Kaukauna Catholic School System

Kaukauna Catholic School System
ANNUAL REPORT 2014-2015
Now Teaching…Catholic Classical Curriculum
(920) 766-0186 www.kcssonline.org
Forming a Community of Disciples in Christ Through Catholic Faith & Academic Excellence
Message from our Headmaster, Mr. Larry Konetzke
The 2014-2015 school year marked the beginning of new ventures for KCSS. All KCSS
programs, Child Care, Preschool through to grade 8, and Business Offices were moved to the
220 Doty Street site. The summer months were spent sprucing up the hallways and rooms
with new paint and upgrading the computer lab through rewiring and a donation of twentyfour computers. Building security/safety was also improved with a secure entry/lock system
being installed on main entrances to the school and gym.
HeadmasterMr. Larry Konetzke
PastorsFr. Jerry Pastors
St. Katharine Drexel Parish
Fr. Tom Pomeroy
Holy Cross Parish
KCSS 2015-2016
Board of TrusteesJohn Johnson, Chairperson
Jill Estermann, Vice Chairperson
Mike Banaszynski, Treasurer
Maxine Vande Hey, Secretary
Fr. Jerry Pastors
Fr. Tom Pomeroy
Jason Beilfuss
Clare Bowers
Amy Reque
Pat Weyenberg
Diane Williamson
Contact UsKaukauna Catholic School System
220 Doty Street
Kaukauna, WI 54130
(920)766-0186
KCSS Child Care, Before & After
School Care (920)759-4566
Office Manager, Marketing &
Advancement (920)759-9290
Business Office (920)759-4508
www.kcssonline.org
KCSS also began its transition to a Catholic Classical Curriculum with the 2014-2015 school
year. In this 1st year of transition, emphasis was on the Religion curriculum & Virtues;
quarterly Cardinal Virtues (Prudence, Fortitude, Justice, Temperance, & their related virtues)
were highlighted culminating with prayer services; providing weekly Adoration time in
church on Mondays for students/staff; increasing priests/deacon classroom visits, students’
knowledge of prayer forms, types and practices (ex. held Liturgy of the Hours prayer for
grade 5 – 8 students during Advent and Lent); and incorporating Catholic Classical
Curriculum Methods & Virtues into all curriculum/subject areas. Grade two piloted classical
curricular materials in all core subject areas including introducing Latin to the students.
Other curricular areas and grade levels were planned to be transitioned in over the next two
to four years until all subject areas were covered, but the transition in grade two went so
well that a full Catholic Classical Curriculum in Kindergarten through grade four was planned
to be introduced in the 2015-16 school year along with the middle school grades
transitioning History and Literature to classical.
Community Service hours and projects continue to be an important aspect in students’ lives
at KCSS. This past year’s projects included sock, clothing and household item collections for
Harbor House; Food Drives for Loaves & Fishes Food Pantry; toys for the Christian Resale
Store at Christmas time; and contributions for raffle baskets for Holy Cross Oktoberfest and
St. Katharine Drexel ParishFest.
Marketing & Advancement along with the Board of Trustees continued to work towards
goals in areas of finance, retention and recruitment of new student families to secure the
future of KCSS through growing the Endowment and Tuition Assistance Funds; conducting a
Matching Fund Drive for classical curriculum textbooks, materials and staff development;
and organizing KCSS largest fundraiser, the Grand Event, to lighten the parishes financial
commitments to KCSS. (Mark your calendar for January 29, 2016, for the next Grand Event!)
The school year saw 214 students enrolled at KCSS in grades Pre 3 through grade 8, an
increase of 18 students over the previous year, including twenty new families. A truly bright
prospect for the future! It was also a memorable year for twenty-five eighth grade students
as they received their diplomas following a special graduation liturgy in Holy Cross church on
June 2, 2015. Father Tom and Father Jerry did the honors of presenting the diplomas to
them as they moved on to their high school years at St. Francis Xavier and Kaukauna High
Schools.
