The last Sunday of January marks the start of a nationally known week for students in Catholic institutions. Schools all around the world celebrate what a Catholic education offers. Oftentimes numerous activities go on throughout the week.

In Dubuque, elementary to high school students celebrate by having multiple out- of-uniform days and then celebrate with an all school mass. Catholic Schools Week, however, has differed as students transition from elementary school to high school.

During elementary school, students did a variety of things. At St. Anthony’s, students participated in a variation of the Olympics, and the fifth-graders put on a puppet show for younger students.

The fifth-grade class would perform a puppet show of famous Bible stories. Aidan McSperrin, ’17, said, “I remember making an ark for the puppet show, and I still have it to this day.” Many still recall activities that happened during the week even from elementary school.

High schoolers today reflect on their past experiences in elementary school and how they celebrated the special week. The class of 2017 remembers going to an all Holy Family Catholic School Systems mass during Catholic Schools Week.

Also, several recall writing letters to their parents. In both elementary and middle school, students were required to write letters to their parents. The letter thanked them for sacrificing both their time and money for sending their children to a Catholic school.

Elyse Kalb, ’17, “I attended a public school for elementary school, so I didn’t even know that Catholic Schools Week existed. One memory that I have from my first Catholic Schools Week was writing a letter to my parents. In the letter I thanked them for sending me to a Catholic school.”

Students’ opinions vary when it comes to the week. Although we are still guaranteed dress down days, some high school students believe that the week is not as exciting.

Grace Herber, ’16, said, “In elementary school, Catholic Schools Week was the best because we had activities going on all week that got us out of class. In high school, we get a couple of out-of-uniform days that still have a dress code. The week at Wahlert lacks exciting activities.”

Although many have varying opinions, Catholic Schools Week allows students to be thankful for being given a Catholic education.