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Summer Learning: Eat as a Family

Do you make time for a family meal? Eating as a family is a great way to teach children about nutrition, routine, and prayer. Family meals might be just as important for children as extracurricular involvement!


The Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System consists of nine schools. We focus on the development of each student grounded in our foundation of Catholic faith for grades PK3-10.

Our mission continues to evolve in these unique times as we embrace new technologies, deliver innovative teaching and learning strategies, and hire exceptional faculty and staff dedicated to the vocation of education. Our current GRACE Strategic Plan outlines action steps in the areas of faith, academics, vitality and experience that have assisted us to enjoy enrollment growth over the past five years.

Please know you are always welcome to visit our schools to learn more about our offerings and the culture that makes each of our GRACE schools unique. The rewards of a Catholic education are endless. The gift of a Catholic education prepares your child and will remain with them throughout their life. Learn more about us here.

All of the GRACE school logos.
Student spotlight TImothy

St. Bernard Catholic School Student Highlight: Timothy

Timothy is a 1st-grade student at St Bernard School. Timothy’s family is a faith-filled family who helps out at school and participates in activities whenever they can. We are blessed to have this kind of love and excitement from one of our families!

Thank you for being a great example at SBS, Timothy.


St. Bernard Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. St. Bernard’s provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.

For more information about SBS, visit their website: https://saintbernardgb.com

Brenda Touchinski spotlight

Teacher Spotlight: Brenda Touchinski

Brenda Touchinski is the middle school math teacher at Father Allouez Catholic School, Resurrection Campus. She joined FACS after over 20 years of teaching high school math. She has really “added” a lot of knowledge and experience to the math program!

Thank you so much for being a great GRACE teacher, Brenda!


Father Allouez Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Father Allouez provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually.

For more information about FACS, visit their website: https://fatherallouezschool.org.

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The Crucial Role of St. Thomas More’s Family Liaison

St. Thomas More Catholic School (STM) on the east side of Green Bay has become one of the few private schools in the Green Bay area offering a bilingual program. The school’s philosophy is to educate children in every aspect of their development: spiritually, academically, culturally, and to mentor them to thrive in the desire to serve those in need. As a multicultural school, St. Thomas More cultivates a strong bilingual, and bicultural environment, where both Spanish and English are used, taught and valued.


As a part of the STM mission, Alejandra Beals serves as the school’s family liaison; an important role that is crucial to facilitate the communication of what is happening in the classroom to the students’ households. Mrs. Beals’ goal as a liaison is to invite parents to be part of their student’s education by giving them the tools to succeed in their children’s academic goals. She navigates with them to have better knowledge of the procedures, protocols, and school expectations that are an important part of the school and GRACE system.


St. Thomas More is always looking for the best way to support families in whichever method is most comfortable for them. St. Thomas More uses technology that creates interaction more efficiently between parents, teachers, and staff. Without language barriers, parents and guardians are given the tools they need to help their students succeed.


St. Thomas More integrates and values Hispanic culture. The school believes that living the traditions will make a richer society and future generations will embrace the diversity of our community.


The goal of St. Thomas More is to have students that choose to continue their education wherever they feel God is calling them to go and to create a better future for themselves, and for our society. St. Thomas More exists to teach and guide them to serve others just like Jesus is leading us to live our lives.


To learn more about St. Thomas More, visit their website, stmoregb.com, or call the office at (920) 432-8242.

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GRACE Educators Nominated for 2023 Golden Apples

GRACE is proud to present our school system educators who have been nominated for the Greater Green Bay Chamber’s 2023 Golden Apple Awards. GRACE is blessed with amazing teachers, and these nominees represent the excellence in faith-based education that occurs daily in our schools. Nominees include educators from all our GRACE schools this year, including Father Allouez Catholic School, Holy Cross Catholic School, Holy Family Catholic School, Notre Dame of De Pere, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, St. Bernard Catholic School, St. John Paul II Classical School, St. John the Baptist Catholic School, and St. Thomas More Catholic School. The 2023 Golden Apple Awards program is scheduled to be held April 19, 2023. Here are the GRACE nominees, listed in alphabetical order according to last name:


