What is Catholic Schools Week?
Catholic Schools Week is an annual national celebration of the important role that Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the country play in providing a values-added education for America's young people. Catholic schools are proud of their educational network that emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical, and social values in their students. Catholic Schools Week began in 1974 and is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Catholic Conference.
When is Catholic Schools Week 2011?
Catholic Schools Week begins the last Sunday in January. This year it is Jan. 30 - Feb. 5, 2011.
What is the theme of CSW?
The theme is: "Catholic Schools – A+ For America."
What does Catholic Schools Week celebrate?
Catholic Schools Week celebrates education that goes beyond preparation for a secular life -- it is education that prepares students for a Christian life. CSW also celebrates the high standards of excellence and the quality of the education available to all students in Catholic elementary and secondary schools across the U.S.
What is the purpose of the Catholic Schools Week celebration?
The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to build community awareness of, and involvement in, Catholic schools throughout the country. During this week, many dioceses and schools encourage parents to take full advantage of the benefits of local Catholic schools by enrolling their children in those schools. CSW also is an occasion for schools to interest citizens in volunteering their time and talents to the local Catholic schools.
Who sponsors Catholic Schools Week?
Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (USCCB). Individual dioceses and local Catholic elementary and secondary schools develop and promote their own CSW activities each year.
What we are doing to celebrate!
Immaculate Heart High School, Tucson
Monday, Jan. 31
Morning prayers, Service Project Kick-Off, Student Council
Lunch
--Doubles Pool Tournament
-Chess Tournament
-Doubles Ping Pong Tournament
-Be Kind-Rewind Teen Tech Video Contest
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Senior Day for our Sisters
Students/Faculty wear favorite team jersey w/ uniform pants/shorts
"Super Bowl Party" during lunch, Lunch provided!
"Super" games planned during lunch
Student service at "The IH Lodge" (Per 7 PE Class)
Wednesday, Feb. 2
Junior Day for our Sisters
Students/ Faculty wear PatrioticTheme (with uniform pants/shorts)
Faculty pot luck room #105-sign-up in office
Teacher Appreciation by the Students
Pool, Ping-pong, Chess, and Video tourney continues during lunch
Thursday, Feb. 3
Soph. Day for our Sisters
Students write Thank-you's
Favorite/Crazy Hat/Hair Day
Pool, Ping-pong, Chess, and Video tourney continues during lunch
Friday, Feb. 4
Frosh Day for our Sisters
All School Mass 9 a.m. Gym
Grandparents Day
Conclude Pool, Ping-pong, Chess, and Video tourney at lunch
1:30 Dismissal
Immaculate Heart Elementary School, Tucson
Monday, Jan. 31
A+ for Community
Students begin drive to collect gently used story books (primary through Middle School levels) for the students of the Casa San Juan Center, an outreach of St. John the Evangelist's school and parish community.
Tuesday, Feb. 1
A+ for Students
Teachers work with students to create a classroom poster to highlight the theme of Catholic Schools Week. (Home and School will provide tag board for the posters and we will display them in the Academy and MS MPRs.) The winning class will receive the "undesignated" box tops we have received this year to go toward their classroom totals! Teachers will facilitate a discussion with students to appreciate the rich dimension that faith formation brings to their academic experiences.
Celebrate being child in America! -- Students will still wear uniform bottoms, but are able to embellish their ensemble with crazy hats and socks that have an American theme (think red, white, and blue, star-spangled, Statue of Liberty, 4th of July, etc! Homemade creations that you find around the house and stashed in the attic are the best!)
No Homework Today!!!
Wednesday, Feb. 2
A+ for our Sisters of the Immaculate Heart
Each class will "adopt" a Sister and create a small classroom (totally made and created in class) gift to present to the Sister (examples: spiritual bouquet, poster, cards, paper flowers, etc.)
Pre-School/Pre-Kindergarten Open House from 6-7:30 p.m. Includes a tour, art and curriculum displays, and homemade cookies!
Thursday, Feb. 3
A+ for Staff and Volunteers
Home and School will provide light breakfast goodies for staff and faculty
Students create cards for our staff (office, lunch, recess, custodial, etc.)
