Throughout December, students and staff at Marion Street Elementary School celebrated the season of giving and their theme of the month, kindness. Members of the school’s student council, led by advisers Kristen Keane and Kelsey Occhino, facilitated a toy drive, organized a mitten tree initiative and conducted a fun-filled Spirit Week to help promote a food drive and get everyone into the holiday spirit.

With the help of student council advisers and library media specialist Marie Sarro-Pizarro, the school community donated more than 125 toys to Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the toy drive took place online. In addition, student council members created a festive video to send to the hospital along with the donations. To watch the video, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-VA9BpTMVI. 

Continuing their mission of giving back, the student council created a mitten tree in the school and encouraged the Marion Street community to donate mittens, scarves and hats to support the Salvation Army. The students successfully collected 254 items to donate to children in need thanks to the generosity of Marion Street students, staff and families. 

The student council ended the month on a high note by organizing a Spirit Week before the district’s holiday recess. At the start of the week, Marion Street students brought in non-perishable food items to donate to families in need. They then participated in Merry Monday, Tacky Tuesday and Winter Land Wednesday by wearing specific attire and participating in fun activities.