Students


East Catholic School students are engaged in many different activities which enable and enhance their educational development and experience. All these activities are supervised by trained and competent staff.


Assemblies

Assemblies are held for students throughout the school year. The assemblies are planned in conjunction with the Principal, Faculty and the East Catholic PTG, with a focus on education.


We are fortunate to have a number of free assemblies by saving receipts from Shop ‘n Save.


Altar Servers

Students in grades 4 through 8 have the privilege of serving on the Altar. Students serve at School Masses, weekend Masses, funerals and wedding Masses. Students who choose this privilege are expected to fulfil assigned responsibilities and be punctual.


Athletics

A variety of sporting activities are offered at different levels. For example, Basketball is offered at all levels, beginning with instructional teams in the primary grades and continuing with separate boys' and girls' Developmental, Junior Varsity (JV) and Varsity teams at upper levels. Cross-country and Soccer activities are also available.


Instrumental Music

Band instruction is available for a fee for interested students, from grades 4 through 8. The Diocesan Program stipulates the monthly fee annually. Small group lessons are provided one period a week and practice is held once a week. 


School Clubs and Activities

  • Student Council
  • PJAS
  • Forensics
  • Science Fairs
  • Shakespeare
  • Yearbook
Student Council consists of students from grades 5 through 8. The organizational goal is to foster spirit through student planning and implementation of school activities. The Student Council sponsors social events, such as dances and pep rallies. They raise money for various charitable causes such as Chimbote, Catholic Charities, and Sisters Place. They sponsor an annual food drive each Thanksgiving.
Students in grades 7 & 8 may participate in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science (PJAS). Working with the Science Teacher, the students choose a topic, perform the experiment, and report on the outcomes. This report is then presented to a group of judges at the annual gathering. The presentation is done orally with the use of an overhead projector. Those students who received a first place award are eligible to participate in the State Meeting in May.

Forensics is a pubic speaking after-school activity for students in grades 5 through 8. Students choose an area such as declamation, poetry, extemporaneous, or multiple readings and choose a reading in this category.


Practice is held weekly after school, and the students have the opportunity to compete in tournaments against other schools four (4) times a year: November, January, March and April.


This activity helps build the confidence of the students that carries over into their class work and throughout their life.

St. Maurce School Science Fair

All students in grades 6 through 8 must do a project for the East Catholic School Science Fair, which is held in January. The science teacher helps the students choose a topic and gives detailed directions for the project.


Pittsburgh Science Fair

Students in grades 6 through 8 may participate in this activity. The students work with the science teacher to choose a topic, perform an experiment and report on the outcome.

Students in grades 6 through 8 have the opportunity to participate in the Annual Shakespeare Play, which is held in the Spring. Participation can be at various levels from acting, playing an instrument, designing sets, lighting, etc. Involvement in this activity requires commitment of time.
Eighth grade students work on the Yearbook, with staff coordinating the collection of photos other information on memorable events of the School during the school year.