ASHTABULA —
This week the students and faculty of Ss. John and Paul High School will be participating in events that we can consider a tradition, but what most schools have never even heard of. That is Catholic Schools Week. Catholic Schools Week is celebrated by all Catholic schools and is a week filled with learning but fun activities as well.
“I like Catholic Schools Week because it serves as a reminder for us to be thankful there is a Catholic school in this area and to celebrate that,” said Jeremy Powers, Ss. John and Paul Board member.
This year SSJP will be starting something new; it’s called “penny wars.” The object of the game is to fill your classroom’s empty jar with as much money (pennies) as you can; you can sabotage the other classes by putting silver coins in their jars, which will be deducted from the worth of the pennies. This activity will be going on all week, and all of the funds will be donated to help the Beatitude House at the former St. Joseph school building.
On Monday, the students and staff participated in Spirit Wear Day, where everyone dressed down in jeans, but they had to wear a Herald club shirt or a team shirt, or anything with SSJP written on it, showing off school spirit.
At the elementary building, in addition to Spirit Day, it is Parent Appreciation Day, where the students usually write poems or make arts and crafts to give to their parents or guardians to show them how much they are appreciated. On Tuesday, both buildings took a field trip to Peek ’n Peak Resort in New York to relax and have fun with friends and family by tubing for the whole school day. This is the second year Ss. John and Paul went to Peek ’n Peak. It is a great way to relieve the everyday stress of being a student, and last year, the student body expressed positive comments. Even the school principal and president went down the hills with the students!
Wednesday was Student Appreciation Day and the students were permitted to wear their most comfortable pajamas and slippers to school. In order to participate and wear their pajamas, they must donate a dollar. That money will also be donated to the Beatitude House. The elementary students’ fun continued with board and card games to play with their friends and classmates in the afternoon. In addition to the fun at the elementary campus, students in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades competed for a spot in the county-wide spelling bee.
Today is Teacher Appreciation Day and has the potential to be the most entertaining day out of the whole week because students in the high school are allowed to dress up as their favorite teacher for the whole day.
As Friday approaches, the student body and staff will put much effort toward planning our most important tradition -- celebrating Mass. The students are asked to arrive at school in dress uniform so they are presenting themselves the best that they can. We project the image to the community that we are proud to be able to live our faith and celebrate as a school family.
“During Catholic Schools Week I really feel that our school comes together as a family,” said sophomore Alivia Cimorelli. “We have fun and do fun things and learn about our faith all at the same time.”
After Mass, students will return to their classes, but in the evening grades pre-kindergarten through 12th are invited to participate in movie night held at the elementary building.
When asked what her favorite part of Catholic Schools week is fifth grader Molly Powers said, “I like going on field trips and doing fun activities to celebrate our faith.”
Although Catholic Schools Week still involves regular class schedules, it is full of fun activities but, most importantly, we get to spend that time with our friends, family and classmates.
School Columnists
Related Photos
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Brenna Powers and Kelly Baxter
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STUDENTS FROM Ss. John and Paul School enjoyed a day of snow tubing with family and friends Tuesday at Peek ’n Peak Resort in New York. The event was part of a weeklong celebration of Catholic Schools Week. (Photo by Marilou McClimans.)
Discussion
Catholic Schools Week time to celebrate faith and education
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