The theme this year at Holy Family Catholic School is “Be Kind,” and what better time to share that theme than during National Catholic Schools Week?
The 2018 celebration of Catholic education runs Jan. 28 through Feb. 2. Holy Family School in Great Bend typically observes the week with Masses and special activities for students, families, parishioners and community members, said Principal Karen Moeder.
Catholic Schools Week also has a theme and this year it is “Catholic Schools: Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.”
“We are also focusing on six special virtues — faith, hope, love, justice, temperance and prudence — that we are trying to stress in our school, not just during this special week but throughout the year,” Moeder said.
“With the theme ‘Be Kind’ this year, we learn about doing things for others in our schools, families and community,” Moeder said. “Throughout the week we’ll do acts of kindness and things that teach about kindness. Our young people need to hear that it’s OK to care about each other, pray for each other and offer encouragement in each other’s lives in a meaningful way.
“And of course we’re going to have fun this week,” she said.
On Monday the school will start its annual Coin Challenge fundraiser by collecting change to benefit Holy Family School and the Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation. In memory of Dade Cannon, a 14-year-old boy from Great Bend who died earlier this month, a Kans for Kids trailer will be in the school parking lot so members of the school family and the community can drop off aluminum cans for this nonprofit organization.
“Childhood cancer touches all of us,” Moeder commented. Even though Cannon was not a student at Holy Family School many of the students and staff were aware of his story.
There will also be fun activities this week including a magic show and rock painting.
Theme Days
Holy Family School will celebrate the following daily themes and virtues during Catholic Schools Week 2018.
Sunday - Parish Community - FAITH. During the 10 a.m. Mass at St. Rose Church, music will be provided by the 4th, 5th & 6th grade student choir.
Monday - Community - HOPE. Dan Heath will present a magic show in the commons area, and students will begin their Coin Challenge to benefit Kans for Kids and Holy Family School. A Kans for Kids trailer will be parked in the parking lot to collect cans this week. All are invited to wear gold (or yellow) for Childhood Cancer Awareness.
Tuesday - Families, Parents, Grandfriends - LOVE. Grandfriends are invited to Mass at St. Patrick Church and then to a small reception after Mass with cookies and juice at the parish center gym. Students will eat with their ‘Holy Families’ at lunch and teachers will send positive notes. Families are invited for bingo from 6:30-8 p.m. in the gym.
Wednesday - Nation - JUSTICE. All are invited to wear red, white and blue instead of the regular school uniforms. Students and staff will meet around the flag pole for prayer.
Thursday - Students - TEMPERANCE. Students will enjoy painting kindness rocks. At 2:45 p.m., the annual dodgeball game with staff vs. sixth graders will commence in the gym
Friday - Faculty, Staff, Volunteers - PRUDENCE. Students can wear their HFS T-shirts and blue denim. They will watch a movie in the morning. The PTSA will provide a lunch for staff. The Coin Challenge will end and school will be dismissed at 1 p.m.
