Mission and Vision
Mission:
We, as members of the St. Ann Catholic School family aligned to the pillars of the Catholic faith, are devoted to the Holy Father's mission of nurturing spiritual growth, academic excellence, and compassionate leadership. We live the Gospel message of Christ to be faith-filled, life-long learners committed to teaching, praying, serving, and loving.Vision:
To foster a Christ-centered, Catholic community rooted in knowledge, service, and love.
I have returned! Happy summer, Everyone!
After three years full of blood, sweat, and tears, I have finally finished my Master’s of Arts degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Notre Dame. I wish I could verbalize the richness of the Mary Ann Remick program and the transformation that I experienced thanks to the instructors and my cohort members, and the ever-presence of the Holy Spirit. To rehash a bit, for three summers I traveled to South Bend, IN, to live the dorm life on the beautiful campus. For four weeks, I labored more than I ever have, completing ten credits in courses with titles such as “Voices of Transformational Leadership,” “Inquiry and Intervention,” and “Instructional Leadership.” I then continued my studies during the Fall and Spring semesters, and this summer presented my Inquiry and Intervention research findings from my collaboration with Mrs. Emerson. Spending 25 months with Catholic school educators whose love for Jesus propels them to be transformational leaders is an experience I wish I could gift every educator. I am a different person and a true disciple.
As I look forward to the year, I feel rejuvenated with the spirit and assurance of God’s presence. In mindfulness of Blessed Basile Moreau, founder of the Congregation of Holy Cross, the order that eventually founded Notre Dame, I am drawn to their motto, “Ave Crux, Spes Unica:” Hail the Cross, Our Only Hope, and the mission to make God known, loved, and served. We are made for each other, and as Principal at St. Ann’s, I want every member of our school to feel God’s presence in the hallways, classrooms, and offices, as well as in the work we do as a community.
For this reason, we are making some minor adjustments, but the message they send will affirm our mission as a Catholic school. By this time, everyone should be aware of the implementation of our standardized dress policy. We resist calling it a “uniform” policy simply because we offer many more options, including athletic wear and jeans, that most uniform policies prohibit. If you have not seen the latest update, please reach out, as Mrs. Stano has done an excellent job of keeping families informed. Also, know that we are here to help. Should anyone need financial assistance for logo wear, contact the school office, and we will assist. Having had experience with uniforms as a parent, we easily got by with two or three shirts and two or three pairs of pants. We are happy to know that implementing this plan will remove a huge burden on parents who struggle with clothing options; will enable teachers to do what they do best – teach; and, will lessen the stigma some children feel of being the “have-nots.” Like any team, we want our students to feel proud of their school community and know they belong.
In addition to the changes for our students, we want our parents to have more moments to connect, and, therefore, we are re-opening our doors before and after school to parents who want to accompany their children into the building and greet everyone. The change appears so minor, but I vividly remember those days of bumping into other parents in the hallway and sharing laughter over a joke or two and how that small interaction lifted my spirits for the rest of the day. Those small holy moments are what are called "glimmers" that bring us joy, and we have missed since closing our doors during the pandemic. Likewise, you can expect to see my teachers at their doors greeting their students. We are called by name, and every child deserves to see a smiling face and a “good morning” when they enter St. Ann’s. Truthfully, some of us may have to guzzle our four cups of coffee to reach that happy place, but we are confident we can do it.
Finally, if there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that we need to fix our systems, especially those centered on communication. Last year was difficult for me professionally, and as I reflect, I realize that I had failed to create relationships with many of our families. My focus was truly on my teachers, and I am proud of where they are and excited for what they will accomplish this year; however, that does not excuse my lapse. Therefore, expect more face-to-face encounters and personalized assistance on my part. I want to be sure that your entire family flourishes at St. Ann’s. This is the reason that the School Education Commission as well as Home and School are working to bring opportunities for parents to gather, both for educational and recreational experiences. We are a family, and it’s time to return to our roots and renew our faith in our community.
There is much more to come, so be sure to watch for communications, and do not hesitate to reach out to us with thoughts, suggestions, or needs. We are here for you!
Peace and Joy,
Kara J. Roisum
Lead Learner
St. Ann Catholic School
Kindergarten parents will receive a sign-up genius link to sign up for a 30 minute Back to School Conference time with Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Matz. Conferences will be held on Thursday, August 24. At least one parent and the Kindergarten student must attend the conference. Also in the email with the sign up link will be Kindergarten forms to be completed and brought along for the conference with Mrs. Matz.
