This year's Giving Tree program is themed "Deck the Halls." Rather than creating the sign on my own, I asked a group of fifth grade girls to make our signs (didn't they do a great job?). They used butcher paper and die cut snowflakes were added.

Our Giving Tree program is a food drive that benefits families in our communities. Here's how it works at our school:
1. Students select an undecorated paper ornament with a label (for a food or hygiene item) from the tables on either side of the tree in the lobby.
2. Students then bring in the food or hygiene product from their ornament/tag (with parent permission, of course). The item(s) are placed in the proper labeled box in the lobby.
3. Students hang their uniquely decorated ornament on the tree; it's a visual way to display the school's generous giving on our tree!
4. Donated items are sorted into boxes and delivered to families in the community.

Below is the Q & A posted on our school website:

In addition to the tree, tables and "Deck the Halls" sign, another display was added to the lobby. This bulletin board says, "Tis the season to be JOLLY!" and includes clean holiday jokes sprinkled generously in the "snow!" A box under the display allows students to submit jokes to add to the display. With all the stress and rush during this time of year, I wanted this year's holidays to be fun and festive, as well as a time for giving and contemplation. 

In addition to the staff adoption of three families (see the blog post, winter wishes, for details), the entire school is working together to collect food and hygiene products for families who may need the items over the winter break.

The principal of our school, who happens to be a masterful decorator, put up a gorgeous tree in the lobby.   In order to prepare my end, the following needed to be created (attached docs coming soon): 

• a list of items needed for each box
• labels with individual food/hygiene items
• about 500 die cut shapes (trees, circles, mittens)
• letter to send home with students
• a sign for the lobby ("Decorate the Giving Tree!")

I spent a week visiting all 24 classrooms to explain how the Giving Tree works:

• Every student must get permission from a parent/ guardian before participating.
• Students may take one or two blank, white ornaments from the tables in the lobby.
• Students decorate their blank ornament and bring it  back along with the item(s) listed on the label.
• Students then hang their ornament on the tree and put their donation underneath.

In two weeks, staff members will come together and organize the donated food into 10-15 boxes, then deliver the boxes to families in our community. And as the tree fills up with ornaments, the school can clearly see just how generously we can share! 

This time of year is always so fun, as everyone feels festive and generous. It's such a joy to participate in this spirit of giving during my first holiday season as a school counselor! 

My school has a tradition of adopting three or four families each holiday season, and this year I am the one to continue the (confidential) tradition. Each adopted family member made a wish list and the items will be purchased by staff members. Gifts will be wrapped while we enjoy a festive potluck brunch, then delivered during the annual "Ring & Run" (it's exactly like it sounds: we drop off presents and the Giving Tree food boxes at the families' front doors, then go out to celebrate our success). 

This year, I chose the theme "Winter Wishes" and decorated the staff lounge accordingly. First, there is a clothesline with the theme's letters and red mittens hung out to dry. Then I cut out snowflakes to add to our windows; I plan to add fake white snow and a few stray red mittens to the counter once all of the tags have been taken. Finally, I made the gift tags. I had originally planned to use die-cut mittens, but then I realized I could use the scraps from the die-cut trees I'd made as ornaments for our school wide Giving Tree. (That will be another post!) Staff members can use the tags to write a note and add it to the gift when it is wrapped at the brunch. I am hoping that every family member has their wildest winter wishes come true!