Christmastime at St. Michael

With the holiday season upon us, the spirit of giving and joyful cheer is quite evident at St. Michael School. The St. Michael faculty was greeted with sunshine and cold temperatures as they got into the Christmas spirit Friday, December 9. Each year, teachers, aides and administrators gather after school to decorate the school's courtyard by stringing lights on trees and shrubs, and setting up the Nativity.

SMS third graders emphasized giving this Season. After reading the story "The Giving Tree" and discussing how the tree gave of herself, each student was asked to perform small acts of kindness. The children wrote their acts on a green hand which the teachers used to form their very own Third Grade Giving Tree!

The children in second grade are learning a valuable lesson this Christmas. Their teacher, Mrs. Berardelli, asked her students and their parents to donate gently used winter gear in place of any teacher gift they may have been considering. "It is my belief that this time of year can be stressful for families. Parents are continuously asked to make donations to coaches, bus drivers, teachers etc. Multiply that by the number of children in your family and it becomes very expensive" said Berardelli. The class is donating the coats and other warm gear to Respond Now, a shelter in Chicago Heights. "The families have been very generous! The children are eager and proud to contribute" boasts Berardelli. In this Christmas season, Room 9 students are getting the best gift of all.....the knowledge and lesson that it is better to give than receive.