Category: General

This week’s tip is to give each of your children a stamped, addressed postcard so they can write to a grandparent about their summer adventures. You can also recycle school notebooks and paper into summer journals or scrapbooks!

The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.

Our mission continues to evolve in these unique times as we embrace new technologies, deliver innovative teaching and learning strategies, and hire exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to the vocation of education. Our current GRACE Strategic Plan outlines action steps in the areas of faith, academics, vitality and experience that have assisted us to enjoy enrollment growth over the past five years.

Please know you are always welcome to visit our schools to learn more about our offerings and the culture that makes each of our GRACE schools unique. The rewards of a Catholic education are endless. The gift of a Catholic education prepares your child and will remain with them throughout their life. Learn more about us here.

Make sure kids have something to read during the summer! Visit your local library and explore their free summer reading program! Your child can earn all kinds of rewards for keeping his/her reading skills sharp!

The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.

Our mission continues to evolve in these unique times as we embrace new technologies, deliver innovative teaching and learning strategies, and hire exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to the vocation of education. Our current GRACE Strategic Plan outlines action steps in the areas of faith, academics, vitality and experience that have assisted us to enjoy enrollment growth over the past five years.

Please know you are always welcome to visit our schools to learn more about our offerings and the culture that makes each of our GRACE schools unique. The rewards of a Catholic education are endless. The gift of a Catholic education prepares your child and will remain with them throughout their life. Learn more about us here.

Brianna is a 3rd grade teacher from St. John the Baptist Catholic School. Brianna is in her 5th year at St. John the Baptist School in Howard. As an SJB graduate herself, it is so rewarding to be teaching where she was once a student. Brianna feels blessed to be at a place that allows her to not only share, but grow and practice her faith with her students each day. When Brianna is not teaching she enjoys watching TV or Disney movies, kayaking, listening to music, being outside, and exploring new places.

What have you enjoyed most about being on the GRACE Science Teacher Team?

Being on the GRACE Science Teacher Team has allowed me not only to learn more about curriculum but to become a “go-to” person within my school and other 3rd-grade teachers for science questions and ideas, especially as we began working with PLTW this year. I have enjoyed helping my colleagues learn, problem-solve, and collaborate over the last few trimesters as we navigate our science resources.

How has being on the team helped your understanding of GRACE curriculum and development?

I started on the team, during a time when I was still trying to master GRACE’s curriculum and standards. Being on this team has given me the time and collaboration to really gain a concrete understanding of what to teach.

What’s one thing you wish teachers knew about the GRACE Science Teacher Team?

The team is here for you, and wants to collaborate with you! We are continuing to meet this year to work on standards, learning targets, and MORE for all GRACE teachers to use during our lesson plans in the future!

Founded in 1888, St. John the Baptist School is a Catholic school in Howard where students grow in relationship with Jesus Christ, pursue high levels of academics, and are surrounded by a community rooted in Christian values. Our staff is committed to developing the whole child by nurturing each child’s academic, emotional, spiritual and behavioral development. By partnering with parents, we aim to individualize student learning in a structured environment where students grow and succeed.

St. John the Baptist School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. St. John the Baptist provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. For more information about St. John the Baptist Catholic School, visit their website at https://sjbhschool.org.

Students from Holy Family Catholic School recently attended an outreach camp hosted by local team, the Green Bay Packers. They were given the opportunity to get outside and become more active with the program, called the NFL Play 60. The program has traveled to schools all across Wisconsin and on May 9, the Packers came to the Titletown football field.

Read the full article here.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.

For more information about Holy Family Catholic School, visit their website: https://holyfamilygreenbay.com.

Do you make time for a family meal? Eating as a family is a great way to teach children about nutrition, routine, and prayer. Family meals might be just as important for children as extracurricular involvement!

The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.

Our mission continues to evolve in these unique times as we embrace new technologies, deliver innovative teaching and learning strategies, and hire exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to the vocation of education. Our current GRACE Strategic Plan outlines action steps in the areas of faith, academics, vitality and experience that have assisted us to enjoy enrollment growth over the past five years.

Please know you are always welcome to visit our schools to learn more about our offerings and the culture that makes each of our GRACE schools unique. The rewards of a Catholic education are endless. The gift of a Catholic education prepares your child and will remain with them throughout their life. Learn more about us here.

Timothy is a 1st-grade student at St Bernard School. Timothy’s family is a faith-filled family who helps out at school and participates in activities whenever they can. We are blessed to have this kind of love and excitement from one of our families!

Thank you for being a great example at SBS, Timothy.

St. Bernard Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. St. Bernard’s provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.

For more information about SBS, visit their website: https://saintbernardgb.com

Brenda Touchinski is the middle school math teacher at Father Allouez Catholic School, Resurrection Campus. She joined FACS after over 20 years of teaching high school math. She has really “added” a lot of knowledge and experience to the math program!

Thank you so much for being a great GRACE teacher, Brenda!

Father Allouez Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Father Allouez provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.

For more information about FACS, visit their website: https://fatherallouezschool.org.

St. Thomas More Catholic School (STM) on the east side of Green Bay has become one of the few private schools in the Green Bay area offering a bilingual program. The school’s philosophy is to educate children in every aspect of their development: spiritually, academically, culturally, and to mentor them to thrive in the desire to serve those in need. As a multicultural school, St. Thomas More cultivates a strong bilingual, and bicultural environment, where both Spanish and English are used, taught and valued.

