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MANVILLE: Updated Christ the King School touted during special week

By Mary Ellen Zangara, Special Writer
   The Diocese of Metuchen celebrated Catholic Schools Week Jan. 25-31, with students at Christ the King School in Manville enjoying a week of special activities.
   The school is celebrating its 40th anniversary, and as part of the week’s celebration, opened its doors to prospective students and community members while launching various new service projects.
   Activities were planned throughout the week that expressed the Catholic Schools Week 2009 theme of “Catholic Schools Celebrate Service.” The school’s observance was part of the annual celebration of the nation’s 7,800 Catholic schools and their contribution to their communities and the United States.
   ”Each year we gather to celebrate Catholic Schools Week by showcasing our achievements and accomplishments, and by focusing on the merits of Catholic education,” Principal Christine Benson said. Our Catholic schools do good work all year, but on this special week we will focus on the fact that Catholic schools are the good news. Our Catholic schools boast high achievement rates, high moral values and high parent and student satisfaction.”
   She continued by noting students at Catholic schools tend to be 20 to 30 points above the national average in standardized tests, and most continue their academic success at high school.
   ”It’s the strong faith foundation received here at Christ the King that gives them the strength of character needed to meet the challenges of young adulthood,” Ms. Benson said. “We are so very proud of our student’s achievements.”
   This is Ms. Benson first year at the school and she is very proud to be the principal. She said she feels she’s part of a special community, and added the school’s students deserve “the very best we can give them.”
   ”I am blessed to have been given that gift, so that I can share my passion and commitment for Catholic education,” she said.
   Christ the King began and ended the week with an open house at the school. The school had tours all week with information available for those interested in attending.
   Physical education teacher Scott Fraunheim helped with the planning of the week, and noted the students’ efforts in making the event successful. Students dedicated their time to community service projects, such as “Color a smile day” where they made cards and smile symbols for various nursing homes in the area.
   ”The students also took part in collecting special mission collections for those in need,” Mr. Fraunheim said. “Students at Christ the King are also celebrating service by giving back to the American Heart Association by jumping rope for hearts. Every class in the school will be fundraising and gaining sponsorships and then jumping during all PE classes in honor of those with heart conditions and sicknesses.
   ”Christ the King school had various daily activities planned for the students such as an ice Cream Student appreciation day, reading buddies day, teachers day, and finally a school spirit day to celebrate the great gift of Catholic Education in Manville,” he said.
   The celebration of Catholic Schools week ended with a pep rally in the gym. Students in the fifth-, sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grades teamed up for a basketball game against Fr. Bogie and the teachers. All of the students made signs cheering on their favorites as they enjoyed the game and the Christ the King cheerleaders supported all players.
   Christ the King School serves students from Pre K- 8th grade of all religious, racial, ethnic and income backgrounds. Ms. Benson says the school is still accepting new students, and touted the school’s new art computer and science labs.
   ”As you tour our newly renovated facility, you will feel the warm and caring atmosphere in which our children are thriving and growing,” she said.
   For more information about Christ the King School, call Ms. Benson at 908-526-1339, e-mail her at [email protected], or visit the Web site www.ctkmanville.com.