R-E-S-P-E-C-T … Find Out What It Means to Pacelli Students

By Karen Colbenson, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.

Sep. 5–Religion and community service will go hand-in-hand at Austin Catholic Schools this year, with several new programs and courses added to enhance the theme of the year: respect.

During a school assembly Tuesday morning, School Director Mary Holtorf told students they would be practicing respect for others and respect for self, including steering clear of drugs.

“Without respect, you don’t have anything,” said Holtorf.

Both students and teachers will benefit from four new religion classes that are being offered this year, which will include a book club for teachers and a Bible Study for teenagers.

“There will be more focus this year on being Catholic, being a Christian and living out the Word,” said Holtorf.

In addition, each teacher will plan a community service project for his class to participate in during the year.

“God calls us to reach out to other people,” said Holtorf. “This is a way to make students aware of the needs of others.”

In addition, art and reading will receive new focus this year. The art program, which originally included students in kindergarten through sixth grade, has been extended through eighth grade. Several new reading programs will be implemented throughout the year, said Holtorf.

New teachers include Kristen Tyrrell, kindergarten teacher; Patty Ulland, third-grade teacher; Marissa Brengman, K-12 music teacher ; Pam Harkrader, K-6 reading and math teacher; Hiedy Morey, K-6 Spanish teacher; and Jackie Holstrom, religion teacher.

From preschool to 12th grade, 316 students are enrolled this year, with seven foreign exchange students from Colombia, Germany and Korea adding a bit of culture to the mix.

Community Coordinator Catalina Ferreira-Truong said having exchange students in the school gives Pacelli students an opportunity to learn about other countries and cultures from fellow students.

“It’s an amazing experience for them,” said Ferreira-Truong. “They will make a friend for life.”

Exchange students from Korea are eighth-grader Jun Young Kim and 11th-graders Ji Hoon Kim and Jin Hee Yoo. From Germany is 11th-grader AnnaMarie Staub, Jara Marder and Friedrike Stanitzek. 10th-grader Felipe Posada is from Colombia.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.

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