By Jean McDermott

Pacelli Catholic Schools president

Pacelli students are going for the gold as they compile reading minutes in pursuit of winning their own bronze, gold or silver medal.

This week concluded Reading Olympic activities which started in January during Catholic Schools Week.  Students have been passing the Olympic torch from country to country (classroom to classroom) during the month of February, leading to opening ceremonies for the Reading Olympics on Friday, Feb. 23.

A family night of book bingo, collecting reading minutes during and outside the school day, the first annual “Poetry Slam,” “Reading Across the Street” with high school buddies, guest readers including the Austin Bruins, and an author residency are just a few of the reading activities in which students participated to focus on the importance of reading in our daily lives.

Author Patrick Mader presented five grade-centered programs for students in preschool, grades K-2, grades 3 – 5, middle school, and high school. Fourteen middle and high school students also shared lunch with the author and were able to personally learn more about the author and his work.

Mader, known as “Packy,” has a background in education, agriculture, and business. He grew up on a small dairy farm near St. Bonifacius, Minnesota, with six brothers and sisters. He has always enjoyed Minnesota sports, history, and geography.

The author of four children’s picture books, “Opa & Oma Together,” “Big Brother has Wheels,” “Visiting the Visitors,” and “Oma Finds a Miracle,” Mader writes heartwarming, inspirational, and intergenerational stories with rural Minnesota traditions. Packy decided to research and explore another Minnesota resource: its athletes. He discovered many athletes from a variety of sports and eras who have enriched the state through their effort, perseverance, achievements, and professions.

Convinced the stories of these remarkable athletes who have enriched our heritage should be preserved, he spent three years researching, having conversations with 57 elite athletes who competed on the world stage, and then writing the book. He believes he discovered true “Minnesota Gold” in the stories of these Minnesota Olympic athletes! (information from www.patrickmader.com).

If you are interested in learning more about Pacelli Catholic Schools visit our website at www.pacellischools.org, email admin@pacellischools.org or call 507-437-3278. Preschool-grade 12 registration for the 2018-2019 school year has begun.  Several classes are already close to capacity. Waiting lists will be started as classes become full.