January 29, 2016 at 1:56 p.m.
Catholic Schools Week starts Jan. 31
Catholic Schools Week starts Jan. 31
By Kayla Thomason-
The week will start at 9 a.m. Jan. 31 with a family celebration mass at Nativity of Our Lord Church. Most of the leadership roles will be filled by the school's families, with students and members of the youth choir performing.
From 1 to 4 p.m. there will be a tubing party for the children and their families. It will be hosted by the family of Tony and Laurie Rutkowski.
For those who get cold, there will be a warming house with coffee and hot chocolate provided.
"This is a great event and time together for our school families, and it supports our gala event, as well," said Shirley Heise, principal at Nativity Catholic School. "Best of all, this year, are the temperatures ... a turn-around of 60 degrees from last year's gathering."
Feb. 1 will be Comfy Clothes and Reading Day, which celebrates the reading skills of the students. Not only will teachers read to the students, the youngsters will have time to get lost in the pages of their own books.
"While there is a great deal of reading that takes place in every school, students and teachers having sustained reading time for books they are interested in is certainly important, especially given the fast pace of student life after the end of the school day when reading may be put aside," Heise said.
Also on Feb. 1, an open house and ice cream social will be held at the North Site, formerly known as St. Joseph's. The ice cream event, scheduled for 5:30 to 7 p.m., is open to the public and will include a scavenger hunt for kids.
Feb. 2 is Crazy Hair, Hat and Shades day. Another open house and ice cream social will be held, this one from 5:30 to 7 p.m. This event will be held at the South Site (St. Mary's) and is open to the public.
School officials are anxious to show the public the renovations that have taken place in the library, cafeteria, gym and classrooms, Heise said. Student work will be display and technology upgrades will be announced.
On Feb. 3 an all-school Mass will be held at 9:15 a.m. at Nativity South. The parish's new pastor, Fr. Randy Knauf, will be officially welcomed at this service.
"This will be the first time that Fr. Randy celebrates Mass with our students and staff and we are very excited to have him lead our parish and school," Heise said.
After Mass the children can bring their parents and grandparents to the "Bring a Guest to Lunch Day."
"This tradition is all about the importance of families and saying 'thank you' to those who choose to send their children to our school," Heise explained. "We appreciate the extra efforts of our hot lunch and office staffs in preparing and organizing this event. In the past, we have served more than 500 people at this special meal."
Lunch will be followed by Buddy Family Day, where the K-8 students will get to spend time with one or two students from each grade level.
"Unique to our school is that we have two separate buildings, even though we are one school," Heise said. "Students and staff come together four or five times a school year to celebrate, and this is one of those occasions. During the time together, students will be playing Bingo, with the older members of the groups assisting the younger ones as they fill their cards to win prizes. We know this will be a wonderful time together."
Feb. 4 is theme day, where each class will chose their own theme. Third- through fifth-graders will go to the YMCA in the afternoon to swim and play in the gym.
Catholic Schools Week will end Feb. 5 with a Blue and Gold Spirit Day. Students in kindergarten through second grade will spend the afternoon at Hodag Lanes enjoying bumper bowling while sixth- through eighth- graders will participate in winter activities at the Ced Vig Outdoor Classroom (CAVOC).
"Enjoying activities with their classmates, learning life skills for fitness, and returning tired groups of students makes for a successful ending to this special week dedicated to the kids...for that is what CSW and school is truly about," Heise said.
The National Catholic Education Association has been working with Catholic schools to celebrate the religious teachings and commitment to staff, students and their families since 1974.
Nativity Catholic School has been in the community for 115 years.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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