Sen. Tomes Honors Saint Wendel School

Indiana Sen. Jim Tomes visited Saint Wendel Parish and School on Sept. 14 to present a proclamation recognizing the school’s most recent performance in ISTEP testing. Saint Wendel earned the highest ISTEP score in the state for students in grades 3-8 passing both English and math. Every Saint Wendel student passed the ISTEP math test, and 96.5 percent of them passed both sections.

“My wife and I get a laugh out of the Indianapolis TV stations during the legislative session when they talk about the winter weather in southern Indiana – and they are referring to Bloomington,” Tomes said. “I want you to know that the entire state is now aware of Southwest Indiana because you have put it on the map with this wonderful achievement.”

Tomes attended the morning school Mass at Saint Wendel with the student body, faculty and staff, and family members and other parishioners. He spoke to the group and presented the proclamation after Mass.

“Every year in the legislature, we introduce hundreds of bills,” he said, “and many of them deal with education. Your achievement is something that government can never provide.

“What makes this accomplishment so special is the hard work of the students I see in front of me,” Tomes continued. “And they have tremendous support from their teachers and Father Ed (Schnur, pastor of Saint Wendel). They also have the component of caring and loving parents.”

Tomes’ proclamation included recognition of Saint Wendel having earned Indiana four-star-school status for the past six consecutive years.