Blessed Trinity Academy in Glenshaw celebrated National Catholic Schools Week 2018 on Jan. 28 through Feb. 2.

Students kicked off the week by serving as gift bearers, altar servers, readers, greeters and ushers during Masses at St. Bonaventure Parish in Glenshaw, St. Joseph Parish in O'Hara, St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Glenshaw, and St. Ursula Parish in Allison Park.

BTA formed through the merger of the St. Mary, St. Ursula and St. Bonaventure schools. The developments were part of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh's regionalization efforts making 10 North Hills Catholic schools a ministry of 32 regional parishes.

“We are brand new this year, so a lot of people just don't know the (BTA) name. So, we just wanted to make sure that they know who we were and what we do within the community,” Principal Jessica Rock said of the students volunteering during the Masses.

The same day, teachers, students and parents welcomed prospective and returning alumni to BTA during open houses.

Many of the week's activities centered on serving others. For instance, eighth-graders utilized stories, games and SMART Boards to teach second-graders reading, spelling, math and social studies.

“Both sets of students were thrilled with the experience. The eighth-graders were well prepared for their lessons and each of them dressed professionally for the day,” social studies teacher Denielle Grana said. “Several told me at the end of the morning that they were exhausted — I believe some came away from the experience with a new appreciation for their teachers.”

Second-grade teacher Marjorie Heasley said her students were “very respectful toward their eighth-grade student teacher,” even asking if their student teacher could return the following day.

Eighth-grader Nicole Fleming, 13, said that she enjoyed serving as a role model for the students and that the experience gave her a greater appreciation for the amount of patience teaching requires.

Likewise, the school's Bulldog Buddies group, which pairs eighth-graders as mentors for kindergartners, made greeting cards for the Middle Road Volunteer Fire Department, Hampton Township Police Department, Sisters of Divine Providence and local medical personnel.

Rather than wearing their uniforms, students could dress down if they donated to local nonprofits. For instance, one day, students could wear sports apparel if they donated a canned item to Little Sisters of the Poor. The school raised nearly $230 for Shepherd's Heart Veteran's Home by having students donate to wear red, white and blue.

During Catholic Schools Week, the students learned through special assemblies. Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium representatives brought an opossum, great horned owl and python, and led a game show to teach the children about conservation. National Aviary employees used parrots, an owl and a penguin for a demonstration about beaks. Lastly, students took a hands-on learning approach during a Mad Science of Pittsburgh presentation featuring bubbles.

Rock said the school already plans to organize another students versus teachers volleyball game, given the success of the Catholic Schools Week matches.

“It was so loud in the gym because the kids were just so excited. Most of our staff was able to play. We played three or four games, but it was nice because it was part of a treat for the eighth-graders to be able to play the staff,” she said, before noting that the students won overall.

The school concluded the weeklong festivities with a North Park Ice Rink party.

Rock said that her intention for the week was “to honor the parish, the community, the kids (and) everybody that works to make Catholic education possible.”

Erica Cebzanov is a Tribune-Review contributor.

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