Tradition is important, and that rings true with the weekly activities held at each Owensboro Catholic Schools campus. To celebrate the Catholic Schools Week, a tradition that began in 1974, Catholic schools across the nation commemorate the week with celebrations, Masses and activities for students, staff and families.
OCS’s K-3 campus focuses on an appreciation each day — pastor, teacher, student, parent and grandparent. Each day, there are activities for students to complete, such as writing a letter or making cards for priests and teachers, and creating gifts for parents and grandparents. Each day also has a corresponding dress day to get students in the spirit of the week.
The 4-6 and OCMS campuses are using the Catholic schools 2018-2019 theme of “Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” to promote celebrations that have a specific focus for students — your parish, your family and community, students, nation, vocation, faculty, staff and volunteers. Specific intentions are included for students’ daily activities.
OCHS celebrated student appreciation in their gym on Monday and Tuesday. Activities included playing cornhole, Wii, board and card games and ping pong. Snacks were also available during the time they were in the gym.
“These two days are to let the students know that we acknowledge all the hard work they do throughout the year, and the school would like to reward their efforts with a little down time where they can get together, have some fun and enjoy being in this school environment,” said teacher and organizer of appreciation events Neil Corley.
Senior Zach Cecil said that because they are a small school, they are able to do more and it is easier for celebrating.
Typically a faculty appreciation lunch is held this week, but it has been rescheduled for the next week due to a teacher retreat that was previously scheduled.
“Thursday we celebrate Mass which allows us to truly understand the meaning of Catholic Schools and the unity we have in Christ,” Corley said.
Friday is a spirit day for students at the high school, and students can dress in their favorite Aces attire.
Senior Jade Flaherty said that teachers put the appreciation days on for them to show their appreciation for the students, but the students enjoy the activities they do to show the teachers appreciation during the week.
“We want to show them we know they don’t have to be here,” Flaherty said, recognizing that most work many hours that extend past the normal school day.
