An educational field trip and community service are the highlights as St. Lawrence Elementary and St. Joseph High School students, faculty and parents celebrate Catholic Schools Week.

Kathy McKnight, assistant development director for the schools said activities began last Friday when the junior high students hosted sixth, seventh and eighth graders from Holy Family School in Ashland, Ky. Together, the eighth grade students baked cookies, and the sixth and seventh graders assembled necessity bags for U.S. military men and women stationed in the Middle East.

"They decorated little bags and filled them with stationary, ink pens and pencils, sun block," McKnight said. "These items were collected by the students." Approximately 100 bags were shipped overseas Saturday.

Yesterday the elementary school students were treated to a field trip to the Newport Aquarium in Newport, Ky., Today they will take time out of class to watch magician Garry Boothe perform. Students at the high school and elementary school will also have a combined mass this week at St. Joseph Church.

Many of the activities this week are sponsored by the Ironton Catholic Schools Support Organization.

McKnight said the purpose of the week and its activities is to bring attention to the city's Catholic schools and the good they do in the community.

"We try our best to provide a Christian education for kids. We are proud of our caring teachers and parents who provide such wonderful support," McKnight said. "What a great atmosphere it is students to be here every day."