It Takes All of Us
A warm welcome from PAPA — and every way to get involved in the 2026–2027 school year.
Dear Providence Academy Parents,
The Providence Academy Parent Association (PAPA) extends a warm welcome to you and your family as we prepare to start the 2026–2027 school year — and a very special welcome to the students and families who are new to the school. PAPA exists to support Providence Academy’s philosophy, mission, and curriculum. We also organize and develop events and activities, coordinate parent volunteerism, assist in fundraising in cooperation with the Development Office, and help facilitate communication between the school and parents.
We warmly invite you to get involved and volunteer in one of the many options available — it’s a wonderful way to meet others in our community. You’ll find every opportunity, grouped by division, further down this page.
A note on communication: the PAPA Executive Committee reaches families through the weekly e-Bulletin, so please check there each week for the latest from PAPA and for all school and divisional news. For important school updates, follow PA on Facebook and Instagram.
Before closing, I’d like to thank our PAPA Board representatives who finished their terms this June — Brittany Lada, Sara McCabe, Nichole Schelitzche, and Peter Schnobrich. Their dedication was a tribute to the spirit of Providence, and it was a pleasure to serve alongside them these past two years. On behalf of the entire board, we hope you and your families enjoy the final days of summer. We look forward to a spectacular school year.
Blessings,
Lauren O’Neil
PAPA President
Save the Date · 25th Anniversary
The Annual Gala
Friday, April 24, 2027 — our biggest event of the year. Put it on your calendar and celebrate our 25th Anniversary in style.
Quick Links
What’s Inside
| Near-Term Needs How to Sign Up All-School Lower School |
Middle School Upper School Last Year’s Highlights Executive Committee |
Right Around the Corner
Near-Term Volunteer Needs
Sept 10
Oct 1 & 2
Nov 7
Fall Fri/Sat
Get Started
How to Sign Up
To learn more about the opportunities below and to sign up, visit the Providence Academy website, click Resources in the upper-right corner, open the For Parents drop-down, and click the Volunteer button.
Open to Everyone
All-School Opportunities
Flowers for Mary
Help us honor Mary with weekly flowers by her statue; the sign-up is on the school website’s volunteering page. Questions? Contact Kelly Roles.
Parent Party Hosts
Parent Parties help parents of children in the same grade get to know one another. One parent or a group may host, at a home or a venue of their choice, on a Friday or Saturday evening. Questions about hosting? Contact board secretary Peter Fjelstad.
Grandparents’ & Special Persons’ Day
A wonderful chance for students to share their school with loved ones. Middle and Upper School guests are hosted Thursday, October 1; Lower School guests Friday, October 2. Questions? Contact Jennifer Newman.
Faculty Meeting Snacks
Serve our fabulous faculty by providing a snack for one of their meetings throughout the year.
Faculty Meals for Parent-Teacher Conferences
Organize meals for PA faculty during Parent-Teacher Conferences. Meals are purchased by PAPA and served to teachers and staff during conferences. Questions? Contact Misty Laney.
Admissions Events
Serve as a PA Ambassador at admission events, held both during the school day and in the evenings. To share your love of our school with prospective families, contact Admissions at .
Eucharistic Adoration
Providence offers all-day Eucharistic Adoration every Friday, beginning after the 7:40 AM Mass and ending with Benediction at 3:20, following the final bell. We invite parents to commit to a weekly Holy Hour — look for a sign-up in the eBulletin or contact Fr. McGinnis.
Faculty Christmas Breakfast
Spread Christmas cheer by helping organize and serve the annual faculty breakfast on December 16. For more information, contact Lauren O’Neil.
Used Uniform Sales
Help prepare for and assist during used uniform sale events. Current chair Heather Hosfield can be reached at .
New Family Ambassadors
Welcome new families into the PA community by answering questions and offering insight. We match current families with new ones who share similar characteristics — children in the same grade, the same sports, and so on. Questions? Contact Misty Laney.
Providence Academy Gala
The committee is starting early! The Gala is scheduled for April 24, 2027. Please consider making a donation and/or volunteering. Questions can be directed to Jennifer Newman.
Lower School
Lower School Opportunities
Classroom Representatives
Reps assist the teacher with coordinating classroom volunteers and events in each Lower School classroom. Your child’s teacher will discuss their classroom’s needs during the first weeks of school. Jessie Bollig and Patty Brazys will host a Room Kick-Off meeting in mid-September so every rep has what they need.
Lower School Picture Day
Assist teachers and photographers with the Lower School picture process on September 10.
Homecoming Ice Cream Social
Help the Lower School celebrate Homecoming with the annual Ice Cream Social on October 7.
Fall Fun Fair
This year’s Fun Fair is November 7. Help make it a success by volunteering for set-up, clean-up, donations, or a station during the carnival. Volunteers may be Middle School age or older. Contact Lauren O’Neil.
Lower School Sock Hop
One of the favorite nights in Lower School! Help is needed to plan the event, set up the afternoon of, and replenish food and drinks during it. Scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Family Service Project
Sign up your family for the Lower School Family Service Project in March 2027 — a great opportunity for younger students to serve a variety of charities and organizations.
Middle School
Middle School Opportunities
Middle School Homecoming Party
The Middle School party takes place the Saturday before Homecoming week — October 3, 2026. Parent volunteers are needed to help make it a success.
Middle School Fall Service Day
Middle School students have a school-sponsored Day of Service, typically in October. Please consider chaperoning one of the activities; project details will follow closer to the event.
Root Beer Floats
As part of Catholic Schools Week, PAPA sponsors Root Beer Floats during the day for Middle School students. Bring a smile to a middle schooler by volunteering to scoop ice cream!
8th Grade Transition Banquet
A volunteer opportunity for 7th grade parents. The banquet takes place May 19, 2027; we need help setting up tables and with general decorating.
Upper School
Upper School Opportunities
College Day
Roughly 120 colleges and universities attend PA’s College Day, and all students in grades 9–11 participate. The College & Guidance Counseling office needs parent volunteers to assist throughout the day. This year’s event is April 14, 2027. For more information, contact Sarah Hogan.
US Pop-Up Events
Bring some fun to the halls of our Upper School students at various times during the year. To be notified when an event is scheduled so you can participate, email Gina Illies.
With Gratitude
Last Year’s Highlights
A glimpse of what PAPA supported across the community this past year:
|
The annual Gala Used Uniform & Flash Sales New Family Events Admission Events Volunteer Coordination Fall Fun Fair |
Grandparents’ & Special Persons’ Day Faculty & Staff Appreciation Divisional Event Support Meal & Snack Support for Faculty Hosted the Annual Meeting Election of Executive Board |
Your Representatives
The PAPA Executive Committee
|
PresidentLauren O’Neil Vice PresidentMisty Laney SecretaryPeter Fjelstad TreasurerAli Van Straten |
Upper School RepGina Illies Middle School RepMallory Busacker Lower School Rep (PK–2)Patty Brazys Lower School Rep (3–5)Jessie Bollig |
It takes ALL of us to support a “school like no other.”
Plymouth, Minnesota · Established 2001
Faith, Knowledge & Virtue