A New Catholic School in Allouez

A new chapter in Catholic education will begin in September of this year. After a long process involving parents, parishioners, school staff members and the Green Bay Diocese, St. Matthew School and Resurrection School will merge to form one school. This is a huge step for each school as their existence as parish schools goes back many years.

The students and families had an opportunity to suggest a name for the school and Bishop David Ricken, leader of the Green Bay Diocese, selected the name from three that had been presented to him. On April 21st the Bishop celebrated Mass at St. Matthew’s for the students of both schools. After the Mass several students carried a rolled banner to the front of the church.  As the students in the pews provided a simulated drum roll, the banner was unfurled to reveal that the new school is named Father Allouez Catholic School.

The St. Matthew campus will house students in early childhood through grade four. Students in grades five through eight will go to Resurrection. The decision on which building would be used for the different grade levels was based on the types of facilities each school is able to provide. Of course, the alignment of grade levels will cause some students and teachers to switch schools in the fall. Planning for the movement of curriculum supplies, desks, technology equipment and library materials began in early spring and the actual movement begins on August 1st.

When asked what she sees as the advantages of this merger, Principal Kay Franz stated “The greatest advantage is to offer children a faith-based learning environment that meets their unique age appropriate needs.“ The use of the two sites will “focus resources specifically for the designated age groups instead of duplicating services.” Mrs. Franz is expecting an enrollment of 295 students between the two buildings.

Jodi Sullivan teaches first grade at Resurrection. She is looking forward to her students having more classmates. Currently there is a multiage classroom with first and second graders at Resurrection. Next year they will be in separate second and third grade rooms. She believes the larger classes help the children academically and socially.

St. Matthew kindergarten teacher Annie Stewart agrees that the larger class sizes will benefit the children. She is also looking forward to increased opportunities for collaboration among staff members.

Callie Lacy is a St. Matthew graduate and her two children attend St. Matthew School. She is very excited about the merger and stated that, “Teachers will have additional resources to enhance our strong academic programs.” Her children are looking forward to meeting their new classmates in the fall.

Resurrection parent Mary Burich said she is happy that her son will be meeting new friends. The children will be able to continue to honor the traditions of each school, while starting new ones for Father Allouez Catholic School. She said her son is “excited to experience the updated library, which is transforming into a new multi-media center.”

There are still some important decisions to be made.  A new name for the school’s sports teams needs to be chosen along with a school mascot. Students will have an opportunity to help choose the new name. The booster clubs for each school have been meeting and have a plan for combining the sports teams. A school logo is also being worked on and the final product will be revealed at the school’s Open House in the fall.

The two facilities will still be referred to using their historical names when discussing each campus, but Allouez will be home to the newest school in the Green Bay Diocese when Father Allouez Catholic School opens its doors on September 1st.