See how some schools are celebrating Catholic Schools Month

Catholic schools across the Archdiocese of Hartford are celebrating Catholic Schools Month with the theme: “Faith. Academics. and Service.” It is a way for students to share their academic accomplishments, demonstrate their school spirit, and help others in their communities. Here are a few of the ways that the schools are celebrating.

Enfield Montesorri School in Enfield – Students will spend the afternoon with Sister Loretta Francis Mann (former assistant superintendent of Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Hartford) on February 2. She will share her experiences in Haiti, where she traveled twice to help the people impacted by the devastating earthquake of  2010.  The following week, on February 9th, the school will host an Art Show, which will showcase different artists, including Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso whom thestudents have studied since the beginning of the school year.

Saint Rita School in Hamden – is reaching out to other schools around the United States with the same name to begin an exchange of information. They have gathered facts about their school, city and state, and are sharing it with their counterparts at other Saint Rita Schools in an effort to learn about the values of other students and become familiar with their locales. It’s called, “Meet Other Saint Rita Schools Nationwide.”  They will also participate in “Valentines for Veterans,” as a way of thanking service men and women for defending our freedoms.

Saint Bridget School in Manchester - is teaming up with Sonic CT Restaurants/Manchester and CT Girl Scout Troop 631 in an Amber Alert public service campaign on Saturday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All registrants will be included in the Connecticut and national Amber Alert data bases.

St. Aedan-St. Brendan Catholic School in New Haven - Students are sharing their accomplishments with their grandparents by inviting them to school for a special luncheon on January 31. On February 3rd, the school will also host a “Pajama Day” when students will wear their pajamas to school, and bring a new set to donate to LifeHaven, an organization which provides books, pajamas and other necessities to children in need.

Saint Thomas School in Southington - Students in grades 6 through 8 challenged themselves in a
science fair. The topics were as diverse as corrosion, water filtration, and tooth decay, with results that would have made Bill Nye, the Science Guy, proud.

Saint Dominic Schoolin Southington - plans to add some “STEAM” to President Obama’s educational initiative, “STEM,” which wants to attract students to the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Students will participate  in a variety of activities that focus on these disciplines, but will also add art to the mix, thus creating STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics).  Saint Dominic School believes that incorporating art is important, because it challenges the creative part of the mind. 

Saint Brigid School in West Hartford - On January 26 at 6:30 p.m., students will display their science projects in the school’s science fair for judging. A total of four projects from grades 7 and 8 will be chosen to participate in the Connecticut Science Fair to be held at Quinnipiac University in March.

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Day School in Waterbury - has launched a campaign, “Stuff the Bus,” to assist a local youth shelter that is the home to children ages 5-15. Students are making donations, and are encouraging parishioners as well to donate some of the following items: towels, sheets and blankets, non-perishable food items, books, art supplies and board games. The deadline for donations is Tuesday, January 31. Once all of the items are collected, students will stuff their school bus for transport to the shelter.

Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Waterbury - has decided to host fun-filled activities for students, including a “Door Decorating Contest,” with a Catholic Schools Month theme; a “Crazy Hat Day;” and a free breakfast for lunch, compliments of Principal Jack Tavares and Mrs. Kelli Vitarelli.

Archbishop Henry J. Mansell will culminate Catholic Schools Month with a special Mass to be held at Sacred Heart High School in Waterbury on January 31 at 12:15 p.m.