Through the support of parents’, parishioners’ and benefactors’, prayers, time, talents and
treasure, KCSS continues to do its best to fulfill Our Lord’s message both in and outside the
classroom. Thank you and God Bless.
KCSS Annual Report 2014-15 Page 2
Fr. Jerry Pastors, Pastor-St. Katharine Drexel Parish
The theme for KCSS this year is to be Jesus Strong. Being Jesus Strong helps us to
accomplish our mission statement which is, “Forming a Community of Disciples in Christ
Through Catholic Faith and Academic Excellence.” Throughout this year we will be looking at
how we can be Jesus Strong.
An excellent place to find out what it means to be Jesus Strong is the Gospel that brings
joy to the world. After Jesus celebrated the Passover with his disciples, he washed their feet
and said, “What I have done for you, you should also do.” This is a strength to look beyond
ourselves and put Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last.
At the wedding feast of Cana, Mary said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.” This
strength reminds us that before we act or speak we should turn to Jesus for guidance.
Mary, at the Annunciation, responded to the invitation to further God’s plan of salvation
by saying, “I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Like
Mary, the greatest disciple, we too need to humble ourselves and surrender our life to doing
God’s will.
At the Transfiguration a voice from heaven said, “Listen to him.” In listening to Jesus, the
Word of God, we conform ourselves to the things of heaven and not to the things of this world.
During the bread of life discourse, Jesus said to the crowd, “Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood has eternal life.” The Eucharist, Jesus himself, is the strength that helps us to
both clothe ourselves in Christ and remain clothed in Christ.
As a community of disciples let us grow in faith and come to learn all things well with the
vision of Jesus. Then we will be Jesus Strong.
Fr. Tom Pomeroy, Pastor-Holy Cross Parish
This past year has been a great year at KCSS. There are many new and exciting things
happening in our school. The vocations director from the diocese came to visit our school. We
went into the second grade class. In unison the students said: “Salve Pater” (Hello Father),
and then a short discussion continued in Latin. It took a few moments for him to realize what
was happening. It was not just that, but those same second graders told him about the chapter
books they were reading. In other schools they are not reading chapter books already in second
grade. Our students are not only reading, but also understanding and really enjoying everything
they learn. We have spent a lot of time on our Catholic identity, and the students have done
Eucharistic Adoration and know the Rosary very well. If you would come to our school Masses,
you would see the student’s enthusiasm for their faith. It makes a pastor proud.
As I said it has a been a great year at KCSS. We continue to form our children in their
Catholic faith with an excellent academic education. We continue to have excellent coaches and
sports experiences. Our students continue to have friendships which will last their entire lives.
As you read through the Annual Report, please do not see it as numbers and statistics, but see it
as our students and their accomplishments. See a school with teachers and staff who care for
every student. See the parents who care for their children. See the students whose lives have
been changed. See our parish alive and thriving. This is what Catholic education is all about.
KCSS Annual Report 2014-15 Page 3
KCSS Board of Trustees-Tracy Brockman, Chairperson
The 2014-15 school year was an exciting year filled with many changes. The school combined two campuses into one, with
all students, preschool through eighth grade, housed in one building. This created a greater sense of community,
eliminated travel between two campuses and increased efficiency of staff and resources. As with all change, there were
hurdles to overcome. Rooms were packed up and rearranged, daily logistics needed to be worked out and every room
received a fresh coat of paint. A lot of time and man power was invested to prepare the building for the new school year.
The biggest change for KCSS was becoming the first school in the Green Bay Diocese to offer a Catholic Classical education.
