Reading Trees and Giving Trees

Thomas County Schools are decorating Christmas trees with a purpose at Garrison-Pilcher Elementary School with a reading tree in the Media Center and a giving tree in the front office.

Students are decorating the reading tree in the Media Center by designing ornaments with the title of a book that they have read, a drawing from the story, and a detail that makes that book a favorite.  The reading tree has become a vehicle for giving, too.  The number of ornaments completed by students quickly grew beyond the tree and are hanging on all of the windows of the Media Center. 

Media Center Paraprofessional Rachel Roberts said that students who come into the library who are unsure of what book to check out are looking at the ornaments for ideas. 

“They look at the drawings and the reasons why other students liked the books, and that helps them choose a book to read,” said Roberts. 

A new tradition has started with a blue and gold decorated tree displaying the school’s Yellow Jacket spirit, but also to include numbered tags that each represent an anonymous child in the school. Each child has four tags on the tree, and they will receive four gifts:  an outfit, a blanket, and two toys. The children were chosen based on those in need by the administration.

On the Monday after Thanksgiving the tree was full with 72 tags.  Parents, staff members, community members, and teachers were asked to give back by choosing a child.  All 72 tags were claimed by the end of the first week.

"It was our hope that by the end of the week, The Giving Tree would be empty," said Principal Amy Tyson.  "Since it was, then that means we will have filled the hearts of the children of our school with the Christmas Spirit."

Caption: Garrison-Pilcher second graders help decorate the reading tree in the Media Center with ornaments depicting their favorite books.  Pictured: Kalani Wade, Bella Dawson, Lee Pierce, Leilani Hernandez, Alanah White, and Julian Champion.