January 24, 2006 > Catholic Schools Week

by Venkat Raman

Catholic schools have played a significant role in the United States for nearly 300 years and currently provide education to approximately two million students using the services of 174,000 teachers in more than 8,000 schools across the nation. Every year, a week is set aside, typically started with a Sunday Mass and open house, followed by weeklong celebratory activities, to recognize and appreciate those that contribute to the success of these schools. This tradition, a joint project between the National Catholic Educational Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, dates back to 1974. Each year, a different theme is chosen; for January 29 - February 4, 2006, it is "character, compassion, values."

In addition to providing an opportunity to reflect on past accomplishments, Catholic Schools Week allows prospective students and families to become familiar with the school system. Although the event is organized nationally, each school handles its own festivities. For example, Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Fremont plans to observe Free Dress day on Monday, Staff Appreciation on Wednesday and Parent Appreciation on Thursday, while St. Joseph school in Fremont reserves Tuesday for Free Dress day and Friday for Teacher Appreciation, and St. Edward school of Newark will appreciate parents on Monday. By the end of the week, all schools hold appreciation events for teachers/staff, parents/volunteers, administrators and students for their contributions.

A schedule of Catholic Schools Week open houses is listed below. Please contact the school of your choice to confirm time and date:

Fremont

Sunday, Jan. 29
12:15 p.m.
Our Lady of Guadalupe School
40374 Fremont Blvd.
510-657-1674
www.guadalupe-school.com

Sunday, Jan. 29
9:00 a.m.
St. Joseph School and Dominican Kindergarten
43222 Mission Blvd. Fremont
510-656-6525
510-651-7978 (K)
www.sjsmsj.org
Call school for more information

Holy Spirit School
3930 Parish Ave.
510-793-3553
www.holyspiritfmt.com
Call school for more information

Newark

Sunday, Jan. 29
8:30 a.m.
St. Edward Catholic Church
5788 Thornton Ave.
510-793-7242
http://www.stedwardcatholic.org
Call school for more information

Union City

Sunday, Jan. 29
8:15 a.m.
Our Lady of the Rosary School
678 B Street
510-471-3765
www.olrschool.org

Hayward

Sunday, Jan. 29
10:30 a.m.
St. Bede School
26910 Patrick Ave.
www.stbedehay.com
510-782-3444

Sunday, Jan. 29
10:30 a.m.
St. Joachim School
21250 Hesperian Blvd.
www.stjoachimschool.org
510-783-3177

Friday & Sunday, Feb. 3 & 5
8:30 a.m.
All Saints School
22870 Second St.
www.all-saints-school.org
510-582-1910

Mondays, Jan. 30 and Feb. 6
Moreau Catholic High School
27170 Mission Blvd.
www.moreaucatholic.org
510-881-4300
Call for time

St. Clement School
790 Calhoun St.
www.sclement.org
510-538-5885
Call for more information

Milpitas

Sunday, Jan. 29
9:00 a.m.
Saint John the Baptist School
360 S. Abel St.
www.sjbs.org
408-262-8110