--Bucking the national trend, enrollment continues to climb at this Catholic school that was slated to close in 2005 --
Green Bay, WI -- Drawing on the barn-raising tradition of this historic community's past, Holy Cross Catholic School in Green Bay will be adding two additional classrooms to the education facility to accommodate the continued growth in enrollment for the 2008/09 school year. The Town of Scott has approved the plan, and construction is scheduled to begin June 30, 2008. The community has planned a groundbreaking event at 11:00 AM on June 29. Mark Salisbury, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Green Bay, and representatives from the Norbertine Community will be present for the event.
"We have turned closets into offices and made our special subject classes mobile, using every inch of available space in the school." commented Principal Robin Jo Jensen at a Town of Scott public hearing. "If we don't add classroom space to the school this year, we would potentially have to consider cutting special subject programs as well as capping our enrollment and instituting a waiting list as soon as the 2009/10 school year."
The school's enrollment for 2008/2009 is currently at 180 students. That number has steadily increased over the past several years: the school had 166 students enrolled for 2007/08 and 152 students enrolled for the 2005/06 school year.
The parish also has need of the space to accommodate the needs of a growing community for ministry programs and the Faith Formation program.
The construction project has been funded by monetary donations from parishioners and school families. Several contractors have stepped forward to donate their expertise and building materials. Labor will be completed by parishioners in the "barn-raising tradition." The project is expected to be completed in September/2008.
Holy Cross Catholic School was one of three schools slated to close just over three years ago under the Green Bay Diocese's GRACE proposal. The Holy Cross community mobilized to save the school and has worked diligently in the areas of technology, fund-raising, curriculum development, and marketing.
Fr. Tom Hagendorf, O.Praem, who has led the community through the challenges and successes of the past three years, commented: "Our efforts were not only successful in saving the school, but introduced a new passion and enthusiasm for its continued growth and improvement in the new millennium."
Fr. Tom said that this is not the first time members of the community have rallied on behalf of the parish and school. Indeed, Holy Cross Parish is longstanding in years and tradition. The parish is the third oldest in the Diocese of Green Bay, and its rectory, which was built in 1862, continues to be in use to this day. On February 12, 1868, Holy Cross Catholic School opened its doors for the first time, and continues to be open 140 years later.
In 1857, under the direction of Fr. Edward Daems, the community built their first church. Bay Settlement was, as one settler described it, " a vast wilderness" and a long way from home for these immigrants from Belgium, Holland and France. The church community provided a place of belonging, a sense of home, and a place to worship. The first church, right down to the furnishings, was built by these parishioners. They came together and made a dream a reality, and set the groundwork for future generations to do the same.
In 1923 the a new school building was erected to replace the one built in pioneer days. According to historical records: "The co-operation of the parishioners who gave liberally of their means and labor enabled the parish to pay indebtedness in four years. The parish records perpetuate to posterity in detail the sacrifice brought by each family of the congregation for this project which is dedicated to the moral and educational good of our children and grandchildren."
In 1931, the present church replaced the old wooden structure. The construction of the new church was assured when 26 families pledged over half of the funds needed to build the church. The old wooden church was taken down in under eight hours by parishioners. The parishioners sold the lumber to help fund the building of the new church. Many parishioners donated their labor, completing the excavation and the construction of all foundation walls.
"At Holy Cross there is a great and longstanding tradition," said Fr. Tom. "When the need appears the people mobilize to make it happen."
About Holy Cross Catholic School
Green Bay, WI -- Drawing on the barn-raising tradition of this historic community's past, Holy Cross Catholic School in Green Bay will be adding two additional classrooms to the education facility to accommodate the continued growth in enrollment for the 2008/09 school year. The Town of Scott has approved the plan, and construction is scheduled to begin June 30, 2008. The community has planned a groundbreaking event at 11:00 AM on June 29. Mark Salisbury, superintendent of schools for the Diocese of Green Bay, and representatives from the Norbertine Community will be present for the event.
"We have turned closets into offices and made our special subject classes mobile, using every inch of available space in the school." commented Principal Robin Jo Jensen at a Town of Scott public hearing. "If we don't add classroom space to the school this year, we would potentially have to consider cutting special subject programs as well as capping our enrollment and instituting a waiting list as soon as the 2009/10 school year."
The school's enrollment for 2008/2009 is currently at 180 students. That number has steadily increased over the past several years: the school had 166 students enrolled for 2007/08 and 152 students enrolled for the 2005/06 school year.
The parish also has need of the space to accommodate the needs of a growing community for ministry programs and the Faith Formation program.
The construction project has been funded by monetary donations from parishioners and school families. Several contractors have stepped forward to donate their expertise and building materials. Labor will be completed by parishioners in the "barn-raising tradition." The project is expected to be completed in September/2008.
Holy Cross Catholic School was one of three schools slated to close just over three years ago under the Green Bay Diocese's GRACE proposal. The Holy Cross community mobilized to save the school and has worked diligently in the areas of technology, fund-raising, curriculum development, and marketing.
Fr. Tom Hagendorf, O.Praem, who has led the community through the challenges and successes of the past three years, commented: "Our efforts were not only successful in saving the school, but introduced a new passion and enthusiasm for its continued growth and improvement in the new millennium."
Fr. Tom said that this is not the first time members of the community have rallied on behalf of the parish and school. Indeed, Holy Cross Parish is longstanding in years and tradition. The parish is the third oldest in the Diocese of Green Bay, and its rectory, which was built in 1862, continues to be in use to this day. On February 12, 1868, Holy Cross Catholic School opened its doors for the first time, and continues to be open 140 years later.
In 1857, under the direction of Fr. Edward Daems, the community built their first church. Bay Settlement was, as one settler described it, " a vast wilderness" and a long way from home for these immigrants from Belgium, Holland and France. The church community provided a place of belonging, a sense of home, and a place to worship. The first church, right down to the furnishings, was built by these parishioners. They came together and made a dream a reality, and set the groundwork for future generations to do the same.
In 1923 the a new school building was erected to replace the one built in pioneer days. According to historical records: "The co-operation of the parishioners who gave liberally of their means and labor enabled the parish to pay indebtedness in four years. The parish records perpetuate to posterity in detail the sacrifice brought by each family of the congregation for this project which is dedicated to the moral and educational good of our children and grandchildren."
In 1931, the present church replaced the old wooden structure. The construction of the new church was assured when 26 families pledged over half of the funds needed to build the church. The old wooden church was taken down in under eight hours by parishioners. The parishioners sold the lumber to help fund the building of the new church. Many parishioners donated their labor, completing the excavation and the construction of all foundation walls.
"At Holy Cross there is a great and longstanding tradition," said Fr. Tom. "When the need appears the people mobilize to make it happen."
About Holy Cross Catholic School
Located on the growing northeast side of Green Bay at the historic crossroads of Church and Bay Settlement Road, Holy Cross Catholic School is the point at which faith, community and education converge. The school educates children within the Catholic faith and provides them with opportunities to develop the values, attitudes and skills that will enable them to become vital members of the community.
Holy Cross Catholic School has been in existence for 140 years and has an enrollment of 166 students in grades EC3 to 8th grade. For more information, please visit the school's website: www.holycrossfamily.org/.
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