School Registration –You’ve Got Time
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- Published: July 31, 2014
It's not too late. If you're still considering where to send your children or grandchildren to school for a quality academic education where students work hard, respect others, and practice their Christian faith through service and kindness look no farther than St. Mary's School. Pick up a brochure at each of the church exits, a $250 coupon for new or recruiting families (there's one on the Homepage), make a call and take a tour. You'll be glad you did.
As you go shopping for school supplies, and clothes consider Target. If you use your Red Card, credit or debit you get 5% off your bill and 2.1% of your purchase could be credited to St. Mary's School. That is, if you have designated St. Mary's as your school of choice. Once a year Target sends a check to St. Mary's based on Red Card sales.
Thirteen students from St. Mary's School volunteered at the Library during the summer. Baylin Davis, Fredy Kadjo, Anou Akot, Nick Kouba, Gabe Tweedy, Dane Storch, Joe Seaman, Ashley Bishop, Akojang Mamer, Lia Rose Reckmeyer, Therese Ruff, Cate Lillion, Annika Sjostedt put in almost 190 hours. (Not everyone is in the photo) Thanks for a great summer experience at the Library and a great time in the water.
Ben Petr, a 2006 St. Mary's alumni graduated from Marquette University a semester early, with two majors, Economics and Supply Chain Management, and a minor in Political Science. Ben joined Blain's Farm and Fleet as a management trainee with sights on going into corporate within two years. Ben says, "I am still living in Milwaukee and am active in my new job, and rising quickly. I always thank my time at St Mary's for giving me the drive and determination to be as successful as I have been. I still also keep in touch with many of my St. Mary's friends and created bonds that have lasted a lifetime."
St. Mary's parents met early Saturday and erected the new playground...what an awesome show of community! Thanks go out to all the families! All of the playground elements were assembled, installed and leveled. Tomorrow, the final alignment and pouring of the concrete ground posts will occur. The next step will be to complete the concrete slab. Then the rubber foam surface will be laid. All in time for school.
Bring the family, some blankets and get ready for a night of fun Saturday, August 2nd at The Heartland Family Festival. This Catholic family event is sponsored by the Archdiocese of Omaha. Claim your spot on Creighton's Morrison Stadium turf and enjoy the antics of comedian Johnni W, music of Mike Mangione and the Union, crafts, games, and refreshments. Doors open at 3 PM and headliners begin at 5 PM. The night will end with a fireworks tribute to our military families sponsored by Bellino Fireworks, and a special musical salute from Collin Raye. Adult Tickets are $25. Children under 18 are free with paid parent. Ticket locations online at www.archomaha.org or call 402-557-5610 for information.
The students earned a 3.25 GPA or higher. Maya Lewis, 9th grade, Viveca Power, 9th grade, Danielle Cork, 10th grade, Jason Kreps, 10th grade, Mikaela Schmitz, 10th grade, Louis Foral, 11th grade, Sarah Janda 11th grade and Patrick Mruz 11th grade.
ground then this would be a great opportunity to help out the school and kids! Many volunteers are needed to accomplish this huge project. The assembly begins Saturday, July 26th at 8 A.M. We will work on the project until the installation is complete or it gets dark. Home and School will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner (if needed) while the equipment is being put together. Please contact Karen Medrano directly at marsmed(at)cox.net if you can volunteer for part or all day or if you have questions regarding this project. Everyone is welcome to come out and volunteer, but please be aware that a lot of muscle will be needed for this huge undertaking! What a thrill for the students as they begin a new year at St. Mary's School with a brand new playground.
Becky Feagan our 4th grade teacher won the "Gildersleeve-Stoddard-Stone Geography Education" award, an honor presented annually by the Geographic Educators of Nebraska. The award recognizes one teacher from each of the 3 Congressional Districts for their efforts and accomplishments in improving geography education in Nebraska.
When students enter the middle grades, they still recall all of the fun that they had learning in Becky's class. They call it the field trip/activity year. They remember the historical facts they learned in the 4th grade because Becky brought history alive to them.
