CLARKS GREEN – Our Lady of Peace School launched Catholic Schools Week 2025 with excitement and energy, hosting an open house on the first day of the annual celebration.
The open house gave prospective students and their families a chance to explore the school, meet its dedicated teachers, and learn more about the diverse programs that set the school apart – everything from faith-based education to hands-on STREAM experiences.
The open house is special because of the unique role that the school’s 7th and 8th grade students get to play. The student ambassadors got to lead prospective families on tours, offering a firsthand look at what makes Our Lady of Peace School so special.
“It is so much fun,” eighth grader Eloise Giroux said. “They get to meet the teachers, look at the curriculum … Our Lady of Peace is really a great school. It is such a family.”
Giroux has attended the Lackawanna County elementary school for the last eight years and is currently serving as student council president.
“We have so many fun programs, basketball, cheerleading, OLP Players, the theater program,” she explained. “It’s really a great school academically, spiritually, and socially. You learn so many things.”
Leah Steinberg, another eighth-grade student, also served as a student ambassador. She transferred to Our Lady of Peace School in seventh grade, and said the school quickly helped her grow more confident in her faith.
“It is the foundation to our education. I always believe in putting God first and trying to glorify him in anything I can do,” Steinberg said. “It is amazing that I had the opportunity to come here to learn so much about my faith and more about academics.”
Ann D’Arienzo, who has served as principal at Our Lady of Peace School for the last seven years, says students not only practice their faith by praying together, celebrating Mass regularly and having religion classes – but points to service projects that help to build student character and a desire to give back.
“We start as early as pre-school to explain to our students, and to model for our children, how important it is to give back to our community,” the long-time educator said. “Whether it is through coat drives, pajama drives, we put together toiletry kids for those that have been displaced due to weather disasters, they are able to recognize how fortunate they are.”
Members of the ‘Falcon Family Alliance,’ the parent organization that helps to plan activities at the school, were also on hand for the open house.
The group’s co-chair, Mary Ann Morgan, said the open house isn’t just a chance to “show off” to the community, but is important for members of the school community to feel pride in everything they have accomplished.
“I hope parents can feel the school is alive. It’s growing and we’re a community that works together to support each other,” Morgan said.