About Us
Contact Us
North Platte Catholic SchoolsPO Box 970
North Platte, NE 69103
(308) 532-0622
Location
McDaid Elementary
1002 East E Street
St. Patrick High School Our
Churches North Platte Catholic Schools is an educational ministry of St. Patrick's and Holy Spirit Catholic Churches under the charter of the Bishop of the Grand Island Diocese.
500 S. Silber Ave.
Fr. Jim Golka ~ St. Patrick's Church
PO Box 399
North Platte, NE 69103
308-532-0942
E-mail Fr. Golka at office@st-pats-online.org
Fr. Jim Novakowski ~ Holy Spirit Church
PO Box 427
North Platte, NE 69103
308-534-6623
Our Mission
The mission of the North Platte Catholic Schools is to assist parents and the Catholic church in the Catholic/ Christian formation of their children, while providing a high quality academic education which challenges all students to reach their full potential.
NATIVITY SCHOOL - 1891
Our History
The Catholic schools in North Platte had their beginnings in the19th century tradition of "a Catholic school in every parish." Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, patroness of Catholic schools, founded the first Catholic schools and was influential in the development of the parish school tradition. In the1880's, when North Platte was still a young community, Fr. Conway first suggested a Catholic school to the community. On September 8, 1891, (Feast of the Nativity of Mary), the Sisters of St. Joseph of Concordia, Kansas, opened "Nativity Convent School" on the corner at Fourth and Walnut Streets. The local Superior was Sister Francis Joseph Leary, CSJ. The pastor was the Rev. Michael O'Toole. Among the first students was Irma Cody, daughter of the famous Colonel William F. Cody, otherwise known as "Buffalo Bill." Five young ladies were the first graduates of our school in the year 1895. A year later the first boy to graduate was Thomas Jeffers. Members of his family have been enrolled almost continuously since that time.
In 1902, the Sisters of St. Joseph left the school in a dispute with the pastor over salaries, and the school was closed for four years. It was re-opened under the teaching of the Dominican Sisters of St. Catharine, Kentucky, in 1906. The Dominicans also eventually left because of salary issues, and the school was again closed for a couple of years. Father Patrick McDaid became pastor in 1910. In 1914, with Bishop Duffy's encouragement, Father McDaid and the members of St. Patrick Parish agreed to construct a new school. Work on St. Patrick School, most recently know as McDaid Elementary, was completed in 1916 for $52,000. At the time, the building was recognized as the "finest educational structure in the area." The original Nativity School structure was sold and moved when construction started. The Nativity building still stands in North Platte at the southwest corner of "B" and Sycamore Streets as a private residence.
The Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, Kentucky, began their journey to North Platte and the new school on August 24, 1916. Because the new school was not finished, they traveled on to Sidney for a brief visit with the Ursuline Sisters who were staffing St. Patrick's Academy there, and returned to North Platte to open the new school on September 25th. Father McDaid took a room in the Rebhausen home while the Sisters occupied the rectory. Later, when the school building was completed, the Sisters had a community room, chapel and living quarters on the third floor.
The first graduating class at the new school was the Class of 1920. From 1916 through the mid-1930's, graduating classes were small, generally between five and 11 members each. It was during this era that having a high school education went from being a rarity to being an expectation for all. The student body included not only "town" children, but boarders from area communities and farm families. Over the years the communities of Arnold, Stapleton, Gandy, Tryon, Hyannis, Marsland, Ogallala, Paxton, Sutherland, Hershey, Maxwell, Brady, Curtis, Maywood, Wellfleet, Dickens, Wallace, Grainton, and Elsie have been represented in the St. Patrick's student body.
Even through the "hard times" and "dust bowl" years of the 1930's, the community continued to support and operate the school. Much thanks for the survival of the school can be credited to the sacrifices of the Ursuline Sisters. Often during those years the Sisters' "pay" was groceries or prepared foods. Then, as now, the majority of the school families earned their income from the railroad, from small businesses, from farming and ranching or from professional occupations. School patrons have also included a number of prominent city and county officials.
