Perkins School students and staff not only enjoyed some great holiday activities of their own but generously reached out to different segments of the Newark Community to make the holidays brighter for some families in need as well as ElderONE Silver Hill PACE Center program participants and residents of The Terrace at Newark Assisted Living Community.
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Some of the Pre-K through second grade school children’s art was also taken to some local businesses for them to display during the holiday season as part of an ongoing Community Engagement Project.
Four Kindergarten and two 12:1:1 class went on a caroling excursion at ElderONE on December 17th and 19th. Not only did they sing holiday songs to program participants but gave them cheery cards made by the students in their classes.
Three UPK classes also went on a caroling trip Dec. 18th to The Terrace where they not only sang to the residents but gave them ornaments and cards made in their classes.
UPK classes also made gingerbread houses at Perkins School with family members in the cafeteria
Dec. 17th.
The PTA sponsored at one-hour holiday party December 18th that included a dance party in the gymnasium, a visit from Santa Claus, Christmas card-making for nursing home residents and enjoyed hot cocoa and cookie refreshments. Children attending also received gift baskets with candy.
Kindergarten through second graders at Perkins School, in collaboration with staff and parents, together collected 250 non-perishable food items and 117 hats, mittens and scarves for the Newark Food Closet. Food Closet President Lisa Barrett and co-chair Becky Jandreau came to the school December 20th to collect the donated items.
Also, Dec. 20th, an afternoon PRIDE Assembly was held in the gymnasium with some very special guests _ Santa and his elves, escorted by Newark Police, came to the assembly.
There, Santa read “Twas the Night Before Christmas” to the delight of students. He also gave every child a present. The students were filled with excitement and as they waited to receive their presents, they sang Christmas carols under the direction of music teacher Brittany Mechler and Assistant Principal Ian Mutch.
In addition, 12:1:1 teacher Jennifer Spratley organized, sought and received donations from Perkins staff to give to six needy families. Everything was gift-wrapped and delivered to the families before the Christmas holiday. The donations for one of the families were given by Parker's Grille & Tap House in Newark.