Children and staff at St. Stan's arrived in their PJs this week, a fun event for Catholic Schools Week.

ADAMS, Mass. — St. Stanislaus School has been celebrating National Catholic Schools Week this week with activities and events.

This year's theme is "Catholic Schools Raise the Standards." The annual observance starts the last Sunday in January and runs all week, which in 2013 is Jan. 27 to Feb. 2. Schools typically celebrate Catholic Schools Week with Masses, open houses, and other activities for students, families, parishioners, and the community at large.

The 2013 theme supports the recent launch of the National Standards and Benchmarks for Effective Catholic Elementary and Secondary Schools, designed to ensure the effective operation and responsible governance of Catholic schools across the country, thus promoting high academic standards and Catholic identity. The logo designed for the week illustrates a chart of steady growth culminating in the highest achievement of all, a cross representing the faith that underscores all Catholic education.

St. Stanislaus School started the week with a studen-driven Mass at St. Stanislaus Kostka Church. The church was full with students dressed in uniform, parents, faculty, staff, administration, and the community at large. The students participated fully in the Mass with readings, ushering, offertory gifts and handing out church bulletins at the end. The student body also sang "Peaceful" to the congregation. After Mass, refreshments and fellowship were shared in Kolbe Hall.

On Monday, the students and staff of the prekindergarten-through-Grade 8 school came to school in their pajamas. On Tuesday, all grades participated in a Mission Statement Contest. Not only did they each learn and recite the school's mission statement but they added a component that demonstrated what the school's mission meant to them both personally and as a class.  

The students tapped into their creative talents and came up with a variety of skits, posters, songs and readings that affirmed their understanding of quality Catholic education and how to live its teachings. 

Teacher Appreciation Day was held Wednesday. The faculty and staff were treated to a prepared lunch in the school and a little extra time to enjoy it.

Thursday was the school's Spell-A-Thon. Students in all grades solicited small donations per word, or letter, they can spell or identify correctly. All proceeds will be donated to the Bethlehem House of Western Massachusetts, which offers free pregnancy resources for women in crisis. On Friday, the school community will be allowed to eat lunch at the Pizza House across the street from the school.

"All in all, it has been a busy week of learning, fellowship. service, and fun," said Principal Janet Tremblay.