This was the initial year of our transition to the Classical model. Some of the teachers attended a summer conference to
acquaint themselves with this tried and true method of teaching. Religion was chosen as the first subject to focus on for all
grades. We immersed the staff and students in a new textbook series as well as integrated our Catholic Faith in every
aspect of the school day. In addition to weekly mass, the students attended Adoration, increased their knowledge of the
virtues, attended Reconciliation and led Stations of the Cross. Our second graders had the most immersion into the
Classical model. Their homeroom teacher had moved up from a different grade and decided to completely transition all
subjects, even adding Latin to the subject matter. The excitement and growth in that classroom prompted the decision to
completely transition the Kindergarten through fourth grade classes for the 2015-16 school year. The goal of our school is
to develop lifelong learners that have a strong Catholic faith.
Beautiful things happen every day inside our building. Our teachers are devoted to Catholic education and want all of our
students to succeed. We have an incredible base of volunteers that help in the classrooms, lunch room, playgrounds, and
behind the scenes. Most importantly we are supported by our community.
Kaukauna Catholic School System offers a wonderful environment for students to grow both academically and faithfully.
Our mission is to create disciples in Christ while offering the best education possible. I thank everyone who supports
Catholic education with prayers, time and treasure. Without all of you, this would not be possible.
God’s Blessings to all of you,
Tracy Brockman
2014-15 Chairperson of the KCSS Board of Trustees
Staff Anniversaries
Thank You to the following
KCSS staff members for your
years of dedicated service
Mrs. Terri Miller-40 years
Mrs. Donna Eddy- 20 years
Mrs. Mary Krubsack-20 years
Mrs. Ann Geiser-10 years
Ms. Karen Tschimperle-10 years
We Appreciate You!!
WRISA Accreditation
The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Religious and Independent Schools
Accreditation (WRISA) is pleased to announce the accreditation of
Kaukauna Catholic School System. Kaukauna Catholic School System has
proven compliance with WRISA educational standards and is a member in
good standing. All religious and independent schools in Wisconsin that
have been in operation with students for at least two years and meet
extensive eligibility criteria may apply to WRISA for entry into the
accreditation process. Schools must complete a comprehensive year-long
study, host a site visit every seven years, and develop and implement a long
range plan for school improvement to maintain accreditation. Schools file
annual reports that detail their progress in meeting their goals and staying
in compliance with the standards. WRISA is a state chapter of the National
Federation of Nonpublic School State Accrediting Associations (NFNSSAA).
KCSS Annual Report 2014-15 Page 4
2015 KCSS 8th Grade Graduates
C
Congratulations & God Bless You!
Lauren Brochtrup
Savannah De Valk
Robert Dix
Grace Eggleston
Theresa Gavin
Taylor Ironside
Ethan James
Grace Kobussen
Jada Leon
Lydia Mader
Amber Marciniak
Jonah O’Brien
Tyler Paltzer
Zenon Patzner
Dylan Schmidt
Sam Schumacher
Alexis Schwalenberg
Lydia Stumpf
Kaitlyn Tetzlaff
Suzuki Vang
Anthony Verhagen
Nick Voet
Shane Wiegert
Ed Zornow
Morgan Zwick
KCSS Athletic Director-Mr. Myron Geiser
The Athletic Association coordinates the interscholastic athletic programs for KCSS
for Grades 5-8. These sports include boys’ and girls’ volleyball, boys’ and girls’
basketball, and boys’ and girls’ track. The association also sponsors CYO
basketball teams for high school students, the mother/daughter volleyball game
and father/son basketball day for 8 th graders, the 8th grade girls’ volleyball
tournament, and the 8th Grade Athletic Banquet. This banquet recognizes students
who have participated in athletics. Plaques are presented to each student athlete
listing the sports they participated in while at KCSS.
The association funds virtually all maintenance and capital improvements in the
gymnasiums at St. Mary’s and Holy Cross and gives financial assistance to the
physical education program. Over the past ten years, over $500,000 has been
spent on maintenance and capital improvements. Because of the association’s
work, gym maintenance and capital improvements are “off budget” for St. Katharine Drexel and
Holy Cross parishes and the sports programs are “off budget” for KCSS. Unlike many Catholic
schools in the area, KCSS does not have a paid athletic director; all of these responsibilities are
handled by volunteers. We are also one of the few Catholic schools in our area which does not
charge a fee to participate in athletics.