If you are unable to meet with Mrs. Matz that day, please email her to make arrangements for a different time,
Kindergarten through 8th grade classes will begin on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Please note that this differs from SASD’s first day of classes. The first bell rings at 7:45 a.m. for K-8, and classes will begin at 7:50 a.m. All K-5 students will be dismissed at 3:15 p.m. Dismissal time for students in grades 6-8 will be 3:20 p.m. Classes begin on Tuesday, September 5, for 4K students.
On school days listed as early release days, there will be no afternoon Extended Care. On some early release days, there will be no afternoon bus service. Please see the St. Ann School 2023-24 calendar for early release days.
The Standardized Dress Advisory Committee has been working diligently on the new dress code policies. If you have not watched the Powerpoint overview, please link here.
Revisions are being made to include jeans with guidelines for fit and color. Final plans, including links, will be coming via email within the week, so watch your inbox.
If you have not done so already, please click the button below to order your child's free Land's End t-shirt. We will have these available at the parent meetings and Ice Cream Social.
Welcome Fr. Tom Kelley, Pastor
I was born September 4, 1961 and raised in the southwestern corner of the State of Wisconsin, near Fennimore on a dairy farm. I am the fourth child of Virgil and Loretta Kelley. I have 7 brothers and 4 sisters, all of whom are still living and working in southern Wisconsin. My father farmed 160 acres until his retirement 5 years before his death in 1996 from complications from diabetes and pneumonia, ultimately succumbing to a heart attack. My mother lived in her house until her death in 2021, at 87 years old. After graduation from Fennimore High School, I enrolled in the seminary program at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1984 I graduated with a BA in Psychology. From Loras I enrolled in the Major Seminary at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota and graduated with a Master of Divinity. I was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Madison on May 27, 1988.
My ministerial history began with my first assignment at St. Bernard’s in Middleton, where I was the associate pastor for 6 years. In 1994, I was assigned to St. John Vianney in Janesville as the associate pastor for 2 years, before being assigned to Our Lady Queen of Peace, in Madison, for 3 years. I was an associate pastor for 11 years under 4 pastors. In 1999 I was made pastor of a rural parish with a school, Holy Rosary in Darlington, where I served for 3 years. While pastor I renovated the interior of the church by stripping down the plaster wall and exposing the stone wall behind it to reveal a beautiful space for worship.
In 2002 I was assigned to be pastor of St. Francis Xavier in Cross Plains. In my 18 years at St. Francis Xavier I led the building of a parish hall and offices, renovated the rectory, acquired an 11 acre parcel adjacent to the church property as well as a 32 acre parcel from the same farm, which is in the early stages of being developed for single family housing. Funds from the Creek Crossing development will be used for the parish endowment and current and future needs. Many other improvements were made, including renovating the sanctuary worship space and adding a stained glass window. I enjoy beauty and leading people to maintain their parish and have pride in their church. I’m currently concluding 3 years of being the pastor at Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary parish in Sun Prairie.
My personal faith journey began with good parents who were faithful Mass attendees. I was struck by a statement my father made during a stretch in the 1970s when a gas shortage brought the threat of rationing. He said that if that happened, we would only use gas for the farm tractors and to get to church on Sunday.
I most enjoy presiding at Mass and preaching. I have been told that I’m a good preacher and am able to break the word open in a way people can understand. I am also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist; therefore I enjoy the healing ministry of counseling. I am able to use my skills on Rachael’s Vineyard Retreats for post-abortive men and women. Frequently I am able to use a special therapy call EMDR to facilitate rapid healing. I like to read spiritual books, but prefer to unwind watching sports, news, or a good Ken Burns-style PBS show. I love being a priest and I am very excited to be your pastor.
Fr. Randy Budnar, Parochial Vicar
I was ordained a Catholic Priest in 1988—on the same day as Fr. Kelley. I have a BA from St. Meinrad Seminary College in Indiana and a Master of Divinity from St. Francis School of Theology in Milwaukee.
