A Catholic school with such unique dynamics and a rich heritage of ethnic inclusion was predestined for success in our community.  Theirs is a rich ethnic student population composed of 35% minorities (Hispanic, Southeast Asian, African American and American Indian).  The merger of three parish schools:  Sacred Heart-St. John’s, St. Casimir and  St. Patrick occurred in 1992.   The total enrollment today is 245 students, kindergarten through 8th grade.  The classrooms have an average  student to teacher ratio of 18.  There are a total of 17 full-time classroom teachers.  Tuition is $1550 per child.  The expenditures include the operating budget and maintenance needs.  There is a population of 35 pre-school children consisting of two classes of 3 and 4 year olds.  In addition they have a full time librarian, a social worker, counselor, part time nurse and many parents and seniors involved with volunteerism and tutoring.

Sister Joyce Stemper, the librarian, was delighted to share the library curriculum with me and I was impressed with the diversity of books available to the children.  Because of the significant Hispanic enrollment, Spanish is introduced in all curriculums but the English Immersion program is preferred to the ESL.  One of the teachers has taught her students to say the “Our Father” and the rosary in Spanish. 

 “The Peaceable School” where teachers and students are taught “conflict resolution” once a week is an innovation to acknowledge and emphasize a world of conflict and mistrust. The discipline policy of the school reflects the objectives of the Peaceable School.  The theme “ where respect is key to learning” introduces a special project for each classroom to initiate every month of the school year as they work at respecting people and things.  Another special project at Trinity is an adventure in another country (covering all of the continents) to discover the unique qualities of daily life, history, tradition, and culture of the people.  It is studied and translated into similarities which all people uphold and define in their crusade for a truly international world of brotherhood and sisterhood.  It begins in the classrooms of Trinity Catholic School.  The first Friday in February there will be an “International Festival” at the school.  Ethnic dances and foods will be highlighted and each “traveler” will be given a passport, which will enable him or her to visit each country of the world via the classroom and the students.

Extra-curricular activities are not to be underestimated at Trinity.  Their athletic programs encompass soccer, volleyball, basketball and baseball.  The volleyball A and B Squad won first place in the Catholic Conference Championship.  Band is offered from the 4th grade through 8th. They have a special Music teacher and a specialist in Art instruction is available from grades 6-8.

A full time physical education teacher is on staff.  Two computer classrooms are available to students and both the MacIntosh and the PC are taught.  A highly innovative Science teacher, Gene Pitra has come on board and through his initiative “the best science lab has been created with hands on experience” noted Mrs. Jacobson.  Extended Day Care hours are available for working parents before and after school.  Family dances have been inaugurated under the sponsorship of the Home and School and a D. J. is on site.  A school marathon was recently held as a fund raising initiative and from all accounts it was a huge success as the students reached their goal of $17,000.  All three parishes are actively involved in the setting up of an Alumni Committee.
 
Mert Lassonde a '46 graduate of the school is chairing this group.  Their first meeting on October 30 indicated a great desire for a school reunion.  Alumni numbering 1100 have currently registered.  Others can do so by entering the Alumni section on their website at www.trinity-catholic.org.  The school calendar and newsworthy information can be accessed through this site.

The Development Director of Trinity, Sister Virginia Bieren, is a native of Washington State. She entered the sisterhood in 1956.  She is a graduate of Notre Dame Academy there and has been a principal and teacher for 30 years.  She has been a Development Director for 10 years and after taking a sabbatical she came to Trinity one year ago on November 1, 1999.

Along with Father John Dombrowski from Sacred Heart, Father Jerry Hackenmueller from St. Patrick’s and Father Chester Capucci from St. Casimir’s, the parish boards have been active in the neighborhood community offering this opportunity of a Catholic education not only to their respective parishes but also to the entire East Side community.  The Board of Directors is made up of two members from each parish and is a separate entity from the parishes.  Barb Jacobson is a member of the Board and has three children attending Trinity – Rachel, Kevin and Trevor.  Her excitement about the school, coupled with Sister Virginia’s, is a determining factor for more events coming to Trinity in the months ahead. 

Most exciting to me was the aspect of the many cultures integrated in one location and environment on the East Side of St. Paul.  Twenty-nine parishes in the Archdiocese are represented in the school this year, of which 14% are non-Catholic students.  With a 35% minority enrollment, we can clearly applaud the efforts and dedication of the teachers and administrators.  From December 14, 1881 when Sacred Heart Church first became a parish on the East Side and the following year when the school was opened we have experienced over 100 years of education and commitment to the children who are truly the pride and spirit of Trinity and our community.  It is a landscape filled with history and love.  Thank you from all of us.

Oh yes, one thing hasn’t changed since I was a kid.  There is still daily religious instruction and Mass is celebrated for the students on Wednesdays of each week during the school year!