Students Celebrate CSW

Every year, Catholic schools across the nation celebrate Catholic Schools Week (CSW), a tradition since 1974. Charlotte Catholic will participate in this tradition from January 28th to February 3rd. This week-long event is packed with open houses, assemblies, events, and Masses for parents, students, and teachers.

The history of Catholic schools is extensive. Some of the first Catholic schools were established in the early 1800s by St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, who also happens to be the patron saint of Catholic schools.

CSW highlights the impact and importance of a Catholic education. Each year has a theme for the week. This year, per the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA), focuses on “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.” Along with the broader year theme, each day has its own theme from “Celebrating Students” to “Celebrating Faculty, Staff, and Volunteers.” For CCHS specifically, there will be assemblies, dress down days, service projects, and a student-faculty basketball game at the end of the week.

Some of the highlights include a red, white, and blue dress down day for students and a donation drive for veterans. To celebrate faith and vocations, the school will hold a Mass that is open to parents. The theology department will host speakers to talk about vocations in class. Faculty and students will create a wall display, titled “Why I Love Charlotte Catholic.” Student council will provide lunch for faculty appreciation day along with snacks from the PTO. The week will conclude with a Student Appreciation Day with ice cream bars at lunch, treats, and the student-faculty basketball game.

Credit: NCEA.org

Every member of the Catholic school community is involved in CSW. Sophomore Soleil Demetry has attended Catholic schools her entire academic career. When asked about why attending a Catholic school is valuable, she said “It’s a really nice environment, and I get so many opportunities there that I wouldn’t get anywhere else. Not only religious opportunities but also being introduced to all the different clubs and activities that the MACS system has.” She looks forward to the dress down days and fun events that come along with CSW but adds, “It is a week where we get to appreciate the fact that we get to go to a Catholic school.” 

Juliana Taylor is a sophomore whose first Catholic school experience was in ninth grade. To her, Catholic schools allow her to “be a bigger part of the Catholic community and share my faith with my peers,” something she finds very important. She loved getting the “Cougar Crunch” from last year and is hopeful to see the red and blue goodie bags on Student Appreciation Day. 

Dr. Reid also has attended Catholic schools from first grade through college. Her experience was important to her life. She said, “My journey through Catholic schools has been transformative and shaped my academic abilities and achievement as well as my character, values, and especially my faith.” She believes that Catholic schools are valuable. She hopes students will take the time to acknowledge how faith and education come together and better prepare them for their futures. She claims, “Students are given the tools to gain an appreciation on how they can serve others throughout their lives and Catholic Schools allow students to deepen their relationship with God.” New to the staff this year, Dr. Reid is excited to see CSW at Catholic.

Director of Campus Ministry, Mrs. Nobers believes “Catholic schools give students an opportunity day to day to live out their faith outside of just a Sunday Mass, live it with their friends and community.” Mrs. Nobers has been part of the Catholic school community from kindergarten to college, and she believes that they helped her to see the importance of her faith. She adds, “I always had my Catholic school to be there and have my back in times when I was unsure of my faith.” As a basketball player herself, she is looking forward to the basketball game at the end of the week, knowing how exciting it will be.

There is much for students and teachers to look forward to during this celebratory week. Catholic Schools Week is a time for students, faculty, and families, new to the MACS system or not, to appreciate what makes Catholic and other schools along with the type of education they provide special.