FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 4, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Adriana Rodriguez
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John Quaglione
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CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK EVENTS IN BROOKLYN AND QUEENS TO HONOR
BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND CHINESE NEW YEAR
Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Catholic School Support Services for the Diocese of Brooklyn, today has announced plans for schools and academies throughout Brooklyn and Queens to celebrate Catholic Schools Week during the week of February 7-13. The Diocese will mark Catholic Schools Week differently than in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, however unique events are planned that will connect the celebration of Catholic Schools Week with both Black History Month and Chinese New Year.
“This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our schools and academies have had to change their plans for Catholic Schools Week, which in the past featured mostly in-person gatherings celebrating our students, teachers, and the success of our schools. I am proud to see that despite the challenges to reinvent these events, our schools have some amazing virtual activities planned that will showcase our students and the academic excellence of our schools,” said Dr. Thomas Chadzutko, Superintendent of Schools.
Highlights of this year’s events include:
*Zoom classroom visits with Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio and Auxiliary Bishops Raymond Chappetto and Paul Sanchez at various schools.
*Virtual “Flying Classroom” STEM lessons led by Captain Barrington Irving, the youngest and first African-American male to fly solo around the world in 2007. Captain Irving will be presenting lessons to three schools as part of Catholic Schools Week.
*Chinese New Year celebration led by the dual-language program at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Flushing.
The theme of Catholic Schools Week this year is “Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.”
The “Flying Classroom” lessons will be incorporated into Diocesan school and academy curriculum as a component of the 2021 Year of Renewal for Catholic Education. The Diocese of Brooklyn committed this new year to bolster Catholic education. The effort is guided by the goals of addressing the challenges facing Catholic schools, implementing innovative educational opportunities, and strengthening specific areas of Catholic education including enrollment, academic excellence, financial stability and governance.
Catholic Schools Week also marks the beginning of registration for the upcoming school year. Virtual open houses are scheduled at each of the Diocesan’s 69 schools throughout Catholic Schools Week. For more information on Catholic Schools and Academies in Brooklyn and Queens, visit catholicschoolsbq.org or call (718) 965-7300.
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