There were no donuts with grandparents this year for Catholic Schools Week, nor was there a staff versus students kickball game.
Still, Christ the Divine Teacher Catholic Academy (CDTCA) in Aspinwall found a way to mark each day with a special celebration of their faith.
“The pandemic isn’t stopping us,” Principal Mark Grgurich said. “Catholic Schools Week is a wonderful opportunity to showcase what Catholic schools are all about — faith, excellence and service.”
In its 47th year, Catholic Schools Week aims to showcase what faith-based schools offer both in education and development of the mind, body and spirit, Diocese of Pittsburgh officials said.
Our schools are celebrating our students during National Celebrate Catholic Schools Week by planning fun activities for them and recognizing their accomplishments. Give a shout out to a Catholic School student in the comments!
Find out more here: https://t.co/SBpHo7ZapD. pic.twitter.com/bxUedMcJzr
— Diocese of Pgh (@DioPitt) February 2, 2021
From Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, daily themes are highlighted on social media and on the diocesan website, diopitt.org/schools.
“Every day our children are encouraged and shown how to have a conversation with God,” said Michelle Peduto, diocesan director of Catholic schools. “That’s the light in each child’s heart. That is what our schools do.”
Despite the challenges of covid-19, CDTCA students are celebrating with smaller events filled with creativity and fun, said Katie Lovett, the school’s director of marketing.
“We’ve had to add some new things this year which keep each classroom together with no visitors,” she said.
The week’s events include a door decorating contest, classroom movies and a family Mass at St. Scholastic.
Because of social distancing guidelines, the annual kickball game was scrapped but the eighth graders plan to take on the faculty in a heated game of trivia which will be streamed to all classes.
Lovett said each day will be celebrated with a different theme of community, students, the nation, vocations and school staff.
“While we’ve had to change things this year, we’re still able to celebrate everything that Catholic education has to offer,” Grgurich said.
