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Catholic Schools Week set for January 26 - February 1, 2020
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January 22, 2020The Diocese of Pittsburgh will celebrate Catholic Schools Week from Jan.26-Feb.1, with many activities highlighting the national theme, “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
In his letter for Catholic Schools Week, Bishop David Zubik writes, “As we mark Catholic Schools Week, our continuing vision is for families to have access to Catholic schools that are academically excellent and financially sustainable in a Catholic culture rooted in faith. Through our regionalization process, we can embrace present challenges as an opportunity for change and renewal. We look to current and upcoming leadership to provide the bold, creative and energetic direction that will sustain the mission of Catholic education for generations to come.”
As he highlighted ways in which Catholic schools in the diocese are being strengthened through regional governance, the bishop wrote, “Most important is our commitment to instilling in our students Catholic values and a love of our Catholic faith. Through the faith-filled efforts of our dedicated Catholic school communities, we create a spiritually nurturing, academically strong environment that exemplifies the love of Christ each and every day. (Click here for the complete text of the Bishop’s letter).
Michelle Peduto, Director for Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, wrote that Catholic education goes beyond academics to cultivate faith and service.
“Our Catholic schools are exceptional in their ability to provide academic environments that prepare students to achieve excellence in any endeavor. Our administrators and educators work diligently to meet the fast-paced challenges of educating students for an ever-changing world, never sacrificing the intellectual tradition of Catholic education,” she wrote.
“This academic excellence is partnered with an extraordinary commitment to service. Our schools provide continuous opportunities for service at all grade levels. This is so woven into the fabric of Catholic education that many students go above and beyond, finding further opportunities to serve in their community and the wider world. Service is more than what they do; it becomes part of who they are.” ( Click here for the complete text of her letter).
National Catholic Schools Week is the annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. It starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2020 is January 26 - February 1. Schools typically observe National Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open house and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. Through these events, schools focus on the value Catholic education provides to young people and its contributions to our church, our communities and our nation.
Pennsylvania ranks among the top ten states in Catholic school enrollment with approximately 404 schools serving around 111,550 students (from the 2019 Official Catholic Directory as listed in the Pennsylvania Catholic Conference website). The Diocese of Pittsburgh, with approximately 15,000 students in 72 schools, is one of the largest systems in the commonwealth. All the diocesan schools are accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and the diocese was one of the first in the country to have all its schools accredited.
The annual Catholic Schools Week celebration is a joint project of the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This year marks the 46th anniversary of the week, established in 1974 to recognize Catholic education as a great gift to the Church and the nation. Catholic schools in this country date to 1808, when St. Elizabeth Ann Seton opened her first school in Baltimore.
More details about the national events are available on line at www.ncea.org.
During the week, schools will celebrate with special Masses, community service projects, academic and artistic showcase, and athletic and family events. Many schools will hold open houses and registration so that community members can learn more about the value of Catholic education.
Many schools hold “dress up” or “dress down” days, in various forms. These frequently require a fee that benefits the school or a charitable organization, such as the Chimbote Mission in Peru, Catholic Charities, or a food bank.
In Pittsburgh, Northside Catholic Assumption Academy on Monday sponsors a whole school field trip to the Science Center. Tuesday is Parent Appreciation Day. Wednesday’s highlight is Teacher Appreciation and the CLO presents "Pioneers of Flight." Thursday features a Mad Science presentation, while Friday includes Mass and whole school Bingo. Throughout the week the students are working on various service projects - the Little Sisters of the Poor are the usual recipients.
Seton LaSalle High School, in the Mt. Lebanon suburb of Pittsburgh, has the following activities planned:
Monday - CSW Mass
Tuesday - Junior Achievement presentations at St. Bernard Elementary School
Wednesday - Junior Achievement presentations at St. Louise DeMarillac Elementary School, Evening Talent Show (Time TBD)
Thursday - School Day Talent Show (Time TBD)
Friday - Junior Achievement presentations at St. Thomas More Elementary School
In southern Allegheny County, St. Therese of Lisieux, Munhall, has the following schedule: Monday, January 27, students participate in a variety of service activities in the classrooms. Saint Anthony School Programs students present “Fine Dining” during lunch periods, and in the evening is Open House, 6-7:30PM. On Tuesday, Serra Catholic High School students will visit Saint Therese to lead the Junior Achievement Program. Wednesday features “Minute to Win It” activities for every floor. Thursday’s highlight is an Assembly, “Chem-Mystery Files” by the Carnegie Science Center at 9:00AM in the gym for all students Kindergarten-8 th Grade. The week concludes on Friday with morning Mass, an Afternoon Ice Cream Social and Class of 2020 Student Athlete Recognition, at 7:15PM
Mary of Nazareth Catholic School, White Oak, has planned:
Sunday – Mass
Monday - Students will collect shoes to redistribute throughout the Funds2Orgs network of micro-enterprise partners. Funds2Orgs helps micro-entrepreneurs create, maintain and grow small businesses in developing countries where economic opportunity and jobs are limited.
