Operation Blue Santa

Operation Blue Santa (OBS) has been a program of the Austin Police Department since 1972. Each year OBS serves more than 3,800 central Texas families by providing toys to children in need. The Kindergarten through 3rd grades participated in this community service project for the holidays. Students and families were asked to send an unwrapped gift appropriate for a child 12 or younger by Thursday, December 11. On Friday, December 12, the classes walked down to the local fire station, Fire Station 10. They delivered the presents for OBS, got to look at the fire engines, and talked with the local firemen and firewoman. It was a great service project and way to serve our local community!!

Food for Families

By the 5th Grade

Recently the fifth Graders went to the Capital Area Food Bank to volunteer. The Food Bank is a warehouse that collects many items such as food, toiletries, pet food, and medicine. It sends the food to pantries. Pantries are places that give out food to people who cannot afford it.

When the fifth grade went to the Food Bank, we helped to box up toiletries and baby items. We also went on a tour of the Food Bank. We boxed up 1,740 pounds of supplies and afterwards were given certificates for volunteering. It felt wonderful to know we were helping people!

We also organized a school-wide food drive. If you would like to help further, you could volunteer at the Food Bank. You could also donate food or money. Just one dollar makes five meals!

Thank you for your donations.

4th Grade Spreads Holiday Happiness

by Linda Elliott

As a community service project, the 4th grade class "adopted" a local fire station for holiday decorating. The historic Fire Station #4 in south central Austin was in dire need of a seasonal "makeover." Our 4th graders worked overtime to create many homemade decorations including looping chains, tree ornaments, and clothespin-poinsettias. On Monday, December 1st the class traveled to the station and spent more than an hour hanging the decorations and trimming the tree. The station personnel were very enthusiastic and appreciative about the visit.

In addition, our girls contributed to the Austin Blue Santa program. A big thank-you goes out to the entire class and parents for making the holidays a bit more enjoyable for our hard working fire fighters. Hats off to the fourth graders for a job well done!