KANNAPOLIS — The holidays are a time when people want to give and share with others, so the staff at Jackson Park Elementary School came up with a way to capitalize on that spirit and teach their students a little geography in the process.   

Will Gibson is Jackson Park’s principal. He explained that the Festival of Trees program was conducted through the lens of the students’ global competencies.

Those competencies include: Kindergarten — North America; first grade — Oceania/Australia; second grade — Africa; third grade — Asia; fourth grade —Europe; and fifth grade — South America.

“They of course still learn all the standards of the North Carolina Standard Course of Study, but through these lenses, we aim for them to become very knowledgeable about our world while also embedding the traits and soft skills to make an impact both globally and locally,” Gibson said. “During our Festival of the Trees, it’s an opportunity to practice and apply both.”

As part of the program, Christmas Trees all decorated throughout the school’s front atrium, one per grade level. The kids make decorations for the trees based on artifacts and customary things from their particular region of focus. Each grade level also picks a local charity for each tree. Then, throughout the weeks leading up to the festival, and especially during the festival, students and members of the community can purchase tickets to “vote” towards their favorite tree.  

“The money raised goes towards the winning tree’s charity,” Gibson said. “So, our school and students get to think globally and act locally.”

Those charities corresponded with grade levels as follows:

• Kindergarten — Jeff Gordon’s Children’s Hospital 
• First grade — Concord & Greater Cabarrus Humane Society
• Second grade — Boys and Girls Club 
• Third grade — Levine’s Children’s Hospital 
• Fourth grade — Cabarrus Cooperative Ministry 
• Fifth grade — Levine’s Cancer Institute
• EC — Special Olympics 

Gibson said that the school also worked with a wide variety of churches in collecting hats and gloves, and on the night of the festival, all students received free hats and gloves.  

“There were other fun things that night, including getting your picture made with Santa,” Gibson said. 

The principal added that the Santas were from different regions too, as “to not only perpetuate our theme but also be culturally responsive to our diverse student body.” 

Several students also made global artwork on display in massive fashion, and a Santa Shop where students could purchase gifts for their families.

“More than anything, it’s a really cool inclusive night that brings our entire school community together in a way that’s not dependent on a singular performance or any type of curriculum information,” Gibson said. “It’s a very genuine way for our community to come together, celebrate the students’ work and altruism, and celebrate our school, magnet program, and student body.”

In the end, the fourth graders raised the most money with $450 going towards the Cabarrus Cooperative Ministry. 

This was the second year that the festival took place. Gibson saw improvements this year and hopes the program will continue to grow in years ahead.  

“I think in year two, we simply got better at the overall organization and flow of the night, and we’re able to include the hats and gloves, which was new this year,” Gibson said. “Honestly though, family and community participation was very high both years, which is great. Also, we really feel like this event has truly been born in the right things from the start in a genuine way, which has really allowed it to be successful and sustainable year after year.”