MASSENA - Trinity Catholic School staff and students are reflecting on the value of their school this week as they celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

“It’s a week that the children really get to celebrate that they are actually going to a different school. The reason Trinity is so special is because we have God at the center of everything we do. We’re allowed to proclaim that every day in the way we respect each other and treat each other,” Principal Kathy Behrens said.

“That’s what our world needs to much today,” she said. “What better place to talk to children every day about the love of our God and how wonderful He is. We really want to make sure that our children and our families understand here at Trinity we are not forgetting that.”

The week began on Sunday with a 9:30 a.m. opening Mass, with children leading everyone in prayer at Sacred Heart Church. That was followed by the traditional and well-attended pancake breakfast at the school.

“We had nice support. The community is so good to use. I can never thank them enough,” Ms. Behrens said.

Monday’s events included an 8:45 a.m. prayer service at Sacred Heart Church, and the students also had an opportunity to share their thoughts about Trinity.

“Most of our classes wrote the reason they like Trinity Catholic School or being here or their favorite memory of Trinity Catholic School. As part of the prayer service, two representatives from each class, K through six came and read their testimonials. They were just absolutely beautiful,” she said.

“That’s the piece that we can’t get out into the community. It’s the everyday things that go on in our school that people just need to come in and experience. I welcome anyone to come in and experience what goes on here. Until you’re here during the everyday goings-on, you can’t experience it. It’s such a gift,” Ms. Behrens said.

Monday was also “Mix and Match Day,” when students and staff had an opportunity to mismatch their clothes.

The clothing combinations included plaid pajama bottoms with a solid bright shirt, floral prints with polka dot prints and skirts with leggings with peace signs underneath.

“The theme is, in spite of all of that, we know that in God’s eyes we are all perfect,” she said.

Today is “Fat Tuesday” in recognition of Mardi Gras.

“We’re going to explain where Mardi Gras really came from in our Catholic tradition. It gives us an opportunity to explain to children what it’s all about,” Ms. Behrens said.

The school’s Parent Teacher Connection, headed by Christie Valdez and Terry and Shauna DuBray, is also hosting a teacher and staff luncheon at 1 p.m. in the cafeteria.

“They kind of transform the cafeteria for us. They send us a beautiful invitation inviting us to a Mardi Gras luncheon. We invited our priest and our nun and all the faculty and staff here. The parents do a wonderful job that day. We actually forget that we’re in our own cafeteria,” she said.

Wednesday is Ash Wednesday, and they’ll be attending noon Mass at Sacred Heart Church to receive their ashes. It’s also “Spirit and Pride Day” when they’ll be wearing blue and white, the school’s colors.

“We will be celebrating that we are children of God,” Ms. Behrens said.

On Thursday, Valentine’s Day, she said they’ll be “celebrating different ways to love one another” by sharing valentines and delivering cards to the local nursing homes.

“Our kindergarten children will be going to the nursing homes to give the valentines that they have made,” she said.

Thursday activities also include an old-fashioned spaghetti dinner and Student Learning Fair. The cost of the dinner is $5 for adults, $4 for children and a family rate of $15.

The “Share Fair” will allow students to exhibit their “secret talents,” according to the principal, “whether it’s putting a PowerPoint together, building a Lego creation, playing the piano or any kind of special talent they feel they just want to showcase that night.”

The dinner and Share Fair runs from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Student Appreciation Day will be held Friday.

“That is when the children get to wear pajamas to school with the theme that on the last day God rested,” Ms. Behrens said.

They’ve invited a clown to visit the school in the afternoon, and they’ll enjoy a lunch with a special dessert of brownie sundaes.

In addition, Ms. Behrens said, the older children will be going to the younger childrens’ classrooms to read to them, read together and play board games with each other.

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