James L. Collins Catholic School - Faith Involvement Integrity Respect

Today, we celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday—a beautiful reminder of God’s endless love, forgiveness, and compassion for each of us. May we open our hearts to His mercy and extend that same grace to others in our daily lives. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 May we trust in His mercy and live as reflections of His love. Jesus, I trust in You!

Our second grade students have been busy scientists, creating their very own mini greenhouses as part of their science studies! Each student planted seeds and is carefully observing how plants grow, learning firsthand about sunlight, water, and the conditions needed for life. Through this hands-on activity, students are discovering the wonders of nature while practicing patience, responsibility, and curiosity. We love seeing their excitement as they check on their plants each day and watch them sprout and grow!

Our students have been diving into the beautiful French language, learning how to greet one another, introduce themselves, and practice everyday conversations. From mastering new vocabulary to perfecting pronunciation, their enthusiasm has been incredible to see! Beyond the language, students are also exploring the rich culture of France—discovering traditions, foods, and customs that make the French-speaking world so unique. We are so proud of their curiosity, confidence, and willingness to try something new. Très bien, students!

Our 4-H club members had a fantastic time learning how to build DIY kits with supplies from Home Depot! This hands-on experience gave our students the opportunity to develop practical skills, work together, and take pride in creating something useful with their own hands. We are so proud of their hard work, focus, and teamwork throughout the project! A big thank you to Home Depot for supporting our students and helping make this experience possible!

Our 6th grade students had an unforgettable day at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center in Athens! Throughout the day, they explored the great outdoors—learning about local ecosystems, hiking the beautiful trails, and even trying their hand at fishing. One of the most exciting highlights was seeing so many students catch their very first fish! It was a day full of hands-on learning, adventure, and memories that will last a lifetime. We’re so proud of our students for embracing the experience and making the most of this incredible opportunity!

We are so proud of our talented students for their outstanding achievements in the Diocesan National Catholic Schools Week Art Contest! Congratulations to: Camilla – 1st Place Angelia – 2nd Place Ariadne – 4th Place Woody – Honorable Mention Your creativity, hard work, and God-given talents truly shine through your artwork. Thank you for representing our school with excellence—we celebrate each of you!

Our Little Flowers Girls' Club had a beautiful and meaningful meeting! The girls spent time creating scrapbook pages focused on the virtues of optimism and simplicity, reflecting on how we can find joy in all circumstances and appreciate the beauty in living simply. They also had fun playing the “Glad Game,” reminding one another to always look for the good in every situation. To deepen their understanding of Holy Week, the girls participated in a thoughtful game that helped them reflect on the role Judas played in Christ’s plan, sparking meaningful conversations about God’s mercy and love. We are so proud of these young ladies as they continue to grow in faith and virtue!

Our 8th grade students did a beautiful and reverent job hosting the Live Stations of the Cross. Through their prayerful reenactment, they helped our school community reflect on Christ’s journey to the cross and enter more deeply into this sacred season. We are so proud of their leadership, dedication, and faith. “Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted.” — Isaiah 53:4

Our Crochet & Latch Hook Club is back together again! Students meet weekly to work on their projects, learn new skills, and spend time together. It’s always a joy to see creativity and community come together!

Our Chess Club had a great meeting last week! Students are learning the game, sharpening their strategies, and enjoying friendly matches against one another. We are especially glad to have Mr. L. back on campus helping teach and guide our students—his support makes this club even more special!

Our students had a wonderful time on their field trip to the Navarro County Youth Expo! During their visit, they enjoyed touring the facilities, seeing a variety of animals up close, and learning more about how they are cared for and shown. It was a fun and educational experience that gave our younger students a glimpse into agriculture and all the hard work that goes into the expo. We loved watching their excitement as they explored and asked great questions!

We are so proud of our students who represented our school at the Navarro County Youth Expo! Not only did they work hard to prepare their projects and animals, but they also showed leadership by taking our PreK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade students on special field trip tours of the expo facilities. It was a wonderful opportunity for our younger students to learn more about agriculture, creativity, and all the hard work that goes into the event.

Our students had a fantastic showing across the creative arts, food, and livestock show categories:

✨ Georgia Kate
• 1st Place Goat
• 11th Place Rabbits
• Honor Student
• 6th Place Creative Arts (Needle Punch Cow)
• Food (Chocolate Cake)

✨ Loretta Grace
• 5th Place Rabbits
• 5th Place Goat
• Food (Pineapple Upside Down Cake)

✨ Jolie
• Creative Arts (Photography)

✨ James
• 2nd Place Goat
• 4th Place Steer
• 1st Place Ag Mechanics Project (Planter)

✨ Emi
• 4th Place Goat

✨ Benjamin
• 4th Place Creative Arts (Blacksmithing - Knife)

✨ Caroline
• 3rd Place Creative Arts (Fine Arts - Stained Glass Window)
• Honor Student

✨ Madeleine
• 5th Place Creative Arts (Crafts - Wooden Mosaic Picture)

✨ Alonzo
• 4th Place Food (Blueberry Muffins)
• Creative Arts (Photography)

We are incredibly proud of their dedication, creativity, and hard work, as well as their willingness to share their experiences with our younger students. Way to go!

Our Book Fair is happening this coming week! We are so excited to share a love of reading with our students. We want to thank our fourth grade students for helping our Pre-K students explore and look at possible books, making it a fun and special experience for our youngest readers. We love seeing our students learn, lead, and grow together!

Our Pre-K students had a special visit from the Hope Center! They enjoyed a beautiful story reminding us that Jesus loves us. To help support their mission, our students also collected baby items to donate. We are so grateful for this meaningful experience that helped our youngest learners grow in both knowledge and compassion!

Our students came together in a beautiful display of faith and reverence as they prayed the Stations of the Cross. This meaningful time allowed them to reflect on Jesus’ journey and grow deeper in their understanding of His love and sacrifice. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” — John 3:16

Special thanks to the James Blair Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for the thoughtful Easter treats for our faculty and staff! Your kindness and generosity made our day extra special—we are so grateful for your support.

Our 7th grade students stepped back in time today with an exciting field trip to Medieval Times! As part of their studies in medieval literature and poetry, students have been exploring the rich history, culture, and storytelling of the Middle Ages. This immersive experience brought their lessons to life as they witnessed knights in action, learned about chivalry, and experienced the sights and sounds of the medieval era. It was a memorable day full of learning, laughter, and a deeper appreciation for the time period they’ve been studying in class!

We are proud to celebrate our talented students who participated in the Future Saints and Scholars Annual Poetry Contest, sponsored by the TriCore Foundation! Congratulations to: • Leslie Solis – 4th Place • Olivia Garcia – 6th Place • Laila Campbell – Honorable Mention This contest highlights the incredible creativity and dedication of our students, as all entries are 100% original and completed independently without outside assistance. We are so proud of these young writers for sharing their voices and representing our school so well!

We could not be more proud of our students, Emilia and Angelia, both winning this contest in their age division! Special thanks to everyone in our JLCCS community who voted for these artists!

Congratulations to Georgia Kate and Caroline for being named Navarro County Youth Expo Honor Students this year! We are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and the way you represent our school with excellence. Keep shining and inspiring those around you! We also want to wish all of our club members the best of luck as they compete this week in food, creative arts, ag mechanics, showing animals, and food challenge.