An action-packed week of fun, food, and fellowship is planned for students, faculty and families!

St. Mark will celebrate Catholic Schools Week beginning Monday, January 31. Catholic Schools Week is an annual national event that brings attention to the good work done by the nation’s Catholic schools.

More than 50 parent volunteers and 10 clergy have come together to plan and deliver an action-packed week of events at St. Mark. There will be “Wacky Races” for students, a luncheon for faculty, treats served to parents in carpool line – even games and movies with church clergy. In addition to the fun, there will be daily fellowship, prayer and emphasis on how the students can help others. 

 “Catholic Schools Week is a very important week for us,” said Principal Debbie Butler. “There are so many wonderful volunteers who work together to give the students, their families and school faculty a special week filled with fun, community service and prayerful consideration of the Catholic faith. It is truly an honor for us to be part of the Catholic school system in America.”
 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Monday, Jan. 31 – Community Appreciation Day

• Students will begin a service project to benefit 10 seminarians who are part of the Diocese of Charlotte. Students will collect items to create and mail care packages for the seminarians who are studying throughout the United States. The K-5th grade students will make banners and the 6th grade students will write personal letters. The 8th graders will hold a prayer vigil.
• The students will also begin a loose change drive to benefit the building of a new Catholic High School in northern Mecklenburg County: Christ the King Catholic High School.  The loose change drive and seminarian collection will continue throughout the week.
• 9:00 a.m.: Opening ceremonies in the school gymnasium.

Tuesday, Feb. 1 – Staff Appreciation Day

• A special luncheon will be prepared and served to all of the St. Mark Catholic School teachers, administrators and support staff. 

Wednesday, Feb. 2 – Faith Appreciation Day

• A day designed to deepen their understanding of the Catholic faith, students will attend Mass as well as a speaker rotation of church clergy. The students will learn about the teachings of the church and have the opportunity to interact in a fun and prayerful way with the clergy.  
• 9 a.m.: Monsignor Richard Bellow will be the celebrant for an all-school Mass at the Church.
• 10:40 a.m.: K-2 graders will have a Q&A session with Sisters and sing them a special thank you song.
• 11:30 a.m.: Grades 3-5 with Monsignor Bellow and Sisters to watch a movie, play games and hear their stories.
• 12:15 p.m.: Grades 6-8 will listen to church clergy as they tell their stories, conduct team building activities and play games with the students.

Thursday, Feb. 3 – Student Appreciation Day

• Designed to be a fun day, students will participate in the annual “Wacky Races,” a series of silly relay races in which the classes compete against each other.  Races begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 1:15 p.m.
• 7:30 a.m.: Students will receive a Hollywood- style welcome to school: a red-carpet will lead them to their classrooms where they will receive a breakfast treat from their teachers.
• 8:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.: “Wacky Races” in the school gymnasium.
• 1:30 p.m.: Student versus teacher basketball game in the gymnasium.

Friday, Feb. 4 – Family Appreciation Day

• In keeping with the 2011 Catholic Schools Week theme, Catholic Schools are A+ for America, the students will have the option to dress in red, white and blue clothing rather than their school uniform for the cost of $1. All proceeds will be donated to the Room at the Inn’s Building Fund. Other events include treats for families during morning student drop-off and a special closing assembly.
• 7:30 am: Red, white and blue chocolates served to families during morning drop off.
• 1:30 p.m.: Closing assembly featuring the band Psalm 150 in the St. Mark Church Parish Hall.

The theme for Catholic Schools Week 2011 is Catholic Schools are A+ for America and celebrates the fact that Catholic schools are an added value for the nation. The 7,094 Catholic elementary and secondary schools make up 44.4 percent of all private schools in the United States. Because of their traditionally high academic standards and high graduation rates, all supported by strong moral values, Catholic schools and their graduates make a definite contribution to American society.