DUBOIS – DuBois Central Catholic is joining schools from across the country this upcoming week in celebration of National Catholic Schools Week.
This week-long event began in 1974 and local Catholic schools have been acknowledging this event since its inception.
Pennsylvania is one of the Top 10 states with the highest Catholic school enrollment in the country, a fact made possible locally because of the commitment by area parishes and their pastors to the mission of spreading the Gospel message while providing an excellent education to students of all faiths.
Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service, is the national theme, and DCC’s own tagline, which is Learn Well, Live Well and Serve Well, affirms this same belief.
According to the NCEA’s Annual Statistical Report on School Enrollment, DuBois Central Catholic High School is one of 1,200 Catholic high schools across the United States while DuBois Central Catholic Elementary School is one of 5,368 elementary schools.
Catholic schools have been in operation in the DuBois area since 1889, a tradition worth celebrating, according to Michael Armanini, headmaster.
A system-wide Open House for prospective students and their families pre-school and beyond will kick off the week, Jan. 31.
School tours, informational materials, and refreshments welcome school visitors. Special-themed activities and treats are planned for the little ones, says Elementary Principal Gretchen Caruso.
Teachers in all elementary grades have planned unique ways each day to celebrate. For example, fifth graders will be experiencing a Mystery Theater complete with students in costumes.
Students in Kindergarten through fifth grade will experience an interactive Poetry Presentation in the auditorium during the week, prepared by high school students, to demonstrate that “Poetry Can Be Fun.”
Later in the week, these same high school students will be visiting the classrooms to work one-on-one with students to create their own poetry skits.
On Feb. 5, Day 100 of the school year will find elementary students not only dressing as if they were 100, but also completing academic games in all disciplines from math and science to English and Social Studies based on the number 100.
“Many regular themes days, such as Student Appreciation Day, will be taking place as well,” adds Caruso.
Becky Dutra, campus minister, has organized the slate of secondary activities for grades six through twelve. Activities planned include Student Appreciation Day for both middle and high school.
A variety of secondary field trips is being organized by Activities Director Carol Korthaus. Outside speakers will be visiting Central during the week. For example, two engineers will be visiting the AP Chemistry class to teach the science behind Penn DOT’s de-icing of roads.
The highlight of DCC’s Catholic Schools Week celebration will be the system-wide Mass in the gym on Feb. 3, starting at 9:20 a.m. According to Principal Dawn Bressler, special music and special presentations are planned, with local dignitaries and outside guests invited as well. Both Caruso and Bressler add, “Of course, DCC parents are always welcome at school liturgies.“