Catholic schools celebrate their strengths

Chicago, Ill., Jan 30, 2005 / 22:00 pm

Catholic Schools Week will include more celebration than usual for St. Alphonsus Liguori Catholic School. The school in Prospect Heights, Ill., was one of  250 nationwide to win a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence Award from the U.S. Department of Education in November.

Kristine Cohn, regional representative of the U.S. education secretary, will present the award to the school this week during a 7 p.m. mass Wednesday, reported the Daily Herald.

The selection process for the award depends on test scores and results. St. Alphonsus Liguori scored in the top 10 percent nationally.

Catholic Schools Week began last Friday and will run until the end of this week. The annual event is an opportunity for Catholic schools across the country to introduce themselves to their communities by holding open houses, student fairs and tours.

This year's theme, set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Catholic Education Association, is "Faith in Every Student."

Other activities include Teacher Appreciation Day and Parent Appreciation Day. The latter recognizes the sacrifice parents often make to send their children to Catholic schools.