What a way to end the school year, get ready for the next and support St. Mary's school. Mrs. Sjostedt, our Spanish teacher and her family enjoyed white sandy beaches, blue-ocean, and the opportunity to speak Spanish for a week. They won the bid at the 20th Annual Spring for the Children Benefit Auction for a week in Cancun. Mrs. Sjostedt says, "The accommodations were fabulous and the people were so nice. We had a beachfront villa with a spectacular view! We enjoyed all the activities... snorkeling, swimming with the dolphins, kayaking and of course just reading all our books by the pool and the beach. We are so very grateful. The best part was that I was able to speak Spanish the whole time!" For more photos 
Two hours before his Baccalaureate ceremony Matt Delaney received the best graduation present a college graduate could ask for...a job offer. Thomas Jefferson High School in Council Bluffs offered Delaney a job as a Social Studies teacher. Matt said, "I accepted and am very excited to get started." What makes the job even more special at Thomas Jefferson is that's where his Mom, Sheryl Witkowsky graduated. (Photo of Matt and his Mom at his Graduation) The next day, Matt gave the commencement speech at Briar Cliff University's 83rd Commencement ceremony where he received a Bachelor's in Secondary Education and a Bachelor's in History with Endorsement in American History, World History and American Government.
After sharing the park with students of nearby Bertha Barber, St. Mary's 4th graders headed back up Mission Avenue with their wagons in tow. Our final destination was the Columban Fathers. After praying a Hail Mary at their grotto, Frans Lang became our tour guides showing us the many worldwide artifacts collected over the years by the Columban Fathers. Before going back to school, we walked a few steps more up to the chapel where once again Mrs. Lang spoke of its various altars honoring different saints important in the history of the Columban Fathers.
It's fun to spend a day outside playing games! Due to the chilly temperatures on Field Day, water events were cancelled but the kids enjoyed the day anyway! On May 15th the 4-7th graders played tug of war, and lots of other games that were fun and creative in a physical way! 
Mrs. Shanker continued teaching at Our Lady of Lourdes from 1975-1979 until she moved on to Sioux City Sacred Heart and taught for one year. Her next step was Holy Ghost in Omaha where she taught during the 1980-1981 school year. After this she went back to Our Lady of Lourdes to teach for another whopping 22 years until 2003. Once she left OLL, Mrs. Shanker arrived at her final destination – St. Mary's. While at St. Mary's Mrs. Shanker taught mostly Social Studies and Religion and even a few years of Literature. Many alumni would tell you she was one of the greatest teachers they have ever had. Learning from Mrs. Shanker was seen as a privilege and looked forward to daily. Her teaching opened our minds and made us look at things in a new light. Colorful descriptions of places like Ancient Egypt brought us back in time to better understand their ways of life. Her lessons covered more than just academics. Maddie Breathnach, a 2014 graduate says, "She taught me about manners, and how to act like a lady." Life's lessons mixed with expert counseling are just two of the reasons we are so sad to see Mrs. Shanker go. After an amazing 44 year run, Mrs. Shanker, on behalf of all your students past and present, we would like to say a big Thank YOU! As a parting gift students in the 6th and 7th grades along with assistance from Mrs. Sjostedt and Mrs. Feagan made a memory quilt. Mrs. Mary Cutter sewed the quilt. The squares had her teaching history along with drawings of subjects that she loved to teach. She loves pirates so the back material was pirate material. Aargh! For more photos
Before the end of school our Nebraska pioneers enjoyed a unique experience. It all started when the 4th grade class dressed up in traditional pioneer clothing and "proved up" on their Homestead Act land claims. The pioneers had to fill out the "proving up" form and find two witnesses that would testify that they lived on their claim for 5 years and did indeed improve their land given to them by the Homestead Act. Then we did some "Math Olympics" which consisted of oral math questions. It seemed fitting since most one-room schoolhouses long ago didn't have many books nor paper and pencils. In the first round the students had to answer a one step math problem in 5 seconds; round 2 required an answer for a 2-step problem in 10 seconds and round three was group work to solve story problems. Thanks to Mrs. Lucia who helped set up our pioneer lunch out on the front lawn. Students washed up the old fashion way with homemade goat milk soap and a pitcher of water and a basin. Then it was time to sit on quilts and eat the pioneer style lunch they brought with no