DD's school is NOT doing gift exchanges this year- instead...

[mudnuri]

They're collecting items for

"Operation ICAN" (Iraqi Children Assistance Network)

we received a letter home today- stating that they will not be exchanging gifts in the classrooms this year- though usually they buy classroom gifts-like puzzles, playdough etc. The entire Elementary school is doing this

Operation ICAN will provide soldiers with supplies to distribute to teh schoolchildren in the cities of Tikrit, Kirkuk, As-Sulaymaniyah, Ba'aquba, Samarra and Bayji. The main purpose of the operation is to bring school supplies to children, but it will also provide a way for American soldiers to do something positive for the Iraqi children. The Army's presense in Iraq provides a conduit through which ordinary American citizens can reach out and tough the lives of the Iraqi people in a positive way.

The items they are collecting- are pens/pencils - school supplies and also personal hygiene items, first aide products, socks, gloves, hair ties, toothbrushes etc.

My kids are VERY excited about this! They have already gone to my "holding spot" where I put all the toiletries I find on sale and have put them in a box we're starting.

Off to the dollar store tomorrow for some coloring books/crayons.

Anyone elses school doing something similar?

Brandy

 

[Cindy B]

OUr school has never ever did exchanges. It is a primarily Jewish town, with a strong Muslim presence with my kids school.

I think its great that your school is doing a great community service project like that.

 

[Freyja]

Sounds like a wonderful idea. My kids school always does exchanges and to be honest I don´t think the kids are very into that year after year. Especially considering the amount of gifts they get everywhere else. I think this would be a change and would teach them a lot. My kids like being involved in projects like this, and I suspect many other do too.

 

[powellrj]

a

Originally posted by mudnuri
They're collecting items for

"Operation ICAN" (Iraqi Children Assistance Network)

we received a letter home today- stating that they will not be exchanging gifts in the classrooms this year- though usually they buy classroom gifts-like puzzles, playdough etc. The entire Elementary school is doing this

Operation ICAN will provide soldiers with supplies to distribute to teh schoolchildren in the cities of Tikrit, Kirkuk, As-Sulaymaniyah, Ba'aquba, Samarra and Bayji. The main purpose of the operation is to bring school supplies to children, but it will also provide a way for American soldiers to do something positive for the Iraqi children. The Army's presense in Iraq provides a conduit through which ordinary American citizens can reach out and tough the lives of the Iraqi people in a positive way.

The items they are collecting- are pens/pencils - school supplies and also personal hygiene items, first aide products, socks, gloves, hair ties, toothbrushes etc.

My kids are VERY excited about this! They have already gone to my "holding spot" where I put all the toiletries I find on sale and have put them in a box we're starting.

Off to the dollar store tomorrow for some coloring books/crayons.

Anyone elses school doing something similar?

Brandy

My ds is in Ba'aquba and one of the first things he asked for when he got there was large boxes of pencils. he said he carries them in his pockets and passes them out to the children when they swarm around them. In every package I send I will always include a large box of them so he has a ready supply. He said the children will beg them for 1/2 empty water bottles, candy and other treats. Tell your kids thanks, its really a wonderful thing that they are doing and they will be thrilled!!

 

[dzneelvr]

What a great idea! Kudos to your school for coming up with an alternative that can teach the children something.
I'm not a fan of gift exchanges between schoolmates.
I hope this program makes its way into our area.

 

[sharbear]

OUr school has never ever did exchanges. It is a primarily Jewish town, with a strong Muslim presence with my kids school.

What an interesting mix. Our school is very mixed in cultures and religion. What I love about it is that all the kids get along. The kids don't care if you are Jewish or Muslim or Hindi or Christian. If all of society was mixed like this, I think that we would have less war.

Our school is very careful in respecting all religions and cultures.