I served five years (1988-1993) at St. Victor in Monroe; first with Fr. Nilles and then with Fr. Umhoefer. I then served three years at St. Maria Goretti on the west side of Madison with Fr. Schuster, 1993-1996. I served one year with Fr. Hennington at St. John in Waunakee. I served two years (1997-1999) at Sacred Hearts in Sun Prairie, first with Fr. Hinnen and then with Fr. Moellenberndt. Then, one year as pastor at St. Augustine in Footville. Then, as pastor of St. Patrick’s in Hollandale and Immaculate Conception in Blanchardville. I served as pastor at Holy Rosary in Darlington from 2002-2013. In 2012- 2013, I was also pastor for St. Peter in Elk Grove, Our Lady of Hope in Seymour, St. Michael in Calamine, and Immaculate Conception in Truman. For the diocese, I served on the Priest Personnel Board and on the Presbyteral Council. I was also vicariate for the Lafayette Deanery. God has continued to bless me by bringing me to be pastor for St. Ann in Stoughton (2013 -2023)and is currently blessing me to be parochial vicar for Holy Mother in Oregon, St. Ann in Stoughton, St. Joseph in Edgerton, St. Paul in Evansville, and St. Augustine in Footville.
I grew up in McFarland, where my parents Roland and Joyce still live. I am the second oldest of six, joined by Suzanne, Linda, Jim, Lisa and Rebecca. (Although sometimes I say I am older than my older sister because she stopped aging when she was 40.) I have four nieces and one nephew. I have been a chaplain in the Wisconsin Air Guard for the 115th Fighter Wing at Truax base in Madison, serving from February 1996 to August 2001. I was deployed for 2 weeks to Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii, and for 5 weeks to Tuzla Air Force Base in Bosnia. I served in the fire department in Hollandale. I served on a hospital ethics board for Iowa County and for Stoughton Hospital. I was a chaplain for the Boy Scouts. I was a member of the American Legion and served on the honor guard in Darlington and in Stoughton. I have been chaplain for the 3rd and 4th degree of Knights of Columbus, also for the Catholic Daughters.
I’ve also enjoyed being in community theater. I am an usher at the Stoughton Opera House. I play the ukulele with the Yahara Strummers.
I have traveled to Rome, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Austria, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Puerto Rico, Tanzania, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt and Ghana. I have tried skydiving, hang-gliding, whitewater rafting, parasailing, and driving a Segway. I’ve hiked up Mt. Quandary in Colorado, Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Mount St. Helens in Washington, and down the Grand Canyon in Arizona. I’ve had a fun hot air balloon ride in Colorado and went on an afternoon cattle drive. Some of these things I did with Fr. Wanish. I have enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, tennis, biking, scuba diving, acting, traveling and reading. I also enjoy playing the guitar, the ukulele, playing cards, singing in church, and talking about religion.
I used to think I chose to be a priest. Now I think I chose to follow Christ, who chose the priesthood for me. I am grateful to God and grateful to you. God has a lot of good things in store for us.
Welcome Fr. David Wanish, Parochial Vicar
Father David comes to us from Milton and Edgerton, after serving at St. Gabriel Catholic Parish in Lake Mills and Johnson Creek. Upon his arrival in Milton and Edgerton, “Father David” replaced “Father Dave”—Father Dave Timmerman, who now pastors St. Pius the X Catholic Church in Cambridge. They first met in Bloomington (near Platteville) when Father Wanish was an intern and in his second of four years as a seminarian. Father Timmerman was his supervisor. That’s when they began using “Father David” and “Father Dave” to distinguish themselves. “I got to know him and he mentored me, and I’m very appreciative of our time together,” he said. “It was an honor for me to be stepping in.”
Fr. Wanish grew up in the Catholic faith and in the Green Bay area. He graduated from Green Bay East High School.
In his 20s, he said he had he experienced a renewal in his life of faith. He started meeting with various groups who would pray and discuss the Scriptures. “It wasn’t until my 30s that I started thinking seriously, ‘Maybe priesthood is my calling.’” In his early 30s he served in the Peace Corps for six months. When the former math teacher returned, the Iron Curtain had fallen and the top math teaching jobs were being taken. “It was a lot of competition,” he said.
He decided to go back to school to get a degree in engineering. During this time, people started asking him if he was a priest—and suggesting that he would be a good priest. So many people commented that he said he started thinking seriously about becoming a priest. “I looked at my parish priest, who was in Madison at the time. I really admired him,” Wanish said. “He was good at what he did and he enjoyed what he did. I started thinking that I enjoyed those same kinds of things.”
