Rising Up to Challenges with Courage

Submitted by REBECCA STUTZMAN

s t. Mary’s School in Caledonia has had an exciting, productive, and active school year! The theme for this school year is “Rising Up to Challenges with Courage”. We all encounter challenges, insecurities, and fears in life and sometimes it is difficult to have courage in these situations. As long as we understand that God is always on our side we can overcome anything. Each month we look at a different Bible story that teaches how to be courageous in different ways. Monthly activities led by each grade level engage students with the theme; for example, a student-led marketplace for charity, a Lenten escape room, a pet treat and toy shop, and a kindness club.

Throughout the school year students, teachers, and staff members have been grateful to have several opportunities for both learning and fun! In the fall, students were able to attend a fall field trip and enjoy the beautiful weather outside. The older students went to a corn maze, and the younger students went to an apple orchard. Different grade levels have also attended exciting trips like a play at Viterbo University, a trip to the seminary and convent in Winona, participation in Environmental Day, and participation in Farm Safety Day. Each grade also has an upcoming spring field trip to celebrate all the hard work they have done this year!

The St. Mary’s Student Council Team has put in a lot of time and effort to plan events and activities for the school. They have led trivia days, dress up days, and have been adding new equipment to our playground. This year we got a very popular tetherball pole! They also decorated a float for the homecom- ing parade, hosted a Winter Snowball Dance, and are currently working on a Spring Middle School Dance.

Catholic Schools

Catholic Schools Week was celebrated with lots of energy and school spirit! Throughout the week students participated in different whole-school activities. We kicked off the week with a pancake breakfast and continued on with a school scavenger hunt, St. Mary’s Got Talent show, animal olympics, four corners game, and BINGO! The week ended with a Snowball Dance and Fun Night for St. Mary’s students and families.

In the classroom, students have been working with programming and robotics, learning to play different instruments, completing STEM activities, creating beautiful works of art, gaining new knowledge in all subject areas, presenting various projects at the curriculum fair, performing Shakespeare, and, most importantly, growing stronger in their faith! St. Mary’s School has been blessed with another wonderful school year!