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Nearly Three Decades of Quality Education
In the summer of 1978, the Flynn and Lettunich families were vacationing together
in McCall, Idaho. During their conversations together Ed Lettunich mentioned that
each time he passed Blessed Sacrament Parish he wondered why that school
building could not house a Catholic School. The two families discussed this at
some length and became more excited about this idea as they talked. In parting
they both agreed to discuss the idea with friends. Thus the seed for the
beginning of our school was sewn. Two months later a group of people met toe
discuss the possibility of a Catholic School in Ontario. When they approached the
pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, much to their dismay, they found he was not
interested in having a Catholic School. He did say that they could take their cause
to the Bishop. Undaunted, they next went to the Bishop of Baker who encouraged
them in their efforts, but he gave them some guidelines and requests. He asked
that they engage the services of a member of a Religious Community, preferable
as principal. He also said that the school must have an enrollment of at least fifty
students in which each family needed to pay part of the tuition up front. The
families and the Bishop worked together to meet these two requirements. This
was a little unusual as Catholic Schools were closing at this time all over the
country, but here a new school was beginning.
Early in 1979, the Sisters of the Holy Names from Marylhurst called the Bishop and
told him that they would send one sister, who could be the principal and she could
work with the people and priests to begin a Catholic School. Sister Lois Morisky
was hired as the first principal of the school. She agreed to work with the families,
teachers and priest to develop a Catholic School. She had much to teach the
community about Catholic Education and she received a great deal of support from
those with whom she worked.
A committee was formed to choose a school board. Armando Sandoval, John
Kirby, Mary Ann Peterson, Kevin Gates, Carol Flynn, Ed Lettunich, Helen Stanton,
Jill Conant and Rene’ Lettunich were the original members chosen in April of 19
79. The Board was responsible to set the direction for the school. They wrote a
Statement of Purpose for the school, and established a policy for tuition. A basic
value for the school became: No child will ever be deprived of a Catholic
Education at St. Peter Catholic School because of lack of funds. This policy has
resulted in community outreach and in the school receiving many blessings.
The plan was to begin with three grades and to add one grade each year until
there were six grades. Three Catholic certified teacher were hired: Ellie Majors
for grade one, Yvonne Ehli for grade two and Monica Quinowski for grade three
The parents began to clean, repair and to do minor remodeling of the building to
prepare it for opening in the fall. A budget was planned, supplies were ordered,
desks and chairs were obtained from St. Phillip School in Portland.
Since the school was the development of the combined efforts, energy and
cooperation of several area pastors and parishioners, it was suggested that the
people find a name of common significance to all involved. St. Peter Catholic
School was picked for the following reasons:
Jesus said, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.” We hope
our school will provide that solid foundation form which our entire faith community
will benefit. Just as Peter and the Apostles ventured forth to bear witness to
Jesus so are we beginning a new means of spreading Christian Witness in the
Treasure Valley. Without the guidance and support of Father Peter Stravinskas of
Bishop Kelly High School, our school would not have become a reality.
-July 1, 1979, written by Carol Flynn
Parents put together a health clinic where the incoming first grade could have
their physical and dental examinations. This was the beginning of a long history of
volunteers providing services for the school and its students.
On August 26, 1979, with many friends and parishioners present, Bishop Thomas
Connolly formally dedicated St. Peter Catholic School and this was followed by and
open house. At this time the Statement of Purpose, Goals, curriculum and
textbooks were displayed. The next day the principal and three teachers opened
the doors for the first time to receive sixty students.
Mass for all students and faculty was held at 9:00 AM on Friday mornings. In the
beginning this proved to be quite and ordeal for on Religious on the faculty.
Neither the teachers nor the students seemed to be familiar with the rubrics of
Mass and no songs were known in common as students came from many different
parishes. The immediate goal became to work with the staff and students to
familiarize both with the background and knowledge for planning and participation
at Mass. There were great hopes that someday both teachers and students would
be able to plan and prepare for their own Masses. Today this hope is a weekly
reality.
The faculty worked to model values of respect, peace, justice and friendship.
