The last week of January brings fun and fellowship to Catholic schools all across the United States. It is a week set aside…
Catholic Schools Week
The last week of January brings fun and fellowship to Catholic schools all across the United States. It is a week set aside each year to recognize the difference students receive when educated in a faith-filled environment.
This year’s celebration kicked off at Sunday Mass celebrations led by students and families. St. Mary School families worked at painting prayer rocks during the weeks leading to Sunday, which were distributed to parishioners after each service. The prayer rocks represented a family’s intentions to keep all members of St. Mary Church in their prayers. Following morning Masses, the parish was also invited to join in a pancake breakfast and school open house to further strengthen the bond between parish and the school community.
During the week, students and staff worked to celebrate all facets of Catholic education, recognizing students, families, staff and the community. On one day, students worked together with their prayer partners to assemble “breakfast bags” for local homeless support organizations. The whole school family contributed food items and each grade level had the opportunity to put together the bags.
Kindergarten teacher Kara Passow said, “I am really overwhelmed by the generosity of our families and the students had a great time working together.”
The week also recognized the contribution of staff and community to Catholic schools with teacher luncheons, parent substitute teachers and hot cocoa and muffins delivered to the bus drivers and staff at Chardon School’s administration offices. In addition, students created a mural thanking the “shepherds” of our parish, delivered prayer rocks to the parish office and continued to celebrate our Catholic faith beliefs with a faith carnival hosted and run by the junior high students.
The most exciting day of the week came during student appreciation day, which included a visit from COSI (Center of Science and Industry) on Wheels. Students were treated to a fun and interactive assembly that focused on ecology. Throughout the day, classes were invited to continue their learning with hands-on stations run by parent volunteers. The visit was thanks in part to the sponsorship of our PTU and the Ohio Catholic Federal Credit Union.
St. Mary School is now accepting registration for the 2016-17 school year for students preschool through eighth grade. For more information, visit www.stmary schoolchardon.org or call the office, 440-286-3590.
