January 28, 2011
CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK
PHILADELPHIA (January 28, 2011) - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia will join in the national observation of Catholic Schools Week from January 30 to February 5, 2011. Catholic Schools Week is an annual celebration of the values-centered, faith-driven education that students receive in Catholic elementary, secondary and special education schools. The national theme for Catholic Schools Week 2011 is "Catholic Schools: A+ for America."
"This year's theme for Catholic Schools Week acknowledges that Catholic Education has been a driving force in our communities across America and an asset in serving our fellow neighbors," said Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, who oversees Catholic education on behalf of Cardinal Rigali. "During the week, thousands of students across the Archdiocese will bring the theme of 'A+ for America' to life by participating in service projects that demonstrate the intangible value of Catholic education and the full academic and spiritual development that it provides our youth."
On Monday, January 31 at 1 p.m., Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, and Superintendent of Schools Mary Rochford will join members of the Office of Catholic Education staff in a special Catholic Schools Week Kick-Off Event using Skype. Elementary students and secondary students from all over the Archdiocese will Skype into Archdiocesan headquarters at 222 North 17th Street and visually demonstrate how they are celebrating Catholic Schools Week at their school.
In the Archdiocese of Philadelphia there are:
- 167 parish and regional elementary schools
- 17 Archdiocesan high schools
- 4 schools of special education
- Parish elementary school enrollment is 51,585
- High school enrollment is 16,987
- Schools of Special Education enrollment is 220
Hallmark Events for Catholic Schools Week
Sunday, January 30, 2011 at 12:00 p.m.
St. Charles Borromeo Parish School - 1704 Bristol Pike, Bensalem, Bucks County
Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will celebrate Mass celebrating the 90th anniversary of the school. Superintendent of Schools, Mary Rochford, will also be in attendance.
Monday, January 31, 2011 at 1:00 p.m.
Archdiocesan Office Center - 6th Floor Conference Room, 222 North Seventh Street, Philadelphia (215-587-3747)
Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, Superintendent of Schools Mary Rochford and Office of Catholic Education administrators will participate in a live Skype event with parish schools and elementary schools from each county. Each school will visually highlight what they're doing to celebrate Catholic Schools Week with a focus on the theme of service.
Wednesday, February 2, 2010 at 8:00 a.m.
Archbishop Ryan Catholic High School - 11201 Academy Road, Philadelphia (215-637-1800)
Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will be celebrant and homilist at the school's Catholic Schools Week Mass.
Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 1:30 p.m.
Bishop McDevitt High School - 125 Royal Ave., Wyncote, Montgomery County (215-887-5575)
Most Reverend Michael J. Fitzgerald, Auxiliary Bishop of Philadelphia, will be the celebrant and homilist for their sixth annual Papal Colloquium. This year's theme is, "The Catholic Vision of J. R. R. Tolkien."
Throughout Catholic Schools Week, students, parents and teachers across 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, 2011
Blessed Teresa of Calcutta - 256 Swamp Pike, Schwenksville, Montgomery County (610-287-2500)
10:30 a.m. - During Mass, the school will present Pastor Father Paul Brandt a Lego model of the new church that is currently being built. Each classroom was assigned a portion of the church to build, and the replica required more than 1,000 Legos to build.
Monday, January 31, 2011
St. Ignatius of Antioch School - 999 Reading Avenue, Yardley, Bucks County (215-493-3867)
9:00 a.m. -Students will participate in a service project for a local shelter. Each homeroom will fill two large birthday cake boxes with everything needed for residents of the shelter to celebrate a birthday party. Items include cake mix, candles, sprinkles, plates, cups, and party favors.
Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School - 835 North Hills Ave., Ardsley, Montgomery County (215-886-4782)
9:30 a.m. - Good Shepherd students will assemble breakfast bags for Aid for Friends, who serves the shut-in elderly population across the Philadelphia region. During the week, each grade will be asked to bring in a specific item for the breakfast bags. The students will then decorate the bags and fill them with donated items.
St. John the Baptist Parish School - 4050 Durham Rd., Ottsville, Bucks County (610-847-5523)
1:30 p.m. - Throughout the school year, seventh and eighth grade students have gathered donated materials from individuals and from companies to create dresses for young girls in African nations. On Monday, the students have arranged to borrow sewing machines to begin making the new dresses for the girls.
Holy Innocents Area Catholic Elementary School - 1312 E. Bristol St., Philadelphia (215-743-5909)
1:30 p.m. - All upper grade students have created questions for a "Jeopardy!" game to play in the afternoon. Fifth and sixth grade students will compete against each other, and seventh and eighth grade students will compete against each other. In addition, lower grade students have researched and written letters to American Catholics who were educated in Catholic schools. In the afternoon, these students will present their findings to their classmates.
St. Bernadette Parish School - 1015 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill, Delaware County (610-449-6126)
10:30 a.m. - Students will make special presentations and give thanks to local police and firefighters in the community.
