In addition to learning about how Christmas is celebrated throughout the world, the students at Emmanuel Methodist Preschool also had an opportunity to help less fortunate children overseas this year.

Every year, children at the North Laurel school perform community service through a Kids Helping Kids project. Last year's project, for example, involved donating socks and undergarments to Grassroots, the county's homeless shelter.

This year, the project of choice was a collection of travel-sized toothpaste and toothbrushes to be distributed by U.S. troops to children in Iraq and Afghanistan as a gesture of good will.

After much research, teacher Stephanie Seiger found the Operation SOS: Kids through Soldiers' Angels, a nonprofit organization that assists U.S. soldiers and their families. The Operation SOS: Kids is a branch of the organization that looks to do humanitarian projects involving children in the U.S. and overseas.

Emmanuel students collected more than 200 sets of toothbrushes and toothpaste this year, according to Barbara Bloodworth, the school's preschool director.

Bloodworth added that the students enjoyed collecting the items for the children overseas.

"They just thought it was fun to bring in toothbrushes," Bloodworth said, adding that teachers explained the importance of giving to the needy to the 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds.

It also was an exciting project for parents, Bloodworth said.

"The parents enjoy it because they can talk about people who have less ... and then they go shopping together, so that the child has input," she said.

The students included notes and drawings with the toiletries.

One student wrote, "I don't know you, but I'm sure I miss you," and another wrote "Hurry home."

In addition to the collection, the students learned about how Christmas is celebrated throughout the world, which Bloodworth said tied in well with the community service project.

Because many cultures are represented by Emmanuel's student population, the teachers were able to hold a unit covering Christmas traditions in countries such as Korea, Peru, Bermuda, Germany and others.

"We are a very diverse school. We used the families that we have ... to bring their culture to us," Bloodworth said.

* River Hill High School will hold its Winter Jazz Concert with special guest Damon Foreman, Sat., Jan. 9 at 7 p.m. The school is at 12101 Route 108, in Clarksville. Call 410-313-7120 for more information.

* The Special Education Community Advisory Committee will hold a question-and-answer session with Superintendent Sydney Cousin Jan. 20 from 7-9 p.m. at Cedar Lane School, in Fulton. The meeting is intended to provide parents of students receiving special education services with an opportunity to meet with Cousin and pose questions. To submit questions in advance, e-mail annscholz@hcpss.org.

Cedar Lane School is located at 11630 Scaggsville Road. For more information, call the Family Support and Resource Center at 410-313-7161. Snow date will be Jan. 27.

* The Wilde Lake High School Band Department will host international jazz artist Dave Samuels on vibes, along with Alex Brown on piano and Zach Brown on bass, Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online at www.instantseats.com/events/JimRouseTheater or at the door. The event will be held at Wilde Lake's Jim Rouse Theatre, 5460 Trumpeter Road, Columbia. For more information, call 410-997-2070 or e-mail WildeLakeHighJazz@gmail.com. Snow date is Jan. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

* The Oakland Mills High School Boosters Club will hold its 15th-annual Bull Roast Jan. 30 at the Other Barn (5851 Robert Oliver Place, Columbia). The evening will include catered dinner, silent auction, raffles, music and dancing. Tickets are $40. Participants must be age 21 or older. For tickets, contact Bob Grandfield at trackjam@aol.com or 410-381-3574; or Jackie Colvin at jrcmlove@comcast.net or 410-997-0903.

Send school-related items to School Days, Flier/Times, 10750 Little Patuxent Pkwy., Columbia, MD 21044. Fax items to 410-997-4564 or e-mail mroshan@patuxent.com.

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