Schools to celebrate their students, parents, teachers

Published: January 26, 2018

Catholic Schools Week is a national celebration of Catholic schools Jan. 28 to Feb. 3. This year’s theme is “Learn. Serve. Lead. Suceed.” Here are what some Catholic schools in Arkansas are planning to do to celebrate their students, parents, teachers, vocations and community leaders.

Benton

• Our Lady of Fatima
On Monday, the school will host a prayer service and holy hour for vocations. On Tuesday a “Souper Bowl Party” will be held. Students will participate in science demonstrations, experiments and presentations Wednesday. The school will support the Saline County Humane Society Thursday with the students donating pet foods, sheets, newspapers, toys, collars, bowls, cleaning supplies, towels and money. On Friday, it’s Family Mass Day. Literacy activities will be done in classes.

Conway

• St. Joseph
The H.O.O.K.S. (Helping Out Our Kids’ School) annual fish fry fundraiser will be held Saturday, Jan. 27. On Sunday, school will host an open house from 2-4 p.m. for prospective students. Beginning Monday, community partners will be recognized with delivered treats. On Tuesday, St. Joseph School will host a 4th-12th grade grandparent luncheon. A living rosary will take place on Wednesday following an all-school Mass. Vocations will be celebrated on Thursday. Friday will conclude the week with a pep rally.

Fort Smith

• St. Boniface
On Sunday, Jan. 28, a German luncheon will be served after the children’s Mass at 10:30 a.m. The German Luncheon will coincide with an open house for current and prospective families. On Monday muffins and juice will be served to families and students are allowed to wear pajamas. On Tuesday the school will celebrate vocations with an 8 a.m. morning assembly to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and at 9 a.m. a campus blessing by pastor Father Mario Jacobo. On Wednesday it will be movie day in the school’s auditorium with popcorn and drinks. The students will dress in mismatched clothes. On Thursday it will be “Dress Like a Teacher” day. On Friday a community luncheon will be served in the cafeteria.

• Trinity Junior High School
The week will begin with a chili supper for all families at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The band, drama, cheer and dance will perform. On Tuesday, the varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams will take on the Fort Smith Police Department in a basketball game at 9 a.m. On Friday, the school will celebrate vocations with visits from Father Alejandro Puello, Sister Kimberly Prohaska, OSB, and Brother Francis Kirchner, OSB. Teachers will enjoy a special luncheon from the PTO.

Hot Springs

• St. John
Students will begin the week by participating in Mass as lectors, servers and gift bearers. On Monday there will be an all-school Mass and students will wear their clothes inside out. On Tuesday, the school will host a family and friends appreciation luncheon. The annual fifth-eighth grade volleyball tournament will be held Wednesday. The winners play the teachers. Friday begins with an all-school Mass followed by the annual talent show.

Jonesboro

• Blessed Sacrament
Blessed Sacrament School will have testimonials at all Masses and an open house on Sunday. A Grandparents and VIP lunch will be served Monday. Students can dress as their favorite saint, Bible or book character on Tuesday. On Wednesday there will be special PE and running activities. Students are encouraged to donate hats, gloves and scarves to the Salvation Army. All vocations and ministries will be honored on Thursday. All week Catholic trivia questions will be asked of the students with special prizes awarded. Sixth-graders will gather change during afternoon pickup to donate to the new church construction.

Little Rock

• Christ the King
Throughout the week students will be working in art class to create a feather to hang on the “Solidarity Wall.” Each feather will be placed in such a way that when complete the feathers will form angel wings. On Sunday eighth-grade class officers will speak at all Masses. A Brian Kinder concert will be offered Monday for pre-kindergarten to second-grade students. On Tuesday students can wear red, white and blue. A faculty vs. eighth-grade volleyball game will be held Thursday. On Friday, the school will celebrate Grandparents Day with an all-school Mass, program and visit to the classrooms.

