Oak Lawn's Catholic Schools Host Open Houses This Sunday

OAK LAWN, IL -- Oak Lawn's Catholic elementary schools are spiffing up their halls and classrooms in anticipation of National Catholic Schools Week, which begins Jan. 27 and runs through Feb. 2. Each year, the last week of January is set aside where Catholic schools observe the week with Masses, open houses and other activities for students, families, parishioners and community members. The theme for National Catholic Schools Week 2019 is Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.

Oak Lawn's St. Linus, St. Germaine, St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Gerald Schools will hold special Masses and open houses on Sunday, Jan. 27. If you're looking for a Catholic school experience for your kiddos, take a look at what they have to offer. Most schools offer private school tours by appointment if you can't make the open house. All open houses take place on Jan. 27.

St. Linus School, 10400 S. Lawlor Ave., Oak Lawn, 708-425-1656

St. Linus School has been in business since September 1956 and is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. St. Linus will hold a family mass at 9 a.m., followed by an open house from 10:15 a.m. to noon. Parents can tour classrooms to see what all the excitement is about. St. Linus offers pre-school classes for children ages three and four, with flexible schedules. The school recently introduced a blended preschool class for three-and-four-year-olds. All grades including preschool have access to iPads; middle-schoolers are equipped with Chrome Books. All classrooms have Brightlinks (smart boards). St. Linus also puts an emphasis on performing arts, by offering added music classes and theatrical performances. School mascot: the Hawks.

St. Germaine School, 9735 S. Kolin Ave., Oak Lawn, 708-425-6063

St. Germaine School is recognized as a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. St. Germaine is planning a fun day with many interactive activities for the kids from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Registrations for the 2019-2020 school year will be taken in the school office during the open house. Early enrollment, especially for pre-school, is strongly encouraged. A second open house and family game night is planned for Wednesday, Jan. 30, from 6 to 7:15 p.m. for those that can't make the Sunday Open House. St. Germaine offers 1-to-1 chromebook initiative for all students in grades 1-8, Spanish classes from preschool through eighth grade each week, physical education (twice per week), music, art/library and computer/technology instruction. Students can access a full range of cross-curricular after-school enrichment programs. Before and after school extended care is available. The school also holds weekly prayer services and Eucharistic celebrations. Private tours are available. Call the school to schedule an appointment.

St. Gerald School, 9320 South 55th Court Oak Lawn, 708-422-0121

St. Gerald is the longest-running Catholic grammar school in the Oak Lawn area since 1929. St. Gerald will lead off opening day of Catholic Schools Week with a 9 a.m. Mass, followed by tours of the school through noon. St. Gerald offers thriving athletics, technology, home-style hot lunches, and an array of extracurricular activities that students can tap into. Preschool programs are available for children ages 3 and 4, with a full-day option available. St. Gerald also provides quality extended care for kids in grades K-8 (6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily) and affordable tuition. Tours of the school are available throughout the year by appointment.

St. Catherine of Alexandria School, 10621 S. Kedvale Ave., Oak Lawn. 708-425-5547

St. Catherine of Alexandria will hold a special Mass for families at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27, followed by an open house from 10 a.m. to noon. Home of the St. Catherine of Alexandria Chargers, the school boasts computer-based reading, math and vocabulary programs, technology driven instruction integrating the use of SMART boards, iPads and Chromebooks and a state-of-the-art technology lab. Athletic programs include football and cheerleading, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer (K-8), and boys and girls volleyball. St Catherine offers extended care AM and PM, three- and four-year-old preschool (half and full-day sessions available), weekly art, music and physical education classes, weekly Spanish class (grades 3-8), student council, school band, choir and bell choir, Beyond the Books program, National Junior Honor Society (grades 6-8), weekly all-school Masses, student-directed prayer services, and school-wide community prayer services. St. Catherine participates in academic competitions, including IJAS Science Fair.

Other area Catholic school open houses, Jan. 27:

• Evergreen Park Catholic Schools Host Open Houses This Sunday
• St. Patricia School