St. John Vianney News

Many thanks to the parents, teachers and alumni who attended Colleen Terry’s Retirement Open House on Wednesday. Showing their appreciation, the Home and School association presented Colleen with an Irish quilt, an engraved Waterford crystal, and international travel certificates, to use when she visits Ireland and France.

In addition, the Home and School gave Colleen a scrapbook of memory pages from just about every school family at SJV. Flipping through the memory pages, one was reminded of how many families Colleen has touched. Each page had a different personality; some families created poems to Colleen, many families wrote letters, while others decorated with scrapbook accessories or included drawings by their children.

“A school is as good as every teacher in every classroom,” Colleen said, thanking all in attendance. She went on to say that a principal has a network of people that includes a network of pastors, former pastors, staff and principals from other schools, thanking those that have advised her. She encouraged parents to have unconditional love for their children so that they learn about God, about love and, as a result, they are ready for the world academically.

Pictures of the event will be on the Home and School Bulletin Board next week so be sure to check them out.

BAND AND STRINGS CONCERT

A final band and strings concert of the school year, with more than 100 participants, will be held on May 22 and May 29, respectively. Both the band and the strings concerts will be held at the gym, both at 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm. St. John Vianney’s arts program is a testament to the vision of Principal Colleen Terry who, 21 years ago, sought to find a balance in extracurricular activities and “bring out the other talents our children have.” Jazz band, advanced band and beginner band is led by instructor Joan Lueneburg. The string program is headed by Maria Gesiorek. After the concert, many individual awards will be presented to students who had competed locally, regionally and state-wide.

RETIREMENT OPEN HOUSE FOR COLLEEN TERRY

After 21 years of serving as principal, Colleen Terry will be leaving at the end of the school year. SJV parents, parishioners, alumni and community members, don’t miss this special farewell. Please join us in this adult only event to celebrate Miss Terry’s 21 years of faithful service on Wednesday, May 23, 2007, 6:00–9:00 pm, St. John Vianney Church Hall. In lieu of gifts, donations to the SJV School Endowment Fund are appreciated.

EIGHTH GRADE GRADUATION

June 1st, Graduation day will include a liturgy, class breakfast, prayer service and award ceremony. At the graduation ceremony, several scholarships and awards will be announced including The Presidential Academic Fitness Awards, The John E. Sandstrom Memorial Scholarship, The Father Lipscomb Award and The Ann Evanich Jaeger Memorial Scholarship. Principal Colleen Terry is pleased to report that all students were granted admission to the high school of his or her choice, an accomplishment considering the competitive nature of admissions to many of the schools.

After 21 years of serving as principal of St. John Vianney School, Colleen Terry will be leaving at the end of the school year. She leaves a legacy of high academic standards reflected in waiting lists for each grade, an overall class ranking in the 99th percentile for grades 3, 5, & 7 on national, standardized testing, and students that are accepted into the high school of their choice.

She is also responsible for implementing a fine arts agenda which includes a fall variety show, a spring junior high musical, and annual performances by students participating in the band and strings program.

From the day she started at SJV, she felt accepted and encouraged as a leader by the teaching staff. While she is proud of the changes and accomplishments at the school since she began, it is not surprising that she quickly attributes all to her faculty, parents, and parish administration.

“A school takes on the culture of the community and Brookfield is a strong, successful community,” said Terry. “But there is still one core need, the need for a place where spirituality and education are fostered.” This is what makes SJV unique.

As her last few weeks at SJV wind down, Terry has advice for faculty and parents. “Continue to grow and embrace what is good for the children. Pray a lot and keep the school Catholic. Be willing to sacrifice and share your talents.”

SJV parents, parishioners, alumni and community members, don’t miss this special farewell. Please join us in this adult only event to celebrate Miss Terry’s 21 years of faithful service. In lieu of gifts, donations to the SJV School Endowment Fund are appreciated.


Retirement Open House for Colleen Terry
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
St. John Vianney Church Hall

There are three things to do upon arriving in Brookfield, Wisconsin: tour the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, take a swim at Wirth Aquatic Center, and visit St. John Vianney School.

St. John Vianney School ? Why visit a small, private Catholic school when Brookfield can pride itself on the highly rated Elmbrook School system? Public schools that can rival or, more likely, surpass, any other school district in the state?

That’s a good question, one that I was asking myself when my family and I first moved to Brookfield in 2003. After one visit, though, St. John Vianney School stood out from other Brookfield schools because of academic standards that go way beyond the average Iowa test scores, extracurricular activities that build character and success later in life, a Catholic focus and emphasis on God's presence, longtime dedicated teachers, strong and consistent parental involvement, and a cohesive but inclusive school community.

From the New Family Coffee to the Back to School Pizza Bash to the overwhelming attendance at SJV’s annual V.I.P. Day, I was constantly reminded of the warm and welcoming sense of spirit and unity that is time after time present in the school.

St. John Vianney News is an opportunity for the SJV school community to hear observations, relive school events, and learn about upcoming school happenings. More importantly, it’s a way for the community to renew their connection and for all SJV families to offer their own thoughts and commentary. I look forward to reading your e-mails regarding your own news and remarks. Together we can strengthen our rapport to this outstanding school.