WILKES-BARRE – There is no question that the eighth graders at Saint Nicholas-Saint Mary School appreciate their teachers – but that didn’t mean they would show them any mercy on the volleyball court.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the Wilkes-Barre school held its annual 8th grade vs. teachers volleyball game in the school gym as part of Catholic Schools Week 2024.
Leading up to the game, eighth grader Megan Ohrin, predicted a fun time.
“We’re going to get some good competition going between us,” she said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be really funny.”
Patrice Perry, a third-grade teacher, said she loves Catholic Schools Week because there are different activities – like the volleyball game – that take place each day.
“The kids are thrilled to see their teachers out there – being one of the kids,” Perry explained.
The teachers – who wore black t-shirts with their name ‘Breakroom Bandits’ on the front – ended up taking home the win in the fiercely-fought competition in front of the whole school.
“We get so close with them,” eighth grader Lilah Hilal said of her teachers. “All the teachers have helped me so much.”
“We have great teachers,” Ohrin added. “Everyone knows everyone. Everyone is really close.”
Teachers are the backbone of Catholic Schools. While many think Catholic Schools Week is just for students, in reality, it also helps to honor teachers, administrators, staff and volunteers who help to create a family-like atmosphere in every building.
“We always call it our Saint Nick-Saint Mary family because that is what we are every day. Faculty, student, staff, everyone works together,” Perry explained.