CLCS Service Projects 01.jpg in Dec Chautauqua Lake Central School District’s students in both the elementary and high school participated in service projects in December, giving back to the local community. Pictured are Deb Marsala, Braydon King, Skylar Whalen, Logan Betts, Morgan Harrington, Megan Lundgren, Aubrey Olson, Amelia Schieber and McKenna Weilacher. Submitted photo

In the spirit of the holidays, the Chautauqua Lake Central School District provided opportunities this December for students to give back to the community.

Students in both the elementary and high school recently completed multiple service projects.

Jennifer Davis, public relations specialist, said members of the Chautauqua Lake fifth and sixth grade student administration recently delivered almost 1,300 items of food to the local Mayville Food Pantry.

“The elementary school coordinated this through their Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports House System and believes service projects teach children to be selfless, generous and productive members of our society,” she said.

Chautauqua Lake’s elementary students are divided into “houses,” remaining in a group of students and staff members until they complete sixth grade. The “houses” meet throughout the year, completing various challenges and products.

Both this year and last year, each PBIS house collected donations beneath Christmas trees in the elementary school lobby.

“During the first two weeks of December, elementary students began to collect non-perishable food items for their holiday service project,” Davis said. “Teachers, and student administration co-advisors, Logan Betts and Kim Siebert helped students sort and count the donations.”

All donations from the elementary student’s service project challenge will benefit the Mayville Food Pantry. The PBIS houses competed to collect the most items for donation to the food pantry in order to win the school’s December challenge.

“We are so proud of students’ generous spirit this holiday season,” Megan Lundgren, elementary principal, said.

The school’s high school students also participated in service projects last month.

Nick Raynor, a teacher and National Honor Society advisor, said National Honor Society completed two service projects during the Christmas season.

The National Honor Society hosted the annual food drive from Nov. 28 through Dec. 9.

“National Honor Society members collected items to help make holiday meals for families in need each morning during the drive,” Davis said. “Student Administration helped encourage students to bring items in by making it part of this year’s ‘Battle of the Classes’ event with the class that brought in the most complete meals earning points for their class.”

Davis said the National Honor Society collected over 200 items that can be used to help feed over a dozen families in the community.

The National Honor Society also hosted a holiday toy drive on Dec. 20. Davis said the students shopped, wrapped, organized and delivered presents and meals for over a dozen local families. Davis explained the gifts and meals provided “holiday magic” for more than 30 children throughout the Ripley and Chautauqua Lake school districts.

Superintendent Josh Liddell commended the students and staff members for their contribution to those in need in the community.

“We are fortunate to have students and staff who make it an annual tradition to focus on projects that give back to our community during the holiday season,” he said. “It is our sincere hope that our students, when they transition out of high school, understand the importance of giving and community service. Chautauqua Lake is blessed to be able to support some of those in need in our local area.”

National Honor Society also completed the school’s “Santa Letter” program. Students in the National Honor Society reply and read letters to any students pre-K through second grade in Chautauqua Lake and Ripley who write letters to Santa Clause.

Rachel Curtin, secondary principal, said the National Honor Society students enjoyed reading letters and stories to the elementary students and participating in the “Santa Letter” program this year.

“We are proud to say that our student leadership teams are on the nice list for Santa, and they have been working really hard to share letters from elementary students with him before Christmas,” she said.