National Catholic School Week begins on Sunday and runs through February 4th. Many local schools have activities to mark the week.
The annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States enters its 49th year and has traditionally been held in the last week of January.
The annual JFK Penny Wars is held each year during Catholic School Week at the John F. Kennedy Catholic School in Washington. Students bring coins and put them in a jar in the classroom.
Students then have the opportunity to “blow up” other classes by placing silver change in the class jar. This means that a student can put her quarter in another classroom jar, from which he will have 25 pennies removed.
“Kids love it,” said JFK principal Kimberly Stevenson. “They’re very strategic. It’s a lot of fun.”
The class that wins the most pennies over the weekend wins the popsicle party. All proceeds will go to Chimbote, a city in northern Peru that helps abandoned and neglected children. Penny Wars has raised him as much as $3,000 in the past few years.
The Madonna Catholic Community School in Monongahela kicked off on Friday with a pep rally and a “time to win” game featuring teachers versus students. One of her eighth graders took on Principal Cathy Miller. student won.
“It was so cute,” said Miller. “Our cheerleaders cheered. I didn’t win. You would think smoking a fruit rollup would be easy. It’s not.”
Other events planned include a talent show, a Living Rosary, and a family trip to Seven Springs Mountain Resort.
“This is to celebrate all the different facets of what we offer our students,” said Miller. “We try to teach our children to think what they will do before they act. One of the reasons our schools are so important is that we focus on Jesus. It is a fulfilling education.”
Greensburg Parish schools have many events scheduled throughout the week.
Uniontown’s St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School hosts a carnival with a Care & Share Day for older students to share with younger children. Family bingo and arts & crafts are also planned.
The Conn-Area Catholic School in Connellsville hosts a variety of events including Hoodie Dress Downs for faculty, science fairs, Pijama Day, performing arts reviews, board game activities, gifts for nursing homes, and more.