Christmas is Coming...

Have you noticed how many signs of Christmas have seemingly arisen within the last week or so?  And, to add to that the mild weather is gone and SNOW has now been falling in our area.  This brings me to challenge each family with the question that Fr. Paul McGill (associate pastor of Corpus Christi Parish) recently challenged our class with:  What are you doing to prepare for Christmas?
                                            
We have begun collecting items to fill our St. Gabriel Giving Hampers last week.  Since we typically are quite fortunate financially, it is our responsibility to think of others at this time of year.  It is also a great opportunity to teach children about charity, giving back, etc.  We are accepting items until December 5.  "What can I donate?" you might be asking.  Anything non-perishable in a non-breakable container:  canned goods, boxed or bagged food, toiletries (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, dental floss, deodorant, kleenex, toilet paper), cleaning products, hats, gloves, scarves, socks, books, toys, gift cards, etc.  You get the idea.  We have a hamper in our classroom already waiting to be filled.  Let's go Guardians!  You CAN do it!
                                                 
Also, the final Scholastic book order catalogue will be sent home this week and will be due soon.  Any orders placed will arrive before the Christmas holidays (as long as items are not back-ordered).  If you would like to order items as gifts, please enclose the order in an envelope with a note indicating it is a gift.  When it arrives I will phone you and we can make arrangements for you to pick it up at school in time for wrapping.  Books make great gifts!
                                 
Finally, for our collage project, we are accepting donations of any of the following items.  If you can, please send them to school with your child ASAP.:  wrapping paper for any occasion, magazines, ribbon, fabric scraps.  Thank you very much in advance!