As a part of the STM mission, Alejandra Beals serves as the school’s family liaison; an important role that is crucial to facilitate the communication of what is happening in the classroom to the students’ households. Mrs. Beals’ goal as a liaison is to invite parents to be part of their student’s education by giving them the tools to succeed in their children’s academic goals. She navigates with them to have better knowledge of the procedures, protocols, and school expectations that are an important part of the school and GRACE system.

St. Thomas More is always looking for the best way to support families in whichever method is most comfortable for them. St. Thomas More uses technology that creates interaction more efficiently between parents, teachers, and staff. Without language barriers, parents and guardians are given the tools they need to help their students succeed.

St. Thomas More integrates and values Hispanic culture. The school believes that living the traditions will make a richer society and future generations will embrace the diversity of our community.

The goal of St. Thomas More is to have students that choose to continue their education wherever they feel God is calling them to go and to create a better future for themselves, and for our society. St. Thomas More exists to teach and guide them to serve others just like Jesus is leading us to live our lives.

To learn more about St. Thomas More, visit their website, stmoregb.com, or call the office at (920) 432-8242.

GRACE is proud to present our school system educators who have been nominated for the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s 2023 Golden Apple Awards. GRACE is blessed with amazing teachers, and these nominees represent the excellence in faith-based education that occurs daily in our schools. Nominees include educators from all our GRACE schools this year, including Father Allouez Catholic School, Holy Cross Catholic School, Holy Family Catholic School, Notre Dame of De Pere, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, St. Bernard Catholic School, St. John Paul II Classical School, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, and St. Thomas More Catholic School. The 2023 Golden Apple Awards program is scheduled to be held April 19, 2023. Here are the GRACE nominees, listed in alphabetical order according to last name:

Father Allouez Catholic School: Amy Benzshawel, James Block, Allyson Ellis, Jeanne Ihlenfeldt, Sarah Johanski, Patricia Nennig, April Neuville, Tina Sabin, Samantha Skifton, Annie Stewart, Brenda Touchinski, Ashley VandenBush, Caity Zedler

Holy Cross Catholic School: Michelle Anderson, Jessica DeGroot, Tim Kozlovsky, Jamie Sheehy, Jodi Sullivan, Tara Wildenberg

Holy Family Catholic School: Traci Belongia, Lynn Francois, Amy Glantz, Sister Elena Gonzales, Shawna Halbach, Lisa Krcma, Bailey Schultz, Jordan Thill, Courtney Wedan

Notre Dame of De Pere: Jacky Cramer, Carrie Korinek, Elise Stone

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School: Hannah Aschenbrenner, Beth Christensen, Ashley Cwiklewski, Lourain Eggart, Caitlin Enright, Lynn Fink, Sarah Sharkey, Sally Thompson

St. Bernard Catholic School: Amanda Boeke, Molly Bongel, Julie Lamm, Terri Larson

St. John Paul II Classical School: Jennifer Budde, Brenda Devroy, Gary Guevara, Brianna McGann, Tyler Storey

St. John the Baptist School: Kristin Barnhart, Alex Geise, Julie Schmitz, Lisa Turbett, Abbie Withbroe

We are thrilled to announce that Amanda Boeke, a beloved Kindergarten teacher at St. Bernard Catholic School, a part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) system, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching are awarded by the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce annually to educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their students, families, and the education community. Mrs. Boeke will advance to the final awards ceremony in April where award winners will be recognized.

GRACE President, Mrs. Kim Desotell stated, “Mrs. Boeke is an inspirational, loving and caring GRACE teacher. We are proud of her important contributions and the example of excellence she sets for others in the field of education.”

Mrs. Boeke has been a dedicated educator for eight years and has made a lasting impact on the lives of her students. She creates a warm and welcoming environment in her classroom, fostering a love of learning and encouraging each student to reach their full potential. Her peers and families describe her as kind, patient, and endlessly encouraging, making her students feel safe and valued in her classroom.

Mrs. Crystal Blahnik, Principal of St. Bernard Catholic School states: “It is a joy to see such a dedicated teacher be recognized in this very special way. Mrs. Boeke started her teaching career with us eight years ago and she is now a leader among her peers and highly respected among the school community. She most recently completed her MA in English Language Learning. This was something she pursued for her kids, so that she could help them be as successful as possible.”

Mrs. Boeke goes above and beyond to connect with her families and the larger school community, creating a strong sense of partnership and collaboration. She has a remarkable ability to connect with each student, understand their individual needs, and support their growth and development. Her colleagues and families rave about her unwavering commitment to her students, her exceptional work ethic, and her genuine love for teaching. This recognition is a testament to Mrs. Boeke’s exceptional dedication and hard work, and a shining example of the incredible impact that one dedicated teacher can have on the lives of their students. We are proud to have Mrs. Boeke as a member of the GRACE community and look forward to celebrating her achievements in the coming months.

St. Bernard Catholic School is a preschool through 8th grade school that is part of the GRACE System and that believes in an innovative, faith-based education with equal access to student services. This approach allows St. Bernard Catholic School to provide an academically sound, compelling, and faith-filled environment for all of its students. With St. Bernard of Clairvaux as their guide, they stand in the motto: Peace, Pray, Learn. More information can be found at saintbernardgb.com.

For media inquiries, contact Madeline Janssen, GRACE Director of Marketing & Communications at 920-499-7330 x 1014 or at co************@*********em.org.