january
JANUARY 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Have students write one sentence about how they can build peace in their school community.
JANUARY 21
St. Agnes
Reflect on courage. Have students identify a modern example of someone who shows it.
JANUARY 22
Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children
Lead a prayer or moment of silence in honor of the dignity of every human life.
JANUARY 24
St. Francis de Sales
Invite students to practice “kind speech” by writing a positive note to a classmate or teacher.
JANUARY 25
Conversion of St. Paul
Discuss a time when learning something new changed your perspective.
JANUARY 25–31
Celebrate Catholic Schools Week
Daily themes, liturgies, sample letters, marketing ideas, social media posts, flyers, posters, and so much more are available in the Catholic Schools Week Marketing Kit, with new resources in Spanish! www.NCEA.org/CSW
february
FEBRUARY 2
Presentation of the Lord (Candlemas)
Create paper candles and talk about ways students can bring Christ’s light to others.
St. Blaise
Learn about blessings and ask students to write a simple prayer for someone who is sick.
FEBRUARY 8
St. Josephine Bakhita
Create a “Hope & Freedom” prayer chain. Each link includes a word or phrase inspired by St. Bakhita’s life (e.g., forgiveness, courage, dignity).
FEBRUARY 11
Our Lady of Lourdes (World Day of the Sick)
Make get-well or encouragement cards for a parish, hospital, or nursing home.
FEBRUARY 14
St. Valentine’s Day
Share “acts of love” by inviting students to do one small act of kindness during the school day.
FEBRUARY 18
Ash Wednesday
Discuss the meaning of Lent and invite students to set a personal goal for prayer, fasting, or almsgiving.
march
MARCH 2
Read Across America Day
Host a “reading minute” where everyone stops and reads from the Bible for 10 minutes.
MARCH 7
Sts. Perpetua and Felicity
Discuss bravery and perseverance. Students draw or write about someone they admire for these traits.
MARCH 17
St. Patrick’s Day
Explore the shamrock as a symbol of the Trinity.
MARCH 19
St. Joseph
Talk about quiet leadership. Have students identify one behind-the-scenes helper in their school.
MARCH 24
St. Óscar Romero
Invite students to write a short “Voice for Justice” reflection or poster highlighting a cause they care about—echoing Romero’s commitment to speaking for the voiceless.
MARCH 25
Annunciation
Invite students to reflect on saying “yes” to God and name one way they can respond generously today.
MARCH 29
Palm Sunday
Have students create paper palms and reflect on welcoming Jesus into their daily lives.
april
APRIL 1
April Fool’s Day
Discuss the difference between silly jokes and unkind teasing; create class “rules for kind humor.”
APRIL 2
St. Pedro Calungsod
Have students create mini “mission maps” showing where Pedro Calungsod traveled. Younger students can draw symbols; older students can research Filipino Catholic traditions and share one interesting fact.
APRIL 5
Easter Sunday
Discuss the Resurrection and have students write or draw one way Jesus’ love inspires them.
APRIL 7–9
NCEA 2026 Convention & Expo
Join us in Minneapolis, MN for one of the largest private-education association gatherings in the nation! www.NCEA.org/NCEA2026
APRIL 11
St. Stanislaus
Teach about standing up for what’s right and let students role-play positive moral choices.