Following is a sampling of National Catholic Schools Week activities in Nelson County elementary and secondary schools.

St. Joseph Elementary Volleyball/Pajama Party

On Wednesday, February 1 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., students in grades 3-5 at St. Joseph Elementary (320 West Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown) will enjoy the afternoon roller-skating while students in grades K-2 enjoy listening to storyteller, Mary Hamilton. On Friday, February 3 from 1:30 to 2:30, St. Joseph Elementary will hold one of the biggest rivalries of the year: the annual 8th grade-staff volleyball game. 8th graders will paint their faces and dress in unique ways for the game.

CONTACT: Nancy Ballard, 502/348-5994

Bethlehem High School Holds Catholic School Challenge with St. Joseph

Sixth- through eighth-graders at St. Joseph Elementary School and faculty will challenge 9th-11th-graders and faculty at Bethlehem High School (309 Stephen Foster Avenue, Bardstown) in a series of games on Wednesday, February 1 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. The “challenges” include dodge ball, Catholic trivia, suitcase race, hoola hoops and others. This event will take place at Bethlehem High School.

Throughout Catholic Schools Week, the campus ministry club at Bethlehem will hold a school-wide food collection for St. Vincent dePaul.

CONTACT: Cathy Clements, 502/348-8594

St. Gregory School Has Student Appreciation Day and Band Concert

On Wednesday, February 1, students at St. Gregory School (350 Samuels Loop, Cox’s Creek) will have a “free dress day” and get to watch a movie at 1:00 p.m. On Thursday, February 2, students in grades 4-8 grades will be treated to a band concert from 1-3 p.m. The band, “At All Costs,” is composed of students from Bethlehem High School.

CONTACT: Paula Cecil, 502/348-9583

St. Catherine School Holds Crazy Clothes Day and Talent Show

Students at St. Catherine School (413 First Street, New Haven) will get to wear crazy clothes and participate in a talent show on Friday, February 3 at 1:00 p.m.

CONTACT: Jo Renee O’Bryan, 502/549-3680

St. Francis of Assisi Holds Middle School “Summit for Peace”

Students from St. Ann School (7500 Howardstown Road, Howardstown) will be attending this summit.
CONTACT: Lois Cecil, principal, at 502/549-7310.

On Friday, February 3 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m., middle school students from schools throughout the Archdiocese will gather at St. Francis of Assisi (1938 Alfresco Place, Louisville) to hear stories of wisdom and insight from local and international adult peacemakers. Speakers include Ernie Marx, a Holocaust survivor; Hagit Ra’anan, an Israeli peacemaker and international speaker who is at the center of a program that encourages Israeli and Palestinian students to bridge their differences with understanding and compassion; and Archbishop Thomas C. Kelly, O.P. These stories and the courage of the storytellers will serve as potent motivation for further discussion and action by students as they deal with daily conflicts, including bullying and ostracism, encountered by middle school students. Participants will be invited to a follow up forum that will take these messages and help student peacemakers apply them to situations at their schools. More than 200 students are expected to attend the summit on February 3, including students from local Jewish day schools. This event is being sponsored by St. Francis of Assisi, the archdiocesan offices of Lifelong Formation and Education and Ecumenical Affairs, and the Cathedral Heritage Foundation.

CONTACT: Paula Watkins, 502/459-3088