Mansfield Public Schools -

MANSFIELD — Superintendent Teresa Murphy is pleased to announce that Mansfield Public Schools has participated in several community projects to spread holiday cheer and help those less fortunate during the holidays this year.

 Each winter, Mansfield Public Schools students, staff, and families partner to give back to those in need. From a can of food to new mittens and gift cards, every donation goes to Mansfield residents and those in neighboring towns. District faculty, staff, and parent organizations volunteer their time to lead the efforts.

 “I commend our students, staff, and families for their outpouring of support for local charities during this time of year," Superintendent Murphy said. "The generosity speaks volumes about our school community. While there are many reasons to celebrate during this time of year, we are keenly aware of the challenges that many families in our community face. The donations of food, clothing, and toys can mean a difference to so many, and we are proud to be able to help our community, which is always so supportive of our schools.”

 Toys for Tots

 At Jordan/Jackson Elementary School (J/J), Art Teacher Tara Kanevski and her students decorated Toys for Tots posters that were displayed on collection bins around Mansfield and in public buildings.

 Mansfield students always help with the toy drive organized by the Mansfield Rotary Club. Donation boxes were set up at all schools throughout town, with students and their families donating. 

 'Birthday in a Bag' Donations

 The Roland Green Preschool collected donations for its community project, "Birthday in a Bag." Distributed through West Side, this project will serve the community throughout the year by providing families in need with birthday party items to help celebrate a child’s birthday. The donations collected at the preschool were used to create 40 bags.

 Schools Support the West Side Benevolent Circle

 The Roland Green Preschool Parent Group collected pajamas for a Holiday Pajama Drive supporting the West Side Benevolent Circle. Families and staff also donated gift cards totaling $945 for children and teens who have not yet been adopted.

 Robinson Elementary School Office Assistant Dawn Saba, the West Side Benevolent Circle president, organized Holiday Giving Trees decorated with mittens containing specific items requested by families in need.

 J/J students and staff were encouraged to donate new items to the West Side Clothing Drive, which ran from Nov. 18 to Dec. 2. In addition, J/J partnered with the Mansfield Elementary Schools Association (MESA) to collect winter hats, gloves, mittens, socks, and underwear.

 J/J staff could also donate to the Holiday Mitten Adoption Program to benefit West Side, organized by School Psychologist Melisa Foster and Art Teacher Tara Kanevski. Staff were welcome to select a mitten that listed items to purchase for a child in need. 

 Qualters Middle School (QMS) hosted a QMS Drive for West Side and a Holiday Giving Tree that was specifically for QMS students and their siblings.

 Mansfield High School (MHS) staff were invited to participate in a Holiday Gift Drive organized by the MHS Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Club and advisors Courtney McCarthy and Jennifer Martinelli. The drive benefited the West Side Benevolent Circle and staff donated a total of $1080 in gift cards for teens in the community. 

 “There are more families in need compared to previous years, and West Side truly appreciates the enormous generosity of the faculty, staff, and families,” said West Side President Dawn Saba.

 The QMS PAC (Parent Advisory Council) set up a collection bin in the school lobby, accepting donations of new pajamas to benefit the West Side Benevolent Circle's Gifts of Hope program.

 MESA collected winter hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, socks, and underwear for the West Side Benevolent Circle. Collection bins were located at Robinson Elementary and J/J, and items for all ages were collected. MESA will work through West Side to provide the items to those in need.

 Elementary Schools Food Drive

 MESA collected over 4,100 pounds of non-perishable food from the Robinson and J/J schools, which were donated to the Mansfield Food Pantry.

 Student Services Club: Turkey Brigade

 On Nov. 23, MHS Student Services Club members volunteered at the annual Turkey Brigade. Students spent the morning assembling meals for over 2,000 families in need from surrounding towns. 

 Performing Arts Events 

 The holiday season is always filled with a variety of ways to enjoy the talents of Mansfield students. The community is invited to attend the performances and events.

 The MHS Performing Arts Department, under the direction of Department Chair Sheila Newton, presented its winter musical, "The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical," Dec. 13-15. 

 The MHS Marching Band and Color Guard, under the direction of Justin DeJoy, performed for spectators at the Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 and the Town of Mansfield Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 1. 

 The MHS Winter Concert is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18. Tickets are $5 per person or $15 per family.

 QMS seventh- and eighth-graders are holding a Band Winter Concert on Dec. 19 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

 MHS students will perform for elementary students during the MHS Caroling at Home in-school event on Dec. 19. Elementary students and staff highly anticipate the event.