Mary, Mother of the Redeemer - 1321 Upper State Rd., North Wales, Montgomery County (215-412-7101)
9:00 a.m. - Nine veterans from wars in Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan will visit students in each grade to discuss their service in the military. Students will also create care packages to send to veteran facilities in Philadelphia and Washington D.C.
Mother of Divine Providence School - 405 Allendale Rd., King of Prussia, Montgomery County (610-265-2323)
1:30 p.m. - Student council is sponsoring Mother of Divine Providence School's first ever Career Day with 16 guest speakers. Students have selected from a variety of career presentations, and they will attend the sessions of highest interest to them. Professions represented include: Attorney, State Trooper, French Professor, Pediatrician, Mechanical Engineer, Financial Advisor, President of a Non-Profit Agency, Chemist, Fire Fighter, Nurse, Physical Therapist, Police Officer, Sales/Marketing and Commercial Lender.
St. Hubert High School - 7320 Torresdale Ave., Philadelphia (215-624-6840)
During the week, the students will collect items unique to Philadelphia to be shipped to the troops in Afghanistan. The packages will be shipped at the end of the week and will include sports memorabilia, newspapers, magazines and Tastykakes.
St. David School - 401 N. Easton Road, Willow Grove, Montgomery County (215-659-6393)
10:00 a.m. - All students will attend an assembly with a retired veteran, who will speak about his time in the military. Following the assembly, students will assemble care packages for veterans and make cards for active service members.
St. George School - 2700 E. Venango St., Philadelphia (215-634-8803)
Students will recognize local community members and businesses that assist the school and the neighborhood. Classes will also take part in "Valentines for Vets" to honor local heroes with handwritten Valentine's Day cards.
Our Mother of Consolation Parish School - 17 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Philadelphia, Philadelphia North (215-247-1060)
12:00 p.m. - All students are permitted to wear brightly colored socks in exchange for bringing a new pair to donate. Each grade will also help make breakfast bags for the less fortunate.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Assumption B.V.M. Parish School - 290 State Road, West Grove, Chester County (610-869-9576)
12:30 p.m. All students will attend the Prismatic Science Spectacular Assembly. The show uses laser animation to teach students about science. In addition, throughout the day, each grade will participate in a color war, demonstrating which grade has the most spirit. Eighth grade students will enjoy trading places with a school faculty member for the morning.
Conshohocken Catholic - 205 Fayette Street, Conshohocken, Montgomery County (610-828-2007)
Seventh and eighth grade students will participate in the school's fourth annual cook-off. This year's Catholic Schools Week theme, "A+ America," will be woven through the cook-off with cooking ideas for tailgating, picnics, 4th of July, New Year's Eve, etc. Teams are judged on taste, presentation and creativity. The "Luscious Ladle" award is an example of a prize.
St. Norbert Parish School - 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, Chester County (610-644-1670)
1:30 p.m. - Lt. Col. John Church will speak to students about his time serving in the military. This event will also mark the kickoff of the coin collection for the Wounded Warriors.
Notre Dame De Lourdes Parish School - 990 Fairview Road, Swarthmore, Delaware County (610-328-9330)
Students will collect school supplies to aid a school in Paulsboro, N.J. that is facing economic difficulties. The students will also make cards and patriotic Valentines for the soldiers that pass through the USO located at Philadelphia International Airport.
St. Mark Parish School - 1024 Radcliffe St., Bristol, Bucks County (215-785-0973)
12:30 p.m. - Students will celebrate Student Appreciation Day by making ice cream sundaes with local police and firefighters. The students will also present representatives from the local police and fire departments with a check for money we raised during the school's "Coins for Compassion Campaign."
Visitation B.V.M - 190 North Trooper Rd., Norristown, Montgomery County (610-539-6080)
10:00 a.m. - Grandparents will celebrate with their grandchildren during a specially prepared brunch in their honor. After brunch, grandparents are welcome to the classrooms to see art and other work that their grandchildren have done this year so far.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Good Shepherd Catholic Regional School - 835 North Hills Ave., Ardsley, Montgomery County (215-886-4782)
Students will use Skype to chat with another Good Shepherd School in the country.
St. Francis de Sales - 39 New Road, Aston, Delaware County (610-459-0799)
1:00 p.m. - Members of the Aston Police Department with visit the school to do a presentation on their K9 unit. Following the presentation, students will present handmade thank you notes to the police officers. One of the officers attending the presentation is a graduate of St. Francis de Sales.
St. Bernadette - 1015 Turner Ave., Drexel Hill, Delaware County (610-449-6126)
9:30 a.m. - Students will make sandwiches and decorate lunch bags for the 63rd Street Life Center, a local homeless shelter in Drexel Hill.