The major contribution this past year was $25,000 to KCSS to be used for their general fund. This
one-time donation was presented by Lee Vander Sanden to Headmaster Larry Konetzke at the Men’s
Open basketball tournament.
Other major projects this past school year were completely
renovating the gym teacher’s office, renovating and increasing the size of the trophy case, repairing
the controls on the main scoreboard in the St. Mary’s gym, and resealing the Holy Cross gym floor.
Donations were made to KCSS for physical education and playground equipment and an upgrade to
a coach bus for the 8th grade class trip as well as numerous smaller donations throughout the
school year. The association also once again sponsored CYO basketball teams for
boys and girls, ran the gym on Saturdays for games and covered and uncovered the
Holy Cross gym floor for school and church events in the gym. Major fundraisers for
the association were once again the Men’s Open basketball tournament, Appleton
Oktoberfest, and the Christmas tree sale.
KCSS Annual Report 2014-15 Page 5
May God Bless our 2015 Communicants
Lily Awe
Hunter Baeten
Ella Eggleston
Alyssa Eiting
Mason Hansen
Noah Hunt
Hailey Kobussen
Malachi Lautenschlager
Ike McClelland
Veronica Patzner
Keira Peterson
Natalie Rumbuc
Kathryn Schmidt
Parker Schuh
Sean Theimer
John Voet
Congratulations on Your
Retirement…
Ms. Judy Rogers
Mrs. Susan Schuh
Thank You & God Bless You!
KCSS Home & School Association
Join the Fun!!
The KCSS Home and School Association’s mission statement is “to provide a positive link to KCSS families through
assistance in financial, spiritual and social activities.” The association meets bi-monthly and is comprised of an
executive board consisting of a president, vice president, secretary / treasurer. Committees meet as needed to
plan activities for the students and faculty. Every family is a member and pays a $20 annual fee. Meetings are
open to everyone and we are always looking for new ideas and suggestions.
Home and School is an important part of KCSS as it organizes and funds many events during the year. Below is a
list of a few events Home and School sponsored or organized events for the 2013-2014 school year:
Back to School Cookout
Grandparents Day Snacks
Culver’s Night Fundraiser
Catholic Schools Week Event
Staff Appreciation Luncheons
Teacher’s Dinner during Conferences
Teacher Orientation Brunch
Trunk and Treat
Market Day Grant Fundraiser
Six Flags Reading Program
Art Fair/Ice Cream Social
Family Dance
Middle School Halloween Dance
Christmas Cookie Fundraiser
Christmas gift program for Staff
Fang’s Reading Program
Monthly Snack days for the Kids
Along with our annual $4 per student field trip allotment, the KCSS Home and School Association helped fund
some special ongoing projects within the school. We used the Christmas Cookie fundraiser to benefit the KCSS
Technology fund. We also donated an electric scooter, an iPad and train tickets to the Grand Event. And thru the
teacher mini-grant fund, we funded many teachers’ needs for their classrooms.
KCSS Annual Report 2014-15 Page 6
Kaukauna Catholic School System
Statement of Financial Position
June 30, 2015
Current Assets
Cash in Bank/Accounts Receivable
$177,526
Temporary Restricted Net Assets
Restricted Investments
$649,994
Property and Equipment
Total at Cost
-Less Accumulated Depreciation
Net Property and Equipment
Carrying on the Tradition
Endowment Campaign
Thank You for your Donation
Theda Care Helping Hearts Program
Judith Vanevenhoven
$118,133
(94,536)
$23,597
Total Assets
$851,117
Liabilities
Accrued Salaries/Benefits/Withholdings/Retirement
Funds Held for Others
Total Liabilities
$102,553
$162,079
$264,632
Net Assets
(Total Assets-Total Liabilities)
$586,485
KCSS Needs Fund
Your Donations are Appreciated!
Thank You!!
