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| Francine Butzine |
WATERTOWN — The old adage “Time flies when you’re having fun” certainly applies to Francine Butzine, who is retiring this year after 43 years as a teacher and principal at St. Henry School in Watertown.
In an interview, Mrs. Butzine — as students, parents, and others fondly call her in the St. Henry community — said she has “never been bored” in her 20 years as a teacher and 23 years as a principal at St. Henry School.
“The days and years have rushed by,” she said. “There are different kids and different families. No year is ever the same as before.”
Sincere appreciation
Msgr. Dan Ganshert, pastor of St. Henry Parish, declared May 5 to 11 as “Mrs. Francine Butzine Week.” She was honored at a reception on May 11 after the 4 p.m. Mass at St. Henry.
Monsignor Ganshert said, “We express our sincere appreciation to Mrs. Francine Butzine who is retiring after some 43 years as our St. Henry Catholic School teacher and principal.
“What an outstanding and inspiring accomplishment! She has touched the lives of countless students, teachers, staff, volunteers, and families with the gift of her faith and love in Christ for others.”
Gift of her faith
Her Catholic faith has been an important part of her life. Mrs. Butzine said she was “raised by the Sisters of St. Agnes” in Fond du Lac, where she attended schools sponsored by the Sisters from grade school through college, including St. Joseph Elementary School, St. Mary’s Springs Academy, and Marian College, where she received a degree in English and secondary education.
“The Sisters of St. Agnes were lovely people,” she said. “They were solid, good teachers. I had many positive experiences with them.”
She later received a Master of Arts in Educational Administration from Edgewood College in Madison.
She has ‘teacher bones’
Mrs. Butzine taught three years at two Catholic grade schools in St. Cloud, Wis., and New Munster, Wis., before coming to St. Henry School in 1970. She taught religion, English, literature, and math to students in sixth through eighth grades.
Even while serving as principal, she has continued to teach algebra. “I love it,” she said. “I have teacher bones. I’m the happiest when I’m teaching.”
School expands classes
St. Henry added kindergarten and 4K classes during her tenure. The 4K class operates in a partnership program with the local public school system.
“It’s open to anyone in the community,” explained Mrs. Butzine. “We provide the site and we choose the teacher, as long as she is licensed. It has worked very well.”
Over the years, St. Henry School has expanded its use of technology in the classroom “The teachers have really embraced it,” said Mrs. Butzine.
The school has also incorporated student information services for record keeping and report cards.
The school works closely with the Diocese of Madison’s Office of Catholic Schools for ongoing curriculum and instruction improvement. “They help us keep up with things. We really appreciate the services from the Office of Catholic Schools.”
Catholic schools are special
Mrs. Butzine emphasizes that Catholic schools “are a different animal” from other schools, and she stresses that Catholic schools “are needed more than ever in our culture today.”
St. Henry School is a truly Catholic community, she said. “It’s being able to share your faith and grow in your faith. The culture today bombards us with negative and anti-Christian messages. We’ve got to keep our schools thriving and people need to support them.”
Importance of her faith
In her last reflections in the school newsletter, Mrs. Butzine wrote about “Why I Am a Believer.” She talked about the importance of her Catholic faith and membership in the Catholic Church. “I am so grateful to be a Catholic,” she said, pointing to its teachings, which are “sensible and freeing and life-giving.”
She also talked about her appreciation of the Mass. “I can’t fathom how anyone with any inkling of what happens at Mass, WHO is there, can actually leave the Catholic Church.”
School sets high standards
She is most proud of how well the graduates of St. Henry School do in high school. “Of course, we expect the bright students to do well. But we do well with the average kids. Our testing shows they score better than expected. We have motivated them to do their best. They go on to high school with good study skills and a strong work ethic.”
St. Henry School sets high standards for its students. “Our standards aren’t unreasonable, but they’re pretty high. Almost all of our kids do their homework, and we’re on top of those who don’t.”
Graduates come back to her and say they’re happy they went to St. Henry. They had to work harder, so they were ready for high school.
“People will also comment on how good our kids are in church. They’re respectful and reverent. It’s expected,” said Mrs. Butzine.
She said the St. Henry students also receive compliments from outside visitors. One speaker at the school recently told her, “What a nice group of kids. Your kids are well-behaved but also enthusiastic and engaged.”
Mrs. Butzine admits St. Henry School has a “tremendous advantage.” “Most kids come from stable families with parents who care.”
Deserves a parade
Neighboring St. Bernard School sponsors an annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Watertown. This year Jeff Allen, principal at St. Bernard, invited Mrs. Butzine to be the parade marshal.
Allen said, “Francine and I of course go way back together. (We have actually lived on the same street for almost 30 years.) During her time as principal we rode together to countless meetings and talked on the phone weekly if not daily.
“In all those years, I can not remember her ever saying a negative thing about a parent, teacher, or student. She has a way to put a positive spin on almost any situation. She also has been a wonderful teacher and role model of our Catholic faith.
“When she told me she was retiring, my first thought was ‘oh no.’ My second thought was she deserves a parade down Main Street Watertown as our parade marshal!
Plans for retirement
As she leaves St. Henry School, Mrs. Butzine said she will miss the people: “Students of all ages, great teachers, fun staff, many wonderful parents, and terrific colleagues throughout the diocese.”
She hopes to go short trips with her husband, Tom, and spend time with their children and grandchildren; they have one son and two grandchildren and he has two children and four grandchildren from a previous marriage.
Mrs. Butzine also plans to spend more time reading and going to movies. She also mentioned that their dog, Monty, a Goldendoodle, is counting on many visits to the Jefferson County Dog Park.
Anyone wishing to send a card or letter to Mrs. Butzine may send it to St. Henry School, 300 E. Cady St.,Watertown, WI 53094.