Celebrate! Inspired by the daily themes of this year’s Catholic Schools Week

Celebrate!!! Inspired by the daily themes of this year’s Catholic Schools Week, Immaculate Heart Academy packed the first week of February with events and activities to celebrate every part of the extended school family.  Recognizing that this family extends beyond the campus gates, the school’s principal and faculty guided the students in celebrating our parishes, our community, our nation, our priests and religious, and our teachers.  Students drew pictures and cards for the Oro Valley Fire and Police Departments and brought in food and clothing to help those in need served by Casa Maria and Interfaith Community Services. 

Students celebrated our nation with patriotic dress and by writing letters of thanks and prayer to our local officials.  With many students still learning remotely, the teachers and principal creatively put together video montages of the students’ work so all students could participate.   The school celebrated vocations with a live online ‘meet and greet’ with members of our Church community, giving the students the opportunity to talk with and learn from several priests, religious, and a discerning ‘pre-seminarian.’ 

The kindergarten class was especially impressed with Father Terry Messer, a Franciscan priest who rides a motorcycle through the desert and trains dogs (a ‘dog whisperer’ was his description), Sister Rita McCarty of Santa Rita Abbey who bakes the altar breads used in churches throughout the country, and Father Albert Miranda who collects vintage typewriters (although teachers and parents had to explain what a typewriter was!). 

A ‘No Homework Day’ and chances to ditch some of the school uniform for Future Me day, silly sock day, and crazy hat day, and extra recess made the week especially fun for the students.  Lastly, the students celebrated their teachers with a surprise presentation of ‘thank-you’ letters, drawings, and videos.  Despite the challenges of this past year, a celebratory mood most definitely filled the campus at Immaculate Heart Academy this past week, lifting the spirits of the entire school family and showcasing once more the value, uniqueness, and beauty of our Catholic schools!

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