Catholic schools showcase their value to community during special week

Three schools in the North Hills celebrated Catholic Schools Week with a series of scholastic and community events.

The events Jan. 26 through Feb. 1 were part of annual festivities among Catholic schools throughout the nation. This year’s theme was “Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community.”

Blessed Francis Seelos Academy in Pine, Blessed Trinity Academy in Hampton and Holy Cross Academy in Ross marked something close to a “spirit week” in the public school system, according to Leigh Zuccher, regional advancement director for the North Hills Regional Catholic Elementary Schools.

The week, Zuccher said, consisted of student activities such as an interschool basketball competition as well as community-oriented events including open houses and blanket drives.

Even for those not interested in attending Catholic school, Zuccher said the week is an opportunity for community members to see the “value” of Catholic schools in the area.

“We’re trying to be good stewards of the community and let them see that we want to be out there and active so that the North Hills can benefit from our schools,” she said.

At Holy Cross Academy, Principal Kevin Frye said the week “unifies” the Catholic schools throughout the diocese and nation while also providing a fun week for pupils.

Between large Masses and open houses at the beginning and end of the week, Frye said Holy Cross students participated in a schoolwide rock, paper, scissors tournament on Jan. 27. In an effort to teach “sportsmanship” and “teamwork,” Frye said as students were knocked out of the tournament it was their task to cheer for the student who beat them.

Students also wrote letters to senior citizens in nearby care facilities to let the residents know students “think of them and pray for them,” Frye said. Plus, Pittsburgh’s Civic Light Opera offered a performance of a musical about Galileo for the students, the principal said.

“I think this year was just particularly a really great week for building teamwork in the school and reminding the kids why Catholic schools are special,” he said.

At the end of the week, Holy Cross families were invited to a large picnic in the school gym and cafeteria. The lunch included about 600 people, Frye said.

Holy Cross played a pivotal role during the week, Frye said, as the host of a regional interschool basketball competition to close out the festivities. Eight Catholic schools from the North Hills and Butler County participated in various skills competitions as they represented their schools.

Frye said he was proud that his students ended up the victor in the competition.

Throughout the week, students often were allowed to shed their school uniforms for more casual wear during “dress-down days.” But besides the “joy” of losing their collars, Frye said last week offered students the chance to make in-roads into their communities “as part of their faith.”

“It’s a fun week for (the students) as it should be because we simultaneously are opening up for the future and inviting people in to join our community while celebrating those who are already here and thanking those who help us be here,” Frye said.