James L. Collins Catholic School - Faith Involvement Integrity Respect

Our Blue Knights Boys’ Club had a wonderful opportunity this week to step away from the routine of daily life and spend time together on retreat at the Benedictine Monastery of Thien Tam in Kerens. It was a meaningful experience filled with faith, reflection, and brotherhood. During their visit, the boys explored the Relics Chapel and the Eucharistic Miracles Chapel, where they learned more about the rich history and traditions of the Catholic faith. They also walked the Stations of the Cross, taking time to pray and reflect on Christ’s journey. In addition to these spiritual moments, the retreat included team-building activities that allowed the boys to strengthen friendships, build leadership skills, and grow together as a community. It was a beautiful time of faith, learning, and fellowship that will surely leave a lasting impression on each of them. We are grateful for the opportunity our students had to deepen their faith and spend this special time together. Special thanks to Father Juan Carlos for hosting the retreat, and our advisors and chaperones for assisting.

When their original field trip to the zoo was canceled due to forecasted bad weather, our Kindergarten and 1st grade students made the most of the day with a fun change of plans! Our young learners headed to Schulman’s Movie Bowl & Grill for an exciting outing filled with laughter and adventure. Students enjoyed watching a movie with popcorn, spent time playing games in the arcade, and even had the chance to go bowling together. While the destination changed, the smiles and memories certainly did not! It was a wonderful day of fun and fellowship for our students.

Last week we had so much fun celebrating the birthday of Dr. Seuss with a week full of reading and creative dress-up days! Students joined in the celebration by dressing as their favorite characters, wearing silly socks and hats, and enjoying special reading activities in their classrooms. It was wonderful to see our students’ excitement for books and storytelling as they honored the author who inspired generations to love reading. From imaginative costumes to time spent enjoying great stories together, the week was a joyful reminder of how reading can spark creativity, laughter, and learning. Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

This week we had a wonderful visit from staff members from Navarro Regional Hospital as they joined us at James L. Collins Catholic School to celebrate Read Across America! Our guests spent time reading stories to our elementary students, sharing their love of books and encouraging our young readers to keep exploring new stories. They also recognized our school’s top readers in the Accelerated Reader program, celebrating their hard work and dedication to reading. To make the day even more special, they surprised every student with a fun goodie bag and took time to talk with our students about the importance of reading and how it helps us learn, grow, and imagine new possibilities. Our prechool and kindergarten students especially loved their teddybears. We are so grateful to the wonderful team from Navarro Regional Hospital for investing in our students and helping inspire a love of reading in our school community!

Our Art Club students have been busy creating, exploring, and letting their creativity shine! From painting and sketching to mixed media projects, these young artists are learning new techniques while expressing their unique God-given talents. Art Club is a special time for students to collaborate, encourage one another, and bring their ideas to life in a fun and supportive environment. We love seeing their confidence grow with every brushstroke! Thank you Mrs. Huerta - you make this creative space possible. We can’t wait to see what masterpieces come next!

A big thank you to our Student Council and National Junior Honor Society members for spending time today serving our school community! These students volunteered their time to help spread mulch around our campus flower beds and our beautiful rosary garden, helping keep our grounds looking welcoming. Their willingness to serve is a wonderful example of leadership, stewardship, and pride in our school. We are so grateful for students who give their time and energy to make our campus an even more special place!

We are incredibly proud of our students for their outstanding achievements in the Catholic Daughters of the Americas Education Contest! Congratulations to the following students who are advancing to the State Competition: ✨ Division I Poetry – Caroline ✨ Division II Poetry – Lee ✨ Division II Photography – Madeleine ✨ Division II Essay – Sophie ✨ Division II Computer Art – Benjamin Your creativity, faith, and dedication truly shine through your work, and we are so excited to see you represent our school at the state level! We would also like to celebrate our Honorable Mention recipients: Division II Poetry – Leslie, Olivia, Eva, Justin, Angelia, and Ariadne Division II Essay – Ava, Symone, and Phoenix We are so proud of each of you for sharing your talents and using your gifts to glorify God. Thank you to the Catholic Daughters for supporting the arts and encouraging our students to grow in faith and excellence. 💙

Our students have been diving into the importance of grammar and discovering how punctuation and word choice can completely change the meaning of a sentence! From misplaced commas to capital letters in all the right places, they are learning that the details truly make a difference. To bring their learning to life, students created creative artwork illustrating just how powerful grammar can be. Through colorful posters and clever examples, they showed that good grammar isn’t just about rules — it’s about clear communication! We are so proud of their creativity, attention to detail, and enthusiasm for becoming stronger writers. Way to go!

Have you checked out our Lost & Found lately? Our Lost & Found truck is FULL of items waiting to be reunited with their owners — jackets, coats, sweatshirts, shoes, and more! If your child has been missing something, there’s a good chance it might be there. We even have our St. Anthony statue and prayer located right next to it — because as we know, St. Anthony is the patron saint of lost things! Please stop by and take a look soon. Let’s get these items back where they belong!

We are incredibly grateful to the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for their generous donation to our school library! Because of your kindness and support, we are able to purchase new books that will inspire imagination, strengthen literacy skills, and foster a love of reading in our students. Your generosity is truly an investment in their education and future. Thank you for believing in our mission and for continually supporting our school community. We are so blessed by your partnership and commitment to our students!

