Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, along with Catholic schools throughout the nation, will celebrate Catholic Schools Week, January 30 through February 5, 2005. 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-centered education. This year's national theme is "Faith in Every Student: Catholic Schools." Catholic schools are proud of the intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical and social values that are emphasized in their schools.

In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia there are:
" 202 Parish Elementary schools
" 21 Archdiocese High Schools
" 5 Special Education Schools
" Parish elementary school enrollment is 69,225
" High school enrollment is 21,981
" Special Education enrollment is 327

News for the Spring: The 102nd National Catholic Educational Association Convention will be held in Philadelphia, March 29 through April 1, 2005. The NCEA is the largest private, professional education association in the world. Its membership represents more than 200,000 educators serving 7.6 million students at all levels of Catholic education. More than 14,000 delegates and exhibitors are expected to attend.

Celebrating Good News: During Catholic Schools Week, student, parents and teachers throughout the five-county Archdiocese will celebrate with a variety of special religious, social and recreational activities. Following is a list of some of the activities planned.

Sunday, January 30, 2005
Visitation B.V.M. School, 300 E. Lehigh Avenue, Philadelphia
9:00 a.m. - Catholic Schools Week Mass followed by a pancake breakfast and Talent Show

Saint Patrick School, 210 Meredith Street, Kennett Square, PA (Chester Co.)
9:00 a.m. - Catholic Schools Week Mass followed by a Band Concert and Open House

Presentation B.V.M. School, 230 Haverford Road, Wynnewood, PA (Montgomery Co.)
9:45 a.m. - Opening Catholic Schools Week Liturgy with school choir and handbell chimes, followed by continental breakfast and tour of school.

Saint Monica School, 1720 Ritner Street, Philadelphia
10:00 a.m. - Catholic Schools Week Opening Mass - teachers walk in the Entrance Procession. Open House and refreshments follow.

Saint Alphonsus School, 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA (Montgomery Co.)
10:15 a.m. - Opening Catholic Schools Week Mass followed by social with coffee and donuts.

Saint Dorothy School, 1225 Burmont Road, Drexel Hill, PA (Delaware Co.)
10:30 a.m. - Catholic Schools Week Mass followed by a 12:00 p.m. Open House with 7th grade performing scenes from Shakespeare's Macbeth.

Monday, January 31, 2005

Saint Anne School, Cedar and Tucker Streets, Philadelphia
'Sports Day' - students come to school dressed in their favorite sport attire

Saints Philip and James School, 721 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton, PA (Chester Co.)
'Puttin on the Hits' lip sync contest

Saint Monica School, 601 First Avenue, Berwyn, PA (Chester Co.)
9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. - Franklin Institute Assembly on Life in Space

Saint Aloysius School, 3rd and Hanover Streets, Pottstown, PA (Montgomery Co.)
1:30 p.m. - Assembly with the Phillies Phanatic and an armed forces representative speaking about the importance of mail for soldiers. Also a flag ceremony.

Saint Monica School, 1720 Ritner Street, Philadelphia
7:00 p.m. - Talent Show 'Celebrating Music through the Decades' sponsored by the Home and School Assoc.

Tuesday, February 1, 2005

Saint George School, 2700 E. Venango Street, Philadelphia
'Pajama Day' - students wear PJ's for today! Also science fair in the lunchroom and this afternoon, forget the American Idol - check out Saint George's Talent Show this afternoon in the Church Hall.

Saint Francis de Sales School, 39 New Road, Aston, PA (Delaware Co.)
7:00 a.m. - Parent Donut Breakfast. During the day students will work on care packages for soldiers in Iraq.

