September Newsletter #1

We are filled with joy as we welcome students and families back for the 2025–2026 school year. I am excited to serve and support SPCS as your principal.

As we move forward, my goal is to keep our families and community well informed and connected. Beginning this year, I plan to provide two monthly newsletters to share updates, celebrations, and important information. 🐾

🌳On Friday, September 26th, after the 10:00 AM School Mass, the Presentation Sisters will be planting and dedicating a tree to the SPCS.

Yesterday, our Catholic school family was deeply saddened to learn of the tragic events at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. Even though this happened far from us, it touches our hearts because we are all connected as part of the Catholic school family. We ask you to join us in praying for the students, teachers, families, and parish community. Please keep them in your prayers in the days ahead.

Families may feel worried or unsure when they hear this news. Please know that your child is safe at SPCS, and that our staff will continue to do everything we can to keep SPCS a safe and faith-filled place where every child is cared for and loved. We continue to work closely with local law enforcement and our emergency management agency to ensure that strong safety measures are in place for our school community. Students may notice an increased presence of law enforcement around school. We are deeply grateful for our local law enforcement officers and the vital role they play in keeping our students, staff, and community safe.

Please log into your Odyssey account and accept your first semester tuition amount. Thank you!

📌Please make sure your child/ren's information is updated and completed in the Latchkey book. If you are unsure please reach out. We must have all forms updated for the 2025-2026 school year. If student's information is not completed they will not be able to attend Latchkey per DHS guidelines.

As they begin their final year at SPCS, our fifth-grade students attended a special two-day retreat filled with positive, faith-filled activities. The retreat was be held at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center in Lanesboro, MN, and Upper Iowa Resort in Dorchester, IA. Students enjoyed team-building experiences, a ropes course challenge, ziplining, and swimming. This retreat is designed to strengthen friendships, build confidence, and celebrate the start of their final year at SPCS.

2nd - 5th Grade Students will participate in a Reading Retreat on Tuesday. September 9th. During this time students will participate in various reading and writing activities in the gym. Throughout the retreat, students will complete their aReading assessment with their teacher. Students will complete their test in their classroom with a small number of peers.

Please have your child bring a blanket to lay/sit on while in gym. We ask they only bring one blanket.

Reach out with any questions or concerns.

Jr Kindergarten friends will not be attending mass on Fridays, but rather do religion in the classroom that is age-appropriate for them. They will continue to have their 5th grade buddies and have a weekly prayer time with them. Father Joseph and Father Philip will continue to visit our classrooms and share God's word with us. They will encourage our faith by answering our many questions about Jesus and God. We will be reassessing in December if we will try to go to Mass starting in January. Please reach out with any questions or concerns.

Our school has always strived to create a safe, caring, supportive learning environment for all students. In an effort to continue to improve our school climate, our staff has worked

together to form a Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS) Plan. The focus of this

plan is to create a safe and caring learning environment that supports all students success, built on a foundation of Catholic virtues to learn, lead, serve, and pray as disciples of Christ.

To help students be reminded of our expectations, we will display posters around the

building and in the classroom. Please discuss the importance of these concepts and encourage your child to be Ready to Learn & Serve God and Others daily.

Be on the lookout for our Fruit of the Spirit Monthly Rewards!
Staff will be watching for students who display the Wildcat Expectations and live the Wildcat Way throughout the school day in all areas of the school. When noticed, students will be awarded Fruit of the Spirit tickets. Each month, one student from the lower building and one student from the upper building will be chosen as our Fruit of the Spirit recipients, recognized for displaying God’s characteristics in their words and actions.

Safe, Respectful, & Responsible

Love is the very first Fruit of the Spirit. Love means caring about others the way Jesus cares about us. It’s not just about saying “I love you,” but showing it in our actions.

• Love looks like being kind to a classmate who feels left out.

• Love looks like helping someone when they drop their books.

• Love looks like forgiving when someone makes a mistake.

• Love looks like sharing with a friend, even when it may be hard.

When we show love, we are showing others what God is like—because the Bible tells us, “God is love.”

🍎September 1st - No School

⛪September 5th - 4th Grade Mass

📚September 9th - Read Retreat - 2nd -5th Grade

⛪September 12th - 3rd Byrnes Mass

⛪September 19th - 2nd Kuennen Mass

🏈September 19th - Waukon Homecoming - GO INDIANS!

🍎September 24th - No School - Teacher Inservice

📸September 25th & 26th - SMILE😀 School Pictures

⛪September 26th - 4th Grade Mass

ACSB Policy #5160 states that cell phones, smart watches and any other wireless communication tools may not be used during school hours of 8:00a.m-3:15p.m. Cell phones and other wireless communication devices must be turned off and stored in the classroom labeled bin. The use of cell phones or any device capable of capturing images is strictly prohibited in locker rooms or restroom areas anytime at school-related or school-sponsored events.

Please reach out to Mrs. Koenig with any questions.

💻School Website: stpatswaukon.com

Includes events, calendars, testimonials, social media post, and much more!

📱Download our St. Patrick School App

Includes weather notifications, lunch menus, social media post, and much more!

📞St. Patrick Catholic School ph# 563-568-2415

We are looking for sponsors for our take-home folders for the 2025-2026 school year! $200 for a color logo on every students folder! Logos will also be on our phone app and church bulletin periodically. We also do shout outs on our Facebook page! Let us know if you'd like to sponsor. Email Mrs. Koenig if interested. We truly appreciate the continued support of SPCS.

This fundraiser helps cover the annual costs of running our school website and app. Because of generous individuals and businesses like you, we are able to provide our families with instant communication tools to stay up to date on all that’s happening at our school. Your partnership helps us keep our families connected and informed—thank you again for making this possible!

Candy Bars will go home with the each families' oldest student on Friday, August 29th.

New this year - Each box will include 30 candy bars for $2 each.

Please reach out to Becky in the office if you would like more than one box sent home.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to all parents, families, and community members for your continued support of SPCS. Year after year, your generosity and dedication make a lasting difference. We are truly thankful for each of you who believe in and support Catholic education for our students. Your commitment allows us to provide the environment and resources that help every child grow academically, socially, and faithfully in their learning journey.

Thank you for walking with us in faith and education—you truly make a difference!