Great effort was put into settling difficulties in a peaceful manner. Daily prayer as
a student-body proved very effectual – this slowly brought about a sense of
belonging, and concern for others as well as building stronger faith among the
students. Many, many intentions were prayed including intentions for the sick and
injured pets of students.
Since the school philosophy was to teach the whole-child, and Catholic children
need many skills to prepare them to live in the world, quality education was
emphasized from the beginning. This was infused with sharing the love of God
with each other.
Formerly in the parish CCD or Religious Education had been a strong force and
now it has to share a place with the Catholic School. Human as we are, we could
not escape hard feeling and difficult times as we strove to work together. We
continue to share space, resources and ideas with each other.
The school is financed through tuition, fundraising, the Barn Dance, Bingo and
donations. The cost of educating the children is kept down thanks to the many
hours of parent and friend volunteer service. This dedication to the school helps
the students to know that they are cared for, and it also teaches them the
importance of helping others.
The school has had many excellent principals over its 27-year history. Dee
Robbins who led the school from 1983-1989 followed Sister Lois. In 1990 Mary
McCulley (O’Kief) was hired as principal. Mary was principal until 1996 when
Sister Linda Riggers, a Sister of the Holy Names, replaced her. Sister Linda was
principal for four years. In 1999, Sister Carol Higgins (also a Sister of the Holy
Names) became principal. In spring of 2003, Sister Carol left to return to the
Portland area. From 2003-2007 we had two interum principals, Sharon Mefford and
Ed Schumacher. Our current principal is Carolyn Hedrick. Carolyn brings years of
experience in religious education to St. Peter.
During the past years the school has made a place for itself in the community and
has become a school respected for its Christianity and academic excellence. Over
the course of time a Kindergarten program was added and in 1996 the school
welcomed Middle School students. In 2002 the school began a program for four
year olds.
In more recent years a Foundation Board began to ensure a financial future for the
school. The curriculum has been enriched through a computer lab and through
the addition of band and orchestra.
The school has been blessed with strong leaders and dedicated parents. We are
truly blessed!
In the summer of 1978, the Flynn and Lettunich families were vacationing together
in McCall, Idaho. During their conversations together Ed Lettunich mentioned that
each time he passed Blessed Sacrament Parish he wondered why that school
building could not house a Catholic School. The two families discussed this at
some length and became more excited about this idea as they talked. In parting
they both agreed to discuss the idea with friends. Thus the seed for the
beginning of our school was sewn. Two months later a group of people met toe
discuss the possibility of a Catholic School in Ontario. When they approached the
pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish, much to their dismay, they found he was not
interested in having a Catholic School. He did say that they could take their cause
to the Bishop. Undaunted, they next went to the Bishop of Baker who encouraged
them in their efforts, but he gave them some guidelines and requests. He asked
that they engage the services of a member of a Religious Community, preferable
as principal. He also said that the school must have an enrollment of at least fifty
students in which each family needed to pay part of the tuition up front. The
families and the Bishop worked together to meet these two requirements. This
was a little unusual as Catholic Schools were closing at this time all over the
country, but here a new school was beginning.
Early in 1979, the Sisters of the Holy Names from Marylhurst called the Bishop and
told him that they would send one sister, who could be the principal and she could
work with the people and priests to begin a Catholic School. Sister Lois Morisky
was hired as the first principal of the school. She agreed to work with the families,
teachers and priest to develop a Catholic School. She had much to teach the
community about Catholic Education and she received a great deal of support from
those with whom she worked.
A committee was formed to choose a school board. Armando Sandoval, John
Kirby, Mary Ann Peterson, Kevin Gates, Carol Flynn, Ed Lettunich, Helen Stanton,
Jill Conant and Rene’ Lettunich were the original members chosen in April of 19
79. The Board was responsible to set the direction for the school. They wrote a
Statement of Purpose for the school, and established a policy for tuition. A basic
value for the school became: No child will ever be deprived of a Catholic
Education at St. Peter Catholic School because of lack of funds. This policy has
resulted in community outreach and in the school receiving many blessings.
