Winter break begins with a surprise
Navasota Junior High teachers sent students home with a goodie bag over the winter break. The collaborative effort between teachers ensured every students received a bag that included a novel.
It’s usually the norm for teachers to push students toward the exit when winter break nears. Who can blame them, being an educator is strenuous and requires a lot of time and dedication. The break is well deserved.
At Navasota Junior High the vibe is a little different. While most teachers are celebrating the Thanksgiving Holidays and waiting in anticipation for winter break, a group of teachers at Navasota Junior High were out seeking donations and preparing a special winter surprise for every student at the school.
Teachers worked diligently over the Thanksgiving break soliciting donations to send each student home with a goodie bag over the winter break. They raised nearly $5,000 during a 4-day period.
Then teachers began filling decorated gift bags with an award-winning novel, hot cocoa, candy cane, water bottle and a Christmas pencil. Each bag also included a note letting the students know how much the teachers at Navasota Junior High care about them and hope they have a great break.
The students also experienced a winter wonderland as they entered the cafeteria for lunch Friday, Dec. 20, as teachers transformed the cafeteria into a winter wonderland for the students.
Sydnie Sewell stated the idea originated as a way to provide students with a book, candy cane and cocoa so they would have an activity to do over the winter break. She said the teachers have a genuine love for the students and want to ensure the students know that.
Some of the teachers assisting in the winter surprise are Cassie Johnson, Terryn Hirsch, Brooke Bochat, Brooke Bayliss, Olivia Floyd, Melanie Seltzer, Cissy Neal, Katie Frock Sydnie Sewell and Elaine McWhorter.