Exciting things are happening
-
Projects, programs, events - BIG and SMALL - in schools!
-
Storm Lake St. Mary raising funds for new bus
Most likely for the first time, Storm Lake St. Mary students will ride in a new school bus. The school’s 2025 Fund A Cause is to purchase a $150,000 new 77-passenger bus equipped with seat belts and includes storage. All preK-12 students will benefit from the purchase. Ryan Berg, 6-12 principal, has worked at St. Mary’s since 1998 and said he has neither driven nor ridden in a new bus at St. Mary.
-
Le Mars Gehlen adopts cell phone policy
The school adopted a cell phone free policy and the decision has created a more focused and distraction-free learning environment, while also encouraging better social interactions among students throughout the day. Cell phone-free is the way to be, the school leaders said.
Denison St. Rose of Lima update doors
Security doors were installed between the chapel and the school over the Christmas break. The funds were raised through the 2024 Fund a Need at the spring fundraising gala.
-
Danbury Catholic increases security
This year Danbury Catholic got new exterior doors installed to increase security for their students. To continue with efforts on improving security for the school and to increase energy efficiency, Danbury Catholic received a Missouri River Historical Development grant to start replacing windows as well.
-
Carroll Kuemper establishes memorial
In the fall, the school dedicated a new Veteran’s Memorial Plaque that honors four alumni who lost their lives in Vietnam – Wayne Gross, Lawrence Hagedorn, Gerald Feltner and Thomas Eischeid. The plaque hangs in the hallway of the high school near the cafeteria.
-
-
-
Fort Dodge St. Edmond Food Pantry
St. Edmond has a School Food Pantry which was established out of the former Backpack Buddies program. The Discipleship Class of Marva Dillon wanted to take on this program and currently six families at the school – 16 students - utilize the pantry. Food bags with non-refrigerated items are sent home with the students on the weekends. A mini Festival of Trees event helped to raise funds to stock the shelves.
-
Pocahontas Catholic
safety updatesThis November, contractors installed a new security system for the school entryway. Not only is safety enhanced for the school but teachers noted the students stayed on task during the construction. The school’s safety grant is nearly complete. It has included cameras, lighting, keyless entry and a monitoring system.
-
Spencer Sacred Heart
updates librarySacred Heart Catholic School has made significant upgrades to its library. The school recently received a grant from Palo Alto County Gaming Development Corporation from proceeds of the Wild Rose Casino and Resort. Sacred Heart was able to purchase new furniture and add over 800 new books.
-
Sioux City Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools - service, culture, more
An exciting highlight for Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools is the growth of enrollment by 55 students compared to last year.
Bishop Heelan High School – The school values partaking in service to others.
Recently, the basketball cheer squads organized a Jeans Day fundraiser to support Toys for Tots.Cathedral Dual Language Academy – Students at the school have embraced several cultural activities throughout the school year from participating in a Welcoming Parade in South Sioux City with Celebrando Siouxland, to celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, Los Posadas and more.
Sacred Heart School, Sioux City – The school helped to pack 32 Thanksgiving meal boxes for Catholic Charities to deliver before the holiday.
Mater Dei School, Sioux City – Students enjoy visits in the classroom from Father Brad Pelzel, pastor, which they dub Fridays with Father.
Holy Cross School, Sioux City – Like all second graders across the state, second graders from Holy Cross received a copy of Just Like Caitlin in the fall. The book shares Caitlin Clark’s inspiring story and life lessons about dreaming big, working hard, valuing relationships and more.
-
-
-
Emmetsburg Catholic Advent Family Retreat
Emmetsburg Catholic kicked off Advent with a Family Retreat night. They
Boone Sacred Heart School first graders receive readers
invited the students and their families for hot chocolate, hot cider, popcorn and then they could go around to different centers. There was a rosary room, a reading area with books about Jesus and Christmas, the movie "The Star" playing in a room, Catholic Bingo and crafts. It was such a good night that they ran out of popcorn and cider. The school is hoping to do something similar for Lent.Every first-grade student received a Just right Reader with decodable readers to take home. The readers were received through the Iowa Department of Education and Gov. Kim Reynolds.Remsen St. Mary Schools serve others
At St. Mary School in Remsen one exciting thing is the tradition of service. Some examples of service include the Then Feed Just One food packing event, students visiting residents in the local assisted living facility and holding pro-life prayer services. One St. Mary student, senior Zajara Galles, organized a blood drive for students, staff and the community.
-
Algona Bishop Garrigan
Bishop Garrigan High School girls basketball coach Brandon Schwab reached 300 career wins this month.
Seton Grade School, Algona
Windows were updated in the elementary wing thanks to a grant from the Palo Alto County Development Corporation.
-
Sheldon St. Patrick School new technology
Recently, one of the alumni families – the Perrots - donated five new ViewSonic interactive boards to the school. Teachers returned from Christmas break with the new technology installed.
-
Humboldt St. Mary holds
Welcome Back tailgateThe school held a special Welcome Back tailgate at the beginning of the school year. The school community hosted their new priests serving the school and parish – Msgr. Kevin McCoy, Father Francis Makwinja and Father Ross Caniglia.
-
-
Podcast focus on Catholic schools
-