Bergstrom Corporation
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Lamers
Jean Oliva-In Memory of Serena Oliva
Mrs. Margaret Paulson
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis WittmanIn Memory of Mary E. Ebben
In Spring 2015, a very generous donor started a matching fund to generate funds to cover the costs of Catholic Classical
Curriculum materials and workshops for our teaching staff, etc. Kaukauna Catholic School System was offered an amazing
opportunity. It didn’t stop there. When we were near reaching our first goal, a second and third match was added. Our very
generous donors reached our goal of $24,270.00. Our teaching staff attended educational sessions during the summer
months. Catholic Classical materials were purchased for students in Kindergarten – Grade 8. KCSS is truly blessed!
Anonymous Donors (8)
Carl & Linda Bowers
Jason & Catherine Canales
Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, Inc.
C Squared Marketing Corporation
Lyle & Barbara Diedrich
Michael & Jennie Eggleston
Lily Estermann
Lance & Donna Goetzman
Mike & Karen Geerts
Bernice Haen
Donald Haen
Marvin & Imelda Hietpas
Steven & Sandra Huss
Larry Konetzke
Mc Glone Mortgage Company, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. John Mc Glone
Mrs. Muriel Merbach
Lawrence & Lisa Ortner
Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Ryan
Rob & Beth Schaefer
Steven & Robin Schmidt
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Siebers
Curt & Jill Skaletski
Mr. & Mrs. Chet Stumpf
Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Vande Wettering
Judith Weiss-Van Eperen
Roger Van Eperen
Ann Vanden Wymelenberg
Sue Van Nuland
Tony & Paula Vosters
Ramona Welhouse
KCSS Annual Report 2014-15 Page 7
Kaukauna Catholic School System has been blessed with generous donors.
Thank you for contributing to the KCSS Fund.
July 1, 2014 – June 30, 2015
Barbara Abhold
Carol Ahles
Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Bachhuber
Bishop Robert Banks
Mrs. Betty Jane Beatty
Mr. & Mrs. Donald P. Biselx, Jr.
Mr. James Brenzel
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Bloy
Mary Bloy
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Breitbach
Mr. & Mrs. Don Brewster
Mary Britten
Mr. & Mrs. Fred Brochtrup
Mr. & Mrs. Peter Buechel
Mr. & Mrs. William Campbell
Mary Carnot
Mrs. Ruth Coenen
Lois Derfus
Delores Duchateau
Mr. & Mrs. Leo Eimmerman
Leon Eppinger
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Evers
Anna Fischer
Mr. & Mrs. John Frelich
Clarence Gerrits
Ruth Gerrits
Mr. & Mrs. Duwayne Gilchrist
Mr. & Mrs. Lance Goetzman
Mr. Frank Grogan
Mrs. Bernice Haen
Mr. Paul Heindel
Mrs. Catherine Janssen
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Juneau
Mrs. Jane Kaufman
Mr. & Mrs. Dave Kenney
Mrs. Elaine King
Mr. & Mrs. James Kobussen
Mr. Anthony Kuenzl
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Lamers
Mrs. Eugene Linzmeyer
Kim Livingstone
Geraldine Loderbauer
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Martzahl
Steve Mayer
Mr. Joseph Mc Carty
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Mc Morrow
Laura Merckx
Mr. Harold Micke
Fr. Jack Mullarkey
Mrs. Pauline Niesen
Fr. Jerome Pastors
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Petersen
Elizabeth Piso
Mr. & Mrs. James Reardon
Joyce Reiter
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Retzlaff
Mrs. Conrad Ritter
Mernie Roloff
Mr. & Mrs. Clifford Schmidt
Mr. & Mrs. William SchmidtSchmidt Family Foundation, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Jerald Schneider
Mrs. Ione Schommer
Michaeline Steffens
Mr. & Mrs. Mark Steffensen
Mrs. Donald Stegeman
Mrs. Victoria Sullivan
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Swanningson
Mrs. James Swedberg
Mr. William Taylor
Mr. & Mrs. John Tetzlaff
Marian Thibodeau
Estate of Robert D. Thon
Mrs. Linda Tousey
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Van Asten
Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Vande Hey
