Monday, February 01, 1999
Catholic schools celebrate tradition
Religious heritage honored by events
BY CINDY SCHROEDER
The Cincinnati Enquirer
No-homework days, teacher luncheons and a special diocesanwide Mass are just a few of the ways students from Northern Kentucky's parochial schools are marking National Catholic Schools Week.
Today through Sunday, local students will celebrate their religious heritage, and pay tribute to those who teach them and keep their schools operating. Most of the system's 32 elementaries and nine high schools also will host open houses this week.
“We want to send the message that Catholic schools in the Diocese of Covington are alive and well, celebrating success and increased enrollment, and looking to the future,” said Dr. Lawrence Bowman, director for Catholic education for the Diocese of Covington.
On Wednesday, representatives of Northern Kentucky parochial schools will attend a Mass led by the Rev. Robert Muench, bishop of the Coving ton Diocese, at the Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption.
Throughout the week, Northern Kentucky parochial schools also will schedule special activities each day — everything from Spirit Days for wearing school colors, to out-of-uniform days, to lunches with parents or grandparents.
The observance started about 20 years ago, as the National Catholic Educational Association decided to highlight the accomplishments of parochial schools, much as American Education Week focuses on schools in general.
Each day, there is a theme, and schools celebrate the accomplishments of a particular group, such as teachers, volunteers or the students, said Dr. Robert Kealey, executive director of the elementary schools department for the National Catholic Educational Association.
“We're also trying to make the entire American community aware of the things that Catholic schools are doing to make Catholic education better,” Dr. Kealey said. “We want everyone to know about our successes — things like high scores on standardized tests, low dropout rates, and the high percentage of students who graduate and go to college.”
Dr. Bowman, who also serves as superintendent of the diocesan schools, said enrollment in Northern Kentucky's parochial schools has increased by 1,200 students since 1990. “We've seen a consistent increase each year at all grade levels,” he said.
Besides new buildings, such as the St. Henry High School that opened to students in September, additions are planned, or are under way at a number of Catholic schools — from Blessed Sacrament in Fort Mitchell to Villa Madonna in Villa Hills.
As the Covington Diocese prepares to enter the millennium, one of its biggest challenges will be helping parents afford rising tuition, Dr. Bowman said.
While necessary to keep pace with increased expenses, and to boost teachers' salaries, in the past, tuition hikes often put Catholic education out of reach for many families.
Today, however, families can rely on an educational endowment created two years ago by Bishop Muench for tuition assistance.
A sampling of the week's activities at Northern Kentucky's parochial schools includes the following:
• Blessed Sacrament School in Fort Mitchell will host mime performances for students Wednesday.
• At Holy Spirit Elementary in Newport, students will dress like a religious figure Thursday and learn about that figure.
• At St. Michael School in Bellevue, today will be Community Day, as students work on thank-you cards for school volunteers and bring in food for St. Bernard's pantry.
• Holy Family School in Covington will honor students with perfect attendance through Thursday, the 100th day of school, with 100 pennies.
• At St. Pius X in Edgewood, there will be a contest to match staff members to their baby photos, an out-of-uniform day, a sock hop for older students, a brown-bag lunch Wednesday on Parents and Grandparents Day, and a catered lunch for faculty and staff Thursday.
• Covington Catholic High School students will donate canned goods, blankets and clothing to social service agencies. The homeroom donating the most items will receive doughnuts and juice Friday. Other activities include a parent-prepared breakfast for teachers Wednesday, a student and faculty talent show Thursday, and an open house from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday.
• St. Joseph School in Crescent Springs will allow students to wear accessories reflecting the designated color of the day, and pupils can be out of uniform Tuesday. Students also will recognize cafeteria workers and custodial staff, and teachers will be served lunch by the PTO on Friday.
• St. Thomas School in Fort Thomas will open the week with a brief prayer service today around the flagpole. Parents will visit classrooms Wednesday and eat brown-bag or fast-food lunches with students. Teachers will provide breakfast for students Friday, and eighth-graders will oppose faculty and staff that afternoon in the annual volleyball game.
For information on Northern Kentucky's parochial schools, call the Department of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Covington at 283-6230.
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