Richardson Elementary School’s Christmas spirit abounds in community efforts

Singing Christmas favorites. Ringing the Salvation Army bell. Sharing resources with needy families.

All were part of the Student Council’s Angel Tree Project at Richardson Elementary School, where students and staff worked together to assist families facing financial challenges this holiday season.

On Dec. 11, Student Council members and sponsors visited the Lee’s Summit Wal-Mart to purchase gifts for the families with money collected at the school. They also participated in bell-ringing for the Salvation Army.

“My favorite part was shopping for the families,” one student said. “It was fun picking out gifts that they would like.”

Another enjoyed the songs and the Salvation Army bells: “It was cool to see how people would smile when they saw that we were caroling instead of just ringing the bells.”

Student Council sponsors assisting the students included Tracy Rasmussen, Brittiny Bernard and Casey Blakemore.

R-7 district sets calendar for next year

The first day of school next year will be Aug. 15, according to the 2018-19 calendar approved this month for the Lee’s Summit School District.

Winter break will be Dec. 20 through Jan. 2 for students. School staff members will return to work Jan. 2 with classes resuming Jan. 3. Spring break is scheduled for March 18-22.

The last day of school, pending snow days, will be May 17. Any snow days will be made up beginning May 20.

The complete calendar for the 2018-19 school year, as well as the current calendar, may be viewed at www.lsr7.org/district/district-calendar/quick-view.

R-7 student wins VFW essay contest

Grant Godard, a junior at Lee’s Summit North High School, won first place in the Lee’s Summit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5789 Voice of Democracy audio essay competition.

Schools competing at the local level included all Lee’s Summit R-7 high schools, both Raytown high schools and several private schools.

Godard’s essay now advances to the district competition. He also is an all-state swimmer and helped the Broncos’ 200-yard medley relay team win a state title last month.

This year’s theme was “American History: Our Hope for the Future.”

High school doesn’t forget soldiers overseas

Lee’s Summit North High School staff and students recently sent more than 80 pounds of food, toiletries and other items to members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving overseas.

The school-wide effort was accomplished through the Adopt-a-Soldier program.

School officials worked with Lee’s Summit Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5789 to contact members of the military.

Star-Spangled music

Sixth-graders from Longview Farm Elementary School sang the National Anthem on Dec. 10 at the Kansas City Mavericks game.

The Mavericks, formerly known as the Missouri Mavericks, lost 3-2 against the Allen Americans that night

After-school program fosters team spirit, personal growth

Pleasant Lea Middle School has created a new after-school program — Tiger Tribe — which provides supervised activities for students who want to stay after school before attending a home game. It began this semester.

Tiger Tribe activities include team-building, learning chants and cheers, making positive posters for athletes, playing games, and participating in community-service projects.

During December, students created holiday messages for patients at Lee’s Summit Hospital.

“We started this club as a way of involving more students in school activities and we have been impressed with the number of kids who have come out to support our Tiger athletes,” co-sponsor Marcy Hess said.

Compiled by Elaine Adams, Special to the Journal

This story was originally published December 18, 2017 at 2:37 PM with the headline "Richardson Elementary School’s Christmas spirit abounds in community efforts."