Catholic schools getting a big THUMBS UP!

By Laureen McMahon

Across the archdiocese, schools will host events to welcome and entertain visitors and show what their community has been able to accomplish through the efforts of staff and students.

It's an opportunity for Catholic schools to celebrate their faith, according to Michel Gloanec, a religious education consultant with the Catholic Independent Schools of the Vancouver Archdiocese.

"Each school receives a binder with suggestions on how to observe the week," he told The B.C. Catholic. "I think through Open Houses and other special celebrations the community can see how our schools are excited and enthusiastic about their commitment to celebrating what's right and beautiful about their faith life and about their educational mission."

Many of the schools, he said, encourage students through classroom projects and exhibitions to become involved with what Catholic Schools Week is all about.

"Each student at St. Catherine's Elementary in Langley, for instance, is writing an essay on why Catholic education is important," he said.

Jacki Tokaryk, the public relations officer for St. Patrick's Elementary in Maple Ridge, said the school eagerly awaits Catholic Schools Week each year as an opportunity to "see how students are becoming people filled with enthusiasm, courage, and a sense of service marked by compassion."

To kick off the week, said Tokaryk, the school hosted its Trivia Night on Saturday, Feb. 7. This usually turns out to be their biggest annual fund-raiser. Families are invited to attend the Open House Tuesday morning, enjoy refreshments, visit the classrooms, and see how the construction project for the new addition is progressing.

St. Edmund's School in North Vancouver will offer a slide show with a presentation on the school by a student at each of the local parishes.

At Star of the Sea School in Surrey, said principal Lesya Balsevich, students will celebrate Catholic Schools Week by taking time out to reflect on the unique character of what makes Catholic schools so special.

"Some of the children's remarks," she said, "include, `We get to pray everyday'; `We can pray for people that we care about and people we may not even know'; `We get to wear uniforms'; `I can ask God to help me'; `I have great teachers!'; `I feel safe'; `Our parents love us so much they sent us to this school.'"