“Celebrate Catholic Schools” is the theme for the 27th annual celebration of Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28-Feb. 3.

The event is part of the National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools, a joint program of the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Catholic Conference.

The purpose of Catholic Schools Week is to build support and recognition for the more than 8,200 Catholic schools nationwide. During the week, dioceses and parishes encourage parents to enroll their children in Catholic schools. Catholic Schools Week is also an opportunity to interest citizens in volunteering their time and talents to local Catholic schools.

During the week, Catholic school students from throughout the Diocese of Sacramento will gather on the West steps of the state Capitol in Sacramento at 10 a.m. on Jan. 30 to celebrate and recognize the value of Catholic education.

The rally will begin with the diocesan school marching band leading a procession of students from the steps of the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament at 11th and K Streets to the Capitol. The formal program will include singing, student cheers, a special proclamation from the state Senate and other presentations.

During the week, the diocesan Catholic School Department will also recognize the outstanding achievement of four students who attend parochial schools. The students are Mackenzie and Maron Kassis of Holy Spirit School in Sacramento and Jordan Rettie and Alex Haarmeyer of St. Robert School in Sacramento.

Through their involvement in Country Centre 4H, the four students are part of a nine-member team that has caught the attention of NASA. The students’ science project, Seeds for Larger Service, will launch into space on March 1 on the Space Shuttle Discover flight STS-102. The project is one of only 25 teams selected in the nation.

The four students will be honored at the “Breakfast by the Cathedral” on Feb. 1, an event held to pay tribute to a Catholic school graduate of the year as well as other notable achievements of students or graduates within the diocese.

Recent themes for the national campaign and Catholic Schools Week have “focused on the Catholic foundation of our schools, from which all else flows—a curriculum infused with values, high academic standards and discipline,” according to Leonard DeFiore, president of the National Catholic Educational Association.

National Appreciation Day will be celebrated Jan. 31 during Catholic Schools Week. This day was established to encourage supporters nationwide to showcase the great accomplishments and contributions of Catholic schools in the nation. National Appreciation Day for Catholic school teachers will be marked on Feb. 2.

According to a recent study published by the National Catholic Educational Association, Catholic school enrollment increased nationwide over the past year by 4,600 students, bringing the total enrollment to more than 2.6 million students.

Thirty-seven new Catholic schools opened during the 1999-2000 school year, bringing the total to 8,144 Catholic schools nationwide.

“Increased demand for Catholic education, climbing enrollment and longer waiting lists have fueled the school openings,” according to DeFiore. “We expect this trend to continue throughout the next decade.” He said 250 new Catholic schools have been opened within the past decade.

Copyright © 2001 Diocese of Sacramento - All Rights Reserved

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