The plan was to begin with three grades and to add one grade each year until
there were six grades. Three Catholic certified teacher were hired: Ellie Majors
for grade one, Yvonne Ehli for grade two and Monica Quinowski for grade three
The parents began to clean, repair and to do minor remodeling of the building to
prepare it for opening in the fall. A budget was planned, supplies were ordered,
desks and chairs were obtained from St. Phillip School in Portland.
Since the school was the development of the combined efforts, energy and
cooperation of several area pastors and parishioners, it was suggested that the
people find a name of common significance to all involved. St. Peter Catholic
School was picked for the following reasons:
Jesus said, “Thou art Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church.” We hope
our school will provide that solid foundation form which our entire faith community
will benefit. Just as Peter and the Apostles ventured forth to bear witness to
Jesus so are we beginning a new means of spreading Christian Witness in the
Treasure Valley. Without the guidance and support of Father Peter Stravinskas of
Bishop Kelly High School, our school would not have become a reality.
-July 1, 1979, written by Carol Flynn
Parents put together a health clinic where the incoming first grade could have
their physical and dental examinations. This was the beginning of a long history of
volunteers providing services for the school and its students.
On August 26, 1979, with many friends and parishioners present, Bishop Thomas
Connolly formally dedicated St. Peter Catholic School and this was followed by and
open house. At this time the Statement of Purpose, Goals, curriculum and
textbooks were displayed. The next day the principal and three teachers opened
the doors for the first time to receive sixty students.
Mass for all students and faculty was held at 9:00 AM on Friday mornings. In the
beginning this proved to be quite and ordeal for on Religious on the faculty.
Neither the teachers nor the students seemed to be familiar with the rubrics of
Mass and no songs were known in common as students came from many different
parishes. The immediate goal became to work with the staff and students to
familiarize both with the background and knowledge for planning and participation
at Mass. There were great hopes that someday both teachers and students would
be able to plan and prepare for their own Masses. Today this hope is a weekly
reality.
The faculty worked to model values of respect, peace, justice and friendship.
Great effort was put into settling difficulties in a peaceful manner. Daily prayer as
a student-body proved very effectual – this slowly brought about a sense of
belonging, and concern for others as well as building stronger faith among the
students. Many, many intentions were prayed including intentions for the sick and
injured pets of students.
Since the school philosophy was to teach the whole-child, and Catholic children
need many skills to prepare them to live in the world, quality education was
emphasized from the beginning. This was infused with sharing the love of God
with each other.
Formerly in the parish CCD or Religious Education had been a strong force and
now it has to share a place with the Catholic School. Human as we are, we could
not escape hard feeling and difficult times as we strove to work together. We
continue to share space, resources and ideas with each other.
The school is financed through tuition, fundraising, the Barn Dance, Bingo and
donations. The cost of educating the children is kept down thanks to the many
hours of parent and friend volunteer service. This dedication to the school helps
the students to know that they are cared for, and it also teaches them the
importance of helping others.
The school has had many excellent principals over its 27-year history. Dee
Robbins who led the school from 1983-1989 followed Sister Lois. In 1990 Mary
McCulley (O’Kief) was hired as principal. Mary was principal until 1996 when
Sister Linda Riggers, a Sister of the Holy Names, replaced her. Sister Linda was
principal for four years. In 1999, Sister Carol Higgins (also a Sister of the Holy
Names) became principal. In spring of 2003, Sister Carol left to return to the
Portland area. From 2003-2007 we had two interum principals, Sharon Mefford and
Ed Schumacher. Our current principal is Carolyn Hedrick. Carolyn brings years of
experience in religious education to St. Peter.
During the past years the school has made a place for itself in the community and
has become a school respected for its Christianity and academic excellence. Over
the course of time a Kindergarten program was added and in 1996 the school
welcomed Middle School students. In 2002 the school began a program for four
year olds.
In more recent years a Foundation Board began to ensure a financial future for the
school. The curriculum has been enriched through a computer lab and through
the addition of band and orchestra.
The school has been blessed with strong leaders and dedicated parents. We are
truly blessed!