January 27, 2006 – Toledo, OH – Catholic schools across the diocese and across the country are celebrating “Catholic Schools: Character. Compassion. Values” during Catholic Schools Week January 29 – February 4.

According to the National Catholic Education Association’ s United States Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools 2004-2005: The Annual Statistical Report on Schools, Enrollment and Staffing, 2,420,590 students are enrolled in 7799 Catholic schools across the country, employing 160,153 full-time professional staff people. 

In the diocese of Toledo, 54,045 students are enrolled in Catholic education including seminaries, colleges and universities, high schools, elementary schools, special schools, religious education (C.C.D.) and pre K-8. The diocese employs 444 full-time academic teachers in the 19 county diocese.
Several area Catholic schools have planned activities for Catholic Schools Week: 
 

Sunday, January 29 – Students will serve as lectors, servers, hospitality ministers, singers and cantors, and gift bearers at mass.  
Wednesday, February 1 – Students will write letters to local and national leaders expressing their thoughts about their Catholic education and how it will help prepare them for their future. 
Thursday, February 2 – St. Louis’ Parent Teacher Association will thank the staff for their dedication to Catholic education with a special luncheon in their honor.
Friday, February 4 – Students will participate in a school wide liturgy. 
 
Contact: Sr. Dianne Sartor, OSF/T, Principal
Phone: 419-669-2878

Monday, January 30 – “Character. Compassion. Values: In Our Community” 9:15am Mayor Quinn will give a proclamation at an assembly. Students will be allowed to wear slippers to school and will be encouraged to bring in a new pair to donate to those in need. 
Tuesday, January 31 – “Character. Compassion. Values: In Our Students” Students may wear attire of their favorite athletic team. Students will also collect canned goods to give to La Posada and St. Louis Helping Hands. 
Wednesday, February 1 – “Character. Compassion. Values: In Our Nation” Students will be encouraged to wear red, white and blue today and to bring in gently used blankets to donate to area shelters. Students will also be writing to elected officials thanking them for their support of Catholic education. 
Thursday, February 2 – “Character. Compassion. Values” In Our Vocations” Students will participate in an all-school Mass.
Friday, February 3 – “Character. Compassion. Values: In our faculty, Staff, and Volunteers” Students are allowed to wear hats and jeans today in honor of all those and the many hats they wear to help students at St. Aloysius. 
 
Contact: Mary K. Williams, Principal
Phone: 419-352-8614 
 

Sunday, January 29 – “Character” Following the 10:30am Mass everyone is invited to a chicken barbecue and open house from 11:30am to 1pm. 
Monday, January 30 – “Compassion” Students will be allowed to dress down and will participate in a Math-a-thon with all donations being given to St. Jude’s hospital. Later in the afternoon WNDH will broadcast a live remote
Tuesday, January 31 – “Values” Students will enjoy a trivia quiz and a movie about traits and values in the gym at 2pm. 
Wednesday, February 1 – “Spirit Day” Students are encouraged to wear their school colors or St. Augustine apparel and will participate in relay in the gym at 2pm. 
Thursday, February 2 – “Academic Day” 2pm Spelling Bee
Friday. February 3 – “Got God?” Students will attend Mass and then at 2pm participate in a school wide Bingo tournament.
 
Contact: Nancy Ann Schroeder, Principal
Phone: 419-592-3641 
 

Monday, January 30 – “Make a Difference Day” Students and staff are encouraged to do something special for someone who won’t be expecting it. This could be a note, a card, run an errand, do a favor, or perform some other random act of kindness.  A collection of spare change will be taken up all week to benefit victims of recent disasters.
Tuesday, January 31 – “Spirit Day” Students will show their spirit by wearing shirts promoting the various sports and organizations at St. Wendelin HS.   
Wednesday, February 1 – “Staff Appreciation Day” All staff will receive a coupon for a free meal to recognize their contributions to St. Wendelin HS.
Thursday, February 2 – “Faith in Action Day” A special assembly featuring Apex Ministries will be held for grades K-12 at 1:00 PM in the high school
Friday. February 3 – “Student Appreciation Day” There will be an assembly with donuts, bagels, fruit, milk, and juice for the HS student body in the gym at 8:00 AM to show appreciation to our students for their hard work and cooperation. Students may also wear jeans today and will attend a pep rally at 2pm. 
 
Contact: David Alt, Principal 
Phone: 419-435-8144
 
The Diocese of Toledo, established April 15, 1910 encompasses 8222 square miles in a mixture of urban and rural areas that spans 19 counties across Northwest Ohio, serving 309,828 Catholics. The diocese includes Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Richland, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, Wood and Wyandot counties.
 
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