Yearly Theme and Outreach

       
  Varieties of Gifts ...            
            But the Same Spirit.
                                           I Corinthians 12:4 

The joy of learning takes root at St. Nicholas School.  Its nurture is our reason for being.  We believe that all humans have gifts, and regardless of our appearances, our intellects, our backgrounds, our faiths, and our capabilities; these different gifts all exist from and in our Creator, God.

Our gifts are indeed varied and range from St. Paul's listing of Gifts of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control to a more modern listing of the gifts of our multi-intelligences: musical, intra-personal, nature, body, mathematical, visual, verbal, and inter-personal.  In addition to the types of gifts, there are people in our individual and community lives, both past and present, who have willingly shared their gifts, and in so doing have improved the world. 

There are infinite gifts and infinite ways of giving. 

The theme focus of 2011-12 is learning about our own gifts AND the gifts others have given throughout history and in the present. 

The year culminates on Varieties of Gifts Day, April 19, 2012.

The year focus is two-fold: curricular and outreach.

Sharing STNS Gifts Project      

There are both intangible and tangible gifts to be given. Continuing our connection to the Chattanooga Community Kitchen*, we intend to send both kinds of gifts their way.

*[including both the Kitchen itself, which serves the homeless of Chattanooga by providing meals and social services AND the Family Housing and Learning Center, a ten-unit onsite apartment complex available to families ready to leave the shelter system, but not yet ready for independence.]

We will provide art work over the interior entrance to the dining room.  The pictures will change each month; each division will provide their interpretation of the theme selected by the Kitchen for that month.  Additionally, it is our hope that when spring comes, we can paint the mural for the Family Housing playground.

Ongoing needs:  Placed in cottage bins, they are taken to the Kitchen monthly.

Clothing: gently used school clothing, and jackets and shoes for families – all sizes;

Baby products, especially diapers; wipes.

Cleaning products: liquid dish detergent, Pine-Sol/409, soap, sponges, cleaning rags, floor cleaner, glass cleaner, paper towels;

Laundry supplies: detergent, Clorox, dryer sheets;

Personal needs: shampoo, conditioner, soap, shaving cream;

Medical needs: cough syrup, baby/children/adult Aleve, Tylenol, first aid kits;

Additional: gas cards, Wal-mart cards;

Housing and other needs:  small appliances, towels, sheets, silverware; glasses, dishes, weed killer/mulch for playground, paint and paint supplies.