Faith. Knowledge. Service.

The motto of Vicksburg Catholic School was lived out through students, teachers, administrators and parents this week.

During the nationwide Catholic Schools Week, St. Francis Xavier Elementary and St. Aloysius High School commemorated every day of the past week through faith, knowledge and service.

“Of course we celebrate Catholic education every day, but it’s the one week we really focus on our community letting everyone know who we are and what we do every day educating our children,” Ann Roberson, director of development and alumni affairs, said. “Those are the three pillars we try to instruct our kids in every day.”

The school reached out in service to the community on Monday. Older grades paired up with younger grades to work on service projects. Fourth and fifth grade teamed up with the 11th and 12th grade students for a food drive and walk-a-thon to benefit the Salvation Army.

Area businesses and organizartions pledged to give money for every mile the students walked. The students took turns throughout the day walking three miles on the track around the football field. Representatives from the Salvation Army came to walk with the students as well as teachers and administrators.

“I did a symbolic walk with each group that walked, one lap,” St. Al principal Buddy Strickland said.

Totals are still being calculated, and the students are still gathering donations.

“We trying to get another 1,000 pounds to donate by next week,” Roberson said.
Third and 10^th grade students planned a “baby shower” for the Center for Pregnancy Choices. Second and 9^th grade students created a mural for the Warren County Children’s Shelter. The preschool Montessori students worked with sixth grade to make Valentine’s Day cards for nursing home residents. Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day was held Tuesday. Parents volunteered their time to watch classes so the teachers could have a leisurely lunch period with each other. Both school principals, Strickland and Mary Arledge, hosted the luncheon at the school.

“It gives them a little break and they get to mingle with elementary and high school (teachers),” Arledge said. “That’s our way to thank the teachers and the staff for the wonderful job they do everyday.”

Also on Tuesday, the school watched the Flashettes dance team perform their routine for this weekend’s national competition and held a prayer service for safe travels to Orlando.

An open house for prospective new students was held Wednesday at both schools. During this day the knowledge part of the motto was put into full effect. The open house gave students and faculty a chance to share with the community the things happening in Vicksburg Catholic School.

“We take education very seriously. The academics and our faith, and it’s important for our students to see that, to know that and for them to spread it around the world also,” Arledge said.

The office of the Catholic Diocese of Jackson paid the school a visit Thursday morning to celebrate Mass, led by Bishop Joseph Kopacz, with the entire student body. On this day the faith pillar was observed in the school’s motto. “Our students were encouraged to invite their ministers to come and join us for the mass,” Roberson said.

Friday was Student Appreciation Day. During the last hour of class, elementary school students got to play school-wide bingo over the intercom system, and the high school students were treated to large bowls of ice cream with all the fixings. Students were also allowed to wear jeans and their favorite team jerseys. The week kicked off Sunday when students, parents and alumni spoke about their experiences in Catholic education during mass at the three area Catholic churches, St. Mary, St. Michael and St. Paul. On Sunday night an awards ceremony for fall sports was held.