Category: Blog Post

Honoring Excellence: Andrea Barington Receives 2026 Golden Apple Educator of Distinction

Celebrating a Faith-Driven Educator Making an Impact at Holy Family

Holy Family Catholic School is proud to celebrate Andrea Barington, our Physical Education teacher and Middle School Health teacher, who has been named a 2026 Golden Apple Educator of Distinction. This well-deserved honor recognizes outstanding educators who make a lasting impact on students through excellence, dedication, and heart. Mrs. Barington embodies all of that and more.

Mrs. Barington is known for her boundless energy, positivity, and genuine care for every student in the school. She challenges students to grow not only in physical strength and healthy habits, but also in confidence, perseverance, faith, and character. Whether she’s leading a PE class or guiding conversations in middle school health, her goal is always the same: helping students become the best version of themselves. Faith  serves as a steady touchstone in all that Mrs. Barington does. She lives our values daily through kindness and encouragement. She creates an environment where students feel supported and seen.

Holy Family is also proud to recognize Golden Apple Nominees Katie Rabas, Aria Heim, and Karissa Holcombe. Their dedication and passion for education continue to enrich our school community. Each of these educators plays an important role in shaping the lives of our students, and we are grateful for the gifts they share so generously.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Holy Family’s Comet Dash: Fun, Faith, and Community

Comet Energy Meets Community Heart

Holy Family School was buzzing with energy, excitement, and Comet pride during this year’s Comet Dash. The event was a joyful celebration of our students, our school, and the incredible community that supports them.

Students gave it their all as they ran, cheered, and encouraged one another, showing determination, teamwork, and school spirit every step of the way. Laughter echoed throughout the Mulva Family Fitness & Sports Center at the St. Norbert College campus as teachers and parents joined in the fun. The spirited atmosphere served as a powerful reminder that great things happen when we come together.

Thanks to the generosity of families, friends, and supporters near and far, the Comet Dash was a tremendous success as a fundraiser. The funds raised will go directly toward enhancing our school environment and enriching student experiences helping us continue to provide an exceptional Catholic education rooted in faith, service, and academic excellence.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Living Christ’s Call: Holy Family Catholic School Students Spread Christmas Joy

“Your presence is a precious gift to us.”

Those heartfelt words from the residents of Cottonwood Manor Assisted Living beautifully captured the impact of a recent visit from students of Holy Family Catholic School.

In the spirit of the Christmas season, members of the Holy Family Leadership Club partnered with students across all grades to create handmade Christmas cards for the residents of Cottonwood Manor. Once completed, the Leadership Club personally delivered the cards, turning a simple project into a meaningful encounter for students and residents alike.

During their visit, students had the opportunity to spend time with residents sharing smiles, conversation, and genuine connection. The visit concluded with students and residents joining together to sing familiar Christmas tunes, filling the space with warmth, joy, and the sounds of the season.

Through this experience, our students lived out Christ’s call to reach out to those in need. They learned that even small acts like a homemade card or a short visit can make a profound difference in the life of someone who may be feeling lonely, particularly during the Christmas season. It was a powerful reminder that presence, kindness, and compassion are some of the greatest gifts we can share.

We are grateful to our Leadership Club, our students, and the residents of Cottonwood Manor for making this visit such a meaningful celebration of faith, service, and community during the Christmas season.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Building Friendships and Faith at Holy Family Catholic School

The Holy Family community witnessed a heartwarming tradition during today’s All School Mass that continues to shape our school culture. Our Eighth Grade Leadership students sat with their first-grade buddies, offering steady guidance, warm support, and a shared experience of faith and prayer.

The entire student body gathered today at St. Agnes Parish to worship together. Pairing older and younger students creates opportunities for meaningful connection while helping our first graders feel comfortable and included, and giving our eighth graders a chance to model leadership, kindness, and responsibility.

Strenghthening relationships across grade levels helps our students live our faith in practical, heartfelt ways. Seeing our oldest students accompany our youngest reminds us why we value community so deeply at Holy Family.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Holy Family Catholic School Scientists Experiment with Pumpkins

Mrs. Phillips’ seventh grade scientists put their curiosity to work this week during a Pumpkin in a Jar lab. Each student carved a pumpkin and then sealed it in a glass jar to create a miniature ecosystem. Students will have the opportunity to observe the transformation as the pumpkins move through the stages of decay and eventually new growth.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Holy Family Students Celebrate Summer at Camp Tekakwitha

We spy some familiar faces at Camp Tekakwitha! It’s a delight to see Holy Family students out and about, growing in faith and friendship while having fun. We’re so proud of the light they shine wherever they go.

Camp Tekakwitha, a ministry of the Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, offers young people meaningful opportunities to grow closer to Jesus while surrounded by the wonder of God’s creation.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Holy Family Students Present the Living Stations of the Cross

Deacon Dan’s sixth grade religion class treated Holy Family students, staff, and community to a moving presentation of the Living Stations of the Cross. Each step along the path of Jesus’ final hours was portrayed with reverence and sincerity. The event was a solemn precursor to Holy Week and it left a lasting impression on all in attendance.

According to Sister Jan Jan Villemure, presenting the Living Stations has been part of the fabric of Holy Family for over forty years. It was originally directed by middle school English teacher, Mrs. Bobbi Weir.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Holy Family Eighth Graders Learn Pysanka

Father Patrick Beno invited Ukrainian artist Olga Halaburda Hietpas to lead a pysanka class for Holy Family’s eighth grade students. Patterns are drawn on the egg with wax to protects the covered areas from absorbing dye. An intricate pattern is built up by repeating this process with different colors of dye. Pysanky are usually created to be given to family members or highly respected family friends. The egg is a symbolic gift of life which is why the egg must remain whole. This was a challenge for some of our eighth grade artists! Holy Family Art teacher Mrs. Renee Zirbel said pysanka reminds her of batik art.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Harvard Meets Holy Family

As a grand finale to Ms. Halbach’s Native American social studies unit, Holy Family fourth graders met with Harvard’s Matt Liebmann, Professor of American Archaeology and Ethnology Department Chair. He visited the students via Zoom from his office in Boston. Professor Liebmann discussed his expertise on Native American history and culture, emphasizing that Native peoples are still thriving throughout America today, with eleven tribes residing in Wisconsin alone.

During his presentation, Professor Liebmann recounted his involvement in an excavation in New Mexico, where they discovered what was likely the first Catholic church built by Native Americans around 1620, over 400 years ago.

Additionally, Professor Liebmann shared a fun pop-culture fact with the class: Star Wars creator George Lucas was inspired by hairstyles worn by unmarried Pueblo girls’when designing Princess Leia’s now-iconic hair.

Halbach’s students thoroughly enjoyed their experience with Professor Liebmann and enthusiastically participated in his question and answer session at the end of the presentation.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving preschool through eighth grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.

Holy Family Scientists Decode DNA

Mrs. Kottwitz’s middle school science class spent the afternoon decoding secret messages hidden in DNA, mRNA, and tRNA. Students were engaged and excited as they pieced together the puzzle of how our genetic code is translated into the proteins that make up our bodies. They had a newfound respect for the intricacies of life at the molecular level.

Holy Family Catholic School is part of the Green Bay Area Catholic Education (GRACE) School System. It is a private Catholic school serving Preschool through eighth grade (PK3-8) with open enrollment. Holy Family provides an individualized education in a faith-based environment. Each child is supported not only academically, but spiritually. The best way to learn more about Holy Family is to visit! Schedule a tour here.