Photo by Jodelle Greiner John Synstelien points to California for his kindergarten classmates at Holy Redeemer School, including, in front, Ethan Benne and Christina Purrington; and, in back, Ella Bourne and Sydney Allex. Paula Dudgeon’s students have have received a letter from California and other states in response to one they sent out.

MARSHALL — Paula Dudgeon’s kindergartners at Holy Redeemer are getting mail, learning about their Catholic faith and getting a bit of geography thrown in for good measure. Earlier this year, Dudgeon was looking for an idea to help “them to understand how their Catholicism is more than just our room or our school,” she said. She was inspired to write letters to other Catholic schools with kindergartners across the country and the letters, and lessons, have been coming in, much to the kids’ delight. “They tell us what they’ve done that week: gym, art, music, studying the body,” Dudgeon said. “They’re surprised everybody does what they do.” “Some have big gyms,” said John Synstelien. “They don’t have computers, some. Some didn’t have a whole day.” “Some don’t have Spanish,” said Christina Purrington. “They have the shirts that have the body parts on from the guy when they do exercises. They take gym class,” said Sydney Allex, who hadn’t known there were other Catholic schools.