Holy Cross School celebrates National Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 31-Feb. 6

An annual event since 1974, the nation's Catholic schools have spent one week in the early part of the each year recognizing what makes Catholic education special. The 2016 National Catholic School Week theme, "Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service," fully encompasses the mission of all Catholic schools.

"Catholic schools provide students with not only an excellent academic foundation but focus on creating an environment where moral responsibility and service to others are a priority," said Father James Parker, pastor of Holy Cross Church in Batavia. "Ultimately, our objective is to not only produce highly educated, driven students but also young adults who will change this world through their daily interactions with others."

Throughout the week of Jan. 31, Holy Cross School will celebrate with a variety of events and activities such as service trips to Feed My Starving Children, collecting food for the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry, an All-School Read, and raising money for the St. Vincent de Paul Society, a local charity helping those in dire need in the area.

The week will begin with an open house for prospective families, which will include classroom demonstrations, presentations and informational tables with representatives from the student clubs and parent organizations. Attendees will have access to teachers, administration, graduates and current students.

"With 58 percent of students enrolled at Holy Cross coming from outside of the Batavia school district, Holy Cross has a broad impact on the community at large," stated Mike Puttin, principal at Holy Cross School. "Focusing on academic differentiation, we successfully offer something unique within parochial schools. Like public schools, Holy Cross provides an education that meets the varying academic needs of students but in a faith-filled environment. Our ongoing faith formation includes daily Mass, weekly Adoration, monthly Confession, and daily prayer."

In the 2014-15 school year, Catholic schools nationwide had a graduation rate of 99 percent, the highest of any other type of high school. In addition, 85.7 percent of students who graduated from Catholic schools attended college, which is over 26 percent higher than other parochial schools and 48 percent higher than public schools.

Registration is not required to attend the open house from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 31. For additional information or to schedule a private tour, call Holy Cross at (630) 593-5290, email mputtin@holycross-batavia.org or visit www.holycross-batavia.org.