National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28-Feb. 3

     Students and staff at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Monticello are anxiously preparing for National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28 through Feb. 3.

     This year’s celebration theme is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” This encompasses the core values found in Catholic schools all over the country. At Sacred Heart, the teachers and staff thrive to develop character and well-rounded individuals with a commitment to community and service to others. The school advocates an active partnership between home and school.

     One Sacred Heart parent commented, “At Sacred Heart, I get a great sense of community and bonding.”

     Catholic schools everywhere teaching students to become future servant leaders, faith-filled disciples and enriched citizens in their respective communities.

     With an average class size of 13, Sacred Heart raises the academic standards. However, enrollment is not limited to just Catholic students. They welcome and currently have families from different faiths.

     Studies have shown that parents choose to enroll their children in Catholic schools for three reasons:

     • Superior academic achievement. Over 80 percent of former Sacred Heart students are on the honor roll at the middle school and high school.

     • A secure and disciplined environment.

     • A total education, which includes growth in faith awareness and an appreciation of morals and values.

     Many special events and themed dress-up days are planned at Sacred Heart as the school celebrates Catholic Schools Week:

     • Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 27 and 28 – Students will cantor, serve and speak at the weekend Masses.

     • Sunday, Jan. 28 – Sacred Heart Day at Happy Joe’s

     • Monday, Jan. 29 – Pajama Day

     • Tuesday, Jan. 30 – Dress in the Dark Day and bowling at Legacy Lanes

     • Wednesday, Jan. 31 – Favorite Team Day or Crazy Hat Day. Knights of Columbus Spelling Bee.

     • Thursday, Feb. 1 – Parent Day. Dress Up Day. Business Appreciation Day.

     • Friday, Feb. 2 – Sacred Heart Spirit Day and swimming at Camp Courageous.

     Every year as Scared Heart students celebrate Catholic Schools Week, one day is set aside as Business Appreciation Day. Families send goodies and students package and deliver them to businesses as a “thank you” for their support the school receives from the Monticello community.

     In turn, students participate in several community service projects throughout the school year: food drive for the food pantry, birthday boxes for the food pantry, Cards for Veterans, cleanup at Riverside Gardens, raking for senior citizens, making centerpieces for parish dinners, and the Lenten Rice Bowl Collection.

     Students and their families are also very involved in service to school and parish programs. All students take part in the “buddy program” where older students are assigned to helping younger ones. Families play an active role on school and parish committees and serving liturgically as lectors, readers, Eucharistic ministers, musicians, cantors, ushers and Mass servers.

     For more on Sacred Heart School, visit www.shmonticello.org.