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St. Patrick Elementary - nurturing academic and spiritual growth
McCOOK, Neb. - As the only Catholic school in southwest Nebraska, St. Patrick Elementary School strives to combine their missions of glorifying God with providing a quality education for their preschool to eighth grade students.
The school has 12 full-time teachers, with a combined 150 years of experience, along with two paraprofessionals. The school is also blessed to have two priests teaching Religion to the upper grade students. Administration includes Fr. Bernard Kimminau, Chief Administration Officer and Mrs. Rebecca Redl, Principal. Ms. Shannon Corder serves as the Development Director for the school.
Therapy dog: A recent addition to St. Patrick Elementary School is Patrick Norman, a yellow Labrador who serves as the school’s therapy dog and also visits other locations.
Principal Becky Redl said that after the pandemic, she noticed a difference in students, teachers, and staff. As a dog-lover, she began researching therapy dogs. She knew there would be hoops to jump through, but thought the effort would help St. Patrick students adjust.
It just so happened that one of the items up for auction during the school’s annual fundraising event (The G.I.F.T. Gala) was a Labrador puppy. The high bidder who acquired the puppy generously donated him to the school.
Getting a therapy dog was a longstanding vision of Redl to help the kids, especially after the strenuous times presented by the pandemic.
“This is just something I’ve always wanted for our kids. The joy when they walk up to the school after they hop out of the car in the last year - I have seen a difference in the kids coming into school. I’m always out there saying good morning, but 90 percent of the time, they say good morning to Patrick before me,” Redl said.
“He went to school last summer and received basic obedience, but I believe he’s an old soul and that he was made for this place.”
Small size, big heart: St. Patrick Elementary School, as a private religious institution, can offer a unique classroom experience for students.
The small faculty treats one another as family. “We go out of our way to make sure we’re all happy, healthy and working. We only have one track, so just one first grade, one second grade and so on,” Redl said.
“As a school we’re always collaborating. Whether it’s a student who’s struggling or a new idea we’d like to bring in, or just school spirit and growing in our faith. Because we’re small, we get to be part of each other’s lives each and every day.”
St. Patrick school strives to provide an exciting, interesting, and motivating learning environment which allows students to develop their God-given capabilities.
School-parish partnership: As a religious school, the school and parish have a unique relationship with each other. The Preists teach religion lessons in the school. Parishioners who do not have children in school continue to help out, especially with the G.I.F.T. Gala, an annual fundraising event for the school held in March.
“At the end of the day, the parish and the school are one entity, a very symbiotic relationship. Donor support helps both.” Sean Wolfe, St. Patrick parent said.
School-parent partnership: Another unique aspect of the schooling experience is the familiar connection between students and parents. Many students, around 30 percent, are second generation St. Patrick students, as they have one or both parents who attended as well.
Natalie Smith is one such parent, having attended as a child and is now involved as a parent. “I think I loved the smaller classes. You get more of the one-on-one type of situation. It was cool for me because I graduated eighth grade with a huge chunk of the people I went to school with since kindergarten. That isn’t always something you get in public school,” Smith explained.
Parents are asked to be an active part of the school community by volunteering in the school or the parish. Parental involvement demonstrates to children, through example, that service is a fundamental aspect of being a Christian and shows children the high value their parents place on their education.
To assist St. Patrick School in planning, some parents serve on the Unity Board. Board Member Jody Lytle explained, “The School Advisory Board has been renamed to Unity Board. We have nine parents serving with this group and are working on some wonderful goals for the upcoming school year.”
School-community partnership: The relationship between the school, the parish, and the community strengthens all, and can be a draw for the community of McCook.
“We talk about needing to have growth in our community and have things that bring other people in. I think the fact that our church has a Catholic private school is something that people look at when moving to this area,” Smith said.
The school’s annual Fall Festival, celebrating its 50th year on Sept. 29, 2024, is a cherished event that brings the entire community together. The day promises family fun with games, inflatables, DJ music, bingo, and, of course, delicious food.
Pie makers: The pie-makers of St. Patrick Church have a strong bond with both the school and the wider community. Coordinated by John and Judy Anderson, the team produces nearly 500 pies annually to support the St. Patrick School and Parish’s food booth at the Red Willow County Fair, as well as for the Fall Festival. They bake fresh pies each morning during the fair week, offering a variety of flavors including apple, cherry, strawberry rhubarb, and more.
Pie crew member Amanda Peterson notes that pie baking is becoming a lost art. “We love having people join us for pie baking sessions. Most of our bakers have 40-50 years of experience, which they happily share.” Peterson adds that these sessions are filled with laughter, fellowship, and sometimes even a taste test. The pies are a beloved tradition at the fair, with many customers returning each night to sample new flavors.
G.I.F.T. GALA: As part of their effort to raise funds, St. Patrick School holds an annual G.I.F.T (Giving Investment For Tomorrow) Gala as their main fundraiser. The two-day event includes an auction preview with hors d’oeurves and drinks, followed the next day by an unforgettable dining experience. The entire school is transformed into a venue that exudes elegance and sophistication and every detail is meticulously curated.
Development Director Shannon Corder explained, “The Gala began eight years ago. It was started with some grant money that our former priest was able to secure. Two ladies, Cassie Spencer and Jill Koenig, were our first development directors. The positions were needed because we needed some extra support with our teachers and raises, and then the position grew into other responsibilities.”
“That first year was very formal, it was really exciting because it was something new to our parish and community,” Corder said. She is following in the footsteps of previous development directors who laid the groundwork on how to pull off such an extravagant event. This year, they implemented the online portion, in addition to the silent and live auctions for the G.I.F.T. Gala
“We’re getting a reputation now of it being a successful event, and in 2024, we sold out of tickets a few weeks earlier than in previous years,” Corder said.
The 2025 G.I.F.T. Gala will be held March 14 and 15, 2025.
St. Patrick Elementary School exemplifies the close-knit, community-driven spirit that makes it a unique and cherished institution in McCook. With dedicated faculty, engaged parents, and a strong partnership with the parish and the community, the school offers a nurturing environment for its students to grow academically and spiritually.
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