School Sisters of Notre Dame in Public Schools
Since the mid-1800s, Catholic parishes in rural areas of Missouri and Illinois built school buildings on parish property and rented them to the public school district. The student body was predominantly Catholic and the public school district paid the sisters’ salary from public monies. Continued mutual respect between state education officials and the sisters provided a collaboration that was beneficial to all involved. By the early 1900s, government requirements for accreditation and the reception of public funding mandated that the sisters receive additional education.
Education of the Sisters
Since the beginning of the province in 1895, Sancta Maria in Ripa Normal School provided teacher training for those entering the community. It became affiliated with St. Louis University in 1918. As educational standards continued to advance, it was essential for teachers to have a college degree. In 1918, sisters began to study at DePaul University in Chicago and the following year at St. Louis University. By 1925, the Normal School was reorganized into Notre Dame Junior College (NDJC) and accredited by the University of Missouri and the North Central Association. In 1925, Sisters Chrysologa Kischel and Celeste Rupp began working towards a doctoral degree at Fordham University in New York. In 1926, Notre Dame Junior College became a Corporate College of St. Louis University. By 1954, NDJC was staffed sufficiently to become a four-year college; six years later, Notre Dame College was recognized as an accredited institution awarding degrees and teacher certification recognized by the state. Sisters also studied in other institutions in Louisiana and Arkansas during these years.
Teaching in Public Schools
The public grade school in Teutopolis, Ill., was staffed by SSNDs since 1861. From 1917 to 1955, Sister Ethelbert Dekum was a leader in education in Teutopolis. During this time, she organized the high school and also served as superintendent for the county school system. Several other SSNDs followed in this position. Today, Sister Christina Marie Frick continues to teach in the grade school.
In 1922, sisters came to teach in the public school in Aviston, Ill. Initially experiencing opposition and criticism from some of the citizens, the sisters won over their opponents by responding in a positive and professional manner. The following year, the sisters staffed the opening of the public high school. SSNDs were principals of the grade school for 50 years and remained on the faculty for 65 years. They served in the high school until the opening of Mater Dei High School in Breese, Ill., in 1958.
Public schools in Missouri where SSNDs ministered included Westphalia, Rich Fountain, Loose Creek, St. Thomas, Koeltztown, Freeburg, St. Martin, Belgique, Marthasville and Krakow. In September 1951, a lawsuit challenged the practice of paying Catholic sisters with public monies to teach in public schools. Following the filing of a second lawsuit in 1952, Mother Evangela Wagner, in consultation with Archbishop Joseph E. Ritter, withdrew the sisters from the Missouri public schools. The pastors were encouraged to form a parochial school system. As the status of these schools changed and became parish schools, many of the sisters remained where they had been teaching.
In a number of other places in Missouri and Illinois, the sisters retained a good working relationship with the public school officials and their collaboration was a means of assisting the students to acquire the best possible education. Sisters continued to update themselves and fulfill state requirements, resulting in teacher or administration certification in the various states where SSNDs were missioned.
[Sources: St. Louis Province Chronicle; History of Teutopolis, 1839-1989; Chronicles of St. Francis, Teutopolis; Chronicles of St. Francis, Aviston; copies of letters sent by Mother Evangela Wagner, 1952]
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