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Diocesan families provide Catholic education for their children

By KATIE LEFEBVRE, Globe staff reporter
(Email Katie)

Sending their children to a Catholic school was an important decision for Jerry and Tammy Loew, who have children at Sacred Heart School in Boone.

The Loews both attended Catholic schools in Carroll County. The two mentioned that they had great experiences in these schools, and decided before they were married that if they had the opportunity to send their own children to Catholic schools they would. 

Blessing of a Catholic school
"For us, it was as important to talk about as all the other major issues of which we planned for,” said Tammy. “We have been blessed to send our kids to Sacred Heart, which provides such a high standard of learning and also an environment to learn and grow in the Catholic faith.  This has been one of the partners we were hoping for in raising our children, and another being our parish family of St. Malachy's in Madrid.”

The Loew's two older children, Drew and Sean, have already graduated from Sacred Heart and are a senior and freshman at Madrid High School. Their younger two children, Becca and Jacob, are currently in sixth and first grades at Sacred Heart.

“They were well prepared for success in high school and agree that this is due in large part to the great education received at Sacred Heart,” said Tammy. "We look forward to continuing our partnership with this school. We truly believe our adult lives have been greatly influenced by our own Catholic education, having a profound impact on our decisions, activities and involvements. We are so thankful to be able to provide that same opportunity of influence in our children's lives." 

Tammy pointed out that challenges have come along with the decision to send their children to a Catholic school but not necessarily sacrifices. Some challenges have been keeping their work schedules flexible enough to transport the children from Madrid to Boone and back each day and managing finances to pay tuition fees. 

“But, these have never made us wonder whether a Catholic education has been worth it for our children,” she said. “If anything, it has strengthened our belief because of the people and resources God has put in our path to help us through the obstacles.”

Family atmosphere
Becky and Jerry Fosbender have two children – Rachel, a seventh grader and Jeff, a sophomore – attending St. Edmond School in Fort Dodge. Becky likes the small classrooms that give her children more one-on-one time with teachers.

“They get to know everyone in their class instead of going to a school with 400 kids in a class,” said Becky. “It makes it a little homier, like going to a family. It is a nice experience for the kids. I like that it is pre-kindergarten through 12th grade all in one building. They don’t have to switch schools every couple of years.
Everyone knows everyone. It is a cool experience.”

With the expense of a Catholic school, they don’t drive brand new cars, but she noted that sending her children to St. Edmond’s is well worth it because of the education her children receive and the values that they learn.

“The respect that they have for each other and the adults seems to be taught more at a Catholic school,” said Becky. “We realize that a small school is more beneficial than a big school.”

Katie Pick, first grade teacher at St. Rose of Lima School in Denison, has two daughters –Samantha (sixth grade) and Kailey (second grade) - attending St. Rose of Lima School.

“My husband and I felt that they would have a well-rounded education with a religious background to enhance our family values,” said Pick. “Catholic education helps with the family structure. It gives us more of a religious aspect to talk about. It brings out more conversations at home that have to do with religion.”

She said St. Rose of Lima School is a tight-knit community in a small school. She and her husband have spent time volunteering for committees and helping out at the school.