Today, having been in priestly ministry for 21 years, he said, “I really love seeing people grow closer to God through Jesus. I just live for that. I want to be part of it. I want to enhance that growth. Jesus is the source of life. I want that life, and I want others to have that life.” He references the apostles of Jesus who said, “It’s no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me.” And, he said, “We can think of the words of Jesus: ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.’” “I think Jesus gave the ultimate answer to what we’re seeking: It’s life,” he said. And a big part of that life is community. “I’m really looking forward to our community gatherings, our worship gatherings,” he said. “As we worship, we pour out our hearts to God and at the same time, God’s love comes down upon us. The Lord can fill our hearts with love, joy, peace—but the word I use most is life.”
On a lighter note he admits he might, from time to time, reference the Packers. Growing up in the Green Bay area, he’s a fan and he’s used to seeing people wear green and gold to church on Sundays. He understands not everyone is a Packers fan and tries to caution people if he’s going to say something about the Packers—so those who are not fans are not taken off-guard. In addition to the Packers, Father David grew up enjoying outdoor activities: hunting, fishing, camping. His main sport growing up was running, and he still enjoys running today.
Father David’s bio is adapted from a news story that appeared in the Milton Courier in 2019.
Mr. Jacob Deutsch - Middle School Social Studies
Jacob is thrilled to be joining St Ann School as the new middle school Social Studies teacher. He is currently enrolled in Edgewood College's Masters of Education Program and has worked with the Sun Prairie, Monona Grove, and Middleton School Districts as a substitute teacher.
Prior to his career change to teaching, Jacob's career was focused on helping non-profits make a tangible difference in their communities. In the past, he has fundraised and managed millions of dollars for workforce development, animal welfare, and youth wellness.
In his free time, Jacob loves to explore our country’s diverse public lands with his fiancee, play pokemon, and entertain his dog Marshall.
Mrs. Mary Hanson - 4K Aide
Mary most recently worked with grades K-5 at Fox Prairie as a Health Aide, and prior to that, spent over 20 years working with seniors at retirement communities. She is a very active volunteer with Stoughton Resettlement, helping refugee families get settled into their new homes.
Mary has two children and five grandchildren, ages 2-18, all living in Stoughton. She is excited for this opportunity to help provide a positive start for St. Ann's youngest students.
Immunizations for students are required by the State of Wisconsin and must be up-to-date upon entering school in the Fall. Students not in compliance and without a waiver can be excluded from attending until immunizations are up-to-date. In addition, students age 11-12 are required to receive the Tdap vaccine (adolescent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine). Please see the chart below for required immunizations for your child/ren.
Immunizations are available for free by appointment through Dane County Health, 608-266-4821. More information is available at www.publichealthmdc.com.
All Health Exams for Kindergartners—Medical, Dental, and Vision—should be completed before the beginning of school. Student health records will need to be entered/updated in FACTS or submitted to the school office before school begins.
Safe Environment Protecting God’s Children Awareness Session
All parents, guardians, etc., who wish to volunteer at St. Ann School are required to take an online safe environment training course. This includes parents attending field trips, helping with lunch supervision, etc. The three components of the course are:
Background check
Read the online Diocesan Policy Book and
Code of Conduct
Please take this opportunity to complete this requirement before school starts. Register at www.virtusonline.org/virtus under Madison Diocese St. Ann Parish or School.
Key things to note when completing the session:
- Reserve enough time to complete the entire session in one sitting (approximately 2.5 hours). Restarting the session has been known to erase previous work, resulting in people having to start over.
- Use a computer or laptop. There have been issues with using smartphones to complete the session.
- Be sure to complete the section that asks for driver license information. Many people miss this section, and it is needed for a background check.
- Wednesday 8/16 OR Thursday 8/17 - Mandatory Parent Meeting, K-8th, 6:00 p.m., Healy Hall
- Thursday 8/24 - Kindergarten Back To School Conferences
- Thursday 8/24 - Open House / Ice Cream Social, 6:00-7:00 p.m., School Gym
- Tuesday 8/29 - 1st Day of Classes K-8th
- Tuesday & Wednesday 8/29 & 8/30 - 4K Beginning of the Year Conferences
- Monday 9/4 - No School, Labor Day
- Tuesday 9/5 - 1st Day of Classes 4K
- Tuesday 9/19 - School Photo Day
