Dear OLOL Families,

Light Up Lourdes is just a few days away! It’s an exciting time for all of us to come together as a school community. Not only is it our largest fundraiser of the year, but it is also an opportunity to celebrate all that we are accomplishing together at OLOL.

Each year, we identify a specific purpose for the funds raised through Light Up Lourdes. In recent years, we have been fortunate to purchase new furniture and provide teachers with additional materials and resources to support their classrooms. This year, we are turning our attention to an incredibly important initiative: teacher compensation.

You may be aware that GRACE teachers are currently compensated at approximately 75% of the market rate. This gap can create challenges when it comes to recruiting and retaining talented educators. Many of our teachers make financial sacrifices to teach in a GRACE school because they believe in our mission, our vision, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children. While we are incredibly grateful for their commitment, we also recognize the importance of ensuring that teaching in a GRACE school is a sustainable and rewarding career.

Our teachers go above and beyond every day. They invest in relationships, nurture each child's gifts, challenge students to grow, and help form the next generation of leaders grounded in faith. They are at the heart of everything we do at OLOL.

Investing in our teachers is ultimately an investment in our children. By working toward closing the compensation gap, we hope to strengthen our ability to attract and retain exceptional educators who will continue to make OLOL such a special place to learn, grow, and develop in mind, body, and spirit.

Thank you for being part of this incredible school community and for supporting Light Up Lourdes. Together, we can continue to build a strong future for our teachers, our students, and our entire OLOL family!

With gratitude,

Jessica Nejedlo

Principal

What I’m Reading:

Quirky Catholic Kids - Raising Neurodivergent Children by Ginny Kochis

Volunteer Opportunity: Packer Parking

This earns your family TSF hours.

There are opportunities for students to earn volunteer hours too!

(middle school and high school)

Signup here.

Transforming the mind, body and spirit through academic distinction, social development and our Catholic faith tradition.

2026 Knights of Columbus

Free Throw Shooting Contest

The Abbot Pennings Council 3955 of DePere sponsors an annual Free Throw Championship for boys and girls ages 9-14 to provide an athletic outlet and encourage the values of sportsmanship and healthy competition. Kids compete within their own gender and age.

The local Knights of Columbus Council #3955 contest will take place during students’ gym classes at OLOL between the dates of December 1-4.

Entry forms are in the process of being handed out to all interested students between the ages of 9-14 and should be returned to either Mr. Severson or Mr. Kleinhans prior to the scheduled event.

The Abbot Pennings Council 3955 represents all of the DePere parishes: St. Mary’s, St. Francis, and Our Lady of Lourdes. The OLOL school event is being coordinated by Knights of Columbus member, Mr. Rick Johnson.

Basketball Season

7th Grade Boys Basketball

• Tuesday. November 10 - Notre Dame De Pere - 5:30PM at OLOL
• Thursday. November 11 - St. John the Baptist - 4:30PM at SJB

8th Grade Boys Basketball

• Tuesday, November 10 - Notre Dame De Pere - 4:30PM at OLOL

OLOL Little Dribblers Basketball Clinic (Kindergarten – 4th grade boys & girls)

• Saturday, November 7 (last session)

• K, 1st, & 2nd - 8:30 am - 9:30am
• 3rd & 4th - 9:45 am - 11:00 am

Additional information regarding Athletics and

location/directions to the venues are available here.

SCRIP News



SCRIP WILL be processed the week of November 9th.

We will NOT be processing SCRIP the weeks of November 16th and 23rd.

Normal processing will resume on November 30th.



Please plan accordingly.

Any questions regarding the SCRIP program can be directed to scrip@lourdesdepere.org 

Additional information regarding the Scrip program is available on our

school website at https://lourdesschooldepere.org/family-involvement/scrip/

We're excited to share the Fall 2026 edition of the GRACE newsletter with you!

In this issue you'll find articles on New GRACE Leadership, a Football Program Highlight, talent spotlights, and more!

You can find the link to the newsletter here.

Loving and Living Life at Lourdes

Checkout what is happening!

There is something for everyone!

Please join us for weekend mass.

Saturday: 4:30PM

Sunday: 8:15AM, 10:15AM & 6:00PM



If you are unable to join us for school or weekend masses, please visit our parish YouTube channel.

The Sunday (8:15AM) & Wednesday school (9:00AM) masses are livestreamed.

Visit our parish website and our parish bulletin

 for additional information.

Priority Applications Are Now Open!

Discover the difference of a

high-quality Catholic education at Chesterton Academy of

St. John Paul II Classical School.

Priority application window is open now through Dec. 18th. Don’t wait, apply today to reserve your spot!

https://gracesystem.org/admissions/how-to-apply/