Our Lady of Fatima Elementary is more than just a school. We are a community of educators, parents, families, and friends. Throughout the course of the school year we come together to meet and get to know one another. We are the Fatima community.
August
OLF Tailgate Party – Parents and friends of Fatima gather annually at the Donal Snyder Community Center Annual Tailgate Party to benefit the school. This event features tailgate food and drinks, a live auction, $5,000 drawdown, and live music. Patrons are able to sample delicious tailgate food in the tents featuring Auburn, MS State, New Orleans Saints, Ole Miss, and USM.
October
Blessing of the Pets – This event is held annually in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all animals. The event is held close to the date of the Feast Day for St. Francis on October 4th. Students bring their pets to school to be blessed by the Pastor. Students bring a wide variety of animals to be blessed including cats, dogs, fish, birds, hamsters, and even a duck.
Halloween Carnival – The largest festival of the year for OLF Elementary is the Halloween Carnival. This annual festival includes a student talent show, costume contest, inflatables, live entertainment, special performances and, of course, plenty of Halloween candy.
November
2nd Grade Saint’s Day Program – The 2nd grade class gives a special performance after Mass in honor of All Saints’ Day. Each 2nd grader dresses as a Saint and give a short presentation on the history of their chosen Saint. This event is held on November 1st on All Saints’ Day.
Military Appreciation Day – A special mass and presentation is made each fall to honor those men and women who serve or served in the military.
December
Christmas Program PK2 – K. Each year the PK2, PK3, PK4, and Kindergarten put on a special Christmas program for parents, faculty, and friends. This is a lively skit describing the events and activities surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Christmas Program 1st – 6th. The elementary school students perform their annual Christmas show in front of parents, faculty and friends. “Twas the night before Christ’s birth and far above earth the angels prepared to announce Jesus’ birth. A large cast of shepherds, angels, townspeople, and others contribute singing and performing. Our students will take you on a merry tour of sing-alongs and Christmas favorites that will have your family singing all the way home.
January
Catholic Schools Week. National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. The first was celebrated in 1974. Our Lady of Fatima Elementary celebrates with Masses, open house, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and community members. During Catholic Schools Week, we host a special mass for our grandparents and Bishop Kihneman often performs Mass for the school around this time of the year.
February
Saint Valentine’s Family Dance. Parents and students gather each year for a special night of family fun. The event, sponsored by the Men’s Club, includes a generational dance, hula hoop contest, funniest dance move, and a conga line. This is one event you don’t want to miss.
Mardi Gras
OLF Elementary hosts an annual Mardi Gras parade through the hallways of the school. Members of Gulf Coast Carnival Association along with King d’Iberville and Queen Ixolib lead the way in conducting the parade. As the parade rolls through the hallway, beads and other assorted items are tossed to the students in the spirit of Mardi Grad.
May
Our Lady of Fatima International Spring Fest
This annual event hosted by Our Lady of Fatima Parish brings parishioners, students, parents, and members of the local community for a weekend of fun. Activities include carnival rides, car show, vendor booth, international foods, Chinese auction, live music, and a drawdown.
