Dedicating Our School
February 20th, 2009January 8: Our School is Finished!
January 8th, 2009
When students returned from Christmas vacation on Monday they found Fred Uttech, principal of St. Mark’s, greeting them at the door and welcoming them to full use of their new school. Equally exciting was the chance to have gym class, recess and basketball practice in the new gymnasium!
“The building is complete,” says Mr. Uttech. “The only things left are those little items that will keep coming up for sometime—items like delivery of furniture, bleachers for the gym, items for the computer lab. I believe we should have everything in place by the end of February.”
Monday was also the day of the “Punch List,” which is field jargon for a detailed project inspection. Harold Peckham, a professional architect and also member of the St. Mark’s building committee, and construction superintendent Matt Hollman went room to room and carefully checked for anything that needs touching up or finishing.
“Our families can’t believe how beautiful everything is. The children are in awe of everything,” says Mr. Uttech. “God has blessed our efforts at St. Mark’s and he will see us through this project, even in these current economic times.”
“Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds” (Psalm 72:1).
Thrivent Helps in a BIG Way!
January 5th, 2009A contributing factor in St. Mark’s building project has been our God’s Plan Transcends All Understanding fund appeal. As of December 2008, we’ve received over $500,000 towards our goal of $1,750,000. Thank you to all who have generously given towards this project!
Matching gift contributions from donor employers and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans have also played an important role in our project. In 2008 Thrivent Financial gave $54,333 towards our project through its GivingPlus matching gift program. That’s a lot of money!
What is Thrivent’s GivingPlus and how does it benefit St. Mark’s?
For every $2 contributed to St. Mark’s Lutheran School by benefit members, Thrivent or one of its subsidiaries adds another $1. Member donations up to $600 will be matched, with a maximum supplement by Thrivent of $300 going to St. Mark’s.
Who are eligible Thrivent members?
If you are 16-years-old, or older, and if you own Thrivent Mutual Funds accounts and/or Thrivent Life Insurance Company products, you are a benefit member and can participate in Thrivent’s GivingPlus program. Multiple family members can participate if each of them are benefit members.
This program offers families an opportunity to really multiply their donations to the St. Mark’s fund appeal. Give it some thought!
Check out these sites for further information:
Thrivent Financial for Lutheran representatives serving St. Mark’s
December 27: Wrapping Things Up
December 27th, 2008
Many of us have spent the past weeks wrapping gifts and preparing for the holidays. Our construction crews have been wrapping things up as well—our building project, that is. As it nears completion, contractors continue with the final jobs before officially turning the school over to St. Mark’s.
Over the Christmas break, crews completed installation of the tile flooring in the classroom portion of the addition and maintenance manager A.J. Ritschke kept busy with the polishing. Baseman Bros, of Milwaukee, finished painting lines and a St. Mark’s logo on the gymnasium floor. Crews have also installed appliances in the kitchen and a very professional office set-up by Hillcraft Ltd, of Madison.
Last year, when members expressed wishes for our new school, two common desires were that of energy efficiency and “green” design. Our commons room, shown above, fulfills these desires very well. With large, southern windows and a bright, airy layout, this room feels warm and sunny even though it’s frigid outside.
Yes, we’ve had some very cold temperatures and a lot of snow this month. But God continues to bless our project and the work continues. His love for us is obvious, especially with the birth of his Son Jesus Christ.
December 8: An Athletic Director’s Dream
December 8th, 2008
St. Mark’s athletic director Matt Nottling is mighty happy these days. For the past two weeks Baseman Bros., of Milwaukee, has been laying, sanding, finishing and painting the hardwood floor for our new gymnasium.
“I love it,” says Matt. “I’ve been waiting more than a year for this!”
Floors are going in elsewhere as well. In the kitchen, crews put down a heavy-duty epoxy coating for a long-lasting durable floor. Over the vacation holiday, hallways in the new classroom portion were tiled.
And what’s the schedule? Are we on track?
You bet! In fact, we’re even ahead of schedule. According to construction superintendent Matt Hollman, the original plan was to complete the school by January 9. Maas Brothers now plans to turn the school over to us on January 2, meaning the whole school will be ready for use when students return from Christmas vacation.
“It’s amazing, if you think of it,” says Matt Hollman. “A lot of homes aren’t built in six months. Everyone working on this project did a great job.”
