Maya McFadden Photo
Michelle Smith is struggling to help her second grader learn from home. She got some help Tuesday from her son’s school, Roberto Clemente Elementary School.
Smith’s was one of 234 families that stopped by the Columbus Avenue K‑8 school for a grab-and-go holiday distribution of supplemental learning handouts, gifts, and holiday spirit.
Like many other parents and students Smith came to the holiday event to meet her son’s teacher for the first time in person. Smith made the stop at the school before heading to work
“Usually while he’s in school I’m at work. so it was nice to meet the person who’s working with him for hours everyday,” she said.
Smith’s high schooler is usually the one around to help her brother out when his focus drifts from his virtual class. Smith picked up the work packets and is remodeling her kitchen to make it brighter and more colorful like a classroom to help her son, and to and keep her high schooler from falling behind in her schooling due to her helping her brother.
The Clemente staff jumped into high gear to make holiday-themed work packets and gifts for each of their students during the second marking period.
Students received age-appropriate holiday gifts and instructional material handouts based on their work done so far this school year. Gloves, hats, coats, and a healthful snack were also handed out. All of the distributed gifts were donated from the Clemente staff and local churches.
This wwas Clemente’s second grab-and-go distribution of the year. Staff provided students with a new batch of pencils, crayons, and books/
“We based this around wanting to have a conversation with our families and getting instructional material in the kids hands,” said Principal Mia Edmonds-Duff.
Students left with their hands full and some holiday joy.
“We miss them so much,” said Climate and Culture Leader Stephanie Pacelli. “It’s like a breath of fresh air to know they’er safe and healthy.”
Students squealed with joy at the sight of their teachers, whom they’d previously seen only through a computer screen. Some couldn’t help but jump out their cars to hug and take pictures with Santa. A first grader, Tessa, had her mother deliver a snowman drawing made for Santa.
Teachers like Kelly Hebraak asked parents how things are at home.
“It’s to see if they are OK with logging on easily and have the necessities like wifi and pencils,” said Edmonds-Duff.
The school staff plans to do a grab-and-go event each marking period this year to provide students with fresh supplies and supplemental work materials.
Twelve-year-old Jordan Miranda picked up his gift and school work all while in the back seat of the car in class.
Hebraak made sure to ask her English-language learning students about the Imagine Learning platform the school uses. “Can you still get into imagine learning ok?” she asked Zeba and Shughaib Hayat. The two nodded while slipping their hands into their new pair of gloves.
Kindergartener Jaiden was gifted a Mickey Mouse hat, gloves, and multiple books to add to his home library.
Aliana Lopez, 8, picked out a grey glove and scarf set for herself and helped her sister Gloriana, 7, pick out a yellow set.
Many students came to the event with personal updates to share with their teachers about losing teeth, growing three inches, and getting a new pair of shoes.
A single father, Shankin, brought his son Micah, 9, and his son’s cousin, Nara, 2, to the event to get out of the house and treat them to early Christmas gifts. Shankin is a chef; the restaurant where he worked closed during the pandemic. “It’s been hard, but I need to keep a smile on their faces,” he said. Shankin was also able to pick up a hot lunch for the kids from the school.
More than half of the school’s student population’s families made it to Tuesday’s event.
Good job helping out families! It will be great when they can return in person!