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P. Ross Berry Middle School sponsors party
A smaller version of the event took place last year.
YOUNGSTOWN — Teachers, parents and community supporters at P. Ross Berry Middle School are coming together at the holidays in support of those things that may make it a little easier for kids to focus in the classroom.
Students and their parents or guardians came to the school Wednesday to socialize and have dinner with teachers and community members. By the end of the day, those parents and students, however, were leaving the school grounds carrying Christmas gifts and baskets filled with things the students can use.
Randi Russell, community leader for the school, said the dinner caps off a giving-tree event that has been taking place at P. Ross Berry since October.
Russell said dozens of students were selected to be added to a giving tree over the last few months. Teachers, Russell said, selected students simply by observing which ones were in greatest need of certain items such as shoes, coats and hats that could be given as Christmas gifts.
Teachers, area churches and community supporters selected students from the tree and purchased those items needed by that particular student or listed as a want by the student. Siblings of the selected students also received gifts.
Dozens of food baskets were supplied to some of the families of selected students.
Russell said a few games and toys also were given to families from the giving tree. She said the idea is to bring the school and families together in addressing the needs of students that will make it easier for the children to focus, study and learn.
“We want to send a message to the families that we love your kids, and when we see a need, we want to try to help address that need,” Russell added. “We want to bridge the gap between school and home. This goes beyond just education.”
The school had a similar event last year in which about 89 students received gifts for the holidays. This year, Russell said about 150 kids, including some from Odyssey School, received items in the program.
Those attending the family-night event received door prizes, food and listened to various speakers including Pastor Roney Tucker of We Walk by Faith Church in the city. Parents and school officials also entered into a family contract designed to encourage greater parental involvement in school issues.
Pastor Tucker observed the giving nature of the event and spoke to those in attendance on the love involved in giving at Christmas and all year.
“When I got the call to come, the first thing that came to my mind is love,” Pastor Tucker said.
“The Bible speaks on love, and at Christmas time, we do a lot for each other, and we should do those things out of love. Love is kind, long-suffering and love never fails.”
Principal Debbie DiFrancesco said most teachers at P. Ross Berry did participate in the program, some buying for more than one student, but the anonymous nature of the program makes it impossible to know for certain.
“This program has been a success for two years in a row. We did not have the dinner before, but it has been successful,” she said.
DiFrancesco said the program, aside from providing gifts for students, allows students to see the nature of selfless giving through the actions of teachers.
School officials plan to continue the program annually.
jgoodwin@vindy.com