Friday, Feb. 5
A+ Grandparents & Special Friends
Grandparents Day
All-School Mass to celebrate Catholic Schools Week and Grandparents Day -- 9 a.m. in the Gym
Noon Dismissal (No lunch, but Extended will be available)
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton School, Tucson
The school will begin the week by showing appreciation for the Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parishioners on Sunday, January 30, 2011. SEAS Parish has wholeheartedly supported Catholic education and our school and the students and staff will lead the Parish's 9 am Mass and display a poster from each homeroom in the Narthex to show their appreciation. After the morning Masses, The Book Fair and Science Fair projects will be displayed in the gym. SEAS shows appreciation for the Diocese on Monday, January 31, 2011 and the school's Book Fair continues. On Wednesday, February 2, 2011, we celebrate Teacher/Staff Appreciation Day. The PTCO will provide a special luncheon for the staff. Our volunteers and parents are honored on Thursday, February 3, 2011. The children will write a heartfelt letter to parents thanking them for their Catholic education. Our week ends with Student Appreciation Day & Read-A-Thon on Friday, February 4, 2011. The Read-A-Thon coincides with the Book Drive collection in which all books are donated to under resourced schools in the city. The week's celebration is filled with honoring those who make Catholic Schools possible as well as servicing our community.
Sts. Peter and Paul School, Tucson
We kick off the week on Sunday with an Open House Education Fair…a good day for "come and check us out!" Then we celebrate students, teachers and parents/volunteers during the week with a special day of "no dress code" and "no homework" for students, along with ice cream treats. Teachers are treated to a special luncheon on another day of that week and on Friday of that week, parents/volunteers are honored at a school Mass at 8:30 with a continental style breakfast following.
St. John the Evangelist School, Tucson
St. John School is having a service project week. We will share Catholic school experiences at the St. John the Evangelist Parish Masses. We will have a volunteer luncheon to honor all the volunteers at St. John School. We will also have a celebration for the children, including a Spirit Week and party with a piñata on Friday.
St. Francis of Assisi School, Yuma
Sunday: 11 am Mass: Staff Blessed. Staff and their families sit in reserved pews. Donuts, juice and coffee in hall after Mass for all parishioners.
Monday: Prayer Service in front of school. Thank you letters to parents for sending their child to St. Francis Catholic School. Pastries and Coffee for parents before school. Gold and Green Day. All school picture.
Tuesday: Pajama Day: Each teacher will read their favorite book to students as each class travels from room to room.
Wednesday: Take your child to lunch. Classrooms open for parents' observation/ visit 10:30-11:30. Fancy Dress Day. Teacher luncheon from H&S
Grades K-4 Bingo with the Associate Pastor Fr. Chapa
Thursday: Afternoon "Talent Show" (Each class does something in the talent show) Free Dress classroom choice.
Friday: Mass (Special invite to alumni to join us at Mass.)
Pep Rally Student Council
Special Contests:
Decorate your classroom door.
Essay Contest "Why St. Francis is the Best School"
Invite Alumni to come and talk to students.
St. Joseph School, Tucson
As we have done for many years (20+!) we collect items to donate to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic. Every day is designated for a particular item: baby clothing, baby food, diapers, toys. At assembly, every morning, the Student Council and National Junior Honor Society collects items and puts them in huge boxes. On Friday of Catholic Schools Week, representatives from St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic come with their trucks to collect all the items and boxes.
In the past, the eighth grade has held a talent show that is presented to the students of the school for a donation of $1 (although we often get more). Then a check is presented to St. Elizabeth of Hungary Clinic at the Friday morning assembly.
Catholic Schools Week is our Spirit Week. Each day is designated a special "free", non- uniform day: crazy sock day, goofy hat day, P.J. day, etc. The days are determined by the Student Council.
Each day of Catholic Schools Week the students recognize members of the St. Joseph Community with cards and/or thank you letters. The groups that we recognize have been school volunteers, parents/grandparents, staff members, and Friday is designated Teacher Appreciation Day. The teachers will do the readings, etc. for Friday's Mass. One of the days is Campus Clean-up Day. There is also Student Appreciation Day with no homework and a Skate Country Party that evening.
