Catholic schools:
'Character. Compassion. Values.'

	Related article: • Editorial -- Catholic schools: Needed more than ever before Catholic schools: Student numbers increase By Kathleen Bushman CATHOLIC HERALD STAFF The total enrollment for the Catholic schools in the Diocese of Madison has increased by about two percent for the 2005-06 school year. There are now 7,976 students enrolled in 47 schools. No schools reported the permanent closure of grades or programs this year, and four pre-school or four-year-old kindergarten programs and one five-year-old kindergarten program began operating. All enrollments rise Increases were seen in every enrollment category between 2004-05 and 2005-06. Pre-kindergarten/kindergarten increased from 1,487 to 1,565 students; grades one to six enrollment rose from 4,590 students to 4,606; grades seven to eight went from 1,154 to 1,167 students; and high school student numbers increased from 599 to 638. With an increase of 146 students overall, enrollment is at a five-year high. Excellent for children This enrollment increase is excellent for the children enrolled, said Jim Silver, superintendent of Catholic schools. "It's the only place where they can be taught church teachings and moral values. It's something you can't get in public schools," he said.

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- "Catholic Schools: Character. Compassion. Values." is the theme of Catholic Schools Week 2006.

The week runs from January 29 to February 4 in Catholic schools throughout the nation. The observance begins on the last Sunday in January every year.

National Appreciation Day For Catholic Schools will be observed Wednesday, Feb. 1.

Two other highlights of the week are Vocation Appreciation Day on February 2 and National Appreciation Day for Catholic School Teachers, a tribute to the 163,000 Catholic educators, observed February 3.

A longtime tradition in Catholic education, now in its 32nd year, Catholic Schools Week became part of the National Marketing Campaign for Catholic Schools in 1991. This year-round program is a collaborative undertaking by the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA) and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Celebrating schools

Dr. Karen M. Ristau, who became NCEA's president in July, said, "Catholic Schools Week is an especially good time to celebrate character, compassion, and values. Many of our schools in the Gulf suffered serious damage in the hurricanes. True to their character, most of them have reopened. Other students across the nation contributed more than $1 million in a Child to Child relief effort, demonstrating that their compassion and values are enduring."   Full story ...

	Diocese audited financial statements on Web page MADISON -- The latest audited Madison Diocese financial statements are available on the diocesan Web site. They can be viewed at www.madisondiocese.org under the "other featured content" section located on the main page.
	News & Features: • Special section: Catholic Schools Week • Pope's first encyclical: Explores dimensions of love, charity Columns: • Question Corner by Fr. John Dietzen -- Tower of Babel: Mythic story shows result in disobeying God • The Pope Speaks by Pope Benedict XVI -- Christian Unity: Pray 'that all might be one' • Making a Difference by Tony Magliano -- Gospel of peace: Pope Benedict makes peacemaking a priority • Subscribe to print edition Future special sections: Retirement Living issue: Feb. 9, 2006 Senior Focus: Feb. 16, 2006 Lent: March 2, 2006 Call 608-821-3070 to advertise or subscribe.