School news

Oakley Hoch, a first grader at Sacred Heart School in Sioux City, had one of the best days she has had in a very long time. Oakley has not seen her father since May 2025, when he was deployed. During her classroom Valentine’s Day celebration, she was surprised by his return home.

St. Mary’s Catholic School announced its Fund-A-Cause project for this year’s Ball and Charity Auction in early January. Since then, generous donors have stepped forward to support the much-needed renovation of the community gym entrance and first floor of the high school. To date, $579,060 has been committed toward the $1.5 million project, with additional donors actively being pursued so construction can be completed this summer.

The second grade students at Denison St. Rose of Lima School received $1,000 to add a calming corner to Jean Fletcher's classroom.

Remsen St. Mary School received a $150,000 contribution from Wells Enterprises towards the We Believe ... Our Faith, Our Family, Our Future building project. A check was presented in January by Wells at the high school to Father Tim Pick, pastor; Barry Galles, board president and Kim Phillips, principal.

Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City joined together with schools across the country to celebrate Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 25 to 31. Schools celebrate this week with a variety of activities ranging from special Masses and prayer services to recreational activities and service.