Father Allouez Catholic School: Amy Benzshawel, James Block, Allyson Ellis, Jeanne Ihlenfeldt, Sarah Johanski, Patricia Nennig, April Neuville, Tina Sabin, Samantha Skifton, Annie Stewart, Brenda Touchinski, Ashley VandenBush, Caity Zedler


Holy Cross Catholic School: Michelle Anderson, Jessica DeGroot, Tim Kozlovsky, Jamie Sheehy, Jodi Sullivan, Tara Wildenberg


Holy Family Catholic School: Traci Belongia, Lynn Francois, Amy Glantz, Sister Elena Gonzales, Shawna Halbach, Lisa Krcma, Bailey Schultz, Jordan Thill, Courtney Wedan


Notre Dame of De Pere: Jacky Cramer, Carrie Korinek, Elise Stone


Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School: Hannah Aschenbrenner, Julie Basten, Beth Christensen, Ashley Cwiklewski, Lourain Eggart, Caitlin Enright, Lynn Fink, Sarah Sharkey, Sally Thompson


St. Bernard Catholic School:
Amanda Boeke, Molly Bongel, Julie Lamm, Terri Larson


St. John Paul II Classical School: Jennifer Budde, Brenda Devroy, Gary Guevara, Brianna McGann, Tyler Storey


St. John the Baptist School: Kristin Barnhart, Alex Geise, Julie Schmitz, Lisa Turbett, Abbie Withbroe

Amanda Boeke and Drew Mulloy celebrating the Golden Apple Award.

Golden Apple Awards Finalist From St. Bernard

We are thrilled to announce that Amanda Boeke, a beloved Kindergarten teacher at St. Bernard Catholic School, a part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) system, has been named a finalist for the prestigious Golden Apple Award for Excellence in Teaching. The Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching are awarded by the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce annually to educators who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to their students, families, and the education community. Mrs. Boeke will advance to the final awards ceremony in April where award winners will be recognized.

GRACE President, Mrs. Kim Desotell stated, “Mrs. Boeke is an inspirational, loving and caring GRACE teacher. We are proud of her important contributions and the example of excellence she sets for others in the field of education.”

Mrs. Boeke has been a dedicated educator for eight years and has made a lasting impact on the lives of her students. She creates a warm and welcoming environment in her classroom, fostering a love of learning and encouraging each student to reach their full potential. Her peers and families describe her as kind, patient, and endlessly encouraging, making her students feel safe and valued in her classroom.

Mrs. Crystal Blahnik, Principal of St. Bernard Catholic School states: “It is a joy to see such a dedicated teacher be recognized in this very special way. Mrs. Boeke started her teaching career with us eight years ago and she is now a leader among her peers and highly respected among the school community. She most recently completed her MA in English Language Learning. This was something she pursued for her kids, so that she could help them be as successful as possible.”

Mrs. Boeke goes above and beyond to connect with her families and the larger school community, creating a strong sense of partnership and collaboration. She has a remarkable ability to connect with each student, understand their individual needs, and support their growth and development. Her colleagues and families rave about her unwavering commitment to her students, her exceptional work ethic, and her genuine love for teaching. This recognition is a testament to Mrs. Boeke’s exceptional dedication and hard work, and a shining example of the incredible impact that one dedicated teacher can have on the lives of their students. We are proud to have Mrs. Boeke as a member of the GRACE community and look forward to celebrating her achievements in the coming months.

St. Bernard Catholic School is a preschool through 8th grade school that is part of the GRACE System and that believes in an innovative, faith-based education with equal access to student services. This approach allows St. Bernard Catholic School to provide an academically sound, compelling, and faith-filled environment for all of its students. With St. Bernard of Clairvaux as their guide, they stand in the motto: Peace, Pray, Learn. More information can be found at saintbernardgb.com.

For media inquiries, contact Madeline Janssen, GRACE Director of Marketing & Communications at 920-499-7330 x 1014 or at communications@gracesystem.org.

