By Andrew Hackmack
Blessed Sacrament and Holy Name of Mary hosted several events for Catholic Schools Week, held each year during the last week of January. This year's theme was service.
To kick-off the week, each school held an open house on Jan. 25 after the Sunday morning mass. Volunteers at Blessed Sacrament and Holy Name of Mary gave tours to prospective families, showcasing their programs and facilities.
Blessed Sacrament School Principal Mary Earvolino said students, parents and alumni led tours of the building. The children especially, she said, were eager to help out. "They're so proud of their school," she said.
Annette Farragher, president of the parents association at Blessed Sacrament, said it is a great place for a child to get an education and make friends. "We're a friendly school," she said. "All the kids know each other."
Farragher noted that the school offers before and after school programs, full-day nursery school, Spanish, music and art, and has small class sizes. Blessed Sacrament also held a series of evening open houses during the week. "We got some new families," Farragher said, adding that the school is still accepting applications for next year.
Denise Kassebaum, enrollment coordinator for Holy Name of Mary, also said they have some new registrants for next week. She said that the volunteer tour guides stressed the many religious, academic and social benefits of sending a child to Holy Name. "The kids feel that the school is a good place to be," she said.
Kassebaum explained that Holy Name offers an extensive after-school program in the fall, winter, and spring. Each six-week period, she said, has about 20 activities that students can choose from.
Her son, eighth-grader Brendan, is president of the school's student council and has been at Holy Name of Mary since nursery school. He helped lead tours last Sunday. "We have many activities," he said. "You'll never feel left out."
The school held many other events for Catholic Schools Week. On Jan. 26, students participated in a trike-a-thon to raise money for St. Jude Children's Hospital. The parent club hosted a Bingo program for the students that Tuesday, and an ice cream party the following day. On Jan. 29, the eighth-graders and faculty squared off in a volleyball game.
Holy Name of Mary wrapped up Catholic Schools week with dress down day on Friday, a teacher recognition luncheon, and a roller skating trip for students.
Blessed Sacrament School focused several of its events on the service theme. Students collected hats and gloves for the homeless, made crafts for the homebound, created valentines for veterans and brought in cans of soup. There were also Internet safety workshops, pajama day, a family hot dog dinner, a student-teacher newcomb volleyball game and staff recognition luncheon.
