Janaury 28, 2001
Parochial students celebrate Catholic schools week
By Cathy Willoughby
Staff Writer
Area parochial students, teachers and parents will be "Celebrating Catholic Schools'' this week.
The annual effort to spread the news about the benefits of a Catholic education will involve various activities throughout the schools.
At Tiffin St. Mary's, youngsters will begin the week with a concert from the Inheritance Band. It combines the influence of Irish, Early Pioneer and Civil War music. Tuesday will be Staff Day, and an afternoon assembly will feature a panel of alumni, staff, a priest and Calvert High School students speaking on their experience with Catholic education.
For Visitor's Day on Wednesday, visitors to students can join them for lunch, Mass and a game of bingo. Students Day will be Thursday, with teachers exchanging classrooms, students visiting the YMCA and being able to come to school in "un-uniform.''
At St. Joseph Elementary, festivities begin this weekend with a social after all Masses in the cafeteria, with donuts and coffee. Students will also participate by doing readings during each Mass. On Monday, "People'' in the students' lives can visit with them for one of two sessions.
Tuesday will be Teacher Appreciation Day; on Wednesday, the first Volunteer Brunch will take place to honor volunteers in the school for their efforts for the students throughout the year.
On Thursday, Student Appreciation Day, Ken Delagrange, "The Juggling Guy,'' will entertain students in an assembly.
At Calvert High School, seniors will begin the week at an-all day retreat at St. Joseph Renewal Center. On Tuesday, Sister Nancy Mathias, a Calvert grad and Ursuline sister, will share the history of the Ursuline Order and Calvert High School with students. At lunch that day, students will receive a treat when Chris Demith, chef at Camden Falls, dressed in his chef's garb, will carve slices of turkey and ham for all.
On Wednesday, the culmination of the Thanksgiving canned food drive will erupt in a "Food Fight Olympics Day.'' "The number of whipped cream pies each class gets depends on the number of cans they collected,'' said teacher Craig McRedmond. The pie fight will be conducted between students and faculty at 2 p.m. in the gym.
On Thursday, Chip Boes, a 1967 Calvert graduate, and Florida sports scout, will talk about how his Calvert education prepared him for life. On Friday, all three Tiffin schools will meet at St. Joseph Activity Center for a Mass with Toledo Bishop James Hoffman as the celebrant.
"We are trying to make a connection between the rich traditions, and how Catholic education has affected their lives, so that the students can see what they have been giving back to their families and communities,'' Calvert Principal Tony Mass said of the school's speakers.
At Fostoria schools, both St. Wendelin elementary and high school will be "Celebrating Our Faith'' will a Mass with all students, grades 1-12.
At the elementary, teachers will be honored on Monday; on Tuesday, parents and other guests will be asked to visit the classrooms between 10 and 11:30 a.m. Parents can then take their children out to lunch between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
On Thursday, grades K-8 will present a talent show in the north gym at the high school. On Sunday, both schools will sponsor open houses; elementary from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and at the junior high and high school from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
At the high school, the week's observances begin by treating faculty and staff to a luncheon at Bob Evans. On Thursday, students will receive have an ice cream social.