• Our Lady of the Holy Souls
Students will participate in various roles during the 10:30 a.m. Mass Sunday. A pancake breakfast will be served from 9 a.m. to noon. Greg Wasinski of Let Me Be Ministries will speak to students and teachers Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Donuts with Dads will be held Tuesday and Muffins with Moms will be served Thursday. The junior high will lead a living rosary Thursday morning. The school will host a talent show at 6:30 p.m. Friday in the Allen Center.

• St. Edward
The week begins Sunday with a parish and school Mass followed by a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Men’s Club. Students will share thoughts about why they love St. Edward and Catholic education during Mass. An open house will be held from noon-2:30 p.m. On Monday, the Student Council will take treat baskets to the local fire station and MacArthur History Museum. Students will send prayer cards to the House of Formation on Tuesday. On Wednesday, St. Edward will host a family and friends appreciation luncheon. The annual teacher vs. student volleyball game will be played Thursday. On Friday, students will spend time with their reading buddies and enjoy a special surprise from the principal.

• St. Theresa
On Monday, Jan. 29, students will celebrate the 100th Day of School by dressing as 100-year-olds. Additionally, the all-school service project, Pennies for Patients, will be kicked off, allowing students to collect funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. On Tuesday, students are invited to dress up as a favorite hero. On Wednesday, students are invited to dress as “nerds” and participate in academic challenges. On Thursday, students are invited to wear pajamas and participate in special activities related to reading. For Souper Bowl Friday, students are invited to bring canned goods for a collection for Helping Hand. Students may dress in favorite sports team jerseys. The all-school Mass will be held at 8:30 a.m.

Morrilton

• Sacred Heart
Students will lead the ministries during Mass on Sunday. On Monday a living rosary will be prayed. On Tuesday students will rotate through fun and educational mini courses on and off campus led by community members. The school will complete service projects on Thursday. On Friday, the students will paint rocks for the new garden that will be installed on campus.

North Little Rock

• Immaculate Conception
The PTO will host a pancake breakfast Sunday from 8:30- 11 a.m. During the student-led Mass, students will serve as lectors, cantors, ushers, gift bearers and greeters. Other activitiesi include making appreciation cards for the priests, deacons, sponsors and volunteers as well as making cards to distribute throughout the year to the parish and school community. On Tuesday, the eight-grade boys and the school faculty will meet center court for the 4th Annual Catholic School Week volleyball game with eighth-grade girls coaching and refereeing. Wednesday will be Wacky-Wild Dance day. For "Super Hero Thursday" the annual talent show will take place. The week will end with the annual "School Conga Line" around and through the school campus. For the service project, students will donate non-perishable items for Helping Hand of Little Rock. Families will receive a special gift that will encourage them to come together in prayer.

Paragould

• St. Mary
Catholic Schools Week begins with a book fair. Parents from a different grade each day are invited for lunch. On Thursday grandparents are invited to lunch. Third through sixth grade students will compete in an essay contest called “What I love best about attending a Catholic school.” Mass on Saturday night will conclude the week with students serving as lectors, servers, ushers and choir members. Banners from past years will be hung in church for the celebration.

Paris

• St. Joseph
On Monday Mayor Daniel Rogers will proclaim Catholic Schools Week in the city. Students will work on a collaborative art project and class service projects will begin. In the afternoon, students who met their pie sale goals will get to throw a water balloon at principal Christy Koprovic. On Wednesday, the school will celebrate the country by wearing patriotic clothes to school. Teachers will be honored Friday with a special luncheon. The week will end with Mass Feb. 4. After Mass, everyone is invited to special breakfast.

Rogers

• St. Vincent de Paul
The week kicks off with an open house Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dining with Dad & Grandad will be Tuesday. On Wednesday students will “fill the van,” delivering food to the parish food pantry. Third-grade students will pack 5,000 meals in partnership with The Pack Shack. The week concludes on Friday with Mass & Muffins with Mom and Grandma.

Click for the Catholic Schools Herald, January 2018 index