By: centraljersey.com
St. Paul Catholic School celebrated Catholic Schools Week with an array of activities last week designed to increase awareness of activities within the parish and within the larger community.
Part of its mandate as a school is an emphasis on faith enrichment and social justice, said Principal Ryan Killeen.
Each day had a theme, including service in the community, service and volunteerism, and service and knowledge. The national theme was ‘A+ for America, Catholic Schools.’
There was a Super Bowl can drive for the homeless shelter in Trenton, where they collected over 500 cans of soup. They had two boxes, one representing Green Bay and the other representing Pittsburgh. For the student competition, Green Bay won, Mr. Killeen said.
On Good Neighbor Day, Principal Killeen went out with about a dozen students to area businesses that have been supportive of the school and give them a box of chocolate.
The week gives students the chance to realize how their school is different from other schools. Academics are core of who we are, said Mr. Killeen. But understanding the faith component and being able to share and celebrate the Catholic faith is not something that you have in every school. The week helped students to appreciate the dedication of their families who pay for them to have a Catholic education, he said.
There was also a spelling bee and a religion wizard competition.
In honor of their on-going reading initiative, students took time out to read. Older students were paired with their buddies for quiet reading. Students also donated over 300 new and gently used children’s books for Homefront in Lawrenceville.
The week ended with a pep rally and a teacher appreciation luncheon.

