Christmas Spirit Found in the Elementary
by Mrs. Johansen
December 18, 2007
The students in the 5th grade class recently completed reading the book Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. In this book they learned how the Danish people helped an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 of their Jewish friends and neighbors escape relocation by the Germans in World War II. In discussion of this book, the students were challenged to come up with a way to give service to their community. The students decided to have a food drive for the Plainview Food Pantry.
The drive began November 26 and continued for two weeks. The Elementary School was challenged to bring 2 items per each student in the school giving them a goal of 350 items. Each class was given a challenge based on the number of students in the room. With the help of a giant thermometer and charts showing school and classroom progress the students began bringing donations of food. In the end 730 items were donated which doubled the school goal.