Tuesday - Dr. Sparks Science Assembly with Dr. Sparks, PhD
Wednesday - The Good Samaritan by Alabaster Performing Arts, a scripture-based tale of compassion and faith in action, will be performed for grades K-8.
Thursday - Open House for the public and our annual Science Fair
Friday - Scene 75 Entertainment Center in Edgewood
West of the City, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart High School, Coraopolis, includes an array of service and fun activities: Monday - Student Appreciation Day - Students will dress down and watch a movie; Tuesday - Community Appreciation Day - the whole school will collect items to donate to the Yellow Ribbon Girls and will pack boxes and make cards for the troops ( https://www.yellowribbongirls.com/) Wednesday - Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day - faculty and staff will dress down and receive thank you gifts from Student Government; Thursday - Faith Appreciation Day - the entire school community will celebrate Mass together; alumni priests were invited to celebrate Mass, as well; Friday - OLSH Appreciation Day - students will dress in spirit wear and participate in the annual Academic Challenge (academic quiz competition between the classes).
Bishop Canevin High School, in Pittsburgh’s Westwood neighborhood:
The Bishop Canevin Showcase scheduled from 6-9pm on Wednesday February 5th provides the chance for families to explore Bishop Canevin's innovative campus. More than an open house, the showcase provides the opportunity to participate in hands on activities, view demonstrations, and experience the active learning that has become a hallmark of the school’s academic programs.
During this academic year, Bishop Canevin opened two model classrooms. With flexible seating, Aquos Board technology, and newly acquired opportunities to collaborate, these spaces will ultimately become the standard at Bishop Canevin.
Reinforcing Bishop Canevin's STEM offerings, the Nick Sinagra Innovation Center debuted in 2019 and is home to the Engineering, Robotics, 3D Concepts, and Animation classes. There are courses, activities, and clubs in robotics and engineering. A wide variety of hands-on opportunities leverage 3D printing, field trips, and guest speakers in the STEM fields who enhance classroom learning. The availability of a state-of-the-art lab enhances learning for current and future students, leaving them well prepared for whatever path they choose in our technology-centric world.
North of the city,Holy Cross Academy in Ross will hold an open house on Sunday, January 26, 11 am-1 pm. On Monday, the Civic Light Opera visits at 1:30. Tuesday is Junior Achievement day, while Wednesday is a service day and a faculty vs. 8 th grade volleyball game. On Thursday, the school holds a picnic and in the evening, a state of the school parent meeting 6:30-7:30 p.m. The week wraps up on Friday with an all-school Mass, a teacher appreciation day and a Seed assembly.
In Beaver County , St. Monica Catholic Academy has planned:
An opening liturgy on Sunday at 10:45 a.m. and presentation of the Distinguished Graduate Award. A spelling bee on Monday is followed by fundraisers for the Chimbote Mission on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Pittsburgh CLO presents “Pioneers of Flight” on Thursday, and Friday begins with First Friday Mass, followed by principal’s awards, recognition of academics and extracurricular activities, and a religion bee. Friday is also Teacher Appreciation Day.
In Butler County, Butler Catholic Elementary School plans:
Saturday and Sunday, January 25-26, all students are invited to participate in parish liturgies, at these churches: St. Andrew – Sunday 11a.m., St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen – Saturday 5 p.m., Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; St. Michael the Archangel – Saturday 4 p.m.; St. Paul – Saturday 6 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.; St. Peter – Sunday 11 a.m. On Monday, the school celebrates a liturgy with Bishop Zubik at 1:00 p.m. Thursday is Junior Achievement Day, and Friday features a talent show.
In Washington County, St. Patrick School, Canonsburg has the following schedule:- Sunday, January 26: Opening Mass 10:30 a.m. with school choir, followed by pancake breakfast and open house
- Monday: STREAM activities all grades. "Learn from the animals" Furry creatures & reptiles visit school. "On hands" lessons about habitat, species, extinction of creatures and effect of climate on them. Scout Day: Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts may wear uniforms to school. Dedication of new American and Saint Patrick School flag
- Tuesday: Book-A-Thon
Character Day: dress as your favorite biblical person- Wednesday: School Mass: 9 a.m. Principal Deacon Lee will baptize one of the kindergarten children during school Mass
Special Persons Day; children bring someone special in their lives to school for lunch and an activity- Thursday: Patriotic Day (dress in red-white-blue clothing)
Speakers from the City Mission in Washington and the Chimbote Mission in Peru.- Friday: Mismatch dress day
