Friday, January 28, 2011

Catholic Schools Week - Arch. of Washington

The Archdiocese of Washington sees me as an annoyance (and worse). Only once or twice have they responded to my queries. However, the usual response is: "We do not respond to anonymous emails."

For the first time, they sent me one of their press releases, which was a shock. However, since I am a strong supporter of Catholic education, I would be remiss not to publish it.

So here goes, and hopefully, when I write to you (Archdiocese) in the future, I will get more than just a "We don't respond to anon emails."

Also, if your school is not on the list, and you have an event, send it to me and I will post it.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:January 24, 2011
CONTACT: Brie Hall, 301-853-4512, bhall@adw.org

Week-Long Celebration of Catholic Schools
Events to showcase the quality of a Catholic school education

Dozens of events have been planned by schools throughout the Archdiocese of Washington to celebrate National Catholic Schools Week, January 30-February 5, 2011. This annual celebration highlights the contributions of Catholic schools through faith, service and academics.

Different events will be held every day, including service projects, spirit days, volunteer and teacher appreciation days and more.

Nearly all of the schools will hold Open Houses for prospective students, parents and the community. Open house dates and times are online at
www.adw.org/news/news.asp?ID=845&Year=2011 .

SUNDAY, JANUARY 30
Washington, DC - School Mass

Sacred Heart School, 1625 Park Road, NW WashingtonThe students will be lectors and the school choir will sing for the 10:00 a.m. and noon Masses.

Montgomery County - Multicultural Mass, 9:00 a.m.
St. Catherine Labouré School, 11811 Claridge Road, Wheaton, MDA multicultural choir will perform at the Mass. Students will sit together, wearing their uniforms. Thank you letters to parishioners from students will be inserted in the bulletins.

Prince George's County - Breakfast and Band, 9:30 a.m.
St. Mary of the Assumption School, 4610 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD The students will be servers, lectors and gift bearers at Mass. Afterwards, the Knights of Columbus will host a breakfast, and the school band will perform.

Calvert County - Student Mass
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MDStudents dressed in their school uniforms will be lectors and gift bearers at Mass.

Charles County - Book Fair and Bingo, 10:00 a.m.
St. Mary School, 13735 Notre Dame Place, Bryantown, MDStudent Ambassadors will serve at Mass, a book fair will follow Mass and community and family book bingo will be held from 1:30-3:00 p.m.

St. Mary's County - Community Service Project
Mother Catherine Spalding School, 38833 Chaptico Road, Helen, MDAll grades of students will be making decorations to give to those at the Veterans' Home, at Cedar Lane apartments and St. Mary's Nursing Home.

MONDAY, JANUARY 31
Washington, DC - Spelling and Math Bee, 8:30 a.m.

St. Augustine School, 1421 V Street, NW WashingtonStudents will test their knowledge in spelling and math bees starting at 8:30 a.m.

Montgomery County- Help for Homeless Mothers
St. Francis International School, 1500 St. Camillus Drive, Silver Spring, MDStudents will be collecting diapers and baby supplies for homeless mothers in the programs of Silver Spring Interfaith Housing Coalition.

Prince George's County - Pennies for Leukemia,
St. Ambrose School, 6310 Jason Street, Cheverly, MDThe students will present their collections for their "Pennies for Leukemia" project.

Calvert County - Proclamation and Souper Bowl
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD
County Commissioner Gerry Clark will read the Catholic Schools Week Proclamation. Afterwards, students will kick off their "Souper Bowl." The collected canned goods will go to local food banks.

Charles County - Stuff the Bus, 9:30 a.m.
St. Mary School, 13735 Notre Dame Place, Bryantown, MD
Students will fill the bug with blankets and coats to be delivered to the needy through the Children's Aid Society in Charles County and other area shelters. The bus will be parked at the school parking lot all week. Also today, students will sew lap blankets for residents of the Veterans' Home.

St. Mary's County - Thank You
St. Michael School, 16560 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MDAs part of their staff appreciation, students will thank the bus drivers.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1
Washington, DC - It's Academic, 8:30 a.m.
St. Anthony School, 12th and Lawrence Streets, NE Washington
Students will participate in rounds of academic questions.

Montgomery County - Colonial Day
Little Flower School, 5601 Massachusetts Avenue, Bethesda, MD
Students in grades 3-5 will participate in Colonial Day.

Prince George's County - Volunteer Thanks
St. John the Evangelist School, 8912 Old Branch Avenue, Clinton, MD
Students will present a special token of appreciation to all volunteers.

Calvert County - Helping Military Personnel
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD
Red, white and blue day for students and money will be collected to buy phone cards for military service members stationed overseas.

Charles County - Anti Bullying Event
St. Peter School, 3310 St. Peter's Drive, Waldorf, MDAt 9:00 a.m., Representatives from the three Catholic schools of Charles County, (St. Peter School, St. Mary School, and Archbishop Neale School) will be on hand at Charles County Government Building in La Plata in the Commissioners Meeting Room as a proclamation supporting Catholic Schools Week is presented. At 1:30 p.m., middle school students from all three schools will meet at St. Peter School for an assembly given by former NFL star Levar Fisher about character education and anti bullying.

