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HOLIDAY-FEST VI: The Tradition Grows
On Friday, December 3, 2010, more than 280 3rd, 4th & 5th graders and
over 20 staff members from Lafayette Street School in Newark
visited Cranford High School for a school-wide service learning event
called "Holiday-Fest." All CHS students and staff were involved in this
experience. The Newark and Cranford school districts have a cooperative
learning agreement, which is designed to promote cross-cultural
interactions and new learning opportunities. "Holiday-Fest VI" is another
element in this collaboration. The event started with ideas developed by
Mr. John Arlotta, Supervisor of Academic Affairs at CHS and Mrs. Lourdes
Murphy, vice-principal at Lafayette Street School. CHS students , Katie Bradford, Alexis
Inselberg, Alissa Mustillo, Emily Nesi, Rose Papandrea, Lana Rahal, Olivia Salinardo,
Margaret Trapani ,Lauren Sullivan, Cara Costa, Rebecca Deczynski, Laurel Elfenbein,
Tessa Gonzales, Meghan Heine, Summer Kortbaoui, Danny Murphy, Valerie Podbelski,
Victoria Treboschi, Lauren Correia, Toni Anna Gonzales coordinated this year’s event.
The students from Lafayette Street School arrived at 10:00 a.m. Star Shuttle/ First Student
once again donated 6 of its buses to transport these students. Each Lafayette student
had at least two CHS chaperones, called elves, who accompanied them on a schedule
of activities during the day. Each elf purchased a personalized gift for their child.
Some of the activities this year were: Constructing a gumball machine, face-painting,
moon bounce, obstacle course, carnival games with spin art, a puppet show, Japanese
Origami, ornament making, history games, science demos, a cookie-making machine,
video interactive games and musical performances. Many CHS students and staff spent
countless hours preparing for these activities. There were also hundreds of donated gifts
for the elementary students to give to their family members. CHS students and staff
helped in the selection and wrapping of these gifts.
Even CHS Superintendent of Schools,
Dr. Gayle Carrick lent a hand in the wrapping! All Lafayette students were provided
lunch. The CHS PTA helped supply some of the food for the staff of both schools.
The Lafayette students departed at 1:30 p.m. Monies to pay for most of this event are
paid through a grant provided by Learn and Serve America. Representatives from
The NJ State Department of Education were on hand to observe the events of the day.
Both Cranford High School and Lafayette Street School students participate in guided
reflection and discussion, to culminate this school-wide service learning experience. A
return trip to Lafayette Street School is planned for May.
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