National Catholic Schools Week Activities in Jefferson County
Sr. Francis of Assisi Holds Middle School “Summit for Peace”
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) 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 who speaks all over the world about peace and 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. The students who attend will be invited to participate in a follow up forum that will take these messages and help student peacemakers apply them to real 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
St. Raphael School Receives 21st Century School of Distinction Award
On Sunday January 29, 2006, 12:30 p.m. St. Raphael School (2131 Lancashire Avenue) will be formally presented with the 21 Century School of Distinction Award. This award was presented by to just 20 schools out of 3,300 applicants by the U.S. Department of Education. St. Raphael was honored in the professional development category of the competition. Each winner receives a $10,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation as well as curriculum materials and professional development resources. Intel and Scholastic will present the award to principal Paul DeZarn. (Principal DeZarn is the winner of the archdiocesan 2006 Distinguished Elementary Principal Award.) The agenda will include remarks by former Congressman Ron Mazzoli, Congresswoman Anne Northup, and Metro Council members Tom Owen and Ellen Call. The award presentation will take place in the school gym. An open house from 1-2:30 p.m. at the school will follow the presentation.
On Wednesday, February 1 from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., St. Raphael will hold a religion fair with hands-on activities to help students and visitors develop a fuller understanding of their faith.
CONTACT: Keith Monahan, 502/456-1541, ext. 201
St. James Students Learn About Braille
At St. James School (1818 Edenside Avenue), students in grades 3-8 will learn about and participate in hands-on activities with a Braille kit from the Callahan Museum at the American Printing House for the Blind. These activities will take place throughout Catholic Schools Week, Monday, January 30-Friday, February 3.
CONTACT: Diane Kemper, 502/454-0330
DeSales Students Clean Up Their Community
On Monday, January 30, from 9 a.m. to noon, students from DeSales High School (425 Kenwood Drive) will clean up their section of the “Adopt A Highway” program that begins at 3rd Street at the Watterson Expressway and traveling back to DeSales. Tuesday, January 24 at 10:30 a.m. is the Feast Day Mass for St. Francis DeSales and the unofficial beginning of the Catholic Schools Week celebrations for this school. The class of 1971 will be honored at this liturgy.
CONTACT: Adam Zoeller, 502/368-6519
Assumption Students Help Victims of Hurricanes and Reflect on Values
During Catholic Schools Week from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. members of the National Honor Society at Assumption High School (2170 Tyler Lane) will sell bracelets they made out of duct tape. Proceeds from these sales will be sent to Mercy School in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, which was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. In addition, during morning announcements students will reflect upon the character, compassion, and values that they have gained from their Catholic education.
CONTACT: Gloria Thornburg, 502/454-8402, ext. 2602
Mother of Good Counsel Holds Holy Hour
Students at Mother of Good Counsel School (8509 Westport Road) will hold a holy hour of prayer at 10:00 a.m. In addition to the exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, a teacher and student will speak about Catholic School Week themes (character, compassion, values), and Catholic schools in the Archdiocese will be prayed for by name.
CONTACT: Liz Lueke, 502/425-2637
Holy Spirit Appreciates Grandparents
As part of its celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Holy Spirit School will hold a special prayer service to honor grandparents on Wednesday, February 1 (grades 5-8) at 9:15 a.m. and Thursday, February 2 (grades K-4) at 9:15 a.m.
CONTACT: Doris Swenson, 502/893-7700
St. Paul Students Wear Crazy Hair or Hats and Switch Places with Teachers
On Tuesday, January 31 students at St. Paul School (6901 Dixie Highway) can wear crazy hats and hair; the craziest will be chosen at an all school assembly at 1:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, February 1 students in grades 5-8 will have the opportunity to switch places with their teachers to teach a class. Students must prepare a lesson plan in advance and get it approved by their teachers. On Friday, February 4, students will participate in 3 on 3 basketball competition from 10:00 to 1:00, and the annual faculty versus 8th grade volleyball game at 1:00 p.m.
CONTACT: Kevin Brever, 502/935-5511
St. Rita Welcomes Miss Kentucky 2006
St. Rita School (8709 Preston Highway) will welcome Kerri Mitchell, Miss Kentucky 2006, to speak to 6-8h graders about how character, compassion, and values will prepare them for the future. This presentation will be held on Friday, February 3 at 8:30 a.m. Miss Kentucky also will present a skit about the dangers of smoking. At the same time students in grades PK-5 will enjoy a juggling act that focuses on healthy lifestyles.
CONTACT: Mary Lee Lanning, 502/969-7067
St. Leonard Holds “Family” Day/Mike Glaser Gives Motivational Talk
St. Leonard School (440 Zorn Avenue) will hold a series of activities for their multi-grade “families” on Monday, January 30 from 1-2:45 p.m. These families consist of 1 or 2 students from each grade level. The purpose is to create community among the students and to encourage older students to serve as leaders and role models for younger students. On this day, students will travel round robin to four different areas of the school to take part in activities such as bingo, dance, cooperative games, etc. On Tuesday, January 31, for the all-school Mass, St. Leonard School alumni and St. Xavier Head Football Coach Mike Glaser will give a motivational speech to students.
The school spelling bee will be held on Thursday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m., and the talent show will be held on Friday, February 3 at 1:30 p.m.
CONTACT: Mary Singleton, 502/897-5265
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