January 15, 2026
Dear Parents/Guardians, Teachers/Staff,
St. Vincent de Paul has much to celebrate during its 33rd annual Catholic Schools Week!
This year, Catholic Schools Week will be observed the week of January 25 and the theme is “United in Faith and Community.” Numerous activities are being planned for the students, teachers, staff, and parents. A big thank you to our CSW committee chairs, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Price, and Ms. Salerno, and to Mrs. Bernt, Ms. Hargens, Mrs. Kleffman, Ms. Kolberg, Mr. Polacek, and Mrs. Schroen, for planning the week. Please take a look at the activities we have planned—and participate in as many of them as you can.
In honor of our patron saint, St. Vincent de Paul, outreach efforts are traditionally planned for Catholic Schools Week. This year, we will offer prayers and raise money for the students and staff of our sister school, San Ildefonso, in Huehuetenango, Guatemala.
Students will also work with their buddy to create cards or letters for local veterans.
Friday, January 23
In anticipation of Catholic Schools Week and to raise money for San Ildefonso, there will be a special “$1.00 Dress Down” Day today. Please follow dress-down day guidelines. Students may wear their school uniform if they choose not to participate.
Saturday, January 24- Sunday, January 25: CELEBRATE OUR PARISH
Students are asked to wear their school uniforms to Mass this weekend.
Show your school pride and gratitude to our parishioners.
The Awesome Angels Children’s Choir will sing at the 9:00 A.M. Mass.
Immediately following the 7:30, 9:00 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday Masses, children from the 5-day school will help the Knights of Columbus host a pancake breakfast. We would appreciate having students in grades 4-8 volunteer to help. Please click HERE by January 22nd to sign up if your child would like to volunteer for this opportunity. We ask volunteers to wear their school uniforms. We hope you will join us!
Monday, January 26: CELEBRATE OUR STUDENTS
Please send a rosary to school with your child. K-8 students, teachers, and staff will gather in the church to pray the rosary together.
Classroom winners from grades 4-8 will compete in the school spelling bee at 2:00 P.M.
Parents of contestants are welcome to attend.
DRESS THEME: It’s jersey day! Students may wear a jersey or other team attire. Students may dress down on the bottom (following dress-day guidelines). Students may not wear an official SVdP team jersey.
Tuesday, January 27: CELEBRATE OUR NATION
We will begin the day with an all-school Pledge of Allegiance to help us focus on our nation.
There will be a K-8 school Mass at 8:15 A.M.
Buddy activity: Students will meet with their buddies to create cards or letters for local veterans.
DRESS THEME: This will be a patriotic ½-dress-down day. Wear our school colors of red, white, and blue as we celebrate our nation! Students in homerooms that end in “1” will wear a red shirt, students in homerooms that end in “2” will wear a white shirt, and students in homerooms that end in “3” will wear a blue shirt. Students should wear a uniform skirt, skort or pants on the bottom.
Wednesday, January 28: CELEBRATE OUR COMMUNITY
PIZZA LUNCH! Thank you to Nancy Maiers and Mr. Bentzen for organizing this special event. Order forms were due Wednesday, January 14. Please see mailing from Monday, January 5, to order. All parents are welcome to join us!
As a reminder, students may eat only at the times designated below:
Child Care, K, and 1: 10:50
2 & 4: 11:30
3 & 5: 12:10
6-8: 12:45 (6th grade usually eats lunch earlier but will eat at 12:45 that day)
DRESS THEME: Crazy hair day and inside-out full dress down day!
Please note that some hair products may stain clothing—proceed with caution. Students should not bring any hair supplies to school.
Thursday, January 29: CELEBRATE VOCATIONS
Grade eight students will join other Omaha-area Catholic school eighth-grade students, as Archbishop McGovern celebrates a special Catholic Schools Week Mass at St. Cecilia’s. More information has been sent by 8th grade homeroom teachers.
At lunch time, each group will pray for vocations at the end of the lunch period.
DRESS THEME: Crazy sock day. Students should wear their school uniform but may wear uniform shorts if the weather permits.
Friday, January 30: CELEBRATE FACULTY, STAFF, AND VOLUNTEERS
School dismisses at noon this day.
Students in grades K-2 will watch a movie with their classmates. Older students will gather in the gym for a friendly volleyball competition between students in grades seven and eight.
DRESS THEME: Thank you to SPREE and the Patterson family – it is PAJAMAS DAY!
Students may wear pajamas and bring one favorite stuffie to school.
This day is designed to create school spirit, and we need your cooperation so that this is a fun day for everyone. Even if they are wearing pajamas, their dress must be modest and appropriate for school. Regular tennis shoes should be worn.
Other activities taking place during the week:
• Each student will have a “prayer buddy” for the week. They will pray for that student during Catholic Schools Week.
• We will “Get up and Move!” each day.
• Please include the staff and students of San Ildefonso in your family’s prayers.
