Alumna Selects St. Leonard School For Water Cooler Donation From Zurn-Elkay Water Solutions

Samantha Dresen • August 10, 2026

St. Leonard Catholic Church and School is grateful to be the recipient of a filtered double water fountain with a bottle filler donated by Zurn-Elkay Water Solutions. It will be installed in the Holy Family Lobby outside of the gym.


The donation is a result of a competition among Zurn-Elkay employees to win the opportunity to donate a filtered water fountain to a school or charitable organization of their choice. Nicole Welsh, Assistant Corporate Controller at Zurn-Elkay and St. Leonard School alumna, won the competition and chose St. Leonard as the recipient.


“It is very rewarding and humbling to be able to give back to a school where I spent 9 years of my life,” said Welsh, a 2008 graduate. Her parents, Bob and Chris, have been St. Leonard parishioners for almost 40 years. 


St. Leonard staff followed up with Nicole Welsh on what her elementary school experience means to her today. Welsh shared the following reflection, “The lessons and beliefs taught by a Catholic education at St. Leonard have been invaluable. The community that a Catholic education provides still impacts my life all these years later through shared experiences and values.” She notes that her best friend from Kindergarten is still her best friend today. 

 

After graduating from St. Leonard, Welsh pursued her interest in accounting through coursework in high school and college, and eventually her career. She is able to integrate the values she learned at St. Leonard into her work. Welsh explains that her career at Zurn-Elkay offers her the opportunity to do what she is passionate about for a company with a sustainable mission and products that help people and the environment.


Zurn-Elkay Water Solutions strives to provide environmentally sustainable water management solutions and advocates for increased access to clean water, with schools being one of their priorities. The company shares that water contaminants create a greater risk of growth disruptions and learning delays in children (according to a 2024 study at the Harvard University Center for Developing the Child). They also point out that there are no regulations- at the federal level and in 66% of states- mandating that water in schools be tested (according to the National Association of State Boards of Education and ABC News research). 


Zurn-Elkay’s donation supports St. Leonard’s efforts to continuously enhance health and safety features on campus by adding to the number of filtered water stations accessible to students and visitors.


Thank you to Nicole Welsh for choosing St. Leonard for this opportunity and for offering her reflections. Thank you to Zurn-Elkay Water Solutions for donating the filtered water cooler.

A New Year In Middle School Math and Religion

By Mrs. Kathy Kaye • September 10, 2026
It is a true privilege to teach the two areas I am most passionate about: math and religion. As we begin a new school year, I am excited to share updates on our middle school math and religion programs. Designed to build critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of core concepts, our mathematics curriculum guides students through a rigorous progression from foundational pre-algebra to advanced algebraic thinking. Thanks to St. Leonard School's investment in updated textbooks for grades K5 through 8, our students are thoroughly equipped for high school mathematics. We are also fortunate to welcome Mr. Miller to our dedicated two-educator team. Maintaining two separate math groups at the middle school level allows us to provide individualized attention and differentiated instruction, successfully blending traditional teaching methods with interactive technology. Within our supportive, faith-based environment, students develop both academic excellence and the confidence to tackle complex real-world challenges. We are also thrilled to once again offer the Math Olympiads, allowing students to compete in monthly international competitions during what promises to be an exciting year of mathematics. Beyond academics, our religion program nurtures the mind, body, and spirit of our young adolescents as they grow in the image of Jesus Christ. The faith formation curriculum emphasizes moral decision-making, Catholic traditions, and Scripture study. Our middle school students actively live out their faith by leading school-wide prayer, mentoring younger students as "Prayer Buddies" at weekly Mass, and organizing the Outdoor Rosary. Keep our sixth grade students and all of our students in your prayers as we embark on this new school year.

Student Council Announces Charitable Initiative For 2026-2027 School Year

August 25, 2026
Every year St. Leonard School's Student Council votes on a charity that they will spend the year supporting through collections, such as out-of-uniform pass fundraisers. This year students chose Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin , a non-profit organization that provides no-cost lodging to families whose children are hospitalized nearby. Their mission is, "To provide essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families and promote healing when children need healthcare." The House is located in Wauwatosa, WI and provides comfortable guest rooms, healthy meals, therapy programs and every day essentials to guest families. Students put their intellect and creativity to work to improve their out-of-uniform fundraiser. Instead of collecting $0.50 from students on each out-of-uniform fundraiser, families may pay a $5 donation at the beginning of the year for their children to participate throughout the whole year. Families will no longer have to keep track of quarters and paper passes/coupons. Teachers will have a simplified system to verify that a student has made their donation by maintaining a list. Most importantly, Student Council will have the funds available right away, allowing them to make their first charitable donation early in the school year and begin putting our faith into action from day one. " As Catholics, we are called to love our neighbors, care for those in need, and be good stewards of the gifts God has given us ," said Laura Bisher, St. Leonard School Principal, " While $5 may seem like a small amount, when our school community comes together, those small gifts become a powerful way to share Christ's love with others. "

Special Recognition for St. Leonard School

July 21, 2026
St. Leonard School’s Early Childhood Education program was recognized as a top finalist in the Preschool category of the “ Milwaukee Top Choice Community's Choice Awards! ” We’re incredibly grateful for this recognition. According to yourchoiceawards.com/milwaukee, nominations and votes are driven by public participation. Enrollment continues for St. Leonard School for the 2026-2027 school year. Schedule a tour at stleonards.org/contactschool or call the School Office at 262-679-0451. See how we’re forming hearts, minds and lives rooted in faith.

Luck Of The Auction Results

May 14, 2026
On behalf of the Auction Committee, thank you so much for your generosity and support for this year’s auction fundraiser, Luck of the Auction. Due to your support, we have raised more than we ever have before! We have raised over $58,000 for Home & School and the Church to use for our school students to improve their educational experience as well as purchase much-needed playground equipment! This amount is a 25% increase over our proceeds from last year’s auction! We also had our highest auction attendance in recent years with 196 attendees! This fundraiser could not be successful without the support of our school staff, church staff, parishioners, and community supporters! Thank you for your donations, support, and hard work! Make sure you are on the lookout for “The Good, the Bad, and the Lucky,” our Wild West/Country themed auction for 2027!