Students, parents, educators and alumni in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland join colleagues across the country in celebration of the 2022 Catholic Schools Week. The formal celebration of national Catholic Schools Week is Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. However, some schools are extending, canceling or postponing events because of the pandemic and a winter storm.
Among the activities taking place are school tours and enrollment events that focus on why Catholic schools are important and what makes them a quality choice for parents and guardians.
Helping initiate the celebration, superintendents from the Office for Catholic Education teamed up with Len Howser and Joe Cronauer, program hosts from radio station 95.5 FM, The Fish. During two separate interviews, highlights of what is new within the hallways of the 90 elementary schools and 20 high schools in the diocese were shared by Frank O’Linn, diocesan superintendent of Catholic schools, and Tracey Arnone, associate superintendent. Listen to Tracey's interview below:
“It’s important to take time and reflect on the academic, spiritual and societal contributions that our schools provide,” Arnone told Cronauer. During his afternoon radio show on Jan. 28, Cronauer spoke to Arnone and promoted the open house activities taking place on Jan. 30 at schools across the eight-county diocese.
Cronauer and Arnone discussed the topics of affordability, adapting and educating students in another year of the pandemic, as well as student growth and achievements.
In addition, Howser welcomed O’Linn to his morning show. The station hosted a live broadcast from St. Ambrose School in Brunswick on Jan. 31 as part of the school’s annual community leaders’ appreciation breakfast.
The Arise and Shine appreciation breakfast featured Larry Keough as keynote speaker. Keough is associate director for the Department on Education of the Catholic Conference of Ohio. The St. Ambrose Singing Angels student choir also performed for guests.
In his role, Keough collaborates with superintendents of Catholic schools, diocesan youth organizations and young adult faith leaders to support initiatives in Catholic education.
While on air with Howser, O’Linn offered insight to what inspires the national celebration and Keough spoke about efforts in Northeast Ohio to make Catholic education affordable for any parent who desires to send their child to an elementary or secondary Catholic school.
During each interview, the superintendents encouraged listeners to explore the gift of Catholic education, pointing out the enrollment window is open with a variety of school options to fit parents’ needs for the 2022-2023 academic year.
In Westlake, St. Bernadette School kicked off the celebration of Catholic Schools Week with its annual open house on Jan. 30.
Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough presented Maureen Goodwin, St. Bernadette principal, Debbie Chinchar, first grade teacher, and Mary Beth Sullivan, with a proclamation from the city. Clough also commended the school for its robust robotics program, one of the many extracurricular activities offered at St. Bernadette. The program is sponsored and mentored through the Knights of Columbus.
Other CSW activities at St. Bernadette included a “We are Thankful for our Community and Nation Day.” Students, faculty and staff stuffed treat bags for local bus drivers and delivered donuts to the Westlake Police and Fire departments.
In addition, faculty, staff and St. Bernadette families donated to Building Hope in the City, an organization whose mission is to renew urban Cleveland through housing and community development, refugee and immigrant programs, city leader formation and social enterprise.
The popular eighth grade vs faculty volleyball game is another CSW staple at St. Bernadette School.
Click here to learn more about enrollment, Catholic Schools Week, the State of the Schools report and stories related to Catholic schools from the January/February issue of Northeast Ohio Catholic magazine, the official diocesan publication.