Assumption Celebrates Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25-30

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish and School in O’Fallon kicks off Catholic Schools Week Sunday, Jan. 25 with 10 a.m. Mass in the church, followed by the School Open House with tours in the early childhood and elementary school buildings from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The weeklong celebration continues through Friday, Jan. 30, featuring fun activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members, which include a fun Community Appreciation Parade rounding out the highlights for 2026.

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2025-2026 is ‘Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.’ Through these events, Assumption School focuses on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities, and our nation.

The lineup for Assumption’s Catholic Schools Week activities include the following:

Sunday, Jan. 25: Mass and School Open House with Tours
The 10 a.m. Mass at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Parish Church, 403 North Main Street, O’Fallon, features student and teacher blessing, as well as, the kickoff for Catholic Schools Week. Directly following Mass and until 12:30 p.m., everyone is invited to tour the Early Childhood building (K3-K5) and the Elementary School building (K-8 grades), located at 203 West Third Street, and visit with teachers, staff, and administrators. All are invited to attend both events.

Monday, Jan. 26: Parent Appreciation Day
To say THANK YOU for choosing Assumption, special treats are handed out to parents during morning drop off and until the bell rings. No homework assigned – parents get the night off!

Tuesday, Jan. 27: Clergy Appreciation Day
To say THANK YOU for being our spiritual leaders, a gift of appreciation is shared with Assumption priests and deacons. Throughout the day, students will line the Assumption Chapel altar and isles with luminaires during Adoration to honor Jesus. A vocational panel with local priests, sisters, seminarians, youth ministers and more will talk to students in grades 4-8 in the Church. Students in preschool-third grade participate in dancing with the Saints.

Wednesday, Jan. 28: Student Appreciation Day
Students enjoy a special treat and a new T-shirt when they unveil their new Assumption House System when it’s revealed at a pep rally. No tests, quizzes or homework – students get a break today! 

Thursday, Feb. 30: Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day
Students present teachers and teacher aides, learning consultants, counselors, office staff, and administration thank you notes, flowers, and small gifts on their special day. To say THANK YOU to all Assumption school staff, the Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) provides a special lunch. We finish out the day with the Annual Assumption School Spelling Bee in the Church.

Friday, Jan. 30: Community Appreciation Day and Parade
To say THANK YOU, students line the school parking lot holding signs of appreciation as O’Fallon community members and organizations parade by on foot, car, truck and construction vehicle to receive small gifts of appreciation from Assumption School administration.

The procession includes the O’Fallon Mayor Bill Hennessy serving as Grand Marshall,  followed by Assumption Priests, Pastor Nicholas Kastenholz and Monsignor Dennis Stehly; the O’Fallon Police Department; O’Fallon Fire Department; St. Charles County Ambulance District; El Tio Pepe Restaurant; St. Dominic High School; the Maggie Welby Foundation; Twin Oaks Senior Living; O’Fallon Knights of Columbus; St. Charles County Associate Circuit Judge, Division 10, Dennis Chassaniol, and more!

“We believe that providing a child with a Catholic learning environment not only allows them to become closer to God, but provides them with a faith-based, private school education with smaller classroom sizes at an affordable price,” says Assumption Pastor, Father Nick Kastenholz. 

Come grow with us! Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year begins at Open House and kickoff to Catholic Schools Week and continues throughout the year. Now more than ever, families with children in K-8th grades have the opportunity to afford a Catholic school education with numerous sources of financial aid and other scholarships.

Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation (TTEF) Scholarships
The application process opens at 8 a.m., Jan. 20 – Feb. 28 - ttef-stl.org/scholarships/

MOScholars Scholarships
The application process is already open - ttef-stl.org/moscholars/

For more information about Assumption School, contact us at 636-240-4474.