January 24, 2019– More than 19,000 students and 1,500 faculty and staff at 49 Catholic elementary and secondary schools will celebrate National Catholic Schools Week from January 27-February 2, 2019. The theme for this year’s Catholic Schools Week is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
Festivities for the week include the annual liturgy at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, January 29, at Saint Albert the Great Parish, 1395 Girard Drive, Louisville. Student and faculty representatives from Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Louisville will attend this liturgy, which will be celebrated by the Most Reverend Joseph E. Kurtz, D.D., Archbishop of Louisville.
At the Mass, awards will be presented, including the Distinguished Catholic School Leader (Dr. Rob Mullen, Trinity High School); Fr. Joseph McGee Award for Outstanding Catholic Educator (Anne Bahr, Saint Martha School); Irene Casey Catholic Inclusion Award (Caroline Robinson, Saint Leonard School); and Outstanding School Volunteer (John Amback, Ascension School). The Catholic Education Foundation also presents the Father Joseph McGee award each year at the Salute to Catholic School Alumni dinner on Wednesday, March 27, 2019.
In addition to these awards, the Catholic Education Foundation will present its poster and essay-writing contest awards to elementary students for winning posters and a high school student for a winning essay. The poster and essay contests invite students to celebrate Catholic schools and the ways in which Catholic schools inspire students to learn, serve, lead, and succeed.
The 49 Catholic elementary and secondary schools reside in seven counties of the Archdiocese of Louisville.
The following is a sampling of activities at individual schools during Catholic Schools Week:
Saint Edward School, 9610 Sue Helen Drive, Louisville, KY 40299
Knights of Columbus Volunteer Service Day: On Thursday, January 31, the Knights of Columbus are visiting Saint Edward School to attend morning Mass with students (8:00 a.m.), volunteer in the school, and read in classrooms. They are coordinating activities at the school that emphasize the Catholic Schools Week theme of Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.
Brave Buddies Bingo Game: On Friday, February 1, students will partner with their “Brave Buddies” for a chance to win the schoolwide bingo game at 10:00 a.m. The school will award prizes, and students will have the opportunity to work collaboratively with their Brave Buddies for some fun and friendly competition. Bingo boards will feature Catholic symbols, school logos, and unique Saint Edward items. Every student has a Brave Buddy assigned to them for the entire year; Saint Edward established this partnership to build relationships among students of all grades and strengthen the family feel of our school community!
Contact: Kary Stivers, 502-267-1510 or Karen Loper, 502-267-6633
Holy Trinity School, 423 Cherrywood Road, Louisville, KY 40207
Learn, Serve, Lead, and Succeed: Students explore this theme through following activities:
- Drop everything and read pajama day on Tuesday, January 29 at 8:15 a.m. (Learn). (Please note that the drop everything and read pajama party on Tuesday is a surprise for students.)
- Collection for Saint Nicholas School on Wednesday, January 30 (Serve).
- Joint meeting with Saint Nicholas School’s student council on Tuesday, January 29 at 11:15 a.m. at DiOrios restaurant (310 Wallace Avenue) in St. Matthews (Lead).
- Celebration of the school’s teacher and volunteer of the year awards at morning Mass on Wednesday, January 30 at 8:15 a.m. (Succeed)
8th Grade versus Faculty Volleyball Game: On Wednesday, January 30 at 1:00 p.m., the 8th grade students will play the faculty in their annual volleyball match. Teachers hope to continue their winning streak and defend their title.
Contact: Ashley Davenport, 502-565-9127
Saint James School, 401 Robinbrooke Drive, Elizabethtown, KY 42701
Business Community Breakfast: On Monday, January 28, 8:00 a.m., Saint James School will host 120 business people from the city of Elizabethtown for a breakfast that highlights the accomplishments of the school and its alumni, as well as the value of Catholic education. Saint James has served the Hardin County community for 148 consecutive years.
Military Care Packages: On Wednesday, January 30, from 1:50 to 2:30 p.m., the middle school students will spend time packing boxes of military care packages that feature items collected by the entire school body. The packages will be mailed to family members of the school community that are deployed and will be provided to a troop in Afghanistan.
Contact: Jennifer Moran, 270-765-7011
Sacred Heart Model School, 3107 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206
Pajama Day: On Monday, January 28, students and teachers may come to school in pajamas, slippers, and robes.
Color Day: On Tuesday, January 29, students and teachers will wear a specific colored shirt and jeans for each grade. Mass will take place at 8:00 a.m., and lunch will be provided for teachers and staff by the Sacred Heart Schools Leadership Team.
Crazy Mismatch Clothing Day: On Wednesday, January 30, students and teachers may wear crazy, mismatched clothing and accessories. Students will bring blankets to school to donate to Catholic Charities.
Crazy Sock Day: On Thursday, January 31, students and teacher may wear crazy and colorful socks, and students will make placements with positive messages and illustrations during Religion class. The school will donate the placemats to hospitals for patients. The school also will hold an open house for parents from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Spirit Day: On Friday, February 1, students and teachers may wear Sacred Heart Model School spirit wear, and will write and deliver thank you notes to the Ursuline Sisters. The faculty versus 8th grade volleyball game will be held at 2:00 p.m.
Contact: Laura Grinstead, 502-896-6033
Sacred Heart Preschool, 3105 Lexington Road, Louisville, KY 40206
Mitten Tree Collection: On Monday, January 28, students will bring a pair of mittens, a hat, or a scarf for the school’s mitten tree.
Crazy Hair and Team Spirit Day: On Tuesday, January 29, the school will have a crazy hair and team spirit day for students.
Valentines for Vets: On Wednesday, January 30, students will create valentines for veterans.
Card Shower for Sisters: On Thursday, January 31, students will bring a handmade card to share with the Ursuline Sisters.
Pajama Day: On Friday, February 1, the school will allow students to wear pajamas to school.
Contact: Laura Grinstead, 502-896-6033
