National Catholic Schools Week is coming up, and the St. Michael School already has a plethora of activities planned to entertain and educate both students and parents.
The week, Jan. 27-Feb. 2, was chosen by the National Catholic Educational Association, who chose the theme "Catholic Schools Raise the Standards."
The St. Michael School is also incorporating their own theme into the equation, "Faith to Move Mountains."
"Schools typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners and the community at large," the association said. "The 2013 theme supports the recent launch of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, that ensure the effective operation and responsible governance Catholic schools across the country, thus promoting high academic standards and Catholic identity."
The week will start with a welcoming Mass and open house.
"We'll have a Mass and an open house on Sunday, Jan. 27," said school principal Mary Martin. "The open house will be from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. and tours will be available that highlight our educational program at St. Michael's, including classroom presentations and exhibitions of student work. We would like our enrollment to go up and hopefully people who are interested will come to our open house."
Every week day will have a classroom focus and a prayer intention.
The student activities begin on Monday, Jan. 28 with the classroom focus being "Discerning God's Will for Your Life" and the prayer intention is "Celebrating Your Hopes and Dreams."
"On Monday the kids are wearing school colors and we're having a balloon launch at 2 p.m. to celebrate their hopes and dreams," Martin said.
The students will write their hopes and dreams on little notes to attach to the balloons.
"Tuesday's classroom focus is 'Stewardship of God's Gift' and the prayer is for physical health," Martin said. "Twelve students are participating in a Mass at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral in Cincinnati on Tuesday, and we're having a talent show where kids can highlight their talents that are different than their academic talents."
The 12 students selected are in various grade levels but were chosen based on honor rolls and previous Students of the Month.
Teacher Appreciation Day is Wednesday, Jan. 30. The classroom focus will be "Academic Strategies for Success" and the prayer intention will be for St. Michael teachers past and present.
The PTO will also be sponsoring lunch for the teachers.
Thursday's classroom focus is "Catholic Mathematicians Past and Present" and the prayer intention is for Catholic School students, since it is Student Appreciation Day.
"Thursday is the 100th day of school, and that will be a happening day around here because it's Student Appreciation Day," Martin said. "There's a lot of fun activities for them. The kids will do different projects in their classes, it's Team Spirit Dress Day, and students get to have popcorn and a movie in their classes."
The school is having their own Mass in the morning on Friday, Feb. 1, in which they will celebrate community. The day's classroom focus will be "justice" and the prayer intention is for the village of Ripley and Brown County.
Keep in mind, if you are unable to attend Sunday's Open House, you can call the office anytime at (937) 392-4202 to schedule a tour or arrange for your child to shadow a student.
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