During the month of November, students, faculty, staff and administrators at La Salle Academy in Providence collected several hundred gently worn coats for the needy in Rhode Island.  More.

PROVIDENCE – The 2012 Status Report on Hunger indicates that a growing number of Rhode Island families are experiencing hunger, a problem that two Providence College students are determined to do something about.  More.

The student council of St. Joseph School, West Warwick, sponsored numerous fundraising events in support of breast cancer awareness.  More.

PORTSMOUTH – St. Philomena School students recently participated in the bi-annual International Dance Festival presentation as part of the K-8 music curriculum at the Portsmouth school which is organized by music teacher Cecilia Heredia.  More.

The first graders at St. Peter School in Warwick celebrated the lives of their patron saint by dressing in costume for a school wide Mass on All Saints Day.  More.

PROVIDENCE — It may be surprising to know that it wasn’t a group of recycling-savvy adults, but rather a group of fifth graders that established the state’s only non-profit entity that collects and donates used cooking oil to heat the homes of those in need.  More.

During the month of December, over a half dozen of our Catholic Schools will be singing at the State House.  Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

The Catholic School Parent Federation is planning a reception for the members of the General Assembly on Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 4-8 PM at the State House.

This year, the Federation would like to recognize a limited number of students or teams at the Reception who have achieved award recognition in 2011-2012 with Resolutions read in either the House or Senate.  Submissions for consideration could include achievements in academics, athletics, community service and artistic abilities, and will be taken on a first-served basis.

Please send your submissions for consideration by email to Edward Bastia at ebastia@dioceseofprovidence.org on or before November 7, 2012 and include clear, concise descriptions and contact information.

Following the reading of the Resolutions in the two Chambers, there will be a reception in the State Room that will include a musical performance and a brief speaking program, with guest speaker who will present the benefits of implementing a School Choice program in Rhode Island.  If you would like to nominate your school for a musical performance, please send that information along as well by November 7, 2012.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2012 School Safety Art Contest is Michael Bittner.

Bittner, a Cranston resident, is a seventh grader at St. Rocco’s School. His entry, chosen from more than 100, depicts the importance of evacuation drills in schools and is featured on the cover of the 2013 School Safety Calendar.

“We are announcing the art contest winner in recognition of School Safety Week,” said RIEMA Executive Director Theresa C. Murray. “School safety remains a priority for all of us. This contest was designed to allow Rhode Island students to utilize their creative talents to promote the importance of anti-bullying, cyber security, and evacuation drills.”

The contest is organized by the state’s School Safety Committee. Prizes for students were generously donated by the Rhode Island Foundation and by NetCynergy. The winner in each age category received a $100 savings bond, and the grand prize winner received an iPad. Each of the 12 finalists’ entries will be showcased in the 2013 School Safety calendar. Design and printing of the calendars was donated by Keystone Printers.

The contest finalists and winners are:

Albe au Pabon; Pawtucket resident; 7th grader at Rhode Island School for the Deaf Lily Bedard; Foster resident; 4th grader at Clayville Elementary School Michael Bittner; Cranston resident; 7th grader at St. Rocco’s School; grand prize winner Anthony Detri; Scituate resident; 1st grader at Scituate Elementary School; elementary (K-5) age group winner Daniella Ferranti; Johnston resident; 7th grader at St. Rocco’s School; middle school (6-8) age group winner Hannah Flynn; Cranston resident; 5th grader at St. Mary’s School Amabelle Francois; West Warwick resident; 4th grader at St. Rocco’s School Jairee Hill; Manville resident; 9th grader at Rhode Island School for the Deaf; high school (9-12) age group winner Sarah Michael; Smithfield resident; 4th grader at St. Rocco’s School Emily Nicholson; North Scituate resident; 2nd grader at Clayville Elementary School Naja Sasa; Johnston resident; 7th grader at St. Rocco’s School Tyler Travers; 9th grader at Rhode Island School for the Deaf

For information about RIEMA’s School Safety Program, visit  www.riema.ri.gov/schoolsafety/schoolsafetyhome.

JAFFREY, N.H. — Inspired by Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, an avid outdoorsman, Father Michael Najim, chaplain at La Salle Academy, and educators from the school sought to develop an activity with students to help them experience God’s presence through the beauty of creation. More.