Letters to Santa Project

This year my advisory (in addition to Ms. Moy's, Ms. Storm's, Ms. Doyle's, and Mr. Nekrosius's advisories) participated in the annual Chicago Sun-Times "Letters to Santa" Project. As part of this project, students from low-income Chicago neighborhoods write letters to Santa with their Christmas requests. The Chicago Sun-Times then gives the letters to interested families and students who buy items on the lists. The gifts are later delivered to the students in time for the holidays. You can request more information about the program and request a letter at cstelves@suntimes.com.

Students in my advisory received letters from students who were mostly in the first and third grades. Items on the Christmas lists ranged from Power Rangers toys to Hannah Montana dolls to mittens and school supplies. All students in the advisory participated, and some sponsored more than one student. Some students even opted to write letters as "santa's elves" to the students they sponsored.

Though we encountered some wrapping challenges (how does one wrap a four-square ball?), overall this project was a positive experience and worked to remind all of us about the message of peace and joy during the holiday season.