Catholic Schools Week
Daily Themes, Dress-Up Days and Special Events
- 2025 Catholic Schools Week
- Sunday, Jan. 26
- Monday, Jan. 27
- Tuesday, Jan. 28
- Wednesday, Jan. 29
- Thursday, Jan. 30
- Friday, Jan. 31
- Saturday, Feb. 1
- Winterfest Court
2025 Catholic Schools Week
For over 50 years, Catholic Schools Week has been celebrated from the last Sunday in January through the following Saturday to highlight the value of Catholic schools. A look inside the classrooms of Catholic schools around the country shows the rich traditions of Catholic education where academic excellence marries faith, culture and life. It is truly a reason to celebrate.
Cotter Schools has many fun activities planned for Catholic Schools Week. Please read through these daily activities so your family is prepared for the fun. The daily schedule includes dress-up days and activities.
Don't forget to listen for Cotter students on local radio (Stations: The River 101.1 and KWNO AM1230/98.7) this week. They have an important Catholic Schools Week message for you. Have a great Catholic Schools Week, Cotter!
BINGO! Prizes Needed
During Catholic Schools Week students in Grades 9-12 also celebrate Winterfest. The Winterfest theme this year is A Night at the Movies. The dress-up days were decided by the student council.
Sunday, Jan. 26
Sunday, January 26: Celebrating Your Parish
Cotter students speak during Masses
- Wear blue/Cotter wear to Mass
45th Annual Cotter Band Lasagna Dinner
- 3-7 PM at the American Legion in Winona
- $10 - Lasagna w/ salad & garlic toast
- Cotter Jazz Bands will perform
- To-go meals available
- Reserve your meals!
Monday, Jan. 27
Monday, January 27: Celebrating Your Community
EduCare-Grade 6
"Wear Bright Color Day"
St. Nicholas Hall
- Wear your favorite color
St. Luke Hall
- Kindergarten: Red
- Grade 1: Yellow
- Grade 2: Green
- Grade 3: Purple
- Grade 4: Blue
- Grade 5: Orange
- Grade 6: Wear as many colors as you can
Activities Today
- Prayer Service and kick-off rally
- Faith-based classroom activities
- Movie Monday: Toy Story 4 in the HBP Theater (Grades K-6)
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Community Giving Project Begins: PreK-6 Students Share Kindness
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PreK through 6th-grade students will participate in the Community Giving Project by creating Caring Cards and sharing Words of Kindness for shut-in parishioners of all faith churches and the Developmental Achievement Center of Winona.
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“Spreading happiness to anyone who could use an emotional boost, cheer, or a reminder of how loved they are.”
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Grades 7-12
"Pajama Day"
Dress-Up Theme: Sleeping Beauty- Pajama Day
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Grades 7-12: A special prayer for students
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Grades 7-12: Catholic Trivia during announcements for class prizes
Tuesday, Jan. 28
Tuesday, January 28: Celebrating Your Students
EduCare-Grade 6
"Lounge Wear Day"
No Pajamas
Activities Today
- Movie Tuesday: Pixar Short Films (Preschool)
- Magic of Isaiah! Magic Show: St. Luke gym (PreK-Grade 6)
- Pennant Writing: I Love Cotter Schools because ...
- Faith-based classroom activities
BINGO! Prizes Needed
Grades 7-12
"Twin Day"
Dress-Up Theme: Parent Trap- Twin Day
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Grades 7-12: Eucharistic Adoration
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Grades 7-12: A special prayer for students
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Grades 7-12: Catholic Trivia during announcements for class prizes
Wednesday, Jan. 29
Wednesday, January 29: Celebrating the Nation
EduCare-Grade 6
"Future Career Day"
Activities Today
- Dance party: Rotunda at St. Nicholas Hall (PreK-Grade 6)
- MCA: Yoga, Irish Dance, and Tap Dance classes (Grades 5 & 6)
- Faith-based classroom activities
BINGO! Prizes Needed
Grades 7-12
"Dress Like a Dad"
Dress-Up Theme: Daddy Daycare- Dress Like a Dad
- Grades 7-12: Catholic Trivia during announcements for class prizes
- Grades 9-12: Morning prayer in the theater
- Grades 9-12: St. Luke's recess during Flex
- Grades 9-12: Pepfest and Coronation
- Grades 9-12: Parent Trap Movie in HBP Theater - 7:00 PM
- Students are expected to arrive by 7:00 and remain until the movie concludes. Those attending faith formation classes are welcome to join us late.
Thursday, Jan. 30
Thursday, January 30: Celebrating Vocations
EduCare-Grade 6
"Sports Wear Day"
Activities Today
- Bingo at St. Luke Hall: PreK-Grade 6
- Bingo prizes needed
- Sledding at St. Nicholas Hall
- Whole Class Cup Stacking Challenge
- Faith-based classroom activities
BINGO! Prizes Needed
Grades 7-12
"Sports Jersey Day"
Dress-Up Theme: The Sandlot - Sports Jersey Day
- Grades 7-10: Service Project - Make Valentine's Day cards for Veterans and local nursing homes
- Grade 11-12: Service Project - Write thank you notes to Cotter community
- Grades 7-12: A special prayer for students
- Grades 9-12: St. Luke Hall recess and sledding/relay races at St. Nicholas Hall during Flex
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Grades 7-12: Catholic Trivia during announcements for class prize
Friday, Jan. 31
Friday, January 31: Celebrating Faculty, Staff & Volunteers
EduCare-Grade 6
"Dress Up For Mass Day"
Activities Today
- Grades 4-6 will walk to St. Joseph Hall for fun, games, and fellowship with high school students
- BINGO at St. Nicholas Hall
- Bingo prizes needed
- Mini-classes at St. Nicholas for PreK and EduCare
- All-School Mass for Grades K-12 at 9:30, John Nett Rec Gostomksi Gym. Parents and community members will sit in the overflow area in the Centennial Gym. The Mass will also be live-streamed.
- Hulu Hut Game
- Faith-based classroom activities
Cotter Family Night at the Varsity Boys Basketball Game
- Tip-off 7:15 PM
- John Nett Rec - Gostomski Gymnasium
- Cotter families free admittance
- Half-time games
- NHS Bake Sale for Cotter Cares
Grades 7-12
"Swap Looks with Someone"
Dress-Up Theme: Freaky Friday- Swap Looks with Someone at School
Please note: Students are expected to attend Mass in dress code. They will be able to change after Mass.
- Grades 9-12: Partner with Grades 4-6 students for activities before Mass
- All-School Mass for Grades K-12 at 9:30, John Nett Rec Gostomksi Gym. Parents and community members will sit in the overflow area in the Centennial Gym. The Mass will also be live-streamed.
- Grades 7-8: Bingo & recess at St. Luke Hall
- Grades 7-8: Olympics
- Grades 7-12: Cotter Kahoot
- Grades 9-12: Family Feud and Music Bingo
- Grades 7-12: Students are dismissed at 2:30
Cotter Family Night at the Varsity Boys Basketball Game
- Tip-off 7:15 PM
- John Nett Rec - Gostomski Gymnasium
- Cotter families free admittance
- Half-time games
- NHS Bake Sale for Cotter Cares
Saturday, Feb. 1
Winterfest Court
The Winterfest Court is comprised of 3 boys and 3 girls from each grade (9-12) who are nominated by Cotter teachers. Students who are nominated emulate this year's Catholic Schools Week theme of "Faith, Excellence, Service." The Winterfest Pepfest & Coronation will be held Wednesday, January 29.
2025 Winterfest Court
