From the time a child is 3 until he graduates from high school, other than his parents, there is no stronger influence on that child than the school he attends.

At Cathedral, we understand, appreciate and value the tremendous responsibility we have to not only educate, but to mold our children’s fragile character and spirit. We cherish this incredible opportunity and strive to make a positive difference in each of our students, each and every day. Catholic schools truly “light the way” by providing a Christian faith-based education that supports the whole child in improved learning, and in developing those attributes for leading a fulfilled, balanced and meaningful life. That is why the National Catholic Schools Week theme for 2008 is “Catholic Schools Light the Way.”

This year’s theme combines the concepts of God’s light in the world and the light of knowledge we strive to kindle in our students.

Our experienced and dedicated faculty “light the way” in each and every classroom by teaching to each individual student and by promoting their healthy spiritual development.

As a Catholic school, Cathedral “lights the way” by supporting you as a family and making a positive and lasting impact in our communities. Our hope is to develop balanced, well educated and spiritually nurtured students who will become productive citizens and “light the way” to a brighter future through their leadership in our communities, churches, governments, businesses and families.

On Monday, we will begin our annual observance of Catholic Schools Week, which is the time set aside each year to celebrate Catholic education and honor those who help provide the academic excellence and spiritual values that make Cathedral a special place.

We will take time to express our appreciation to our teachers, staff, administrators, and School Advisory Council Committee members and volunteers. Through their dedication and commitment, they make Cathedral School excellent and truly “light the way” for our students.

During the week, we will highlight our school’s high-quality, faith-filled education and we will honor everyone who contributes to Cathedral’s success, not only students, families, faculty, staff and School Advisory Council members, but also volunteers, community supporters, local leaders and benefactors. We invite Cathedral parents, prospective parents, friends and supporters to join us in our Catholic Schools Week celebration. Come visit the classrooms during our open houses, meet with the teachers and students and congratulate them on their accomplishments.

We will begin the week with faculty and staff appreciation day Monday, which begins with celebration of Mass at 8 a.m. at St. Mary Basilica with Bishop Joseph Latino celebrating. Cathedral School’s dedicated faculty and staff will be treated to a lunch hosted by the School Advisory Committee. Tuesday will be student appreciation day/blue jean day/parent appreciation night.

The women and men faculty will challenge the seniors in a volleyball game in the Roy Garcia Gymnasium. The women faculty will take on the senior girls at 1:30 p.m. and the men faculty will take on the senior boys at 2 p.m. The winners will have bragging rights for a year.

That evening we will celebrate our parents with a Cathedral Parent Organization sponsored Social beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Wednesday will be Harmony Day and there will be open houses at 8:30 to 11 a.m. and 5 to 6 p.m. During the morning open house, prospective preschool 3- and 4-year-olds as well as kindergarten students are invited to come take a part in the Cathedral students’ morning. Come meet the teachers and interact with the other children.

On Thursday, Cathedral School seventh grade students will serve as hosts to community leaders for lunch and a tour of Cathedral School. And Friday we wrap up with the entire school reporting to the football field for a picture at 8:30 a.m. We will dismiss school at 1 p.m. for to the Mardi Gras Parade.

Shannon Bland is the principal of the elementary school at Cathedral.