Long a strong athletic school, St. Patrick's had its first and only state boys' basketball championship in 1928 under the coaching of Frank Fitzpatrick, an alumnus. The basement gymnasium, later first grade classrooms at McDaid, served many years as the practice site for the Irish roundball teams. The first football team was organized in 1939 under the coaching of Leo Scherer, a former UNL All American. The old Franklin Junior High and the Jeffers Pavilion grounds (where the "grass" was cinders and sandburrs) served as practice and competition areas for the green and gold until St. Patrick's built better facilities.
In the early 1940's, property was acquired in southeast North Platte near "E" and Park Streets. The Knights of Columbus Council #1211, along with football boys and dads, constructed the present football field on the property. Other sports and facilities would be added as the years passed. Boys and girls from earlier years remember opponent teams such as O'Fallons, Gandy, Somerset, Wellfleet, Bignell, Garfield, Star, Platte Valley, Dickens, St. Patrick's of Sidney, St. Mary's of Grand Island, St. Joseph's of O'Connor, Greeley Sacred Heart, Spalding Academy, Alliance St. Agnes, Chadron Assumption, and others. St. Pat's also participated as a member of the Lincoln County Conference (LCC) in sports activities until the Irish moved to 11-man football in the mid-1960's.
The year 1930 saw the construction of the new brick rectory which is still used for that purpose. It is now joined to the church structure by the 1989 construction. In 1939, the George Young residence on the southwest corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets was purchased by the parish, remodeled and an addition added, and it became the "Sisters' Convent" for the ensuing years until the new St. Patrick parish hall was constructed in 1988-89. The third floor of the school became additional classroom space.
World War II came in 1941. Many young men and women from the St. Patrick student body volunteered to serve their country in this historic struggle against the Axis powers. St. Patrick's students and graduates saw action in all theaters of the conflict. Alvin Beckius (`39) and Bill Roarty (`42) were killed in action and other St. Patrick's combatants were wounded during the course of the war. The Class of 1947 saw seven veterans of the War who should have graduated in 1944 or 1945 receive their high school diplomas. On the home front, many St. Pat's students were part of the noted "North Platte Canteen" effort to greet the many troop trains that passed through on the Union Pacific Railroad.
Richard Smotts (`47) was killed in action during the Korean Conflict as one of the St. Patrick graduates who saw action in that confrontation between democracy and communism. St. Patrick's graduates also served with distinction in Vietnam, and more recently in the Gulf War, Somalia, Bosnia, Afganistan and Iraq. Many career military personnel can be found on the alumni rosters.
Over the years, St. Patrick's students have also dedicated their lives to the service of the Church. A recent count found 11 priests, 23 sisters and three brothers, living or deceased, who attended or graduated from St. Patrick's during the past century. In the post-Vatican II Church many St. Patrick graduates serve in their parishes in full range of ministries from the lay diaconate to school board.
Msgr. Thomas Murray succeeded Father McDaid as pastor in April, 1948. Under his leadership the present St. Patrick Church was built in 1949. Graduates, parents and other members of the community participated in fund drives and other activities to finance the new place of worship.
Although the revenue it raised was not great, the musical "The Desert Song," which was produced by a large cast of parishioners including many St. Patrick School students, proved to be a memorable event for the entire community. The fall of 1948 saw the Irish football team named Class D state champs in six man, and also saw them play the first eleven man game.
In 1955, still under the leadership of Msgr. Murray, the present St. Patrick High School building was constructed and opened. The fine new facilities attracted many district basketball and track competitions. The Class of 1955 was the first to graduate from the new building. Enrollment continued to grow during the late 1950's and into the 1960's. Large enrollments during the pastorate of Msgr. Thomas Siudowski made it necessary to hold some classes at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Msgr. Siudowski and the parish responded to the growing enrollment by adding eight classrooms to the high school and the remodeling of the elementary building. The junior high program started at the high school building that year.
In 1965, under the leadership of Bishop John Paschang and Msgr. Lawrence Portrey, Father Thomas Mullowney became the first full-time superintendent of the school, and the first School Board was organized. Father Mullowney and the Board directed a dramatic growth of the instructional staff of the junior-senior high school. Added were a new counseling program, instrumental and vocal music, art, speech and drama, and industrial arts. Other "college prep" academic disciplines were expanded.