Our Academic Expo, which includes our U of A Science projects will be held this week in Healy Hall.
Plans are being made to have our new student registration and Open House during this week, so new parents may view our Academic Expo.
Lourdes Catholic School, Nogales
Sunday, Jan. 30
Honor Roll Mass
All Honor roll students and their parents are invited to this celebration in the Lourdes Chapel.
Monday, Jan. 31
CSW kick off ALL-School Assembly, Gym at 8:15 am
Parents Appreciation Day
Prayer Service by Sister Esther and Sister Barbara
Catholic Schools Week meaning, statistics, reading of the Governor's Proclamation and more.
6:00 pm "How to Prevent Bullying" Conference for parents --Gym Open to the Public
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Elem. Grades Scavenger Hunt
Wednesday, Feb. 2
Dismissal after Lunch
Students Appreciation Day NO uniform, wear school colors. Green and Blue.
Thursday, Feb. 3
M. and H.S. celebrate CSW
Friday, Feb. 4
All-school Eucharist at 10:15 Gym
Teachers Appreciation Day Staff Years of service.
Dismissal after lunch.
Saturday, Feb. 5
2nd Annual Nun Run
Registration begins at 8 am. Fee $15 prior to race $20 on the day of the race. Run begins at 9 am
Santa Cruz School, Tucson
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, 2011, we focus on engaging our children and families in activities that help to build a stronger, honorable America. In that spirit, our plans will engage students and families in events that promote life-long learning, service, community building, our cultural heritage and faith development. Our plans include:
All School Liturgy
Wednesday, Feb. 2: The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord will also commemorate the Hispanic custom of La Candelaria, the day on which the statue of the Baby Jesus is presented at Mass, representing Mary & Joseph presenting Jesus in the Temple.
Book Fair
Jan. 31 -- Feb. 4: The school's annual Book Fair encourages children to read for enjoyment while becoming informed citizens as well as better readers.
College Shirt Day
Monday, Jan. 31: Students and staff will be encouraged to wear a college logo shirt of their choice, calling attention to the fact that college is a goal for all of our students.
T-Shirts to Celebrate 90 days
Santa Cruz School is celebrating its 90th year of providing Catholic education for the children of Tucson. A t-shirt will be designed to commemorate this anniversary, to be worn during Catholic Schools Week
Service
The Kids Helping Kids program at Santa Cruz School will involve all grades in making sandwiches for Casa Maria.
Community Involvement
Santa Cruz School will launch two initiatives that strengthen parish and local community connections.
Community Night -- Evening programs will be initiated parish-wide, offering sessions in English language learning, cooking for students with meals served to all attending the Community Night, tutoring for children, parenting and praying together.
Notre Dame ACE Advocates & Alumni -- Inviting these groups opportunities to volunteer at the ACE Academies Schools.
Fun Day
Fun Day for Students: Twins Dress Day with fun activities planned for students.
Our Mother of Sorrows School, Tucson
We will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week with a variety of special events, including the School Book Fair and a Talent Show. Other activities include:
Monday: Crazy Hair & Sock Day -- all students participating must contribute $.25 to Change for Haiti
Tuesday: Match clothes w/ friends -- all students participating must contribute $.25 to Change for Haiti
Wednesday: Free lunch! The principal and staff will prepare a lunch for all students and parents
Thursday: Student Appreciation Day - Free Dress Code & Popsicles Party (no participation fee required!)
Friday: Crazy Hat Day - all students participating must contribute $.25 to Children Cancer Charity
St. Augustine High School, Tucson
Each day for the school assembled prayer, we will focus on a Catholic saint who has made contributions to Catholic education and ask for her/his intercession that day.
We will be having a Catholic schools week pep rally on 2/4 to celebrate our school and what it means to attend SACHS.
Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson
Salpointe is proud to announce and salute the Seton Award Winners for 2011. They are Mrs. Rita Banfi from San Xavier Mission School and Mrs. Ellie Kwader-Murphy of St. Joseph's Elementary School in Tucson. They are both outstanding individuals who have made a significant contribution to Catholic education and to the development of character of Southern Arizona's young people.
