This is a printer friendly version of an article from the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Posted with the permission.
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Posted September 11, 2007

COLUMN: Many improvements, changes made during summer vacation
by Carol Osowski Olson

When you think of Catholic schools, you often think of nuns.

Today, there are fewer nuns. Some work in schools but many serve in inner cities: the poor, homeless, imprisoned and the socially outcast.

We had nuns here this summer. Faculty members performed "Nunsense: Mega Musical" in August featuring the fictional sisters from Hoboken, N.J. This musical comedy delighted audiences in sold-out performances and raised funds for our music department. Thanks to our faculty who recently received grants -- Peg Klinkhammer, Jo Ann Goodness, Ryan Klein, Cindy Mazoch, Mary Olszewski and Brenda Walczak.

New religion books will be used this year. Assumption received textbooks and workbooks of the Didache Series for Morality, History of the Church and Understanding the Scriptures from the Marion Catechist Apostolate. Elementary and middle school students also have new religion books. We continue to provide a safe, nurturing, respectful environment and help each student develop their personal relationship with God. We continue to send home prayer cards for families to list those in need of prayer and return to school so that students can pray daily for all those in.

All of our schools continue to be accredited through the North Central Association. All math teachers will meet regularly as part of the K-12 NCA process. Diane McKelvey is our special needs coordinator. She works closely with counselors and teachers at the elementary, middle school and high school. Accommodations for students with dyslexia, autism, Asperger's, ADD, ADHD, bipolar and many more needs are made. The Assisted Study Center provides tutoring by two teachers and widely used by students in getting their school work done.

Assumption High School has eight foreign exchange students this year. The Program for Advanced College Credit offered through St. Mary's University of Minnesota offers AHS juniors and seniors elective college courses in science and English. Two Advanced Placement courses in psychology and biology afford AHS students additional opportunities for college credit. Three of our seniors placed in college German courses in third semester at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, fourth semester at Notre Dame and fifth semester at UW-Madison, respectively.

St. Lawrence Preschool, 4K and Childcare are accredited through the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Only seven percent of early childhood programs nationwide are accredited.

Strong involvement by parents, WRACS personnel, area Catholic parishes and the active outreach by students continues to strengthen our schools. Assumption High School first-floor bathrooms were completely refurbished due to the efforts of our parents, Steve's Plumbing and donations from parents and supporters of Assumption High School. New energy efficient lights were installed at cost in the gymnasium this year with donated labor. Families took time to improve the locker rooms this summer. Special thanks to all of you who have helped in any way this year.

Welcome to Nanci Green, our new controller. Green replaces Joe Beard who retired this spring. Joe Birkhauser was named WIAA Coach of the Year for Girls' Basketball. This is the third time he has been chosen for this award.

Our www.wracs.org Web site has a new look, thanks to Peg Klinkhammer. The middle school lab has new computers. More computers have been added to other schools. One curriculum goal is integrating computer literacy throughout the K-12 curriculum.

Life is fragile. Handle with prayer ...