Our Lady of
HOPE
C AT H O L I C C H U R C H
C AT H O LI C S C H
Celebrating the Gifts and Bl W ashington Catholic Schools are a special place that serves students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade. At our schools, children are cared for, and teachers and staff are like family. Academics, excellence, service, and the Catholic faith all work together to form our students. Middle and High School Principal Karie Craney can’t wait to take time to truly celebrate the school during Catholic Schools Week, from Jan. 30 to Feb. 5. Mrs. Craney values Catholic education and all it offers to our youth. Having graduated from here, taught here, and having served as principal for around 10 years, Catholic education is all Mrs. Craney has ever known. It’s an honor for her to have been a part of this family for all these years. “I was blessed with this education, and I want to do everything I can to continue to make Catholic education possible in Washington,” Mrs. Craney says. “This school made me who I am today.” Mrs. Craney’s husband, Chad, is also an alum of the school. They have three children who have all attended Washington Catholic School. Their youngest, Logan, is currently a senior. Their oldest, Kaitlyn, is a thirdgrade teacher at Flaget Catholic School in Vincennes. Their middle child, Brock, is a junior at the University of Southern Indiana. “I am so proud to say my whole family has graduated with a solid education from here,” Mrs. Craney says. Catholic Schools Week allows students, faculty, and staff to not only celebrate the school but step out of the norm and have fun. “We are always focused on education and spiritual development, but it’s fun to see everyone have fun and enjoy themselves,” Mrs. Craney says. “It’s just different from a normal week.” All week, there are special dress-up days. One of the most important parts of the week is the service projects, which are an excellent way for parishioners to get involved in Catholic Schools Week. The most popular is the Penny Wars — students earn points for pennies and paper bills. Any silver coins added to the stash of another class count as negative points. The money raised this year will benefit the Heidi Deckard family and the Lymphoma Society.
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