SAINTS PETER & PAUL SCHOOL

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Five Alums Working in Elementary Building
 
What do politics, climate change, and right to life have in common?  If you read polls or listen to talk radio, the answer is simple.....Americans are nearly evenly split on each topic.  It often seems like there is very little in our nation today upon which the populous can reach consensus.  One exception however, might be education.

Check with your friends and ask them one basic question...what is the most important factor in their children having a successful school experience?  Few, if any, would answer curriculum, facilities, extra-curricular activities, or even discipline.  What you are most likely to hear repeatedly is that great schools have great teachers and support staff. 

(L-R) Jane Moylan, Sharon Larson, Karen Domagola,  Amy Dickerson, and Cindy Rafferty.
During last week's  celebration of Catholic Schools Week, we took note of ten members
of our faculty and staff, who are alumni, and have a combined 111 years of dedicated service to Saints Peter and Paul School. We sought insights as to why they have chosen to spend so much of their professional career in Catholic education at their alma mater.

Former fourth and fifth grade Math teacher, Jane Hein Moylan a member of our faculty since 1989 and currently in her sixth year as assistant principal, readily acknowledges that " technology is a boon to the education due to its flexibility and adaptability to differentiated learning."  When asked about other changes she has witnessed in her twenty-eight years at her alma mater, she points out that "Our curriculum continues to evolve annually with the creation of new programs or variations of current ones designed to meet the needs of our ever changing student population."  On another note, her visits to the classroom help her realize that "Teachers today are doing more facilitating and virtual lessons are replacing traditional lectures."  It is her hope that her grandchildren will one day attend SSPP as did her daughters Katie '92 and Jill '95.

When asked what is her favorite part of her job, kindergarten teacher Karen Kupsche Domagola immediately responded
saying "It is standing in the doorway each morning and  
greeting the smiling faces of her children by name as they walk through the door."  Mrs. Domagola, in her 16th year with us, also notes that today's parents are much more involved with their children's education than her parents were. "Parents, today, are anxious to know that their children's school experience is a positive one and that they are progressing academically, spiritually, and socially in accordance to their ability."  Karen, whose children Andy '01, Megan '05, and Mary Grace '08 were all educated here, loves being at the point of her teaching career when she can attend the Graduation Dinner and learn how her former students have progressed throughout the years.

Cindy Rieser Rafferty was a very active parent when
 daughters Kristin '08 and Colleen '11 were in school, and became a teacher aide five years ago.  In the short span since her younger daughter's graduation, she has seen a more rigorous curriculum, more variety in our interscholastic sports program, and enhanced security as examples of how Saints Peter and Paul School has changed for the better.  "I also have greater respect for my own teachers now that I witnesses first-hand the work put in by the faculty."

Ten years ago, Sharon Larson Layden joined our staff as a
kindergarten aide after six years as a support staff member at St. Petronille.  When asked why she made the move, she remarked that "This has been my home for me, my siblings, and my two daughters, Ellen '06 and Colleen '09.  The family atmosphere here is like no other, and I love the opportunity to share my faith journey with others and love the way teachers infuse religion into all subjects."  In addition to her classroom responsibilities, Sharon is part of the Extended Day after-school care team that cares for those from families where both parents work and cannot be home to welcome their children after regular school hours.
 
As a nod to her character and numerous accomplishments,
Amy Kazlauskas Dickerson was the recipient of the 
Chris Schmitt Memorial Award, the most prestigious honor that can be bestowed on a graduate.  After teaching a few years in the public schools she took a respite and raised her family.  As the children got older, she prepared her re-entry into academia by substituting at her alma mater and quickly caught the eye of principal, Karen Meskill.  Mrs. Dickerson tells us that the best part of each day is the actual teaching.  "Seeing light bulbs go on makes all the effort worthwhile," she acknowledges.  "Saints Peter and Paul School helped me develop into the person I am today and I would love to have the same positive impact on my students."

Tomorrow we will profile the faculty and staff in the Jr. High building.
IN MEMORIAM

Please pray for the following member of the Saints Peter & Paul School family who recently passed into eternity:

    Ray Barnes -father of faculty member Barbi Hayes; 
                   father-in-law of Jim Hayes '76;
                 grandfather of Ashley Hayes Najdek '02
                     and Jay Hayes'04
                                           


Volume 4, No. 18

February 9, 2017


 
Our 24th annual Auction promises to be the social highlight of the year.  There is still time to make your reservations.
 Don't miss out on all of the fun!!!


 February 25, 2017 
Embassy Suites

ANNUAL FUND DRIVE

Have you made your tax-deductible Annual Fund donation yet? We're 20% of the way to our goal. Click here to make your donation online. 
 


SSPP Trivia
 
When our school was founded in 1853....

....students didn't look forward to out-of-uniform days because uniforms weren't required at our school until 1974.

 
 
DO YOU WANT TO APPEAR IN THE NEXT ALUMNI BRIEFS? 
 
We are anxious to find out what's new in your life and share it with your fellow alums in an upcoming edition of the 'e' Blue and Gold.  While it may not seem like much to you, your former teachers and classmates would love to hear about you.

Either mail in this form or send your news to fglowaty@sspeterandpau 
lschoo.com

Name_____________
Graduating Class____
Address___________
Cell Phone_________
News_____________
__________________
__________________
__________________
__________________

 
If you class is celebrating their graduation anniversary anywhere between their 10th and 50th year, we'd love to host it on campus.  Call (630)718-2134 for more information.

 Saints Peter & Paul School
Advancement Office
5 N. Brainard St.
Naperville, IL 60540
1-630-718-2166