Sharing Catholic Schools Week Plans

What is your school doing for Catholic Schools Week 2011? That’s the question Ann Oro wants you to answer on the Catholic Education Resources wiki. Ann, a New Jersey technology teacher and blogger, has created a special page on the wiki for schools to share their Catholic Schools Week events. I’ve added my school’s events, and I encourage you to add yours. It’s a great way to get ideas for the upcoming celebration from January 30 to February 5.

Here are some of the things we do at my school during this week-long celebration:

• Before the week begins, students create bookmarks with the Catholic Schools Week theme, and they write or draw thank-you letters to their parents for sending them to Catholic schools.
• At the weekend Masses, students participate by lectoring, serving and ushering; after Mass, student volunteers hand out bookmarks to parishioners.
• Our annual food drive is held during Catholic Schools Week to help replenish the food banks that have been depleted during the Christmas season.
• Each class decorates their classroom door in their assigned color for the spirit competition. Doors must include the Catholic Schools Week theme and the class saint. The color for my 8th grade class is blue, and our saint St. Damien of Molokai.
• At recess, students participate in games such as relay races and free throw contests.
• Students are given academic awards for their achievements of the first semester.
• On Thursday, a parent newsletter is sent which includes highlights from the thank-you letters students wrote to their parents.
• The week concludes with students wearing their class colors and celebrating in a spirit assembly.

How does your school celebrate? Visit the Catholic Education Resources wiki and share with the rest of us! And if you’re short on ideas, be sure to check out Jared’s new post at TheReligionTeacher.com, Catholic Schools Week 2011 Ideas and Activities. He’s collected a regular cornucopia of resources.