Catholic Schools Week is an annual, national celebration of Catholic schools in the United States. During the week, students, teachers, administrators, and parishioners participate in various activities that celebrate and recognize the unique opportunities of Catholic education, and how we’re all called to serve one another through acts of faith, love, and service. 

Catholic Schools Week will be celebrated Sunday, January 30 to Saturday, February 5, 2022. The theme of this year’s CSW is “Faith. Excellence. Service.” The Home & School Association (HSA) has put together a packed week of fun activities and events, and we invite all St. Mark school families to participate and be a part of the CSW festivities. Each day will have a specific theme for Spirit Week and a focus for our celebrations. You can read more about them below.

If you are a parent and would like to volunteer with any of these activities, please click HERE or contact hsa@smcsnc.org. Thank you for helping us make Catholic Schools Week special and memorable for our students, teachers, and school families!

Sunday, January 30 – Celebrating the Parish

Kick off Catholic Schools Week with us at Sunday Mass! St. Mark students attending or serving during the Mass are encouraged to show their Catholic pride by wearing their uniforms. Students interested in serving during the Mass should sign up HERE. Bookmarks designed by one of our students will also be distributed to parishioners at Mass.

SMCS is also hosting an Open House on Sunday, January 30 from 11am-1pm in the school gym. Families interested in touring the school are invited to come visit classrooms, meet with teachers and staff, and get more information about enrollment. This is a great opportunity to experience first-hand the unique opportunities that a Catholic education can provide.

 

Monday, January 31 – Celebrating the Community

Spirit Week Theme: Red, White, & Blue Day

This year’s CSW service project involves making care packages for healthcare workers to thank them for their service to the community during the pandemic. The school will collect an assortment of items each day before the start of CSW, and students will make thank you cards to include with care packages. Students and teachers will also pray together as a class for healthcare workers and all those in the medical field. 

Collection Week: January 24-28

Students are asked to bring these specific items for the care packages:

• Jan. 24: 1 gallon Ziploc bag per student
• Jan. 25: Salty snack (individual bags of pretzels or chips)
• Jan. 26: Sweet treat (individual candy bar)
• Jan. 27: Energy treat (individual granola bar)
• Jan. 28: Personal care item (i.e. Chapstick, small bottle of lotion, small hand sanitizer)

 

Tuesday, February 1 – Celebrating Your Students

Spirit Week Theme: Favorite Sports Team Day

Our students will be showcasing their many talents at the annual Catholic Schools Week Talent Show on Tuesday, February 1! Performances will take place in the gym at 1:45pm and end before dismissal. The Talent Show will also be recorded and livestreamed for classes and parents.

Click on the link HERE to watch it live!

 

Wednesday, February 2 – Celebrating the Nation

Spirit Week Theme: My Future’s So Bright Day (wear hat and sunglasses – please remove for Mass)

On February 2nd, we will be celebrating Candlemas or the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. At the 8:30am school Mass, students are invited to bring a battery-operated candle and participate in this special feast day honoring the presentation of Jesus at the Temple. All candles will be blessed with holy water.

To thank our altar servers at the school for their service during Mass and liturgies, an appreciation lunch will be provided for them in the Parish Hall from 11:30am-12:30pm.

 

Thursday, February 3 – Celebrating Vocations

Spirit Week Theme: Crazy Socks Day

What is God calling you to do? Students will explore this question at our Vocations Day Celebration in the gym from 9:30am-12pm. Students will have an opportunity to speak with clergy, religious men and women, and those discerning the religious life. You can click HERE to listen to their stories and watch the livestream of the event. In the classrooms, students will also play a fun game of Mass Items bingo!

In the afternoon from 1:30pm-2:30pm, students in our elementary grades will attend the 5th Grade Pep Rally! Get ready to show some Lion Pride and excitement for why you love St. Mark Catholic School!

 

Friday, February 4 – Celebrating Teachers, Staff, and Volunteers

Spirit Week Theme: Lion Pride Day

We’re showing some love and appreciation to our teachers and staff on Friday, February 4! Lunch will be served in the Parish Hall from 11:30am-1pm and gifts will be distributed to teachers and staff at the luncheon.

The 8th Grade Pep Rally will occur in the gym from 1pm-2:45pm. Let’s show some cheer and spirit as we come together to celebrate Catholic Schools Week!

 

Saturday, February 5 – Celebrating Families

For the final day of Catholic Schools Week, we are celebrating families. All St. Mark families are invited to come to Mass at 8:30am on Saturday, February 5th followed by a family breakfast in the back parking lot. Seating will also be available in the gym. If you plan to attend, please RSVP HERE.

Parents are the primary teachers of the faith, and so we want to thank you for walking with your children on their faith journey and sending them to Catholic school.