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.

FEBRUARY 2

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.