CSW

Of the three major weeks celebrated in the St. Mark's school year, Catholic Schools Week, in terms of excitement, finishes a respectable third to the Blue-Gold and Spirit Weeks. That's OK, though. The week has settled into a established and focused program for a few years: Mass on Monday, chorus and Buddy School outreach on Tuesday / Wednesday; Teacher-Appreciation Luncheon on Thursday, and fun assembly on Friday, Student Appreciation Day.

I'm writing this as the Friday morning assembly has concluded. The seniors defeated the faculty in the Dodge Ball contest, but not before English teacher, Mike "The Beast" DiGennaro, slew many a taller and stronger foe.





At yesterday's Dancing With the Stars competition at the CSW teacher-appreciation luncheon, Jack "Hammer Time" Baldino and his partner, Nithan Paul, edged Nick Russo and his dance mate, Christina Bookout (OK, I was secretly rooting for Christine Sporay and Val Greene, two of my students). The two programs indicate the types of assemblies that we can hold at St. Mark's that makes us DIFFERENT from public schools. I'm wondering if certain district and union laws and regulations would even allow teachers and students to compete in dance and dodgeball. Anyway, in both cases, a good time was had by all.

Further emphasizing that what makes the Catholic school different was the awarding of yesterday's Teacher Mark of Excellence Award. Ms. Susanne Peiffer, a 1994 graduate of St. Mark's, was honored. Ms. Peiffer developed, organized, and has led the school's summer mission trip for the past three years. The mission takes approximately 40 students into impoverished communities, like Appalachia, to perform much-needed work for two weeks. It also gives students time away from "the real world" to develop their spirituality. Students who return from the mission trip often talk of undergoing "life-changing" experiences.

These are the reasons why we celebrate Catholic Schools Week.