Faculty/Staff
TAKE ACTION “Be doers of the Word” James 1:22
Dear St. Rita of Cascia Visitor,
On behalf of the St. Rita of Cascia Catholic School community, I welcome you to our website and school community. We look forward to answering your questions about our school.
With a long history of excellence, St. Rita is a pillar of the Aurora community. Come visit us soon and experience the St. Rita of Cascia Catholic School spirit.
In Christ, Heather Baer
Principal
Mrs. Heather Baer
Principal
Meet the Teacher
hbaer@saint-rita.org
“We the community of St. Rita of Cascia School believe that we are called to live the gospel message in the world through spirit, body, mind, and heart.”
 Mrs. Cathy Bracke Kindergarten Teacher, Crusader Learning Club Coordinator cbracke@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Amanda Bushlen PreK3 Teacher abushlen@saint-rita.org Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Kim Davis 4th Grade Teacher, Crusader Choir Director kdavis@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Teresa Droeske Administrative Assistant tdroeske@saint-rita.org |
 Mrs. Kim Groom Builder’s Club Coordinator |
 Mrs. Janet Harner Financial Manager jharner@saint-rita.org |
 Mrs. Pat Heneghan Technology Teacher, Religion Coordinator pheneghan@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Ms. Mary Jo Hicks 5th Grade Teacher, Student Council Rep mjhicks@saint-rita.org Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Robbie King 2nd Grade Teacher, Yearbook Coordinator rking@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Meagan Koehler 5th Grade Teacher mnkoehler@saint-rita.org |
 Mrs. Gina Krizman Speech & Language Pathologist gkrizman@sd129.org |
 Mrs. Rose Leden Art Teacher rleden@saint-rita.org Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Isabel Magaña Aide |
 Miss Alicia Ochoa PreK3 Aide |
 Mrs. Amy Petersen 1st Grade Teacher, Assistant Principal, Lower-Wing Student Council Rep apetersen@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Stacey Peterson PreK4 Teacher speterson@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Sue Pietrie 3rd Grade Teacher IT/Tech Support spietrie@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Andrea Roman PreK4 Aide |
 Mrs. Carolyn Schmidt 8th Grade Homeroom Teacher, 6th-8th Science Teacher, Student Council Coordinator, Yearbook Club cschmidt@saint-rita.org Amazon Wishlist Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Ann Sixt Title I Teacher asixt@sd129.org |
 Mrs. Megan Sniezek 6th Grade Homeroom Teacher, 6th-8th Math Teacher mpeluse@saintr-rita.org Meet the Teacher Amazon Wishlist |
 Mrs. Stacey Spears Music Teacher sspears@saint-rita.org |
 Mr. John Stauffer 7th Grade Homeroom Teacher, 6th-8th Social Studies Teacher, Junior High Homework Club Coordinator jstauffer@saint-rita.org Meet the Teacher |
 Mr. Jeff Tate PE Teacher Meet the Teacher |
 Mrs. Renee Wiesner Library Teacher |
School History
St. Rita of Cascia School, Aurora has served the people of the parish and community for more than sixty years. During the early years of the parish, the children of St. Rita were educated in six different parochial schools and four public schools in the area. In the fall of 1956, St. Rita pastor, Msgr. Thomas Birmingham rented the vacant Indian Creek public school building of four classrooms for one dollar a year. Additional classes were hosted at St. Joseph School and St. Michael’s.
St. Rita School began under the direction of two Sisters of St. Francis from Joliet, Sr. Lorraine and Sr. Dominic. It was with great enthusiasm in 1960 when the parish campus opened at its present site of 770 W. Old Indian Trail. The church and twelve-classroom school were constructed under one roof. Since that time the school has added four additional classrooms and a gymnasium. Having St. Rita Church and School housed under the same roof, is a visible sign that the school is an extension of the parish. We know that we are a Christ Centered School.
St. Rita School has maintained a beautiful campus and modern facility. Improvements to the school include a remodeled kitchen in the school lunchroom for the daily lunch program, and a well maintained gymnasium with hardwood flooring. In the summer of 2007 the building was remodeled including all new energy efficient windows. The classrooms were upgraded with new heating units and air conditioners. A visitor to St. Rita of Cascia School will see how the integrity of its historical beauty has been maintained in the slate foyer. Yet, the facility is updated to be a safe and comfortable space for the learner.
We recognize the importance that technology plays in education today. For that reason, we maintain a modern computer lab, school wide broadband internet access for the lab and classrooms, and SMARTBoards, iPads and computer workstations to engage the learner.
Each fall, when we celebrate the opening of a new school year, we give thanks to the many pastors, principals and teachers who have served to provide a faith based education rooted in the teachings and traditions of the Catholic Church. In a special way we celebrate those generations of students, parents, and parishioners who are part of the legacy of St. Rita of Cascia School in Aurora.
Our patroness, St. Rita is known as the “Saint of the Impossible.” For the people of St. Rita of Cascia Parish and School, we know that “with God all things are possible.” We give thanks to God, our Heavenly Father for the gift of Catholic education at St. Rita of Cascia School.