St. Patrick Catholic School
Principal's Newsletter - January 29, 2026
January 29, 2026
Excitement is building for the St. Patrick Catholic School Main Event, coming up on Saturday, February 14, beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Cedar Falls. This signature school and parish event is a wonderful evening of fun, fellowship, and generosity that directly supports the continued success of St. Patrick Catholic School.
A highlight of the evening is the ever-popular Mystery Box raffle, featuring items with a minimum value of $2,500. Mystery Box tickets are available after Masses this weekend and next weekend, through February 14. Tickets may also be purchased by:
Scanning the QR code on the Mystery Box or bulletin insert
Stopping by the school or parish office
Guests at the Main Event will enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, exciting live and silent auctions, and lively entertainment by Dueling Pianos. It’s a great opportunity to gather with friends, family, and fellow parishioners while supporting our students, staff, and school mission.
Wine donations are still needed for the event and are greatly appreciated. If you are able to contribute, please consider donating a bottle to help make the Main Event a success.
We look forward to celebrating with you at this special evening in support of St. Patrick Catholic School!
Blessings,
Mr. Wiebers
This year’s St. Patrick Catholic School Shamrock Award recipient is Jackie Patterson. The Shamrock Award is given to an individual who has impacted the lives of the students and staff at St. Patrick School.
Jackie’s welcoming smile and helpfulness are the first things visitors notice when they enter our building. Jackie sets the mood. She always has a kind and patient ear. She values each person in our building and treats everyone like family. She knows how to heal everything, she has a solution to all problems, and she remembers personal details about people’s lives that make them feel special and seen. She's a steady, peaceful, and loving presence in our school.
Jackie is the organizer of an astonishing number of things. She has to-do lists for spring, summer, winter, and fall. She ensures that each child gets their medication, each scraped knee has a band-aid, and each stomachache receives a tummy mint. She is a huge supporter of our Scrip program and has guided the coordinators throughout the years. Jackie is the hub of all communication at St. Patrick.
From managing spreadsheets for future preschoolers to ensuring report cards are completed for everyone, Jackie is always on top of it. Somehow she just knows how to do everything! And she does it all with a quiet strength and lots of love.
When asked about the impact Jackie has had on the lives of those who know her, people shared an abundance of kind words that reinforce what an amazing person Jackie is and how hard she works for our school. Here are a few thoughts (of the many) that were shared about Jackie:
“Personally, I love how much she loved my mom. She tells me stories about her…she knew her in a way that I didn't. I love that connection.”
“I have never seen her raise her voice or speak unkindly about anyone, and her calm, pleasant demeanor sets the tone for our entire building.”
“Everyone has a bad day from time to time, but I suspect you would have trouble finding anyone who could point out exactly when those days were happening with Jackie. Her pleasant demeanor and willingness to have a conversation, when she probably had more pressing tasks to complete, were always appreciated.”
“I call her ‘Saint Jackie’.”
“I remember once that she went to the student art show and complimented my piece. I took her compliment very seriously because of course my parents and teachers had to say they liked it, but she was a fan.”
“I don’t have a single defining ‘Jackie story’, because Jackie is truly part of the fabric of our school. I often joke that when she leaves, I’ll need a WWJD bracelet—What Would Jackie Do—because she genuinely seems to have all the answers.”
What is a School Tuition Organization?
A School Tuition Organization (STO) is a charitable organization that receives voluntary cash contributions from Iowa taxpayers and allocates those funds in tuition grants to Iowa school children, who use those grants to attend one of the accredited non-public schools represented by the STO. At least ninety percent (90%) of the money received by an STO must go back out in tuition grants.
Who is eligible to receive these tuition grants?
K-12 students who reside in Iowa and whose household’s taxable income is at or below 400% of the federal poverty rate are eligible for STO grants. STO grants are not available for preschool students.
Applications to apply for STO are being accepted now. You must first login or create an account through FACTS Management to apply. If you have any questions, please contact the school office.
Report cards were sent home with students on Monday. Please check their backpacks to review these progress reports with your child. If your child is from a dual household, their report card was mailed home to each parent.
Since 1989 the R.J. McElroy Trust and KWWL has recognized outstanding teachers in the Cedar Valley with the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Teachers. Throughout the years several of our teachers are nominated by their students, and our school families, for this widely recognized award. Nominations can be submitted online through February 20. More information can be found at their linked website.
Clover Patch Preschool registration is now open! If you have a preschool age student and did not receive an email from the office with registration information, please let us know.
As we enter Second Winter, we remind families to sign up for the Remind App announcements for weather delays, cancellations, announcements. Our winter weather information can also be found here: Winter Weather Announcements
Please make sure students are wearing or bringing their coats, snow pants, hats, mittens and boots as our winter weather has returned. While some mornings may be too cold to be outside before school starts, often the weather warms enough to go outside for recess. Our policy for K-8th grade students is that if the temp is above zero, and it's not actively raining, the students will play outside for recess.
St. Patrick Catholic School
Clover Patch Preschool Ages 3-5
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Email: office@cfcatholicschool.org
Website: cfcatholicschool.org
Location: Cedar Falls, IA, USA
Phone: 319-277-6781