(above, l-r) Sean Drayto and Aria Mitchell show some of the donated gifts that were collected.
William Woodruff School’s Holiday Season
Submitted by Thomas Long
The month of December at William Woodruff School (WWS) always conveys the themes of giving, joy, and excitement! The month began with the WWS Student Council collecting gifts for the children at St. Joseph’s Social Service Center in Elizabeth. The students donated five large containers of gifts to ensure that these children will have a Merry Christmas.
In addition to the Holiday Gift Drive, the Student Council provided another way of giving by buying a ticket on the Polar Express. The students had an opportunity to buy the special holiday ticket which allowed them the comfort of wearing their pajamas to school and viewing the movie, The Polar Express. The proceeds were donated to help children with medical needs by supporting the “Make a Wish” Foundation.
During the month of December, there were three main holidays celebrated: Hanukkah, Christmas, and Kwanzaa. Most students at WWS celebrate one of these holidays. In order to build a better understanding of various cultural histories of each holiday, the Woodruff students teach each other as part of the Holiday Learning Assembly. Each grade level presents through historical information, music, and poetry the significance of the holiday. Additionally, Grade 5 students who play an instrument which is not represented in the band or orchestra are invited to share their musical talents with the student body. This year, a total of six Fifth Graders performed classical and holiday favorites during this assembly: Anay Munje, Eduardo Roxo, Jayden Man, Lucia Montoya-Leyva, Jenna Brown, and Tyler Brown.
Giving one’s time and care was in the hearts of the Woodruff Fourth Graders as they shared holiday cheer by baking 44 cakes for the Starfish Food Pantry and making over 100 sandwiches to feed the needy through the St. Ann’s Soup Kitchen. The students enjoyed learning how to bake and frost cakes and were thrilled to add some mustard and mayo to make the sandwiches enjoyable for all.
The Woodruff PTO knows how to shop, and shop they did in preparation for the “best ever” Holiday Boutique. The students were invited to shop for family members and of course, their pets, during the two-day boutique. Over 20 tables were stocked with an array of practical, fun, and holiday-themed items to help make everyone on the students’ holiday list happy.
When one thinks of the holidays, one usually thinks about family, friends, joyous times, and holiday decorations. Most of us don’t think about “ugly” things. But at Woodruff School, that has changed because showing your school spirit requires finding the “ugliest” holiday sweater to wear and to parade around the school for all to see.
The holiday feeling was definitely in the air later throughout the month thanks to the wonderful performance of the William Woodruff School Band, Orchestra, and Chorus. The students put forth their very best effort while playing and singing an array of familiar holiday and winter-themed songs. A few days after the concert, all WWS students joined voices as part of the grade-level “Sing-Along.” These events were delightful and they provided a feeling of extra joy and happiness for the entire Woodruff School community!
Photos by Berkeley Heights Public Schools
