In celebration of Catholic Schools Week, to be observed from Sunday, Jan. 31, through Friday, Feb. 5, and as part of their commitment to community service, students at Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary School (SSBVM) in Middletown are taking part in two service projects, and the public is welcome to participate.

During the week, students will make valentines and collect chocolates for senior residents of Middletown Home and hold a food drive for Middletown Food Bank.

The valentine project is being spearheaded by teacher Diana Keyser's first-grade class. SSBVM families, as well as the public, have been invited to donate chocolates to add to the Valentine's Day surprise.

All donations of chocolate must be prepackaged, and they cannot contain nuts or caramel. Donations will be accepted via a no-contact dropoff located outside of the school's main entrance from Monday, Feb. 1, through Feb. 5 between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Keyser will deliver the valentines and candy to Middletown Home just prior to Valentine's Day. "Because (the seniors) are in quarantine, they asked that we shower them with love, which the students are happy to do," said Mindy Kennedy, SSBVM director of development.

The food drive is being led by middle-schoolers from the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), who are partnering with teacher Nancy Wakeman's third-grade class under the guidance of Angela Warner and Josh Koch, NJHS advisers.

SSBVM families, as well as the public, have been invited to donate nonperishable items for the food drive. Food will be collected outside the school during the same days and hours as the chocolates. Donations will be delivered to the food pantry by SSBVM's principal, Rebecca Harvey, and NJHS members on Feb. 5.

SSBVM students and staff members chose to perform the service projects during the National Catholic Educators Association (NCEA) celebration of Catholic Schools Week. The week's theme this year is "Faith. Excellence. Service." "SSBVM takes pride in nurturing loving and productive citizens who care about the condition of their communities," said Kennedy, noting that the school's celebration had to be adapted this year because of the coronavirus pandemic with more focus on service projects.

SSBVM, located at 360 E. Water St., Middletown, offers classes for preschoolers ages 3 and 4 and students in kindergarten through eighth grade. SSBVM is hosting a virtual open house on Jan. 31 at noon. Those interested in learning about SSBVM and the 2021-22 school year may email lstill@ssbvm.org to register.

Currently, the school offers in-person classes; extra part-time staff has been added to perform cleaning duties. "We are in-person, but we have left it to the discretion of the families," Kennedy explained. "(Virtual students) Zoom into the classroom, so they are interacting with their classmates and their teachers all day long."

For more information about the school, readers may call 717-944-5371, visit http://www.facebook.com/ssbvmschool or http://www.ssbvmschool.radiuswebtools.com or follow the school on Instagram at @ssbvmschool.