Posted January 23, 2014

A Family Mass and Open House on Jan. 26 are scheduled to kick off Catholic Schools Week at St. Francis de Sales Parish School in Aston, Delaware County.

St. Francis de Sales School will celebrate its rich heritage and share its Catholic identity with the local community through a variety of activities for students, families and community members during the week, Jan. 26 to 31.

Following the Sunday, Jan. 26 Mass at 11:30 a.m. in the parish church at 35 New Road in Aston, a special Open House will be held in the school from 1 to 2 p.m.  Alumni, past faculty and staff, current students and their families, parishioners and members of the community are welcome to both events.

Visitors will experience first-hand what makes St. Francis de Sales School one of the most distinctive educational institutions in the community. Students and parents will conduct school tours and demonstrate class projects. A student art exhibition will also be on display. Light refreshments will be served. The school is located at 39 New Road, Aston.

The week’s activities take on an Olympic theme and include a 40-hour service challenge, deCathalon, patron saint activities, writing letters of thanks to local civil servants, an assembly program, a student-teacher trivia contest and parent career presentations. The week will culminate with Family Bingo on Friday evening, Jan. 31.

“Catholic Schools:  Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service” is the theme of the annual national Catholic Schools Week celebration. The national initiative establishes a set of defining characteristics for Catholic schools, including excellence, commitment to educating the whole child and a Catholic world view — characteristics of St. Francis de Sales School.

The events planned will demonstrate how the school strives for high standards and what the students are learning as a result.