ST. JOHN CATHOLIC SCHOOL:
Investing in Our Children’s
F
or a parent in today’s world, it’s easy to feel bombarded by the sheer volume of decisions you have to make for your children. Whether finding the best pediatrician, choosing the role of technology in your household, or assessing the risks of a global pandemic — decision fatigue as a parent is a real thing. But for many of our school parents, the choice to send their child to St. John Catholic School was an easy one, as soon as they stepped through the door. “Initially, I feel like it was a lot of the non-Catholic types of things that drew us to St. John’s,” says Elise Enterkin, parishioner and school parent. “We are Catholic, but it wasn’t necessarily the religious aspects that initially drew us to the school. It was the small class sizes and individualized attention. I really liked the community feel of the school “Being inside the school — being able to see it with my own eyes — the kids all seemed happy and well-adjusted,” she adds, recalling her first visit to the school. Today, Elise serves as the President of the Home and School Association, as well as on the School Advisory Council. Her children are in third grade, first grade, and pre-K. Parishioner Kristen Bierschenk and her husband, David, have a second-grader and kindergartener at St. John’s. Over their four years of having children at the school, Kristen and David have found St. John’s to be an even better fit for their family than they initially expected. “We knew we wanted to send our children to St. John’s because we wanted them to have the experience of a Catholic education,” she says. “But St. John’s has been a great blessing to our family in ways we didn’t necessarily anticipate.” “It’s definitely the people — the teachers, the staff, the families and the students,” David says. “We have made so many great friends through St. John’s.” The sense of “family” found at St. John School is 6
Kristen and David Bierschenk and their children love being part of the community at St. John School.
one of the things that makes it unique. “Every teacher and staff member truly cares about your children and their growth — not just academically, but socially, emotionally, and spiritually,” Kristen says. “When you are there, you feel part of a family — a family that genuinely cares for your children and family, and will go above and beyond to help your child, wherever they are at.” “Every kid is different and every kid has their needs they bring to the table, but the teachers just seem to meet them where they’re at and work with them,” Elise agrees. “I just feel that my children are so loved and accepted for who they are.” Being a part of the community at St. John’s School also means that students are in an environment that strengthens their foundation of faith for years to come. From weekly school Mass to class service projects to praying together and for each other, our beliefs are interwoven into the fabric of everyday life and learning at St. John’s. “I look at it as an investment in their future,” Elise says. “I hope they build that foundation in their elementary and middle school years, because, at some
