Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School (OLS) recently celebrated Catholic Schools Week focusing on the school’s high-quality, faith-filled education while honoring those who contribute to the school’s success. The week included theme-filled days as they celebrated students, families, faculty, and staff, in addition to volunteers, community supporters, and local leaders.

This year’s theme — Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service. — is a reminder of the importance of Catholic education to our families and the communities in the Birmingham area. OLS takes pride in providing the opportunity for academic excellence and achievement, orienting its students toward service and love of neighbor, and establishing a family-friendly environment.

As a part of the week’s festivities, the students participated in a special service project. They performed chores at home to earn money for the purchase of books for Better Basics, (betterbasics.org). The nonprofit organization provides books, literacy intervention, and enrichment programs to Birmingham and Fairfield City Schools and Talladega Schools.

The children and staff also decorated two trees on the school campus with handwritten notes. Their prayer petitions were written on paper petals and placed on a Prayer Tree, while notes of thanks and blessings were placed on another called the “OLS Tree.”

Since 1974, National Catholic Schools Week has held an annual celebration of Catholic education in the United States. Catholic schools across the country observe this special week with a variety of events unique to their students, families, parishioners, and community members.

Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School fosters the religious, academic, and social development of every child, recognizing that knowledge enlightened by faith and realized through service is at the heart of Catholic education. Accredited by Cognia, the school provides a curriculum that combines Catholic faith and teachings with academic excellence. The school offers a partnership with parents in the religious formation of their children through a family-friendly environment to prepare students to be productive citizens and future leaders. The school consults with the Diocese of Birmingham Catholic Schools Office, the CDC guidelines, and the recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics to maintain a safe environment for students.

To learn more about Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic School, visit olsschool.com.