Our campus was filled with imagination, laughter, and a love for reading as we celebrated Read Across America! Students had so much fun dressing up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character and bringing stories to life in creative ways. From classic characters to modern favorites, it was a joyful reminder of how books inspire us to dream big! We were especially honored to welcome the Catholic Daughters of the Americas to our campus. Their members generously spent time reading to our students, sharing not only wonderful stories but also the gift of their presence. Our children loved listening, asking questions, and connecting through the joy of reading. Thank you to the Catholic Daughters for supporting literacy and fostering a love of books in our school community. Days like this remind us that reading brings us together and strengthens the bonds of faith, learning, and friendship

One of the very best parts of our school is the beautiful traditions we share and the meaningful community gatherings that bring us together. These moments create memories our students will carry with them for years to come. When our school celebrated Shrove Tuesday this year — it was such a sweet and special morning for everyone! Mrs. Bonilla lovingly made pancakes for the entire school as a delicious treat to start our day together. Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and marks the final day before the season of Lent begins. Traditionally, Christians would use up rich ingredients like eggs, milk, and sugar before the fasting and simplicity of Lent — which is why pancakes became a beloved tradition on this day! Moments like these — gathered around tables, sharing laughter, and honoring our faith — are what make our school community so special. We are grateful for traditions that connect our hearts and remind us that we truly are a family.

Our preschool students are learning through hands-on experiences and joyful discovery each day! From exploring new textures and building creative structures to practicing letters, numbers, and teamwork, experiential learning is alive and well in our classrooms. Whether they’re working together on a project, engaging in imaginative play, or discovering something new about God’s world, our little learners are growing in confidence, curiosity, and friendship. We love seeing their smiles as they learn by doing — asking questions, solving problems, and encouraging one another along the way. Preschool is such a special time, and we are so blessed to watch these sweet friendships blossom while building a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning!

We love seeing strategic minds at work in our Chess Club! Our students are learning patience, focus, and critical thinking as they challenge one another and grow in confidence with every match. It was especially great to have Mr. L back on campus working with Mrs. Denis and our Chess Club! His enthusiasm and guidance always inspire our students to think a few moves ahead and give their very best. We’re so grateful for the time and talent our club advisors share with our school community. Checkmate to another great day of learning!

We are THRILLED to see the new marquee sign being installed for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and our school! This beautiful new sign is more than just an update to our campus — it’s a welcoming beacon to our parish family, school community, and all who pass by. It will help us share important announcements, celebrate achievements, and invite others to join us in faith and fellowship. A heartfelt thank you to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for your continued support of our mission and to the foundations and individuals that generously assisted in sponsoring this project. Your investment in our parish and school community is a true blessing, and we are so grateful for your partnership. We can’t wait to see it lit up and shining bright!

We are so proud of our talented students who competed at the Regional Knights of Columbus Free-Throw Contest in Dallas! All three of our students placed in their age divisions — what an incredible accomplishment! 🥈 Ava Stoecklein – 2nd Place 🥉 Benjamin Cozart – 3rd Place 🥉 Emilia Thapa – 3rd Place Your hard work, focus, and determination truly paid off. Way to represent our school with excellence both on and off the court! A very special thank you to Knights of Columbus Council #5211 for hosting this event locally and making it possible for our students to advance to district and regional competitions. Your support of our youth and community is such a blessing! Join us in congratulating Ava, Benjamin, and Emilia on a job well done!

Our Kindergarten and First Grade students had a wonderful day serving in our community at the Corsicana Public Library! Our youngest learners rolled up their sleeves and helped clean bookshelves, showing that you’re never too young to make a difference. We are so proud of their servant hearts and the way they represented our school with kindness and responsibility! A big THANK YOU to the amazing library staff for welcoming us and for the delicious donut holes that made the morning extra sweet! What a great day of learning, serving, and building community!

We are so incredibly proud of the hard work, dedication, and heart these young men showed all season long. From after school practices to drives to Dallas for weekend games filled with energy and school spirit, they represented our school with determination, teamwork, and class. Each player grew not only in skill, but in character — supporting one another, pushing through challenges, and competing with integrity. That’s something to celebrate! A very special thank you to Coach Massarelli and Coach Ben for the time, leadership, and encouragement you poured into this team. Your commitment, guidance, and belief in these athletes made a lasting impact both on and off the court. Great job, boys! We can’t wait to see what next season brings!

We are so thankful for the incredible leadership of our Student Council here at our Catholic school! These dedicated students generously give their time and talents to plan special events, lead spirited pep rallies, and support the mission and values that make our school community so strong. Their servant hearts and joyful leadership truly make a difference on our campus each and every day. We are especially grateful for their efforts in organizing and passing out our Lenten prayer bracelets, which were blessed as a reminder to draw closer to Christ during this sacred season. What a beautiful way to help our school community focus on prayer, sacrifice, and service throughout Lent. Thank you, Student Council leaders, for being examples of faith, responsibility, and enthusiasm. We are blessed by you!

We are incredibly proud to recognize Mark Chieng as the recipient of the Catholic Foundation's Work of Heart Award! For over 30 years, Mark has faithfully served our school community with unwavering dedication, humility, and heart. From safely driving our school bus each day to handling countless custodial and maintenance needs, he has quietly ensured that our students and staff have a safe, welcoming place to learn and grow. Mark’s servant leadership shines in everything he does. Whether he’s fixing a last-minute repair, arriving early to prepare for the day, or sharing his wonderful sense of humor that brightens our hallways, he truly embodies what it means to serve with love. We are beyond grateful for his commitment, reliability, and joyful spirit. Congratulations, Mark, on this well-deserved honor — thank you for being such a blessing to our school family!