Catholic Schools Week January 31 – February 6, 2010

The five Topeka Catholic grade schools and Hayden High School will welcome prospective students, current students, parents, grandparents, alumni and the community during the celebration of Catholic Schools Week 2010, Jan. 31 – Feb. 6.

Topeka Catholic Schools have planned activities throughout the week that express the Catholic Schools Week theme of “Catholic Schools: Dividends for Life.” The schools’ observance is part of the annual celebration of the nation’s 7,800 Catholic schools and their contribution to their communities and the United States.

“The theme of Catholic Schools Week focuses on four pillars: faith, knowledge, discipline and morals.  In Catholic schools, we partner with our families to provide these for our students and to prepare them to serve in their communities,” said Relynn Reynoso, director of Topeka Catholic Schools Institute. “Topeka Catholic Schools participate in service projects ranging from collecting canned goods for the homeless to visiting the elderly to giving more than 15,000 volunteer hours annually to community organizations.”

In addition to service projects, the Topeka Catholic Schools celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses and activities for students, administrators, faculty, school staff, the community and families.

“Our students receive an excellent, multifaceted education that prepares them for future leadership in our communities, government, businesses and families,” Reynoso said. “Topeka Catholic Schools emphasize academic excellence and moral values, which results in high achievement rates as well as student and parent satisfaction.”

The five, K-8 elementary Catholic schools in Topeka are Christ the King, Holy Family, Mater Dei, Most Pure Heart of Mary, and St. Matthews. Hayden High School is Topeka’s 9-12 Catholic high school. Topeka Catholic Schools serve students of all religious, racial, ethnic and income backgrounds. For information on curriculum, admissions and registration at each school, go to www.topekacatholicschools.org or call Topeka Catholic Schools Institute at Hayden High, 272-5210.