ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ - Mother Teresa Regional School, Atlantic Highlands, is not only ready to celebrate Catholic Schools Week the last week of January but the entire month.  Starting the first day back from Christmas vacation, students will be focusing on Faith, Academics, and Service in preparation for the big celebration.

The first week back to school is time to gear up for the Polar Plunge on January 8^th sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians. This is an opportunity for service to the school as students, parents, teachers and principal plan to plunge in the freezing water to raise money for the school’s annual fund which supports tuition assistance.  Students will have the opportunity to help raise money by wearing hats and gloves, bringing in their favorite bear, wearing their fuzziest slippers or purchasing snocones.  “The events this week are a great way to bring attention to the polar plunge” notes Principal Melissa Whelan Wisk “I am hoping since I am serving the snocones the students may favor me not getting dunked.”  Mrs. Wisk and fifth grade teacher Mrs. Michelle Taylor are participating in a penny war to see who will be dunked by a student plunger on Sunday.  Currently Mrs. Taylor’s promises of playing Air Guitar have the students rooting for her.  Students will have to wait until Friday, January 6^th to see who will be dunked.

On Friday, January 6^th the school will gather for Liturgy focusing on the story of Joseph and his multicolored coat.  Students will also be creating their own multicolored coats with their buddies for display on the school’s bulletin board which teaches the stories of the month.  Mr. Sean Kennedy, a parent at MTRS and catechist will be leading the eighth grade students on retreat on January 10^th. This is a day set aside for the 8^th grade to reflect on their relationship with God and how they can follow in the footsteps of Christ.

Also on January 10^th, students in grades PK4-5 will be treated to a presentation by the Raptor Trust.  PreK4 teacher Mrs. Lynne Antol invited the Raptor Trust to speak to the younger students about their work with wounded birds.  Students in PreK4 and the 4^th grade are focusing their social justice activities this year on those organizations which help animals.  “This presentation will give students insight into an organization that helps the animals” according to Mrs. Antol “It will also teach the students about the different birds and we are excited to meet one of the owls.” 

Two field trips will also focus students’ learning. Students in grades 1-5 will be treated to the play, “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley” performed by the Seraph Players of Mater Dei Prep.  “Our students are excited for this opportunity and we are grateful to Mater Dei for affording us this opportunity.  The fourth and fifth grade students are even trading Flat Stanleys with students in Korea and have taken pictures with their Flat Stanleys from Korea around the school and over the Christmas holiday” noted principal Mrs. Wisk.  The 8^th grade students are heading to Liberty Science Center to continue expanding their scientific knowledge. Several of the students participated in the Stars Challenge and won first place in December for their experiment and presentation.

Teachers are not leaving all the learning to students.  On Monday, January 16^th teachers will gather for a day of professional development.  Two speakers will be training the teachers on the use of the new technology offered through SMART Math and Mimio Teach.  In addition, a Math coach will be coming into the classes during the week to see how the teachers are implementing the new teaching methods for which they have been trained.  At MTRS the learning is constant among the students and teachers.

For the social justice project for the month, students will be creating fleece blankets for the Barn for the Poorest of the Poor, another ministry which the school works to help. The blankets will be sent into New York to the Missionaries of Charity. This is along with the sandwiches that the children make each Tuesday to send into the city to feed the homeless.

The award winning debate team will be participating in their second debate of year on Saturday, January 28^th.   Students will be debating topics such as whether schools should be peanut free, the impact of the Occupy Wall Street Protestors on America, should the US increase its use of solar power, and whether the European Union should drop the Euro. The debate will be held at Red Bank Charter School.

The end of the month finds the celebration of Catholic Schools Week in full swing.  Students will celebrate special liturgies at their home parish in the morning with the school choir leading the music at Saint Agnes Church this year at the 10:15 am Mass. Families are encouraged to visit with the stars at the school’s Open House on Sunday, January 29^th from Noon until 3:00 pm.  Visitors will have the opportunity to conduct science experiments with the Stars Challenge Winners, debate the school’s debate team, have story time with the PreK teacher, create art and publish it on the web, and tour the school.  A second open house is scheduled for Wednesday from 9am until 11am with a prayer service at 10:30 am.  Monday is a chance to show off the academic prowess of the school and its sponsoring parishes. Students will have the opportunity to participate in academic competitions earlier in the day and then watch as the school hosts “Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader.”  Admission is $1 and the funds will be sent to the Diocesan Foundation for Student Achievement for tuition assistance.    Tuesday will focus on Service as students prepare a thank you breakfast for the volunteers who help make the school a great place and wonderful community. All students will partner with their buddies and work on projects for the five charities that the school has decided to focus on for the year, Barn for the Poorest of the Poor, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, King James Nursing Home, The Parish Food Pantries, and the SPCA in the afternoon.  The drama club will be presenting its play, “Dracula the Twilight Years” on Thursday at a free matinee for seniors and in the evening.  Friday concludes Catholic Schools Week with Mass and pin ceremony for the 8^th grade students. The pin signifies their connection to the school, their impending graduation, and all of their accomplishments to this point in time.  After school on Friday, the Parent Teachers Association treats the faculty to a luncheon in appreciation for all that they do for the school community.

The entire community at Mother Teresa Regional School is excited to begin this celebration of Faith, Academics, and Service.  The small community atmosphere and the individual attention to each child helps students reach higher to achieve their best.  For more information on the Catholic Schools Week events or Mother Teresa Regional visit mtregional.com or call (732) 291-1050.