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Benefits of the GRACE Good Shepherd Mentoring Program

“The GRACE Good Shepherd Mentoring Program has been extremely beneficial to Our Lady of Lourdes. Both students are getting something out of it. The mentor is excited about the opportunity to meet with the younger student and is a good role model for the student regarding how to react to different situations. We have seen recess issues of the student decline quite dramatically.” 

The GRACE Good Shepherd Mentoring Program was initiated by James Cullen, GRACE Director of Student Services, and piloted this school year at Our Lady of Lourdes. In the fall, the program will expand to include the Father Allouez, Notre Dame of De Pere, and St. John the Baptist schools. It gives an opportunity for selected students to partner up with an older mentor student to be a big brother/sister by meeting with them once or twice a week for 20-30 minutes at a time. The school principal and school counselor take the lead in choosing students to participate in the program. They share conversation, play games, and the younger student (mentee) can learn from the older student how to positively interact with others and make a connection with peers while also giving the older student (mentor) the opportunity to share their leadership skills and be a friend with the younger student. 


Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8). The school has open enrollment and provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more is to visit their website.

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Teachers on Spotlight: Gaby Calawerts

Today will be highlighting one of the teachers at St. Thomas More Catholic School, Gaby Calawerts. She knew at a young age that she was called to be a teacher and growing up she loved learning languages. She chose to teach because she believes every student deserves to have a welcoming space where they can explore and be curious about the world, cultures, celebrations, and languages. The students are the reason she teaches and she hopes that they learn to love learning, share their God-given gifts with the world, and continue to explore what they are most passionate about!

Thank you, Ms. Calawerts, for being an awesome EL Coordinator!


St. Thomas More Catholic School is a beautiful, multicultural school filled with faithful and friendly staff members and students. At St. Thomas More, they build and support a bilingual and bicultural environment where both Spanish and English are used, taught and valued. They believe that parents and teachers alike play an integral role in the education and faith development of our children, so they seek to serve in partnership with families.

St. Thomas More is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8). The school has open enrollment and provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more is to visit their website or schedule a tour.

Student spotlight Annabelle

Students on Spotlight: Annabelle

Today we are spotlighting a student from Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School, Annabelle.

Annabelle loves to share her many talents with Our Lady of Lourdes staff and students. She loves going to school every day and achieves in math, art, reading, and music.

Thank you for sharing your creativity with our community, Annabelle!


Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School offers proven academic excellence in an environment cultivated by a shared ownership model of students, parents and school staff. They value each student and stakeholder with a focus on the individual. In addition to strong academics, student success is enhanced through the offering of high-quality extracurricular programs. They are guided by the Lourdes Way – leadership, opportunity, unity, respect, dedication, educational excellence and spirituality. These fundamental principles drive their students’ everyday actions – in the classroom, during extracurricular activities and at home.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool and Elementary through 8th grade (PK3-8). The school has open enrollment and provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more is to visit their website.

HFCS pantry drive

Holy Family Catholic School Pantry Drive

During this past advent season, the countdown to Christmas at Holy Family Catholic School has become a giving event. The students from grades pre-K through eighth grade, their families, and school staff have been working together on a reverse advent calendar project to stock the shelves at Green Bay’s Hope Center Pantry. Each day, from November 28 through December 16, rather than getting a little something, participants donated an item based on a giving list. Pantry items on the list include cereal, soup, pasta, crackers and more.

Principal Jere Kubuske has reported that students have been excited to add food supplies to the tables each day. He said, “I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by how much we have. The whole table is completely filled, stacked up four feet tall [with] some overflow on each side.”

This effort, headed by teachers Courtney Wedan and Lynn Francois, is just one of Holy Family’s many service projects. Each project is a part of the educational experience and school culture at the school.

Mr. Kubuske adds, “Throughout the year, we have [many] things going on. We are very service-minded and experience driven.”

For more information about Holy Family Catholic School, visit their website at holyfamilygreenbay.com.