An open house and a special service project are a few events that will highlight this year's observance of National Catholic Schools Week at Our Lady of the Angels Academy, Lansford.

These events are part of the nationwide celebration of Catholic education during the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 3. This year's theme is "Catholic Schools: Faith. Academics. Service." The theme expresses Catholic schools' focus on learning about faith, striving for high academic standards, and serving the community.Our Lady of the Angels Academy invites prospective students, their families and community residents to visit during an open house on Sunday, Jan. 29, from noon to 2 p.m. Visitors will have an opportunity to learn about programs for preschoolers to eighth grade students. Students will conduct school tours and demonstrate social studies projects.Kindergarten and new student registrations will be taken at this time. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 30, opportunities to register will be from Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Parents are asked to contact the school office if another time is needed so that a convenient time can be arranged.A birth certificate, baptismal certificate (if baptized), immunization records, and a $50 registration fee are needed at the time of registration. Pre-school information and registration for the school's three-year-old and four-year-old programs will also be available at this time.During the week, students will visit local day care centers, have a "Get Up and Move Day," and enjoy a children's Chinese auction. A program on "Respect" is scheduled to be presented to the children on Tuesday, Jan. 31.A service project in which the students at OLOA have become involved is the "Fifty Lanterns Project." This is an organization that provides solar-powered energy lanterns to communities torn by poverty, war or disaster. As part of the weeklong activities, a "Red, White, and Blue" dress down day will be observed, with the money being donated to this organization.Other activities that the students will enjoy are a "Special Friends" pizza lunch and a graffiti wall being designed by the students, showing what plans they have for their future.The week will conclude with the weekly liturgy and a noon dismissal for the children.Catholic Schools Week is a joint project of the National Catholic Education Association and the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.For more information, call (570) 645-7170 or visit the school's website at

www.oloa.net.