St. Mary's County - Celebrity Readers 9:00-11:30 a.m.
St. Michael School, 16560 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MD
Prominent community figures have accepted invitations to read to classes.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Washington, DC - Faculty vs. Students Basketball Game
St. Augustine School, 1421 V Street, NW WashingtonThe students and faculty face off on the court for bragging rights for the next year. Field Day begins at 1:30 p.m.

Montgomery County- Free Throw Contest, 2:15 p.m.
Mother of God School, 20501 Goshen Road, Gaithersburg, MDThe entire school convenes in the gym for a rally. The Knights of Columbus will hold a free throw contest.

Prince George's County - Career Day
Holy Family School, 2200 Callaway Street, Hillcrest Heights, MD
Students will present their autobiographies, detailing who they want to be when they grow up and how they plan on achieving that. The students will be dressed in the attire of their perspective career.

Calvert County - Math-a-Thon Kickoff
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD
Students test their math skills in the math-a-thon.

Charles County - Volunteer Appreciation Day, 1:30 p.m.
St. Mary School, 13735 Notre Dame Place, Bryantown, MD
Everyone enjoys a make-your-sundae party and a special movie viewing.

St. Mary's County - Service for SoldiersSt. Michael School, 16560 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MDStudents wear red, white and blue and bring in an item for a soldier. Also today, parents are invited to a spaghetti lunch with their children.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3
Washington, DC - Role Reversal , 9:00 a.m.
St. Anthony School, 12th and Lawrence Street, NE Washington
The students and teachers trade places for a class today.

Montgomery County - Science Fair
Mother of Nazareth School, 14131 Seneca Road, Darnestown, MD
The 7th grade students present their work at the science fair.

Prince George's County - Pastor Appreciation/Book of Essays
St. Pius X Regional School, 14710 Annapolis Road, Bowie, MD
Each class voted on a Saint to study and completed an essay on what lessons can be learned from that Saint. One essay winner per class was chosen and the winning essays were compiled into a book given to the priests on Pastor Appreciation Day.

Calvert County - Student Teachers
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD
The eighth grade students teach the younger grades for the day.

Charles County - No school for staff and students

St. Mary's County - Hollywood in HollywoodSt. John School, 43900
St. John's Road, Hollywood, MD
As part of Student Appreciation Day, students will be allowed to dress up as stars and will watch a movie.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4
Washington, DC - Youth Revival, 6:00 p.m.
St. Thomas More Catholic Academy, 4265 Fourth Street, SE Washington

Montgomery County- God's Garden of Good Character
Mother of God School, 20501 Goshen Road, Gaithersburg, MD
God's Garden of Good Character is a ongoing project with a different character train each month. During Catholic Schools Week, each teacher and students is assigned the trait that best represents them. They are then recognized during Mass on Friday afternoon.

Prince George's County - Anniversary
St. Mary of the Assumption School, 4610 Largo Road, Upper Marlboro, MD
Students are dismissed early, so families can come to participate in the 85th anniversary celebration of the school.

Calvert County - Talent Show, 1:00 p.m.
Our Lady Star of the Sea School, 90 Alexander Lane, Solomons, MD
Students enjoy a free lunch from Chick Fil-A before participating in a talent show.

Charles County - Walk-a-thon and Rock-a-thon
St. Mary School, 13735 Notre Dame Place, Bryantown, MD
Students, faculty, family, parishioners are invited to celebrate 95 years of Catholic education by participating in a Walk-a-Thon with 95 minutes of walking. Students are asked to donate 95 cents to participate and the money collected will be used for purchase of reading supplies.Middle school students will participate in a "Rock-a-thon" from 7:00-10:00 p.m. to supply food to various church food pantries in Charles County. They will decorate their designated areas with non perishable food items they bring to donate, and one member of each team must keep their rocking chair rocking. The teams will receive prizes for the most creative decorations, the most food used, etc.

St. Mary's County - Dessert Theater
Mother Catherine Spalding School, 38833 Chaptico Road, Helen, MD
Light desserts will be served as students perform their favorite fables in the evening.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I'm surprised you didn't take note of the article on St. Matthais Lanham elementary school in past week's Catholic Standard where they credited a rise in their enrollment to the "closings" of St Hughs and St. Marks elementary schools. I tried to find this article on Catholic Standard site to reference it here and it appears to have been pulled. [Was amused in reading this article to hear of teachers on board for 20 years w/virtually no staff turnover and ref to how they sent their one or two children to this school -- maybe they will receive a golden apple award next year for their exemplary Catholicism.]

I was also amused to note that while they are still referring to the merger of St. Marks (and have added another parish to this merger), they have totally stopped referring to St. Hughs at all.

(see signs of strength & growth)
http://www.cathstan.org/main.asp?SectionID=14&SubSectionID=79&ArticleID=4342&TM=51530.56