SS. Peter and Paul School in West Bend to close at end of year

By RENEE WEBB, Globe editor
Feb. 15, 2007

WEST BEND - After providing more than 100 years of Catholic education, SS. Peter and Paul School in West Bend will close at the end of this school year.

According to Kevin Vickery, superintendent of schools for the diocese, the Diocesan Board of Education recommended the closure to Bishop R. Walker Nickless mainly due to low student enrollment and stewardship concerns placed upon the parish. The K-6 school presently has 24 students.

"When you compare SS. Peter and Paul of today with that of the school 20 years ago, it's the number of students and the number of families who live in West Bend that has changed," said Vickery. "There are not as many families and those families do not have as many children. There isn't the same need as we had before."

At the same time, transportation to other communities years ago was not as readily available, he noted, adding that he hoped that now families look at options for Catholic school education in other communities.

In a letter to parishioners, Bishop R. Walker Nickless, said, "The early parishioners of SS. Peter and Paul parish planted the seeds of Catholic education and a rich tradition of faith for those who chose to settle the plains of northwest Iowa. The seeds of their belief grew into a school and have sustained many young people and families who have looked to SS. Peter and Paul School as a place to grow in their love for God and the church."

While the bishop affirmed the dedication and support to Catholic education in the parish, he noted that for the past three years there had been several meetings to review data concerning the school.

"The review of the history of the school, projections for enrollment, current enrollment, per pupil costs and the availability of Catholic school education in neighboring locations has led to the difficult, but realistic decision of closing SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School," wrote the bishop in the letter dated Feb. 12.

Father Edmund Tiedeman, pastor at SS. Peter and Paul Parish, acknowledged that the closure of the school may be grieved in the same way as a death.

"There will be a bereavement period for the families, teachers and students connected with SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School," said the priest.

He is aware that many of the people affiliated with the school are saddened and disappointed by the decision.

"I have always been impressed by the tremendous dedication of the parents toward the school and toward their Catholic faith," said Father Tiedeman.

With the commitment to Catholic education, he mentioned that some may opt to send their children to Catholic schools in other nearby communities.

In the letter to parishioners, Bishop Nickless stated that the West Bend pastor and parish leadership recognized a commitment to assist families who might need assistance in sending their children to neighboring Catholic schools.

The parish school first opened its doors on Oct. 16, 1899 with 46 pupils. Led by the Sisters of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration of LaCrosse, Wis., by the end of the first year 84 students were served by the school.

According to the parish's centennial book from 1988, the present SS. Peter and Paul School building was opened in December of 1961. It was erected at a cost of about $136,500. At that time, four Franciscan sisters and one lay teacher served at the school, which had an enrollment of 160 students.

Sister Margaret Galm, a Franciscan sister of Dubuque, served as principal from 1988 to 1995. She mentioned that she came out of retirement to serve there as a part-time administrator.

"Serving at SS. Peter and Paul was the icing on the cake for me. It was a very special time," she said. "They were such a devoted faculty. I remember they worked together so well. We did some of the most wonderful things together."

She recalled how they were the first school in the diocese to go through the self-study process. Sister Margaret found that to be a wonderful experience because it not only identified areas they needed to work on but also affirmed their strengths.

Knowing the attachment that people had to the school, Sister Margaret realizes that some people are probably heart-broken over the closure but noted that there comes a time when the decision must come. These types of decisions have also been made in the Dubuque Archdiocese as well.

"It's always a mourning time for them, especially for those who are firm believers in it," she said. "Serving at SS. Peter and Paul was a good way to end my work with Catholic education."

After Sister Margaret, the next administrator to serve at the school was Jean Hyslop who has served in that capacity to the present time.

"The parents, students and staff at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School are

deeply saddened with the decision to close their beloved school," noted Hyslop. "We are working together to reconcile this decision in our hearts."

She said the commitment of the parish and parents to SS. Peter and Paul Catholic School is evident in providing over 100 years of well-rounded education.

"With grace and dignity we will share the joys and sorrows of the next several months and create lasting memories to hold in our hearts forever," said Hyslop.

Father Ed Girres, who is one of three priestly vocations to come out the parish, graduated from SS. Peter and Paul Grade School in 1966.

"I had a very positive experience at the school," he said. "It kept me close to the parish and to the church."

He mentioned that the community is fortunate to have three Catholic schools within driving distances in these modern times.

While change can be hard, he realizes the importance to adapt as the number of families and children have decreased in many communities.

"I am sure that those who are so dedicated to Catholic education will make the changes necessary to continue to provide it for their children," said Father Girres.

Through his service in the priesthood, he mentioned he has been involved in a lot of adaptations and closings.

"I think people adapt better than they think they can. In every change there is always some loss but there can always be some gains if we are open to it," he said.

He acknowledged, though, that change can be difficult.

"When you look at the important events in our lives, most all of the important events take place either in our home, church or schools. We attach a lot of memories to those places so it stirs up a lot of emotions when one of those closes," said Vickery.

He encouraged the school community to prepare for the closure by celebrating the school's accomplishments along with the faculty and parents' commitment to the school through the years.

Father Tiedeman pointed out that with the closure of the school, the parish will examine its parish religious education program and will look at ways to best meet the spiritual formation needs of school children, families and adults.