Local Catholic schools around the area will be celebrating Catholic Schools Week from January 26-31. St. Matthew’s School has scheduled its theme for this year’s event as “Making a World of Difference.”
Teachers worked with the students of St. Matthew’s to make a mural in the main hallway of the school to incorporate this theme. They copied a map of the world and wrote in it how they could make the world a different place or what they like about Catholic Schools Week.
“Catholic Schools Week is to recognize all the important values that the kids are taught here: Intellectual, spiritual, moral, physical, and social values,” said St. Matthew’s Principal Jamie DiDomenico. “The values that they’re taught here, they’re good for a lifetime. That’s supposed to be their foundation, so then hopefully when they face difficult situations, they’re going to have what they learned here at St. Matthew’s to help them deal with the rest of their lives.”
The school focuses on the basics- reading, writing, and math. Also, students explore their spirituality and learn respect for themselves, teachers, and classmates.
St. Matthew’s School currently has nine students enrolled in preschool and 53 enrolled in kindergarten through fifth grade. A sixth grade class is possible, depending on enrollment from year to year.
Sunday mass at 10:30 a.m. starts Catholic Schools Week for St. Matthew’s, with a student-run church service. Then, the school will host an open house from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Parents who are interested in sending a child to St. Matthew’s are invited to attend.
Each day throughout the week has a special theme, and each grade has pre-selected a lunch menu for a day.
Monday’s theme is “Through our Staff and Volunteers.” Numerous parents and community members volunteer at the school. The students also volunteer time in service projects.
“We have coffee and doughnuts for anybody who volunteers for the school,” said DiDomenico. “Some parents volunteer in the classrooms, maybe listen to kids read, read to the kids, help with art projects, whatever the teacher wants. Phyllis Johnson is a grandmother, and she comes through the Seniors for Student Literacy Program, and comes three times a week.”
The students also volunteer their time as each grade carries out a service project throughout the school year. First grade goes to Epworth Manor on a monthly basis and brings an art project with them. The first graders sing songs and visit with the residents.
Second graders raise money to save the Rain Forest. Also, they have a book-buddies program with the pre-school.
Third grade makes birthday cards for children in the parish who are not in school yet. Fourth and fifth grade is combined, and they go to the Presbyterian preschool on a monthly basis to read books and do an art project with the children.
Monday the students will also have a “dress down” day instead of wearing their uniforms, and they can wear a hat of their choice throughout the school day. Also, Mrs. DiDomenico has tickets marked with each student’s name on them. She will draw one ticket out of a bowl every hour, and that student will win a prize.
The next day the theme is “In Our Nation,” so the students can wear red, white and blue to show patriotism. Also, they are encouraged to bring in non-perishable food items throughout the week to donate to the local food kitchen.
“In Our Community” is the theme for Wednesday as students will make cards for residents of local nursing homes.
“In a way to reach out to the community, all the students make Valentine cards, and then Sister Karen visits Tyrone Colonial Courtyard and Epworth Manor, and she’ll distribute the cards to shut-ins and residents of those places,” said DiDomenico.
Students will also show their school spirit that day by wearing their uniforms and any St. Matthew’s T-shirts, sweatshirts or jackets.
Thursday students will show their appreciation for teachers as the theme is “Through Our Teachers.” If they want, students can give a teacher a card or small gift. It is also a day where students can wear their favorite team clothing. A talent show has been scheduled in Harkins Hall at 12:30 p.m.
“Pretty much anybody can participate in the talent show,’ said DiDomenico.
Students will lip sync to CDs, sing songs, do magic tricks, and play musical instruments.
On Friday, Catholic Schools Week will conclude with the theme “Through our Students.” Students will have the option to wear an item of clothing inside-out to school. Also, an assembly about the Pennsylvania railroad is scheduled at 1 p.m. in Harkins Hall.
“It’s fun, and the kids do like it,” added DiDomenico of Catholic Schools Week.
