade students tested into the top 1% in the nation on the Iowa Test “I am so grateful of Basic Skills. • Out of 54 graduating seniors the average GPA was 3.495. Fifty-three AP tests were taken by 33 seniors. The estimated ACT composite score for just the to be a part of Regis seniors is 24.5, with 48 taking the ACT exam. • We continued implementation of the updated Math curriculum, began writing a new Language Arts curriculum, and next school year we will Catholic Schools start writing the new Science and Social Studies curriculum. • We added three new sections of 4K (4-Year old Kindergarten) – two at St. Mary’s and one at Genesis Child Development Center, for a total of seven and all we have 4K programs and four preschool programs throughout our system. • Contributions from our stakeholders have enabled us to make important repairs at Regis. These include replacing crumbling or broken exterior bricks, accomplished.” tuck pointing, fix the leaking roof, fix the broken fence, modernize the restrooms, and renovate the library. • Contributions from our stakeholders have enabled us to meet several needs for our elementary buildings, provide iPads and iPad training for all faculty, and provide iPads for incoming 6th grade students for the 2013-2014 school year. • We improved security measures and equipment in all buildings for the greater safety of our students and staff. • Finally, we drafted and started implementing our 5-Year strategic plan. More will be published about this in the future. As I look back on this blessed year, I am so grateful to be a part of Regis Catholic Schools and all we have accomplished. It is gratifying to move forward to continue my service as the new Regis Middle School and High School principal next year, and I ask you to join me in welcoming Mark Gobler ’73 as our new president. I love our students and the entire Regis family, and I love working towards continuous improvement. Have a blessed Rambler day, Howard Ludwigson 2012-2013 Interim President Incoming Regis Middle & High School Principal 3 Faculty & Staff Appreciation & Updates Thank You for Your Service Not Returning Changing Roles We would like to take this opportunity to thank the following These Faculty and Staff members are taking on new roles Faculty and Staff who will not be with us next school year. They and responsibilities within RCS. We are grateful that they will have served us well by caring so deeply for our students and continue working with us in a new capacity. school system. John Cook is the RCS Technology Coordinator and has Josh Ausman, an alumnus of Regis, has instilled a love and taught Regis computer classes since 1999. John will be in appreciation for art in his students at Regis Middle and High the buildings more often to support our students, faculty, School for the past five years. Josh and his wife Erin recently and staff with their technology needs. We are very grateful had a baby, Luke Frederick Ausman, and Josh is leaving RCS to have John’s talents and his patience as our support to care for Luke and spend more time with his family. needs continuously change. Todd Fischer has been the Regis Middle and High School Teresa Derleth has been the IC food service cook since Principal for the past two school years. We thank him for his 1992. Next year, in addition to being the head IC cook, service to Regis. Todd was dedicated to the new curriculum Teresa will be the RCS Food Service Director and will changes and worked hard to make improvements to the oversee all RCS food services. Teresa loves to interact with Religious Communities at Regis. RCS wishes Mr. Fischer the kids and is looking forward to this new challenge. well in his future endeavors. Andrea Howell has been involved with our food service Kaitlin Noll has been the elementary art teacher this year program for the past four years. Her love and enthusiasm for and decided to make the move to Regis Middle and High the St. Mary’s families was evident in the service she provided. School. Although this is a loss for our elementary schools, Even though she is leaving us as the St. Mary’s cook, she’ll it is a gain for Regis Middle and High School. We are glad never be far from “home” since her children will continue to Kaitlin is continuing within the RCS system! be among the St. Mary’s school community. Carisa Smiskey has been with our Catholic Schools since Bob Lesniewski, referred to as “Mr. Bob” by Regis students 2005 when she taught 6th grade at St. Olaf Elementary and and faculty, brought strong religious beliefs to Middle and has moved throughout our building several times. Carisa is High School Religion classes. Mr. Bob strongly encouraged now returning to teach 5th grade at St. Mary’s. We are very community service projects and was a positive influence for blessed to have such a dedicated teacher willing to help our our students. We wish him well in his retirement. schools and students where ever she is needed the most. Paul Pedersen, Middle School teacher and Dean of Heather Schultz has been an outstanding music teacher at IC Students, will take on additional responsibilities within this past year and we were sad to hear that Heather and her Regis as the Assistant to the Regis Principal. Mr. Pedersen husband are moving to Milwaukee. She has worked hard with is in the process of working towards his Administrative the students to teach them the fundamentals and the joy of license. music. We will miss her smiles and positive attitude! Howard Ludwigson, Interim President, will be the new Anne Stremcha has graced the St. James lunch room for Regis Middle and High School Principal. Mr. Ludwigson the past five years and has served the students and staff with has been with RCS for 12 her culinary skills and daily smiles. We thank Anne for her years as teacher, high dedication to our school. We wish Anne all the best in future school Dean of Students, endeavors. and Interim President. We look forward to his continued Tricia Thatcher joined us last year as our Food & Nutrition leadership within Regis. Director for RCS. She helped us tremendously for the past two years to upgrade our Food & Nutrition services to meet all USDA requirements. We are grateful for her service and for the many improvements she has made to the RCS food service program. Sam Vance was a welcomed addition to the RCS staff during the past year.