In celebration of National Catholic Education Week and in honor of those who have made a positive difference in Catholic education in Southern Arizona, a celebratory breakfast will be held on Monday, January 31, 2011, 7:30 a.m. in Salpointe's cafeteria.
San Miguel Catholic High School, Tucson
San Miguel High School will follow up last year's Social Justice Fair activities with a Catholic Schools Week focus on learning about, and beginning to act on, peacemaking.
During the first four days of the week, academic departments will devote a portion of their curriculum to peacemaking as it relates to their particular disciplines. Mathematics classes will discuss the importance and value of problem solving beyond math problems, science and history classes will learn about those who worked for peace in their time, Spanish classes will focus on the value of learning about and appreciating, rather than denigrating, other cultures, English classes will consider the power of the written word, as fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, in motivating peaceful action, and religious studies classes will focus on the Gospel message of peace found in the person of Jesus, the Scriptures, and Catholic social teaching.
On Friday, each individual student will reflect on the ideas of peace found in each discipline, decide which best stimulate their own action, and create a quilt square reflecting that learning. The squares will be combined into a 6' x 12' peace quilt, which will be displayed on campus for the remainder of the year, and used in further reflection and action for peace in second semester Campus Ministry and Lasallian Youth activities.
On Friday, Feb. 4, we will also have Mass at Santa Monica Church.
This Catholic Schools Week action plan, focused on learning and reflection concerning service to our world, is a part of San Miguel's five year Catholic Schools Week plan for developing a culture of service at San Miguel as described in the school's Religious Education assessment. It also helps the student body continue to focus on peacemaking in response to the tragic events of January 8 in our community, and develops the national "theme" of "A+ for America" by integrating learning from all of our academic disciplines into the Gospel lessons of peace, which our students will use to serve the Tucson community and beyond.
Yuma Catholic High School, Yuma
Monday is Vocation day. We are inviting and recognizing local religious people from each parish. We will also be doing a diaper drive for A.M.E.N all week that starts on Monday. The student activity that day is a talent show.
Tuesday is Parent appreciation day. We are inviting parents to our weekly Mass and sending them a post card thanking them for sending their child to Yuma Catholic and supporting Catholic education. We will also have a family BBQ Tuesday night for our last home basketball game of the season.
Wednesday is America Day, where we will invite members of our community law enforcement, fire department, military/veterans to prayer where we will do a blessing for them. We are looking into getting a band to come to school to do worship music in the afternoon.
Thursday is student appreciation day. We will invite alumni to come to campus for prayer this morning. In the afternoon we will have a boys' volleyball tournament and girls powder puff flag football game.
Friday is community day. Our junior class, as a part of their social justice course, will be doing community service with select organizations on Friday. There will also be a staff lunch with the school staff of Saint Francis and Immaculate Conception in the afternoon since all three schools have half days.
Immaculate Conception School, Yuma
Immaculate Conception School joins Catholic schools nationwide to celebrate Catholic Schools Week -- A+ for America. Catholic Schools Week kicks off at IC School with a prayer service and pep assembly on Monday morning. Look for our kids in crazy hats and socks! The week continues with jersey day and our school spelling bee on Tuesday. Mid-week our students will celebrate Catholic School Week Mass. Continuing on Thursday, we welcome our school parents to join us for our family luncheon. We culminate the week with our IC School Fun Field Day when all students participate in team building activities and games! Fun field day ends when the teachers and parents take on the 8th graders in a game of volleyball. All week our classrooms will compete in a penny drive to see which class can bring in the most pennies during Catholic Schools Week to support cancer research and treatment at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Go Chargers!
St. Cyril School, Tucson
We will be celebrating the ingredients of what makes a great Catholic school.
Our Catholic Identity--each department will present at morning prayer once during the week, the meaning of faith, God and Catholic education to students in their department.
Students--We will celebrate our students and the gifts they bring to our school on Friday
Faculty--We will acknowledge our faculty and what they do to bring our faith and academics alive on Wednesday
Visitation--we will open our campus to anyone who would like to visit and see what we have to offer
Family--we will be having a day to honor our grandparents and will invite them to spend some time with their grandchildren on campus.
