Middle Schoolers Adopt a Child for the Holidays

The holidays came a little early for some children at Alice Ponder Elementary School. Students at neighboring Rogene Worley Middle School adopted a few of the elementary school students and showered them with gifts, food and fun.

The Adopt-a-Child tradition has been going on at Worley Middle School for more than 20 years. The school gets a list of what some less fortunate Ponder Elementary students will need for the holidays, and the middle schoolers buy as many of the items as they can.

A Worley student presents a child with one of many gifts.

"It's just a wonderful day to see our students watch joy in the eyes of another person and know that they were a part of that," said Principal Julia McMains of Worley Middle School. "This is one of our best days of the year and one of our proudest moments."

One by one, the elementary students unwrapped their gifts, ranging from bikes to dolls and race cars. The look of excitement could be seen on the faces of the children and the older students who surrounded them.

"We decided that we need to make their Christmas happy," said eighth-grader Malachi Witherspoon. "It was all worth it when we saw the expressions on the children's faces."

Worley's Adopt-a-Child event is sponsored by the student council. The student body spends time decorating classrooms and providing snacks to make the day of opening presents extra special for the elementary students.

Middle School Students Show Spirit of Giving to Neighboring Elementary Students

Several gifts adorned the table for one of the 18 adopted children.

Walking through the hallways of Rogene Worley Middle School, it felt a lot like Christmas morning. Holiday tunes were playing, presents were underneath decorated Christmas Trees, and several presents were piled underneath the trees.

It wasn’t your typical end-of-the-year party, though. All of the gifts and activities were for a group of 18 children who otherwise may not have received much for Christmas this year.

Worley Middle School’s annual tradition is to adopt kids in need from nearby Alice Ponder Elementary School and give them a special day to remember. It’s the 25th year the middle school has held its Adopt-a-Child Day, and Worley’s principal said it’s one of her favorite events.

A Ponder student opened her gifts with the help of Worley students.

“I love watching our kids appreciate the joy on the faces of these younger children,” said Principal Julia McMains. “In the age of social media and self-absorption, it’s nice to see these teens have real and meaningful interactions. They’re showing their true caring selves, and I love it.”

Adopt-a-Child Day is coordinated by Worley’s student council. The elementary school students go to different classrooms set up with decorations, food, and presents just for them. A teacher noted that some of the middle schoolers didn’t ask their parents to give. Instead, the students contributed in their own way.

“One of my students came up to me and said that he bought a big basketball hoop with a gift card he received,” said Jill Melchiorre, eighth grade science teacher. “I just started crying right then and there because I was touched to see his compassion.”

A Ponder student was happy to unwrap her new backpack.

Smiles were on full display in each room. Children’s faces lit up as each gift was being handed to them, the middle schoolers watched in delight to see their gifts make an impact, and staff grinned in delight viewing the selflessness of it all.

“It really was a whole team effort,” said eighth grader Naomi Nebe, who is also a student council member. “We were all so excited to set it up and create these great memories for the kids.”

Mansfield ISD Toys for Tots 2015 Brings in More Than 30,000 Toys!

The entire Mansfield ISD community came out to show record-breaking support for the fourth annual MISD Toys for Tots event. With the amazing generosity of everyone involved, more than 30,000 toys and approximately $9,000 was donated to the campaign.

Campuses and departments held several contests to encourage students and staff to give to the cause. On the night of the Dec. 9 event, community members came out to the MISD Center for the Performing Arts to drop off even more donations.

Attendees brought their donations and were able to stay to enjoy free activities, such as a snow sledding hill, Santa photos, live reindeer, bounce houses, crafts, and student performances.

“I am always amazed at the amount of enthusiasm our students, parents, staff, local businesses, and other community members have for MISD Toys for Tots,” said Lynn Wilkie, sales and marketing coordinator at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts. “So many people have given so much of their time, energy, and resources to make sure this event was a hit, and I am truly appreciative to everyone for that. Words cannot describe it.”

The number of toy donations received for MISD Toys for Tots has continually increased since its inception in 2012. In its first year, 16,000 toys were given. 20,000 toys were given in 2013, and 26,000 were donated in 2014.

Event organizers said they are already thinking of new rides and activities to “wow” the crowds for next year. View a video, photos, and a social media collage of all the MISD Toys for Tots fun.
Special thanks to: The U.S. Marine Corps, Mansfield ISD campuses and departments, The City of Mansfield, FOX 4 News, Two Men and a Truck, Mansfield FFA, Texas Trust Credit Union, Top of Texas Photography, Mansfield Methodist Medical Center, Starbucks, First United Methodist Church of Mansfield, Hawaiian Falls Water Park, Raising Cane's, Mellow Mushroom, Art Ballet Academy, Lifetime Fitness, UpStage, Common Grounds Community Network, Chisolm Trail Jeep Club, Sports Clip, Canales Furniture in Arlington, Lone Star Irrigation, and the Mansfield ISD community.

ACE Students Spread Cheer to Local Nursing Home

ACE students passing out Christmas cards.

Students in the ACE Program at the MISD Alternative Education Center spread some Christmas cheer Wednesday to a local nursing home—proving that you should never judge a book by its cover.

The ACE Program provides an alternative learning environment for students ages 17 to 21 wanting to receive a high school diploma, whose age and academic performance indicate that he or she has not benefited from the traditional educational setting.

Students and staff visited the Mansfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center to pass out refreshments, stuff stockings with snacks and gifts, pass out Christmas Cards, make glitter snowflakes, decorate the residents’ rooms, and sing Christmas carols.

It’s an annual tradition that has been going on for five years.

Science Teacher Sally McClure getting into the holiday spirit
with the students.

Sally McClure, teacher and science department chairperson at the Alternative Education Center, said there is very little opportunity for the students to get recognized for something positive, so they get excited for events like this one.

“There’s a transformation that happens within the kids when they come here,” said McClure. “I love watching these kids—who have been written off by some people—turn around and put a smile on the face of a person who really needs a friend.”

The transformation could be seen in the faces of the nursing home residents as well. For a majority of them, the students were the only visitors they will receive in a very long time.

“70 percent of the residents here have no family,” said Gene Compton, administrator for Mansfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. “Today, I can see hope in their eyes and connections being made with the younger generation.”

Senior Devin Settle helping a resident make a snowflake.

Senior Devin Settle was just one of many students who showed an outpouring of love and support to the residents. It was an emotional experience for him.

“I loved being able to touch the hearts of these people," said Settle. “It choked me up a little. It’s sad to see that they don’t have support, but that’s why we’re here today.”

To encourage the ACE students to continue in a path of positivity after the two-hour visit, Compton gave the students a message he hopes will stick with them.

“Always remember that you can achieve your goals, even if people put barriers in front of you.”

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