February 19, 2010
Around the Diocese
Multi-age classrooms
Beginning this fall, St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon will pilot a multi-age classroom for half of each school day. Vickie Wannemuehler, principal, explains that this is “an in-novative and progressive way of teaching, using the method of Differentiated Instruction.
“Academically, it provides greater flexibility for working with students at differing skill levels, and it helps each child develop to his/her greatest po-tential. Socially, a multi-age environment provides all children with the opportunity to be leaders when they are the older students in the class, thus building self-esteem.
“Meanwhile, the younger students learn mature and responsible behavior from the older students; they also benefit from having peer mentors to help them adjust to a new classroom.”
She said that class size will be limited. “Ideally, there will not be more than 22 children in a multi-age class. The multi-age classroom will be in effect for half of each school day, blending classes of kindergarten and first graders, second with third graders, and fourth with fifth grade students. We are very excited about offering this alternative method of teaching in our community.”
Service award
Joel Johnson has received the Celestine Distinguished Service Award for his work at St. Peter Celestine Church in Celestine.
Happy Birthday!
Deacon Joseph Sturgis celebrates his birthday Feb. 27. He resides at 203 Queen St. in Loo-gootee.
Anniversary of ordination
Father Jean Vogler, associate pastor at Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, sacramental minister at St. Joseph Church, Evansville, and director of the permanent diaconate office, was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 28, 1970.
Haiti relief
“Thanks to the local St. Vincent de Paul Society of Loogootee for making a donation of $5,000 for this needed Haiti relief,” writes Father Joseph Erbacher in the bulletin at St. John Church, Loogootee. “The country needs it — the people I am sure are most grateful.”
Happy Birthday!
Jeanne Vieke, DRE at St. Ber-nard Church, Snake Run, celebrates her birthday Feb. 26.
Winning gold
Congratulations to Melissa Ellis and Justine Blanke who received gold medals at the Solo and Ensemble competition at the University of Evansville. They are students at Good Shepherd School, Evansville.
43 years
Congratulations to Dennis and Christel Butrum as they celebrate their forty-third wedding anniversary. They are parishioners at St. Philip Neri Church, Bicknell.
Happy Birthday!
Melba Wilderman, principal at St. Joseph School, Vander-burgh County, celebrates her birthday Feb. 25.
Top awards
“Destiny Kidwell, Eric Edwards, Josh Kirsch, Jacob O’Brian and Kendall Riley received superior ratings in the Solo and Ensemble music contest at Southridge High School. “Each pianist performed a piano solo and was presented a gold medal for their performance,” according to the parish bulletin at St. Peter Church, Montgomery, and All Saints Church, Cannelburg.
“All of the students have shared their musical talent with us by playing musical selections on the organ for Mass at St. Peter Church. They are students of Mrs. Angie Traylor.”
Cemetery Board
Linda Winkler, Van Martin, Mike Ward, Janet Lifke, Bill Kohm, LaVerne Grundhoefer and Frankie Drury are members of the Cemetery Board at St. Nicholas Church, Santa Claus.
Please send information for AROUND THE DIOCESE to Mary Ann Hughes, The Message, P.O. Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724. The e-mail address is maryann@themessageonline.org.