Caroline students and staff found a variety of ways to give back, share kindness and provide support to their communities throughout the holiday season. Whether it was participating in parades, collecting much needed items, or putting their voices to good use, they gave generously to the communities that support their schools so well.
Warm coats, socks, hats and gloves were collected and donated by Ridgely Elementary, the National Junior Honor Society at Colonel Richardson Middle, and the Lockerman Middle Kindness and Wellness Club. Colonel Richardson Middle’s Student Government Association also conducted a toy drive, and Ridgely Elementary participated in Shop with a Cop.
Preston Elementary partnered with the Idlewild Ruritan Club for a food drive. His Hope Ministries benefitted from a food drive conducted by Caroline Career and Technology Center’s Student Government Association. The North Caroline High Leo Club collected over $2,000 worth of items and money to donate to the Ridgely Food Pantry.
Ridgely students decorated trees to donate to the Ridgely Gingerbread House, and several student clubs at North Caroline High did the same for Festival of Trees for Hospice. North Caroline High art students painted ceramic bowls to be used in a fundraiser for Food for Learning.
Holiday cheer was also shared by North Caroline’s Rhythm of the Ridge Chorus who performed for residents at Peak Healthcare. Greensboro Elementary and Denton Elementary both conducted caroling events for their communities. Communities also enjoyed seeing students and staff in town holiday parades, with Caroline Career and Technology Center’s Future Farmers of America float, North Caroline’s marching band, and Federalsburg Elementary’s float which was awarded first prize.
The Whoville Holiday Park in Ridgely benefitted from the expertise and talent of students and staff at Caroline Career and Technology Center who build and donated the many Whoville structures.
“Our students really understand the value of community and the need to give back,” Superintendent Derek Simmons said. “They are fully supported by school staff who facilitate and encourage these activities, and give of their own time to make them happen. It’s efforts like these that make us aware of a hopeful future. We’re very proud of them.”
All event photos are available on the CCPS Flickr page.