In 1966, in the midst of this dramatic growth year, the St. Patrick Alumni Association, which started in 1962, organized a salute the 50th Jubilee of St. Patrick School and the Ursuline Sisters' service in North Platte. The result was a three-day celebration that saw nearly 40 Ursuline Sisters, several hundred alumnae and other guests come "home." Although some smaller "class" reunions had been organized in previous years, this is believed to be the first general reunion of the alumni. Classmates from the late 1930s' and early 1940s' were the primary organizers and, thus, the forebearers of the present Alumni Association.
The 1960s' also saw girls' track and volleyball and boys' wrestling and golf added to the athletic program. The St. Patrick Athletic Association, later renamed the Activities Association to reflect its support of music, speech and drama teams, was also organized in the 1960s. In 1967, with the purchase of the Hall Fertilizer business a block east of the high school, the present football practice field, and a "wrestling barn" and music room were added to the school property. 1966 and 1967 saw the Irish gridders enjoy back-to-back undefeated seasons. In 1969 the "Irish" joined the South Platte Valley Association (SPVA) for inter-scholastic athletic, music, speech and academic competition. In 1967 the school board approved the renaming of the "old" St. Patrick School building to McDaid Elementary in honor of its founding pastor, Fr. Patrick McDaid. In 1968, thanks to the efforts of Fr. Mullowney, principal Sister Frances (Bibiana) Schaf, the staff and parents, the school applied for and was granted "Class A" accreditation by the Nebraska Department of Education. Terms like "mods" and "honor pass" became part of student life.
Bill McGahan was appointed principal of McDaid Elementary in 1968 and became the first lay school administrator in the Diocese of Grand Island. Fr. Robert Rooney succeeded Fr. Mullowney as superintendent in 1970. McGahan was named principal of both buildings in 1970. In 1974 he was named superintendent and continues in that capacity. Martin Cordes, science and social studies teacher, joined the administrative team in 1977 and served for a number of years as McDaid principal before assuming his present duties as middle school coordinator. Terry Schmit moved from the business classroom to fill the position of St. Patrick High School principal from 1977 to 1993. Mark Skillstad presently serves as St. Patrick Middle-High School principal and Athletic Director and Rick Carpenter is McDaid Elementary principal.
Bishop John Sullivan authorized the division of St. Patrick's Parish in 1973, and in March of 1974 ground was broken for the new Holy Spirit Parish hall. Fr. Bernard Nelson was the first pastor. In 1979 the sanctuary was constructed and in 1989 a classroom and office area was added. Holy Spirit Parish shares in the educational ministry of the North Platte Catholic Schools.
In 1975 and again in 1976, St. Patrick High School thespians, under the direction of Connie Madison, won state championships in One Act Play. In 1977 they were state runner-up. In 1976 coach Steve Peters and his Irish grapplers won the Class C state championship in wrestling. That same year, the Lassies and Coach Billie Rouzee finished as state runner-up in volleyball, and the Irish boys' basketball team under coach Jim Sandau earned the first trip to state since 1928. They lost in overtime of the first game.
In 1977 a visionary quartet of school parents, Bill Ramaekers, Ward Lingo, Jim Schneider and Bill McCormick, established the North Platte Catholic Schools Endowment-Trust, Inc. The Endowment has become the mainstay in efforts to keep St. Patrick's and McDaid fiscally stable and educationally sound. In 1983 the Endowment founders appointed Jerome Gilg as Endowment Director. In 1986 Gilg also assumed the role of Development Director for the school. Through the efforts of his office, many facility and program improvements have been made possible and school alumni are assuming an increasing role in the future welfare of their school.
In the fall of 1978 the first kindergarten class was enrolled at McDaid Elementary. In 1987 the attached garage at McDaid that served many years as the band rehearsal room was remodeled and the library was moved to that facility. This opened up one more classroom and McDaid became a full "two-track" K-6 elementary for the first time. In 1992 the St. Patrick Junior High School was reorganized into a middle school program.
