by Bea Peterson
On Wednesday morning, as part of Catholic Schools Week and Animal Appreciation Day, students at St. Mary’s Academy were visited by two very different canines. The first visitor was Zoe, a beautiful German shepherd from New Skete Monastery in Cambridge, NY. [private]Zoe was accompanied by trainer Father Christopher. Fr. Christopher spoke about training dogs and answered a myriad of questions from the students. At the completion of the program they all had a chance to pet the placid Zoe.
Students in grades four through eight had a visit from Lottie, a small rescue dog, and her owner Dale Meunier, Educational Director at Second Chance Animal Shelter in Shaftsbury, VT. She talked to the students about different ways to interact with a new dog and the work at the Shelter. Students in all the grades brought in pet food for Second Chance.
Communities Of Faith, Knowledge And Service
“At St. Mary’s Academy we put an emphasis on the students for the week,” said Principal Maureen Daurio. This year the theme for Catholic Schools Week is Communities of Faith, Knowledge and Service. “At St. Mary’s we pursue as many opportunities as possible to give back to our local, regional and national communities. We see it as an essential element of the beacon of hope we are called to be as part of the Immaculate Conception Parish,” said Daurio.
Last Saturday parishioners were invited to attend the opening Mass, followed by a spaghetti dinner at the school. A Learning Fair will be held Thursday evening to showcase the students’ academic aptitudes and abilities.
The week will end Friday with School Spirit Day. Students will wear purple and gold. There will be a cheer contest, and the students will play the faculty/staff in a basketball game.
“All of these are ways we are celebrating all that it means to be a part of a Catholic School,” said Daurio.
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