Kay Vandenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Harold Vandenlangenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Vander Wyst
Mr. & Mrs. Roger Van Eperen
Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Van Wychen
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Van Zeeland
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Van Zeeland
Mr. & Mrs. James Van Zeeland
Mr. Kenneth Van Zeeland
Sandy Verbeten
Mr. & Mrs. Eugene Verhagen
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Voet
Celine Voris
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Walsh
Mr. & Mrs. Jamie Weiland
Mrs. Ramona Welhouse
Mr. & Mrs. Roy Wentzel
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Wittman
Ms. Berniece Wuyts
Mr. & Mrs. Stephen Zurowski
Given In Memory Of…
Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Borree-In Memory of Margaret “Muggs” Kilgas
Mr. & Mrs. John Borree-In Memory of Charlie Fischer
Mr. & Mrs. John Borree-In Memory of Margaret “Muggs” Kilgas
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Borree-In Memory of Margaret “Muggs” Kilgas
Mr. & Mrs. Lance Goetzman-In Memory of Mary Tennessen
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond Hoffman-In Memory of Robert Courtney
Mrs. Dolores Hurst-In Memory of Harry Hurst
Mr. Patrick Kenney-In Memory of Judy Kenney
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Lunsford-In Memory of Darlene Mc Andrews
Jean Oliva-In Memory of Serena Oliva
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Merbach-In Memory of Mary Tennessen
Mr. Donald Tennessen-In Memory of Mary Tennessen
Mr. & Mrs. John Tetzlaff-In Memory of Mary Tennessen
Rosella Verbeten Family-In Memory of Rosella Verbeten
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Weyers-In Memory of Mary Tennessen
Save
Kaukauna Catholic School System (KCSS) is proud to announce that we will be hosting the sixth
Annual Grand Event on Friday, January 29, 2016. The Grand Event is an adult event
that is held in the Holy Cross Gymnasium. We have a silent auction and live auction, a 50/50
raffle, and various games throughout the evening. Over the past five years the Grand Event
has generated over $130,000.00. These funds are used to help offset the rising costs of student
and teacher needs, textbook purchases, computer programs, and other supplementary school
equipment.
If you are interested in supporting KCSS by attending, sponsoring or contributing to Grand Event,
information can be found at www.kcssonline.org. Click on Grand Event or call (920)759-9290.
KCSS Core Values
Faith-We are rooted in the tradition of the Catholic Church which focuses on nurturing a relationship with God
through knowledge, prayer and service.
Academic Excellence-We are committed to providing the finest instruction, resources and support services available
to enhance the growth and development of the future leaders in our global society.
Social Responsibility-We support one another, our community and our world through active service, ministry and
welcoming each person as a member of God’s family.
Integrity-We promote a moral and spiritual code of conduct that has its strength in the Gospel values of our Catholic Faith.
Innovation-We embrace change and work to create dynamic learning environments where individuals are challenged to
reach their potential.
Save These Dates…..Join Us!
KCSS Christmas Concert
KCSS Gymnasium
Thursday, December 10th at 6:30pm
Catholic Schools Week 2016
January 31st – February 6th
Peak at Kindergarten
Tuesday, January 12th 12:30-1:30pm
and 5:45-6:45pm
KCSS Art & Technology Fair
Open House, Ice Cream Social
Thursday, April 21st 5:30pm-7:00pm
Grand Event 2016
KCSS Gymnasium
Friday, January 29th at 7:00pm
Band & Choir Concert/Open House
Thursday, May 5th
6:30pm Concert
220 Doty Street
Kaukauna, WI 54130
School Office (920)766-0186
Business Office (920)759-4508
Child Care (920)759-4566
Office Manager/Marketing/
Advancement (920)759-9290
www.kcssonline.org