Sacred Heart of Jesus - 1329 E. Moyamensing Ave., Philadelphia (215-462-4129)
Throughout the day, students will honor various branches of the Armed Forces. Upper grades will read a brief description of each branch over the loud speaker and all students will create thank you notes to give to service personnel or veterans at the VA Hospital.
St. Mary Catholic School - 40 Spring Mount Rd., Schwenksville, Montgomery County (610-287-7757)
1:30 p.m. - Students will enjoy an afternoon concert with the Rob Evans, the Donut Man. The Donut Man presents the Gospel in a way that introduces young children and their families to the basic elements of Christian faith.
Our Lady of Port Richmond - 3233 Thompson St., Philadelphia (215-739-1920)
1:15 p.m. - Eighth grade students will host a prom for the senior members of the Port Richmond community.
St. Monica Parish School - 601 First Ave, Berwyn, Chester County (610-644-8848)
Students will decorate lunch bags and stuff them with healthy snacks. Prior to Valentine's Day, students will deliver the snack bags to St. John's Church Soup Kitchen in Norristown.
Our Mother of Consolation Parish School - 17 E. Chestnut Hill Ave., Philadelphia (215-247-1060)
11:30 a.m. - The school will hold Grandparents' Day. Grandparents will visit classrooms and sit with the students during prayer service.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
St. Maria Goretti School - 2980 Cowpath Road, Hatfield, Montgomery County (215-721-9098)
2:10 p.m - Students in grade four through eight will participate in a literary coffee house. Students will read their favorite poems, stories and essays to family and friends.
Incarnation of Our Lord - 425 W. Lindley Road, Philadelphia (215-457-2779)
1:00 p.m. - All students will participate in the "Hearts for Haiti" Dance-A-Thon to raise money for earthquake victims.
St. Norbert Parish School - 6 Greenlawn Road, Paoli, Chester County (610-644-1670)
10:30 a.m. - Newly ordained priest Fr. Carl Braschoss, O.Praem will talk to students about his vocation and how he followed God's call to become a priest.
Our Lady of Port Richmond - 3233 Thompson St., Philadelphia (215-739-1920)
1:30 p.m. - All students will participate in a dance marathon, with proceeds benefiting St. Jude's Hospital for Children.
St. Anthony -St. Joseph Parish School - 260 Forest Ave., Ambler, Montgomery County (215-646-6150)
8:30 a.m. - Students will present bridges they created out of recycled material. The students will explain their design and construction process and all that they have learned about "building bridges" in life.
St. Joseph-St. Robert Parish School - 856 Euclid Ave, Warrington, Bucks County (215-343-5100)
9:00 a.m. - Students at St. Joseph/St. Robert School will enjoy a special assembly, titled "The Human Board Game." The "Human Board Game" uses multi-media trivia, which focuses on core curriculum subjects of History, Science, English, and Math. The excitement and class team spirit will begin at 9:00 am with grades Pre-K to fourth. At 10:15 am, class team building with the challenging game will continue with grades five through eight.
St. Teresa of Avila Parish School - 2550 S. Parkview Dr., Norristown, Montgomery County (610-666-6069)
Students will participate in an outreach project titled, "Walk in Their Shoes - A Journey of Hope." Students will collect gently used shoes of all sizes. A prayer service will be held at 1:00 p.m.
St. Michael the Archangel Parish School - 130 Levittown Parkway, Levittown, Bucks County
1:15 p.m. - Sixth grade students will participate in living paintings. Students researched an artist and a painting, and then painted the background of the work of art. During the display, one student will be the artist and will answer questions about the painting, the other students will dress as the people in the painting.
St. Philip Neri - 3015 Chestnut St., Lafayette Hill, Montgomery County
TBD - Students will meet in the gymnasium to assemble care packages for soldiers.
St. Joseph School - 340 Manor Ave., Downingtown, Chester County (610-269-8999)
9:00 a.m. - The school will hold their second annual Grandparents'/Grand Friends' Day. More than 250 grandparents and grand friends will visit classrooms and snack with the students.
St. George School - 2700 E. Venango St., Philadelphia (215-634-8803)
Students will celebrate "Catholic Faith Day" by choosing a Classroom Patron Saint based on the saints studied within their curriculum. Classroom doors will be decorated to honor the qualities, achievements and accomplishments of their chosen saint. Students will participate in a school wide scavenger hunt.
Friday, February 4, 2011
St. Basil the Great Parish School - 2330 Kimberton Road, Kimberton, Chester County (610-933-2453)
7:00 p.m. - Students and parents will attend a cultural evening at the school. Students will present various art projects completed during the year. Additionally, the school choir will perform, a student will do Irish dancing and two sisters will be performing ballet.
St. Mary Interparochial School - Fifth & Locust Streets, Philadelphia (215-923-7522)
1:30 p.m. - St. Mary alumni will visit the school to speak with seventh and eight grade students about their professions. Students will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about various careers.
Contact
Meredith Wilson
Communications Specialist
215-587-3747