We will start the week of with a celebration of Catholic Schools at the 9:00AM Sunday mass.
Sacred Heart School, Nogales
Monday -- Walking Rosary (student body)
Tuesday -- Faith related skit 3rd -- 5th
Wednesday -- Prayer Circle (links by grade K-8th)
Thursday -- Faith related skit 6th -- 8th
Friday -- Pastor Presentation to student body
St. Thomas the Apostle Pre-K School, Tucson
Monday, January 31st, 2011-
"Places We Love in America" at home family activity.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011-
"We Love our School Door Decorating" at home family activity.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011-
"Family Mass" Father John and Deacon Ed will conduct a regular mass to celebrate our school, students and families. Children from our school will be conducting the readings and songs during the mass. Families are encouraged to participate in this event.
Thursday, February 3, 2011-
"Bible Story Games"- During regular recess time, the children can participate in games that teach about age appropriate bible stories.
Friday, February 4, 2011-
"St. Thomas School Shirt Day" Wear your Shirts to show our school spirit!
St. Ambrose School, Tucson
Sunday, January 30
Parish / School Mass (faculty)
Parish / School Brunch
School Open House
Monday, Jan. 31
Parent/Grandparent Day
Thank you cards to all parents from their student
Student Council Banner thanking parents
Parents/Grandparents invited to lunch with their student
Free Dress Day for students
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Teacher Appreciation
Student Talent Show (two performances)
SAPO -- Lunch for teachers
Community Service -- 6th grade of three ACE Academies will make sandwiches for Pavarello House
Wednesday, Feb. 2
Office & Maintenance Staff Appreciation
Thank you cards from students
Lunch for office & maintenance staff
*Community Service -- 7th grade of three ACE Academies will make sandwiches for Pavarello House
Thursday, Feb. 3
Pastor Appreciation
Thank you cards from students
Chinese New Year Parade
*Community Service -- 8th grade of three ACE Academies will make sandwiches for Pavarello House
Friday, Feb. 4
Student Appreciation
School Mass
Game Day
SAPO -- ice cream cones
Community Service
Diaper Drive -- for Southwest Medical Aid (a Salvatorean Lay Ministry)_
Paverello House -- Sandwiches; we have invited the two other ACE Academies to make sandwiches with us to be delivered to Pavarello House
San Xavier School, Tucson
Monday - Celebrating What Makes Our School Special
Tuesday - Celebrating Our Connection to Each Other
Wednesday - Celebrating Our Student Athletes
Thursday - Thanking God for Our School (Honor's ceremony and prayer service at 1:45)
Friday - Celebrating Our School
Loretto School, Douglas
Sunday, Jan. 30
Loretto Students "Greet and Meet Parishioners" and share the Good News about Catholic Education.
Monday, Jan. 31
Inauguration of the "Peaceful Playground Program" Balloons and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. Essay Contest for Grade 5-8th and Drawing Contest for Kinder -- 4th.
Tuesday, Feb. 1
Benefactor and Alumni Appreciation Dinner 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 2
Parent/Grandparent Appreciation Day. Picnic luncheon with their child/children.
Thursday, Feb. 3
Priests, Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day. Student Body sponsored luncheon for Faculty and Staff.
Friday, Feb. 4
Student Appreciation Day. Jean Day for students- Red, White and Blue theme colors.
All Saints Catholic School, Sierra Vista
Sunday, Jan. 30 -- Mass for ASCS Children at OLM
Staff and Students are encouraged to attend the 9:30 Mass at Our Lady of the Mountains.
Students who wear full uniform to this Mass will receive a coupon for a free dress-down day
Monday, Jan. 31- Crazy Sock Day/ School Uniform
Students will make Valentines to send to soldiers who are deployed. We will send the valentines to the soldiers that are parents of the children in the classes.
Tuesday, Feb. 1 -- Catholic Schools Week T-shirt or Uniform
Muffins with Mom : 7:45 -- 8:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall
We will have Morning Prayer in the Parish Hall/ there will be a "wall of prayer" in the Hall for the families to write their names on.
