Hickman County Elementary Principal encourages students to give rather than receive this holiday season

(Editor’s Note: The following was submitted by Richard Todd, Hickman County Elementary School Principal)

Do some of you find it ironic that we follow Thanksgiving – a holiday that, at its core, demands that we all pause to give thanks for the blessings in our life – with Christmas, a holiday that is based on the birth of Jesus Chris…but has somehow been transformed by big business into a spending frenzy that begins earlier and earlier each year?

As I get older, I am more thankful each year for the things in life that we often take for granted: my wife, my kids, my family and friends, my job, and so forth. We should take time daily to be grateful for these things, for they are by far what is most important on this earth. I am thankful each day for the wonderful staff at HCES. I am grateful for our students, for that is why we show up for work every day. Every day should be Thanksgiving for all of us.

Christmas is a holiday centered around giving to others (if you think about it, the person for which Christmas is celebrated is noted for giving himself). I received two gifts recently. One boy, a third grader named Wyatt, brought me a couple of baseball cards. Knowing I’m a Red Sox fan, Wyatt gave me the cards, which featured former Boston players. Neither card is worth much, but the value those cards have to me is extremely high. The other gift was given to me by a first grader named Ava. It’s an ornament made from a red ribbon and scrabble letters that spells out my name. I have a small tree at home in my office, and on that tree are ornaments from each school district at which I’ve worked, plus all the ornaments given to me over the years by former students. The ornament from Ava is destined for that tree, while the baseball cards from Wyatt will be displayed in my office here for now, and in my office at home sometime down the road.

An old saying indicates it’s better to give than to receive. I have found that to be true. I am truly proud of our sixth grade students, who collectively raised over $175 to donate to the Hickman County Family Resource Center; Vickie Batts will now use that money to buy presents for needy children, who might otherwise go without presents this Christmas. Ava and Wyatt were thoughtful enough to give me a gift (to be truthful, I never once considered giving any of my principals in school a gift). The fact that we have students at HCES willing to give without thoughts of getting something back are admirable. We have so many terrific students at HCES.

Our Christmas parties will take place on Dec. 19 for preschool and Dec. 20 for grades K-6; both Christmas parties will be held from 1:45 - 2:30 p.m. so that you will be able to check out your child when you leave. Remember: We will open doors at 1:45 p.m., you must enter through the front doors, and you must sign in.

Please check the dates below for upcoming events: Dec. 20, Falcon Flex Day for grades 4-6; and Dec. 23-Jan. 3, 2020, Christmas break

The final Spirit Day will be Dec. 20, for Christmas parties, so wear something Christmas-sy.