Coach Terry Schmit and his Irish wrestlers brought home a second state championship in 1981. In 1984 and 1985, the Irish grid teams won back to back Class C state championships under the coaching of Mark Skillstad. The Irish football and wrestling teams of the 1987-88 school year both earned state runner-up trophies.
Energy costs and conservation concerns prompted the remodeling of the exterior of St. Patrick High School in 1981. A new rubberized roof covering, insulation and new classroom and gymnasium lighting were also part of the project.
St. Patrick alumni from the North Platte area gathered in January of 1982 to reorganize the alumni association. The first officers were Jody (Rector) Fleck, Ted Mueller, Sue (Beran) Keith, Duane Fleck and Bill McGahan. "The Shamrock" alumni newsletter started regular publication at that time.
Improvements to high school facilities during the late 1980's included the re-crowning of the football field, a new press box and concession building, underground sprinklers and a landscaped parking area north of the school. Manpower for many of the projects was provided by Eagle candidates of B.S.A. Troop 292 and other scout troops and by high school students. During the pastorate of Fr. Gerald Harr, in 1989, the Sister's Convent was sold and moved (it is now a photography studio), and a large parish center and office area was added onto St. Patrick's Church.
The 1990-91 school year was a time for celebration and growth. The community celebrated the 100th Jubilee of the Catholic schools in North Platte and the 75th Jubilee of the Ursuline Sisters, service here. Most significant of the Centennial activities was the "2nd Century Campaign" conducted by the Endowment-Trust. This capital campaign raised nearly $1 million. One-third of the funds were used to plan and construct a classroom and chapel addition to the east end of St. Patrick High School and to equip a state-of-the-art computer lab and school-wide network that is now connected to the Internet system by DSL. The high school library was also remodeled during the Centennial year. The balance of the campaign funds were placed into the permanent endowment fund of the Endowment-Trust to help provide fiscal stability for the school.
Although St. Patrick's has long been recognized for its athletic successes, it is the academic and fine arts programs that are the base of school tradition. Many St. Pat's scholars, athletes, musicians, artists and thespians have received top awards for their efforts in sports and fine arts performance. For more than a century, graduates have achieved academic and professional success nurtured in classrooms of St. Patrick High School. In the past 25 years, St. Patrick students have been awarded many post-secondary honors. Among these awards: Two All-State Scholars for state top 10 ACT scores; Four National Merit Scholarships; 12 National Merit Semi-Finalists; 34 University of Nebraska Regents Scholarships; Creighton Presidential Scholarships; Two Fulbright Scholars; One UNL Chancellor's Scholar for 4.0 average; and many honor graduates from regional colleges and universities. Many alumni have earned graduate degrees from colleges all across the nation.
The service program at St. Patrick's is also a credit to the school and its traditions. The McDaid Aide program and the service required of all students during the school year have earned recognition and respect throughout Western Nebraska. The Student Council, National Honor Society and other school organizations are involved not only in building involvement in the school, but also in reaching out to Church and community.
Current faculty members have established a record of strong service and commitment to St. Patrick's and McDaid. Teachers who have been on staff for 20 years or more include Martin Cordes, Jim Bauer, Johnna Arensdorf, Mary Ellis, Rosemary Jones, Diane Epley, Diane Ostermeyer, Jackie Thompson and Mark Skillstad. Connie Madison retired in 1995 after teaching speech and drama for 25 years. Billie Rouzee retired in 1997 after over 30 years in P.E. and coaching. Sara Morris taught science and Spanish during her 29 years on staff before retirement in 1998. Verna Grabowski retired in 1999 after 27 years at McDaid. Anne Schmit retired in 2000 after 25 years in the English department. 2006 marks the 39th year of service for Martin Cordes. Bill McGahan, who began his teaching at St. Patrick's by establishing the instrumental program, is in his 40th year.
