Staff photos by Fritz Busch New teachers at Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s School from left, high school science teacher Ben Moritz, upper level math and 7th and 10th grade theology teacher Mary Moritz, 1st grade teacher Alexa Owens and elementary and middle school music teacher Holly Simon. Not pictured, Lindsey Johnson.

SLEEPY EYE — Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s Schools students met four new teachers when the school year started.

New teachers include high school science teacher Ben Moritz and his wife Mary Moritz, who will teach upper level math and 7th and 10th grade theology. The Moritzes hail from Hastings, Ne. and are recent graduates of Benedictine College of Atchison, Kansas.

The Moritzes enjoy hiking, biking, music, especially polka music. The couple met in their college marching band. Mary played tuba and trombone. Ben enjoys playing the organ and golfing.

“We’re excited to be here,” said Mary.

Other new teachers are first grade teacher and Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s graduate Alexa Owens and elementary and middle school teacher Holly Simon.

Owens is a University of Wisconsin Stout graduate.

“I’m really excited to be back in Sleepy Eye teaching here,” Owens said.

A Wabasso native. Simon attended St. Mary’s University in Winona and Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Lindsey Johnson, another new teacher, will begin teaching robotics in October. Other new staffers are school nurse Sara Schultz and kitchen staffer Becky Rothmeier.

Simon attended college at St. Mary’s University in Winona and Minnesota State University, Mankato.

St. Mary’s Principal Peter Roufs said a number of new classes have been added this year including high school physics and robotics for grades 2-5.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a weekly religion class for K-2 students, will be taught by the Handmaids of the Heart of Jesus.

In addition, the school auditorium where musicals, concerts, Christmas plays are other events are held, will feature updated lights including new sound and music boards.

“We’ve raised $8,000, thanks to many generous donations,” said Roufs. “Another $12,000 is needed to pay for the equipment.”

Part of the St. Mary’s Mission Statement declares that the school offers a “high quality” education. This promise is exemplified in our academic curriculum which is designed to allow each child to reach his or her full potential.

As a Catholic school, students attend formal religion classes from preschool through their senior year. The beliefs and values of the Catholic faith are also implemented into all academic subject areas as well as our extracurricular activities.

In the elementary school, a solid foundation is developed based on the Common Core and the Minnesota State Standards. In addition to the core subjects of language arts, math, social studies, science and religion, our elementary students have daily physical education/health and music classes, regular computer and library classes and an optional band class with individual lessons.

Regular assessments, including the NWEA tests and the Dibels tests, are performed in order to ensure that we are meeting the learning needs of each student.

Interventions for students struggling in specific areas are implemented as needed as are accelerated projects for those students who prove exceptionally gifted in certain areas.

In the high school, our students not only fulfill requirements in the core subjects, but are offered a variety of electives including Spanish, German, American Sign Language, AP Biology, Environmental Science, Lifetime Sports, Trigonometry, Calculus and Honors English.

Our graduation is consistently at 100% with the majority of our students continuing their education at either a four-year college or a technical/vocational school. We are extremely proud of our high quality academic program at St. Mary’s as we strive to prepare our students for their lives after graduation.

Through the integration of our academic classes, extracurricular activities, and spiritual growth opportunities, we invite our students to cultivate their God-given abilities. Our Catholic faith is evident in all that we do at St. Mary’s. The curricular activities, and spiritual growth opportunities, we invite our students to cultivate their God-given abilities. Our Catholic faith is evident in all that we do at St. Mary’s. The faculty and staff at St. Mary’s are individuals who are living out their vocations and whose unwavering commitment to the students and teachings of the Catholic Church have made St. Mary’s a very special place. The combined contribution of our faculty and staff, students, and members of the community yields an environment of faithful witnesses to the vitality of the Church and the importance of education. We strive to seek the Truth in all that we do, and attempt to make it our way of life. Our hope is that anyone who is present at St. Mary’s will see the Gospel witness of Jesus Christ in all our members as we strive to create outstanding citizens of this world but more importantly citizens of heaven.