Happy New School Year—and, for those who celebrate differently, Football Season! This year, our NDDP school-wide theme comes from an unexpected place: football!
During a hectic May, a special package arrived at school from Seattle Seahawks General Manager and NDDP alum John Schneider. Inside were a note and framed photos celebrating his time as a student at Notre Dame of De Pere, including a photo of him in his green-and-gold Raider football uniform. The note included inspiration attributed to St. Ignatius of Loyola:
“Pray as if everything depended on God, and work as if everything depended on you.”
That message immediately felt like the perfect theme for our 2026-27 school year: Pray Hard. Work Hard. Dream Big.
This year, we’ll challenge our students and staff to put those words into action—rooting ourselves in faith, working hard in all that we do, and dreaming boldly about the people God is calling us to become.
And because we know a little celebration makes hard work even more fun, we’re kicking off a school-wide pin collection this year! Throughout the year, students will have opportunities to earn special NDDP pins celebrating accomplishments, milestones, and moments that make our school community proud. We can’t wait to see those pins add up—and to celebrate the stories behind each one. The first pins of the year may already be adorning your child’s backpack as a launch of the school year and theme.
Here’s to a year of growing, achieving, celebrating, and living our mission together:
Pray Hard. Work Hard. Dream Big.
Notre Dame of De Pere 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. NDDP 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 NDDP is to visit! Click here to schedule a tour.
