January 31 to February 6 was technically Catholic Schools Week, and despite the big snowstorm interrupting some plans early in the week, St Rose School students and staff found multiple ways to celebrate.

In the past there has been an eighth grade vs faculty volleyball game during this celebratory week, but given restrictions, that was postponed, hopefully to take place outdoors later in the spring. In the meantime, the students and faculty played a safe and fun game of Family Feud in the Gathering Hall, with the students declared victors.

The Home & School Association (HSA) showed their appreciation to teachers and faculty on February 5 with hand-delivered lunches from Marketplace, as well as Relax, Rest & Restore Mason jars filled with candies, a candle, lip balm, tea bag, and face mask, and a beautiful plant. This was in place of the traditional Teacher/Staff appreciation luncheon and was received with much gratitude.

Sixth and seventh graders assembled Valentine craft kit bags for the C.H. Booth Library on February 10 to distribute to 3- and 4-year-olds in the community. This is in keeping with the tradition of St Rose Middle School students leading a craft and reading hour for little ones at the library during Catholic Schools Week. The craft this year is a Valentine picture frame. Three St Rose sixth grade students filmed a “How To” video, which Children’s Librarian Alana Bennison said the library would post. The bags are displayed on top of one of the bookcases in the Children’s Department, where children can pick up the craft kit and take it home to complete.

Over the next week, some St Rose fifth graders will record stories about love/kindness and will send the link to Bennison to post on the library website.

“First Graders First” were also busy on February 10, collecting packaged cookies and candies for guests at the Dorothy Day Hospitality House in Danbury, to be included in their Valentine’s Day lunch.

Service is an integral part of all that occurs throughout the year, and particularly during Catholic Schools Week. During the past two weeks students wrote cards for essential workers at Danbury Hospital, nursing home residents, and veterans, as well.