St. Mary’s School believes that service is an integral part of a child’s Catholic education. Service opportunities allow each child to put their faith in action to positively impact the world around them. St. Mary’s has several service projects that the whole school participates in, as well as each grade.
Box of Joy: Each classroom comes together to fill a box to be a Christmas gift for a boy and a girl in developing countries around the world. Each boy brings in a gift for a boy his age, and each girl does the same. In 2019, St. Mary’s School donated 25 boxes to the Box of Joy program.
Christmas Ornaments: During Advent, our Faith Families gather to create a special Christmas ornament. These ornaments are donated to residents at the Meadows, Marietta’s Place, and the Good Neighbor Home. Various ages of students have the opportunity to hand deliver these ornaments. We also provide ornaments for homebound parishioners in our parish.
Penny Wars: This fun competition raises money for various causes. We have donated to local charities, UIHC Children’s Hospital, and several other non-profit groups.
Star Sacks: Every year during Catholic Schools’ Week, teachers and staff decorate and fill bags with goods. Students buy tickets to be drawn to win each bag. The proceeds go towards purchasing fleece to make tie blankets in our Faith Families. These cozy blankets are then donated to the Good Neighbor Society to give to new residents.
Tirril Park Clean Up: On Earth Day, our school walks to Tirril Park. We gather together for a prayer, and then disperse to clean up the park. Manchester Parks and Recreation help the third graders plant new trees in the park. All other grades work together to pick up sticks, rake leaves, and clean up trash throughout the park.
We are both alumni to St. Mary's, so when we moved back to Manchester, we knew it would be the school for our kids. We love the sense of community and the interaction between the older and younger students. The principal, teachers, and staff truly care and treat our children as their own; and, in return, they feel like extended family. The values, faith and education our children are being taught, and shown through example, have exceeded our expectations. We see that shine through our four kids every day.
Nick & Janet Klostermann