Mary, Mother of the Redeemer School, 1321 Upper State Road, North Wales, PA (Montgomery Co.)
9:00 - 11:00 a.m. - An 'Earth Dome' will be set up in the multi purpose center to educate about caring for the earth God has given us. Grades 5 - 8)

Holy Cross School, 144 East Mount Airy Avenue, Philadelphia
11:00 a.m. - School-wide Assembly - 'The NED Show' (Never give up; Encourage others; Do your best)

Holy Trinity School, Osborne and Stockham Avenues, Morrisville, PA (Bucks Co.)
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. - Students will hold a 'Parade of States' and an all-day Penny Walk for Tsunami victims will be held

Wednesday, February 2, 2005

Saint Anastasia School, 3309 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA (Delaware Co.)
9:30 a.m. - Laser Light Show in the gymnasium

Saint John the Baptist School, 4040 Durham Road, Ottsville, PA (Bucks Co.)
In the morning a Winter Band Concert and in the afternoon relay races, shoot-out and pep rally for all.

Our Lady of Peace School, 200 Milmont Avenue, Milmont Park, PA (Delaware Co.)
10:30 a.m. - an 'Academic Bowl' will be held in the gym and at 7:00 p.m. an 'Internet Safety Program' will be held for the parents

Saint Genevieve School, 1237 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA (Montgomery Co.)
12:45 p.m. - "Rock USA" video presentation to celebrate our nation.

Queen of the Universe School of Special Education, 2479 Trenton Rd., Levittown, PA (Bucks Co.)
1:00 p.m. - Student 'Talent Show' - encouraging students to have faith in themselves

Saint Albert the Great School, 214 Welsh Road, Huntingdon Valley, PA (Montgomery Co.)
1:00 p.m. - Baskets for Breath - an afternoon of activities to help raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Saint Bartholomew School, Jackson and Sanger Streets, Philadelphia
1:30 p.m. - Pajama Day Bingo - older student buddy with younger grades for bingo fun.

Saint Mary Magdalen School, 2430 N. Providence Road, Media, PA (Delaware Co.)
Students will write letters and make cards for soldiers

Thursday, February 3, 2005

Lansdale Catholic High School, 700 Lansdale Avenue, Lansdale, PA (Montgomery Co.)
'The Main Event' - Student Appreciation Day - Boys vs. Girls basketball game and Faculty vs. Faculty Volleyball game.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, 225 E. Ashland Street, Doylestown, PA (Bucks Co.)
12:00 - 3:00 p.m. - Students hold a 'Dance-A-Thon' to raise funds for relief of Tsunami victims

Saint Kevin School, 200 W. Sproul Road, Springfield, PA (Delaware Co.)
'Teacher Appreciation Day Lunch' at noon.

Saint Bede the Venerable School, 1053 Holland Road, Holland, PA (Bucks Co.)
7:00 p.m. - Open House - Welcome and band performance. Parents visit the school and meet all the teachers.

Presentation B.V.M. School, Hasbrook Avenue and Old Soldiers Rd., Cheltenham, PA (Montgomery Co.)
7:00 p.m. - Volunteer Appreciation Day - Wine and Cheese - a thank you to the many volunteers - cards made by students.


Friday, February 4, 2005

Saint Cyprian School, 6225 Cedar Avenue, Philadelphia
9:00 a.m. - Students perform in Talent Show

Saint Joseph School, 340 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, PA (Chester Co.)
'Souper Bowl Friday' - All day - for the price of a can of soup, all students may wear the jersey of their favorite Super Bowl Team.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe School, 300 Daly Drive, West Chester, PA (Chester Co.)
10:30 a.m. - Eighth grade students will participate in the second annual Culinary Competition - special treats and many surprises!

Our Lady Help of Christians School, 2420 E. Allegheny Avenue, Philadelphia
12:00 noon - Luncheon to honor all teachers of the 5 Catholic Schools in Port Richmond

Saturday, February 5, 2005

Nativity B.V.M. School, Franklin and Gayley Streets, Media, PA (Delaware Co.)
5:00 p.m. - Alumni Mass in the Church, followed by an Alumni Reunion in the school

Saint Alphonsus School, 29 Conwell Drive, Maple Glen, PA (Montgomery Co.)
6:15 p.m. - Family Bingo Night

Saint Hubert High School for Girls, 7320 Torresdale Avenue, Philadelphia
7:00 p.m. - 6th Annual Student Talent Show