Jackson students in tune with Catholic Schools Week

Students at Immaculate Conception School in Jackson are learning about giving and stewardship with the release of their first compact disc.

The Catholic parish school recently released the CD titled "Fire in our Hearts: Songs on Our Lips." The project involved each of the 250 students in the school -- from kindergarten through eighth grade -- who selected songs and submitted cover art.

The project was suggested a few years ago, but the timing didn't seem right then, said principal Tami Nenninger. The school began the project in earnest in October, and everything came together.

"It's really been an emphasis on stewardship and giving of themselves," Nenninger said.

And it's a lesson area Catholic schools are teaching during Catholic Schools Week, which started Sunday and runs through Saturday. The theme for the week is "Making A World of Difference."

The CD project "empowered them to show what they can really do," said Bonnie Poythress, a parent volunteer at the school who helped organize the project.

Poythress first thought about having the students record a CD after she heard them sing during Mass at Immaculate Conception Church. "They were all singing and did such a fine job," she said. "They were so spirit-filled that day."

But it took another three years of organizing and work to make the recording a reality.

Picking the songs

Each class at the school selected a song to perform for the CD. They practiced during the 30 minutes of their bi-weekly music classes.

Most of the songs were selections they knew from church or vacation Bible school, said Sherrie Troxel, music teacher.

Under her direction, the students rehearsed their songs and then performed in the sanctuary at Immaculate Conception Church for the recording session. It all happened in about six weeks' time, Troxel said.

Each class performs its own song, and the entire school sings "On Eagles' Wings." That was the first choice of each grade when they suggested songs to be sung on the CD, she said.

Scott Schaffer, a first-grade student, said his favorite song was the one where everyone in the school sang together.

"I like hearing everyone," he said.

Designing the cover

Once the recording was finished, the school set about finding an appropriate CD cover and title. Poythress asked parents, teachers and students to offer title suggestions. An art contest helped find the nine drawings used on the cover design.

Another drawing was selected for the back of the CD, which also decorates the disc. "It was so simple that we just put it on the disc," Poythress said. "And it was another way to get the kids involved."

The CDs have proven popular with about half the 1,000 copies produced already sold.

After hearing the students perform on the recording, some parents are suggesting that they release another collection of Christmas carols.

That decision will be made later by the Home and School Association, which operates like a parent-teacher organization for the Catholic school, Poythress said.

Copies of the CD "Fire in our Hearts: Songs on Our Lips" are $15 and are available at the school office or Elizabeth Hayes Children's Store, Apropos Gifts and Collectibles, The Style Stop Impact and Tractors, all in Jackson.

Mail orders also are accepted. Send checks or money orders to Immaculate Conception School, 250 E. Madison, Jackson, Mo. 63755. Allow three weeks for delivery.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126

Catholic schools in the area are marking the week with the theme "Making a World of Difference." Activities include:

St. Mary Cathedral, Cape Girardeau

TODAY

Students will be treated to a pizza lunch and a no-homework day. Mass will be celebrated at Notre Dame Regional High School at 1 p.m., with the Rev. John J. Leibrecht, bishop of the Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese.

THURSDAY

Recognition of faculty and staff at the school. Everyone is encouraged to write a note to a special teacher to show their appreciation.

FRIDAY

Grandparents and friends are invited to a bingo party from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. in the gym. Prizes will be awarded; all were donated by the Home and School Association.

SATURDAY

All school families will celebrate a potluck and dance in the gym at 6:15 p.m. The dance will begin at 7:15 p.m. and end at 10 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul, Cape Girardeau

TODAY

Morning prayers offered by Mayor Jay Knudtson. Centerpieces will be sent to the Missouri Veterans Home and Cape Girardeau Senior Center. Students will attend Mass at Notre Dame.

THURSDAY

Students' Day. Students will wear shirts that name different places in the world, and the student council president will offer a prayer. Students will be served juice and donuts.

FRIDAY

Teachers' Day. All-school Mass and presentation of flags during the service. There will be a presentation to a distinguished graduate of the school. There will be a "Trash to Treasure" fund-raising sale in the afternoon and Family Fun Night that evening.

Immaculate Conception, Jackson

TODAY

Honoring volunteers who serve at the school with a special luncheon.

Eighth-grade students will attend Mass at Notre Dame Regional High School.

THURSDAY

Focus on patriotism with special assembly. Students are encouraged to dress in red, white and blue clothing.

FRIDAY

Prayer service for the school.

Notre Dame Regional High School

TODAY

The school will host all area Catholic grade schools for a Mass celebration with the bishop of the diocese.

THURSDAY

Faculty appreciation day.

FRIDAY

Students will be inducted into the National Honor Society.

St. Joseph School, Scott City

TODAY

Mass at Notre Dame at 1 p.m. for grades 4 to 8.

THURSDAY

Rosary recited at 9 a.m. There will be bingo with parents and grandparents. Lasagna served for lunch with parents.

FRIDAY

Appreciation lunch for teachers.

St. Vincent de Paul Elementary, Perryville

TODAY

Celebrating faculty. Community members were invited to share a book with students. PTO will provide lunch for faculty.

THURSDAY

Student assembly.

FRIDAY

Students will donate school supplies to Guardian Angel, a St. Louis-based organization that works with needy children.

St. Vincent de Paul High School

TODAY

PTO will provide treats for teachers. Each teacher receives a carnation.

THURSDAY

Certificates of appreciation will be presented to volunteers.

FRIDAY

Catholic trivia during seminar sessions. An assembly also is planned.

Students will receive treats.