Archbishop's web site Denver Catholic Register Parishes Catholic Pastoral Center
August 22, 2001
St. Mary's, Greeley, dedicates school
Tri-parish effort first Catholic school in city since 1986
By Roxanne King
With assistance from Archbishop Charles Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., and two major donors, a jubilant Father Quang Nguyen cut a red ribbon to open the brand new $4.2 million St. Mary's Catholic School in Greeley Aug. 12.
Nearly 900 people attended Mass and a festive dedication ceremony that included a blessing, a barbecue and tours of the three-story structure that features a computer lab for 21 students, a gym with stage, library and 42 colors of paint inside.
The event was the realization of a tri-parish effort that began seven years ago. No one could blame Father Nguyen, pastor of St. Mary's, if he couldn't stop smiling.
"I feel great," the beloved pastor told the Register. "This is a great opportunity for the Greeley Catholic community."
Until St. Mary's began offering kindergarten classes two years ago, Catholic education had been nonexistent in the college town since 1986, when St. Peter's closed its parish school.
"We moved here in `93, if there had been a Catholic school then we'd have been in it," said Missy Daldegan, 37, whose sixth-grade daughter will attend St. Mary's when classes begin Aug. 27. Expressing the feelings of many who followed the school's progress, Daldegan added, "We have waited and waited and waited."
Offering kindergarten through sixth-grade this fall — with plans to add seventh and eighth grade next year, as well as a second track of classes — the school is too late for the Daldegan's oldest, a 14-year-old boy who will soon be entering high school. But it's just in time for their twins, who will begin kindergarten next fall.
"It's pretty," said 11-year-old Taylor Daldegan, citing the individual color schemes of the classrooms as one of St. Mary's best features. The small class sizes — the school boasts a 17-1 student/teacher ratio — was another.
"There were 30 kids in my last class," the sixth-grader said matter-of-factly.
Other features the 40,000-square-foot facility boasts are ceilings that don't touch the walls, which is meant to both enable a child's mind "to soar," said Ruth Gonzales, construction manager for the archdiocese, as well as to encourage curiosity about the exposed beams and ductwork.
"Hopefully it will expand their minds to think about how things operate, rather than meeting with a closed box," Gonzales said.
Elated that their two sons are among the 126 students enrolled at St. Mary's, Kennan Reinert, 37, and wife Meredith, 35, said the school was a primary reason they decided to relocate to Greeley after a nine-year absence.
Known for quality academics, parents like Catholic schools because they reinforce "the values and virtues of the family," Father Nguyen said, and help "bring the goodness of children into fulfillment."
St. Mary's nine lay teachers will be headed by Dominican Sisters Anno LaMere, as principal, and Marilyn Skluzacek, as assistant principal. Sister Skluzacek also will teach fourth grade and music. The religious sisters have been education partners for 25 years, Sister LaMere said, most recently at Holy Trinity in Denver, where they served for 11 years.
"This is God's work," Sister Skluzacek said about their ministry. "We're simply instruments and we want to pass on the flame of faith — that's our main mission."
Designed by architect Ron Faleide and constructed by Sinnett Builders, just the first two floors of the school, which has wing-like extensions in the front —appropriate for the school's mascot, "the angels" — will be open this year. The top floor will open when the school has $300,000 to complete it.
"They need $150,000 in donations," Gonzales said. "They have a donor who will match that amount."
Organizers saved money on the project by not building a cafeteria — students will use the one in the parish center — and by sprucing up lockers donated by Holy Family High School, which saved $5,000, said Susan Benke, business manager for St. Mary's Parish.
Funding for the school came from a joint building campaign between St. Mary's and St. Peter's parishes. Just two years into the five-year plan, the parishes have raised $3.7 million in pledges, Benke said, adding that more than $2.2 million has been collected.
Main donors were Dr. Richard Kimme and his wife Mary, and Dr. Russell Jordan and his wife Grace, who Benke said paid for "over half" the school's cost. The third Greeley parish, Our Lady of Peace, which is involved in a building campaign of its own, also supported project, officials said.
Students from all three parishes are given the in-parish tuition rate of $2,400. Rate for non-Catholics is $4,000.
More than 95 percent of the current enrollment is split nearly evenly between St. Mary's and St. Peter's, Benke said, with remaining enrollment coming from Our Lady of Peace, outlying parishes and from non-Catholics. Seats are still available for all but first and second grades, school officials said.
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