Tomorrow is the start of Catholic Schools Week 2023. This will be my 10th year celebrating with my students and staff. Our HASA and CSW committee always plan such a fun week for all of us. The national theme for this year is “Faith, Excellence, and Service.” Keep reading for inspiration for your own fun during Catholic Schools Week!

Sunday

CSW always starts on a Sunday. This is usually the last Sunday in January or the first Sunday in February depending on when it falls that year. Our parish purchases cookies to pass out after each Mass and all are welcome to join in fellowship. Some years our teachers all pass out cookies. Other years we’ve had students volunteer for each Mass. It is always a fun and faith filled way to open Catholic Schools Week!

Monday

Monday’s theme is always Family. This year we are calling it Faith Rooted in Family. On Mondays we celebrate our home, school, and church family by writing letters of appreciation to parents, grandparents, and other influential members of our families. Our alumni share memories from their time at our school and we decorate the front entrance. Our art teacher does an amazing job of helping students create beautiful decorations for the week! This year our students also get to dress up as their favorite artist, athlete, author, musician, etc.

Tuesday

Tuesday’s theme is always Staff. This year we are calling it Faith Rooted in Our Staff. Our HASA is AMAZING! They do so much for us throughout the year, but go all out during CSW. This year we get lunch along with someone coming in to do massages. So relaxing!! We are also getting treats delivered throughout the day. Our parents send in notes of appreciation and our students are encouraged to dress up like their favorite teacher or book character.

Wednesday

Wednesday’s theme is Community. Following the theme, it is called Faith Rooted in Our Community. On Wednesdays during CSW we choose an organization to help and this year we are helping the homebound. Some years our junior high students go on volunteer trips to different community organizations. Our students also get to dress down for the day in fun school spirit wear. Teachers are also getting breakfast delivered this year!

Thursday

Thursday is Faith Rooted in the Gospel. We’ll have an all school Mass celebrating the Presentation of Our Lord. Typically we provide opportunities to join in faith formation throughout the day in different classrooms. Our teachers are amazing at incorporating our faith into our daily teaching. This year we will gift something to a fellow Catholic school. Students are also encouraged to dress in their favorite era. This year my daughter gets to join me in dressing like th 80s! Here come the scrunchies!

Friday

Fridays are my FAVORITE! Not only because its Friday, but we do so many fun things on Fridays during CSW. HASA is delivering coffee first thing in the morning. Coffee gets me through anything! This year we are having a color war between our floors. My daughter and I are on the same floor this year so we get to both wear purple, green, and blue. We’ll also play games in our classrooms and have an assembly run by student council. This year is extra special as we are opening a time capsule from 1997 and creating a new one as a school. After that, we will have our annual Staff vs 8th grade volleyball game. I am HORRIBLE at sports, so I sit with the students and cheer everyone on. It is always so fun to watch the teachers work together and the students cheer on both sides.

I hope you all have a wonderful Catholic Schools Week, whether you are a teacher, staff member, parish member, or parent. This week is for all of us! Enjoy and God bless!

Elizabeth