2025 – 2026 Fellowship Impact
Fellowship Duties and School Impact Report · July 2025 – May 2026
During the 2025–2026 academic year, the Holy Family Catholic School Administrative and Development Office expanded multiple existing school programs while simultaneously raising additional support for a broad range of new educational, faith-based extra-curricular activities. Rooted in Christ was the school theme for ’25–’26, and all enrichment activities incorporated community service, campus wellness, mentorship, and organizational partnerships. With support from the R. Zuschlag Advancing Catholic Education Fellowship, HFCS will maintain these student support systems, expand educational opportunities, and improve campus resources — addressing campus and neighborhood food insecurities, promoting leadership, and building strong intercommunity partnerships.
Raised separately from 40+ sponsors.
Deducted separately from debt.
Faith Formation and Spiritual Development
All additional school resources increased HFCS' capability to educate the whole child beginning with upholding Catholic principles.
Organized and facilitated a Girls Bible Study for middle school girls.
Coordinated a field trip to the Carmelite Monastery for students to view the relics of Saint Thérèse.
Facilitated a middle school retreat led by the diocesan Youth Minister focused on Catholic faith formation and leadership.
Student Support & Food Security Initiatives
The first barrier directly impacting students' ability to learn is hunger. Students focus and retain more information by eating more nutrient dense food items throughout the day and at home.
By establishing a partnership with 52 Shepherds, HFCS began a weekend food pantry program to give 25 families in need additional weekend food items.
Coordinated and implemented a four-week Summer Enrichment Program that feeds up to 60 students breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack.
Established a Garden Club in 1st, 2nd, and 5th grades teaching children about the tedious and rewarding process of growing sustainable food sources.
Transportation
Eliminating barriers of mobility and lack of consistent, reliable transportation, HFCS managed a school bus lease which allowed for more service-learning and faith-formation activities off campus.
Daily afterschool tutoring programs to Bridge Ministry and Boys and Girls Club
Educational field trips for Prekindergarten
Girls Bible Study enrichment trips
Choir performances and field trips
Middle School retreat
Junior Achievement
Campus Improvement & Beautification
The entire campus is an opportunity for learning. Students engaged in campus projects to brighten and beautify school campus. Many outside groups participated in projects to enhance the exterior and interior façade of HFCS.
Volunteer support from the Lafayette Knights Post-Graduate Basketball Program, which:
- Repainted the interior of the cafeteria
- Restriped the school parking lot
- Assisted with moving 120 donated desks from HFCS to Catholic Charities
Collaborated with the Lafayette Master Gardeners to establish a HFCS Garden Club to:
- Establish a Native Rain Prayer Garden
- Plant 6 plum trees, 2 red mulberry trees, 5 blueberry bushes, and 2 pear trees
- Develop a year-round educational vegetable and herb garden program for 1st, 2nd, and 5th grade students using one cafeteria garden bed and five elementary & middle school garden beds
Educational Partnerships & Academic Enrichment
Acadiana Black Nurses Association implemented a middle school mini nurse pop-up series teaching children who often babysit signs of choking and basic CPR techniques.
Junior Achievement developed civic mindedness and entrepreneurship in BizTown alongside St. Pius Elementary School.
Women of Wisdom and School Connect expanded experiential learning opportunities through gift rewards in the Accelerated Reader (AR) program.
Health, Wellness & Student Development
Louisiana Department of Health – Self-monitored Blood Pressure program. Teachers and staff were able to monitor and receive medical resources to alleviate symptoms of physical stress of early education. The school partnered with the ABNA to administer a wellness day on which all staff received professionally monitored blood pressure screening.
EmpowerU – Program for 7th and 8th grade students to create more informed community health advocates.
Jump Rope for Heart – Fighting childhood obesity and increasing heart health through physical activities such as skip-ball and jump-rope.
Mentorship & Leadership Development
Marshal Reggie Thomas Leadership Challenge:
- Winner received a laptop computer
- All students in 4th – 8th grade competed by creating a resume and interviewing with Lafayette business leaders.
DARE – Drug Abuse Resistance Education
- Empowering students to create boundaries
- Affirming the power of positive decision making to fight the influence of negative peer pressure.
100 Black Men for the third year mentored middle school boys focusing on accountability, academic success, and character development.
Community & Corporate Partnerships
Received an American Flag donation in honor of America 250 from Woodmen Life Insurance Company supporting patriotism and civic pride on campus.
Lafayette Family Foundation support
- Perret Foundation
- Maraist Foundation
- Catalon Okra Farm
- Cockrell Family
- Scott Family
- H – Foundation
- Smiles for Miles
- DiCharry Family
Gym rental – Executed multiple gym rental agreements to increase school revenue for $3,400.