Holiday spirit lives at Cape Public Schools

The holiday spirit was evident throughout the Cape Public School District in December, despite some hardships such as the fire that damaged Blanchard Elementary on the night of Dec. 6, 2011. Principal Dr. Barbara Kohlfeld said the traditional seasonal activities went on as usual at the school's temporary location at Lynwood Baptist Church, "thanks to so many generous community organizations and helpers-- the list is too long to print. We are deeply grateful for the community spirit," Dr. Kohlfeld said. At Jefferson Elementary, Principal Mark Cook credited business partners such as Red Letter Communications for their generosity. "It made all the difference in the world to our kids," Cook said. He is pictured above at left with several Red Letter staff at their offices where they posed with some of the gifts Jefferson students received. At right are Jefferson Parent Liaison Jamie Jones and Jefferson Counselor Becky Wright (in pink coat).

The District's other elementary schools--Clippard, Alma Schrader and Franklin-- gave back to the community in many ways. Students were busy ringing the bells for Salvation Army and collecting for the FISH food pantry, Toybox, Humane Society and other organizations. Clippard first graders in Mrs. Smith's class focused on the "Caring" character trait and put it into action by anonymously "adopting" a family for Christmas. Cape Middle School students were busy with their annual community projects-- "Rake n' Run," in which they rake leaves in neighborhood lawns, and "Feed My Starving Children," in which they packed meals at Shawnee Park Center.