This holiday season, Totoket Valley Elementary School (TVES) students, staff, and families partnered up with Family Centered Services of CT (FCSCT) in New Haven to make seven families' Christmas dreams come true.

Each month, TVES students take part in a Community Day to learn about the importance of citizenship, responsibility, and a growth mindset. December's Community Day theme was "Service to Others." What better way to teach students about service to others than to take part in a whole school effort to give back to the community?

FCSCT provided TVES students with the names and wishlists of seven families in need, a total of 19 people. Classes each "adopted" one family member, learned a little about the family's interests and daily activities, and discussed the needs of the family. TVES families signed up to donate items from each wishlist. The items ranged from diapers, warm coats, and clothing to books, household items, and toys.

On Wednesday, December 11, the staff and students took part in a whole-school wrapping day. Students wrapped, labeled, and organized the gifts, in addition creating cards for the families to read. Parents volunteered to drop off the gifts to FCSCT in New Haven on Wednesday afternoon.

There were a total of 31 large refuse bags filled with gifts for these seven families in need. Students truly learned about the importance of giving back, as they proudly gave some families in need in the local community a Christmas they would never forget.

The event was organized by TVES teacher Lea DiStefano. All members of the TVES staff supported this great effort.

In addition, throughout the month of December, students collected non-perishable items for the North Branford food bank and families in need in our community. TVES security officer Art Huggins supported the event by encouraging students and families to participate during drop off and pick up each day and offered students (TVES) ROCKS cards for their participation. He will also support by delivering all the donations with TVES principal Carter Welch.

A great team effort for the local community by all. The spirit of giving is alive at TVES.