modern day wrappings. Thanks to Mrs. Swank and Mrs. Leighow for the delicious cornbread. The pioneers shook a jar of whipping cream to make their butter for the cornbread. Recess was a pioneer recess with pioneer toys and games: a top, Jacob's ladder, ball & cup toys and beanbag toss. Then we experienced pioneer chores -relay style, students collected real eggs, cut sod with a sod cutter, mended fences, mixed batter, and washed clothes with a tub and washboard. Toward the end of the outing pirates showed up and captured Mrs. Feagan. Her class didn't let her down. They answered a pirate riddle and "freed" her! Our pioneers were pretty hot and tired by late afternoon when they came in to cool air conditioning and cold-water fountains. Even Jeongbin, our Korean exchange student said she was glad she wasn't a pioneer! After a short rest they listened to pioneer reports to try and discover whom everybody was portraying and why that person was famous in Nebraska's history. The pioneers brought home their wagons realizing that today's transportation and conveniences are a true blessing! It's fun to experience another time; the 4th graders do it every year. It makes you realize how difficult things were for the pioneers and appreciate what we have today. For more photos
Extended Day hosted its third annual water fight before school let out for summer. The kids had so much fun getting all of the Extended Day staff soaking wet and playing in the water. It's a much needed "release" after a long but great school year. Along with the water fight parents brought something for what we call "creepy" snack day. This end of year we had kitty litter cake and blood shot eyeballs. The kids went crazy over the snacks! For more photos 
The 8th Grade Class has graduated, had their banquet and donned their new St. Mary's Alumni t-shirts. Scholarships have been handed out, their new high schools await, but one thing they are filled with are memories of up to 10 years together at St. Mary's. In their 8th grade book of memories they wanted to thank their parents for the gift of St. Mary's and the wonderful opportunities they've been afforded. Clearly their minds are moving ahead as they dream of the future, but not without saying: "Thanks for the Memories." 
This was a picnic to say thank you for all the hard work the 6th graders in the Safety Patrol did all year long. Like the mailman nothing stopped them from performing their duties. In the snow, rain and the heat of the day they made sure all students crossed the busy streets to their waiting parents. This picnic was bitter sweet because it was Mrs. Shanker's last safety patrol picnic at St. Mary's. She will be missed for this and so many other reasons. The students ate pizza, drank soda and played kick ball. Jillian and Layla in crossing guard uniform made sure we crossed each street safely to Washington Park and back. For more photos
This year's 8th Grade Banquet turned into a delightful Masquerade Ball. The graduating class came all dressed up and their 7th grade sponsors handed them masquerade masks. The fun was only beginning. The 8th graders were treated to a wonderful dinner. They were honored for their merits with many scholarships and were blessed as they venture on a new journey. The Christian Boy and Girl for the class were named; the 7th graders had lots of fun presenting their prophecy of this year's 8th grade class, and the graduating class had even more fun presenting their Class Will to the 7th graders. The class video took them on a trip down memory lane from infancy through their time at St. Mary's School; there were some tears and lots of laughter. 
The school's newest Alumni proudly donned their Alumni t-shirts and spent the rest of the evening dancing and reminiscing. For more photos click here.
For one day only, today, May 21st from Midnight to Midnight Omaha Gives! is sponsoring a charitable challenge. Help St. Mary's by making a donation of $10 or more. The more money we raise, the more matching gifts we will be eligible to receive. Click here and make your gift today! There are $1,000 prizes offered every hour and at the end of the day, up to $10,000 will be given to the nonprofit who brings in the greatest number of unique donors. Ask friends and family to make a donation. Our students are the beneficiaries. To make donations 
The 4th and 5th grade class went to Gifford Farm to experience a new program. They traveled back in time to when people lived in a log cabin and experienced chores of the day such as gathering eggs, making butter, washing clothes by hand and stripping corn kernels from the cob. They also attended a one-room schoolhouse, sat in a teepee, bought supplies for a long wagon trip and hid in a corn silo as a slave. The hands-on approach brought history alive and made the words they read in class more meaningful. They have a whole new appreciation for the way we live today. For more photos