Wednesday, Feb. 2 -- Wild Hat/ Wild Hair Day/ School Uniform
During Computer Class- Students will write thank-you notes to the priests who have so graciously celebrated our school Masses for us. The students will write notes (some for each priest) for Fr. Ariel, Fr. Greg & Fr. Marco
All School Bingo -- 2:30 p.m.
We will call BINGO over the intercom. Each bingo winner & helper will collect a prize from their teacher. We will supply prizes.
3rd / 4th graders will play on their own
5th /6th graders will play with kindergarteners
7th/8th graders will play with 1st /2nd graders
Thursday, Feb. 3- Dress as your favorite Saint or Biblical Person or School Uniform
School Mass- 8:15 a m
Saint Blaise blessing of the throats: ASCS community will have an opportunity to have their throats blessed. Blessing will take place in the church.
Friday, Feb. 4 -- Uniform or Catholic Schools Week T-shirt
Donuts with Dad -- 7:45 -- 8:15 a.m. in the Parish Hall
We will have morning prayer in the Parish Hall
|
Sunday, Feb. 6- Catholic Schools Week Breakfast |
8:30am-11:30am
Staff working in the kitchen arrives at 7am
Staff decorating and serving arrives at 7:30am
Lestonnac Pre-K School, Douglas
January 31, Blessing from Fr. Malu, a talk to the children about how privileged we are to be going to Catholic school and prayers. Children will be given Catholic School Week pins to wear all week
February 1, Prayers and songs, Pajama Day everyone wears pajamas.
February 2 Crazy Hair Day wear your hair crazy, song what color is god's skin, prayers.
February 3 Western Day, wear western clothes prayers and songs.
February 4, Backwards Day wear clothes backwards, Balloons, a symbol of how lucky we are to be at a Catholic school.
St. Charles School, San Carlos
Opening School Liturgy: Monday, Jan. 31.
Grandparents Day Wednesday, Feb. 2,
Registration for kindergarten for 2011 all week
Active Parenting Classes for interested parents Tuesday, Feb. 1 at 7:30 P.M.
Faculty Appreciation Day, Friday, Fe. 4.
St. Anthony of Padua School, Casa Grande
On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 29 and 30, Mr. Parzych will be at each Mass and have some of our children (wearing their uniforms) bring up symbols that relate to the Student Learning Expectations at our school and place them at the foot of the altar:
Being Academically Prepared- A Notebook, Textbook, and Globe
Being Responsible Citizens- American Flag and Safety Patrol Vest
Being a Lifelong Learner- Dictionary, Laptop
Being a Faith Filled Person- Cross, Bible, Poster with Holy Cards, Rosaries, and other Faith-Inspired Items
We will have our registration for next year starting Wednesday February 2, 2011, during Catholic School Week "Re-invest in Catholic Education." - Applications will be available on Monday January 31, 2011.
Monday -- The school will be having a Crazy Hair or Hat Day!
Tuesday -- Doughnuts with Dad - Students may bring their dad/grandpa in to have a light breakfast to start the day.
Wednesday -- "Teacher Appreciation Day"- Students may bring a flower in for their teacher.
Catholic Schools Week T- shirt - students will wear the new Wednesday T-shirt
Thursday "Muffins with Mom Day" - Students may bring their mom/grandma in with them to have a light breakfast to start the day.
Thursday -- Sports Day -- Dress up wearing your favorite jersey or sports related clothing. Hats may be worn during the day, but may not be worn inside or during Morning Prayer.
Friday -- "Clergy Day"- Teachers and students will be making cards and/or gifts to present to Father Kevin and Father Felix and our Deacons after our School Mass.
PRESCHOOL ACTIVITIES:
Monday -- Crazy Hair or Hat Day!
Tuesday -- Wear your pajamas to school Day! (No slippers, must wear shoes)
Wednesday -- Teacher Appreciation Day! Bring a flower to your teacher
Thursday -- Sports Day -- team sports jersey or uniform. Girls may wear Cheerleader outfit (no helmets)
Friday -- School Mass -- Wear your green church shirts. Appreciation cards for Priests and Deacons. Leave your handprints on the wall.