St. Patrick High School alumni now working in the school include, James Holys ('02), Katie Arthur (`99), Raegan (Greenwood) Skillstad (`82), Kevin Dodson (89), Mary (Grabowski) Ellis (`73), Therese McCarthy-Garth (`74), Rosemary (Burbach) Jones (`67), Beth McGahan (`63), and Bill McGahan (`60).
The 1998-99 School year brought an historic time to the school when Project 2000, the plan to build a new elementary school and competition-sized gymnasium resulted in a capital fund drive which raised $4,005,000 between November and March. Groundbreaking for the new McDaid Elementary and Activities Center was held May 21, 1999. Bids for the new building were let on June 17, 1999. The new 48,000 sq. ft. facility was blessed and dedicated by Bishop Lawrence McNamara on August 20, 2000, and it welcomed students on August 21, 2000. The old St. Patrick School/McDaid Elementary facility is now used for St. Patrick Parish religious education classes.
The 2001-2002 school year brought an additional campaign to raise $600,000 for the renovation of the heating system at St. Patrick Middle-High School building. A new geo-thermal system was constructed during the summer of 2002 to replace the forty-seven year old steam boiler and pipes. New lights were installed on the football field in the fall, 2001.
In 2003, Jerome Gilg resigned as the Endowment Director. An extensive search/interview process resulted in the hiring of JoAnn Windholz in that position. The Endowment Office was moved to a house owned and renovated by school benefactor Dr. Jeff Brittan at 602 South Tabor.
The 2004-2005 school year brought a Class C-2 football championship at Lincoln's Memorial Stadium. The boys basketball team finished in the top four in State. Three wrestlers, Eric Wood, Alex Arthur and Matt Plunk wrestled in the championship round, with Wood and Plunk winning state championships. The track teams won several meets. The Saintsations won Gold Awards at two competitions and received Superior medals at District Music. The great flood of Super Bowl Sunday (a broken valve) saw water on all of the 1st floor at McDaid and a $28,000 renovation resulted. On graduation day, the activities center was renamed the McGahan Activities Center in recognition of the many contributions made to the school by the McGahan family during the past half-century. Many volunteers, lead by Mick Hayes and Tim and Jeff O'Connor, raised the funds and did the work to install new lighting on the football field. Fr. Richard Piontkowski (`74) left the pastorate of St. Patrick Parish after eight years of service to the parish and the school. Fr. Vince Parsons was named St. Patrick Parish Administrator.
In July of 2006, Fr. Jim Golka became the new pastor of St. Patrick Parish. In 2007 Fr. Jim Novakowski replaced Fr. Art Faesser as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish
The school operating budget is nearing $2,000,000. School enrollment is generally around 420 students K-12, which is approximately 11 percent of the school aged children of North Platte. Yearly over $80,000 in tuition assistance is being provided to low income families.
The professional staff, many of whom have advanced degrees, numbers 39. A support staff of 15, including secretaries, aides, custodians and cooks, round out the school employees. The school boasts of over 2,200 graduates and many more former students.
In 2006, again thanks to the generosity of Dr. Jeff and Connie Brittan, a new structure was built to house two kindergarten rooms to accommodate the new all day kindergarten program and Troop 292 BSA activities. The facility is immediately south of the McDaid playground. The kindergarten program moved to the new facility in January, 2007.
In September of 2007 Wendy Dodson assumed the responsibility of Endowment Director.
We welcome your gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure. We have numerous opportunities for supporters to offer prayers, volunteer in the schools, or give financially to our schools. The Endowment-Trust can help you with your financial gifts. G.R.E.E.N. is our annual fundraiser evening that helps to fund many projects at St. Patrick's and McDaid. The St. Patrick's Activities Association and McDaid PTO give volunteers an opportunity to contribute gifts for the many activities at our schools, and also a chance to become an active part of these activities. Your spiritual offering is also most welcome. Finally, we have many opportunities to volunteer in the classroom. You may call the schools for more information on becoming a parent volunteer. Please consider the North Platte Catholic Schools for offering your gifts of Time, Talent, and Treasure.
St. Patrick's and McDaid . . . a tradition of excellence in which we can all take pride. May God continue to bless our school and our alumni.
For information, send mail to Jennifer Winder