January 28, 2026

St. Bernard’s School in Saranac Lake will celebrate Catholic Schools Week Jan. 25-31 with a schedule full of giving, learning, food and fun!

The week kicks off with a School Mass followed by an Open House on Sunday, Jan. 25.

Early in the week, each class will collect items from Grace Pantry, which provides household and personal care items for community members. Pre-K students are collecting toothpaste and toothbrushes, kindergarten students are collecting soap and lotion, first graders are collecting baby care items, second graders are collecting deodorant, third graders are collecting shampoo and conditioner, fourth graders are collecting paper products like toilet paper and paper towels, and fifth graders are collecting cleaning products.

On Jan. 26, the students celebrate “Be You Day” and can where clothing that expresses their personalities – favorite colors, hobbies or anything that celebrates individuality. They day will include an assembly, Kids on the Block, about disability awareness.

On Jan. 27, it’s “PJs, Pancakes and Paws Day.” Students can wear their favorite pajamas as they attend a school breakfast. Later, students will have an opportunity to participate in dog sled rides.

St. Bernard’s students will mark “Shine Like the Stars Day” on Jan. 28, with students encouraged to wear clothing that shines, sparkles or shimmers. The students will also have an opportunity to experience a Star Lab showin the night sky, planets and constellations. Grace Pantry donations will also be delivered that day.
Jan. 29 is “Buzzy Bee Day,” and students are encouraged to wear yellow and black as they participate in a spelling bee and “Buzzy word games.”

It’s “Move and Groove Day” on Jan. 30, and the students can participate in either a dance party or a quieter mindful movement session.

On Jan. 31, the school will wrap up its celebration with a family sledding and hot cocoa party.

Students at St. Bernard’s School recently completed a Catholic Schools Week activity related to why they love their Catholic School.

Omega, a student, said Catholic schools are unique because “we get to go to Mass together.” Omega’s top five reasons her school rocks included walk-a-thon, pajamas and pancakes, teachers, fun specials and friends.

Fjola said her favorite thing to learn is math, because “I like math groups.” She also noted she finds going to Mass together to be unique.

Penny said the school’s clubs are her favorite, especially club volleyball, and she finds the school unique because they attend Mass together.

When asked for the top five reasons the school rocks, Skyler said, “everyone is kind, sometimes we get ice cream, all the teachers are kind, Ms. K-Hill was in the Olympics, everybody is different.”

Ella said her school is unique because “we have Mass on Wednesday. We also have smaller classes.” Ella’s top five reasons the school rocks are, “teachers are very kind, friends are awesome, art is fun, Mrs. K-Hill is kind, the walkathon is fun.”

Gracie said the school is unique because “we get to wear uniforms and in the morning you can just put them on quickly.” Her top five reasons the school rocks are “Dodge ball, art, Trunk or Treat, walk-a-thon, friends.”

Gwen said the school is unique because “we have small classes so I get to know everyone better.” Gwen’s top five reason the school rocks: “We have fun events, very kind teachers, we have a mascot, all my friends are great, we have a great library.”