Home | Contact Parish Info | Diocese Map | Clergy Assignments | Pastoral Center Offices | Local Catholic Organizations | Jobs | Links Fiat Voluntas Tua   Schools > March 2009 > November 2007 > May 2008 > April 2008 > February 2008 > October 2009 > November 2008   Local News   Catechesis and Apologetics   Calendar of Events   Opinion   The Northern Cross - Schools Assumption School honors long-time teacher At one of the many ceremonies set aside to honor her retirement, Assumption School’s physical education teacher, Betty Kroll, was given a plaque with a worn-out tennis shoe on it and the words: “You went the extra distance for children. “Your daily walk alongside children has taught them how to walk, and by example . . . where to walk. “Your footprints will be the stepping stones to their future.” Submitted photo Pictured are the members of the 2009-10 Assumption School Archery Team. The team placed 51st out of 91 elementary teams at the United States National Archery Tournament in Lousiville, Ky. More than 7,000 archers participated in the elementary, middle school and high school event. As we end another successful school year at Assumption, as well as at all of our excellent Catholic schools throughout the diocese, we look with gratitude upon the work of our teachers. At Assumption School, we chose to focus in particular on Mrs. Kroll, who retired upon completion of the 2009-10 school year. Mrs. Kroll has taught 26 years in the Hibbing Catholic community, both at Assumption and St. Leo’s School. She believes strongly in physical education programs that emphasize love of the outdoors and lifelong fitness skills as well as traditional physical education outcomes. She developed and initiated a curriculum in canoeing for the sixthgrade students to learn this important skill. She added cross country skiing into the school’s physical education program, initiating and instructing the children in grades one through six on this life skill. Of course, to add a program like skiing to the curriculum took more than just a love of the sport. She had to secure more than 90 pairs of skis, boots and poles before the program could begin. She not only found a way to get the skis, but did all of the work in waxing, repairing and replacing them as needed. Yet her crowning glory was the latest addition she made to the physical education curriculum: archery. After starting the archery program by securing a grant from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this year Mrs. Kroll successfully led her band of archers to a second-place finish in regionals, fifth place in the state tournament, and a berth in the national tournament in Louisville, Ky. Betty Kroll has indeed gone the extra distance for children and their parents, and has taught them by her loving example throughout her entire career. She is a faith-filled woman who exemplifies how an ordinary life — guided by faith — becomes extraordinary. We are grateful for her service and the service of all teachers who give their lives and their careers in service to the church through Catholic education. Thank you, teachers. Thank you, Mrs. Kroll. You will never be forgotten. Sue Scipioni is principal at Assumption School in Hibbing. BRIEFS St. John’s in Duluth breaks ground for new addition Groundbreaking at Saint John’s Church and School, Duluth, took place in May for the new addition to connect the church and school. Construction is scheduled to begin in early June. Catholic schools in diocese celebrate graduations This year the 12 Catholic schools in the Diocese of Duluth will graduate 64 eighth-graders, 59 sixth-graders and 10 fifth-graders. “At this time of year, schools look back at some of the highlights of the year,” said Cynthia Zook, director of Catholic schools for the Diocese of Duluth. “In the Catholic school situation, the students and teachers have shared prayer, Scripture reflections, our church and its history, the sacraments, the liturgical year, and other activities that helped us learn about Jesus. . . . After spending their formative years in our Catholic schools, let us pray together that these graduates take with them the lessons learned in an environment that is uniquely designed to nurture the social, academic, physical, emotional and faith development of the students. We should be proud of all that these students have achieved, and they can count on our support as they continue their education in middle school, high school and beyond. May God richly bless each and every one of them.” St. Michael’s teachers nominated for awards St. Michael’s Lakeside School, Duluth, had two other nominations for the Minnesota Independent School Forum Awards, where teacher Bill Johnson received the 2010 Honor Teacher Award for grades K-8. Stephanie Fort-Medlin was nominated for the Honor Teacher Award and Mary Ann Harriss was nominated for the Behind the Scenes Award for outstanding volunteer service at SMLS.     Diocese of Duluth • 2830 E Fourth St • Duluth Minnesota 55812 • (218) 724- 9111 Copyright 2010 DIOCESE OF DULUTH All Rights Reserved.