Villa Maria Students Keep Traditions Alive Despite Pandemic Challenges

At the beginning of November, Villa Maria Academy Lower School hosted its annual Mission Day event despite the challenges of the pandemic. A special yearly all-school tradition at Villa, the 8th graders organize a day of activities for the younger students to raise money for a local charity. Each year, the 8th grade students are able to choose the charity that will benefit from the proceeds of Mission Day. This year the students have chosen the IHM Literacy Centers. Despite COVID restrictions, the Literacy Centers have continued to serve the growing multi-ethnic, non-English speaking communities in the city of Philadelphia. Funding will provide assistance for distance learning and resources to continue to serve the English as a Second Language (ESL) population.

As admission into the event, each student also brought a canned good that was donated to the St. Agnes Day Room in West Chester, PA.

In order to maintain health protocols, Mission Day was held as an outside event this year with social distanced and non-contact activities. Activities were separated in zones to maintain grade-level cohorts. Each grade from K-8 had the opportunity to visit and enjoy the festivities throughout the day.

Thank you to the eighth-grade students and their teachers for planning such a fun and safe day for our school community. And thank you to the many families who contributed with donations, we truly appreciate your support. Mission Day is just one of many ways Villa Maria Academy is committed to empowering young women to give back to their local community.