Notebook: Second-graders make fleece hats for Olive Crest

With the holidays in full swing, the second-graders at Northwest Christian School recently displayed thespirit of the season when the students made fleece hats for children at Olive Crest, a local nonprofit committed to preventing child abuse and treating and educating at-risk kids.

Second-grade teacher Michelle Gibson said in an e-mail the students worked on the project as part of their wants versus needs social studies curriculum and provided them with a hands-on opportunity to connect with a child in need. The students, along with parent volunteers, cut and sewed 25 fleece hats. Gibson said of the project, “It is a tangible way to meet a need instead of just raising money or awareness.”

This is the third year Northwest Christian’s students have sewn hats for Olive Crest.

Brentwood holding benefit food drive

The students and staff at Brentwood Elementary School in the Mead School District have begun their annual Winter Food Drive, to benefit the Mead Food Bank, 12611 N. Wilson St.

The Brentwood student council has set a goal to collect 3,800 pounds of nonperishable food to help local families in need and the students are asking the community for help.

Second Harvest Food Bank sent a list to Brentwood of most-needed items, including peanut butter; canned ham, chicken and tuna; chili and stews; macaroni and cheese; and beans, such as pinto, navy, black and refried. Canned fruit and vegetables are needed, along with canned or boxed juices; boxed mashed potatoes; and dried fruit. Grains items on the list include pasta, rice, healthy cereals, flour and baking mixes, stuffing mixes, oatmeal and Cream of Wheat.

The food drive will run through Tuesday and the student council will begin delivering donations on Wednesday.

For more information on how to help, call the Brentwood office at (509) 465-6200.

A holiday feast for Skills students

To share in the celebration of the holiday season, the OnTrack students and staff at the Skills Center will have a holiday feast on Wednesday.

Leadership students organize the midday dinner and students in culinary classes at the Skills Center cook the feast. Teachers also donate food to the meal. The event is a collaboration between the Skills Center and OnTrack.

Tiger Closet open for business, donations

The students at Lewis and Clark High School have opened their own Tiger Closet, providing gently used clothes for LC students in need of everyday school clothes, clothes to wear to job interviews or work and even clothes for dressier school functions.

Donations may be made in the main office, from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

For details and more information, call the school office at (509) 354-7000.