Plano West 'Wolf Pack' Adopts Feeder School Jackson Elementary
December 16, 2009
 Kris Benson, Jackson Elementary School principal (pictured), and her staff recently welcomed students and staff of the Plano West Senior High School "Wolf Pack" who delivered several bus loads full of gifts to its feeder sibling, Jackson.
Kris Benson, Jackson principal, welcomed the Wolf Pack on December 11. She and her staff gave testimonials about some of the families at Jackson who will be helped by PWSH's generosity.
The gifts will brighten the holidays for more than 160 Jackson families in need. The adoption began as an idea of the Plano West Early Childhood Professions classes, taught by Lee Ann Begis, and quickly spread into a campus-wide crusade entitled "Holiday Dreams for Jackson."
"Early Childhood Professions teamed up with the Plano West Student Body to collect new books and games for children at Jackson Elementary," reported Ms. Begis. "The entire school joined in to contribute new items such as books, games, toiletries, socks, children's toys and items for adults and siblings as well.
Jackson faculty and staff members lined their school entryway to welcome the Wolf Pack. Pictured (front) is teacher Robyn Burkhead.
The items, which had to be loaded into several SUVs and U-Haul's, were delivered to Jackson Elementary on Friday, December 11, to Principal Kris Benson and her staff. The following Monday, Jackson Elementary had a “shopping night” for Jackson families. Items were distributed along with cookies and drinks.
Principal Benson said, "The generosity and commitment from Plano West to our students through their time and donations has impacted Jackson students, staff, and community in immeasurable ways. This event has built long lasting bonds among the Wolf Pack. The joy on the faces of the children when they receive their gifts is priceless and will live in our hearts forever."
School district leaders Patty Meyer, area assistant superintendent (center), and Dr. Cathy Galloway (right) helped thank Wolf Pack members who arrived at Jackson on December 11. Ms. Meyer is pictured greeting Randy Hayes, PWSH associate principal.
During the December 11 delivery of gifts, the Plano West Wolf Pack, including about 50 football players, cheerleaders and other students, faculty and staff gathered in the Jackson gymnasium to hear from a very enthused Principal Benson and staff members who shared testimonials about some of the students and families in need who will benefit by the Wolf Pack's generosity.
Faculty members addressing the gathering were Jackson's Laura Fix, counselor; Robyn Burkhead, fourth grade team leader; Cindy Skinner, kindergarten; Christy Wilson, fifth grade team leader; Kimberlee Speer, counselor; and Laurie Wallace, third grade teacher.
Cindy Skinner, kindergarten teacher, shared with the Wolf Pack and fellow Jackson staff about a student's family who will benefit from the generous gifts provided for Jackson families.
As a special treat, Ms. Benson introduced third grade student Jaylan Thomas who sang to guests a patriotic tribute and his grandmother's favorite song: "Let Your Little Light Shine."
In attendance at the Jackson delivery event were district administrators Patty Meyer, area assistant superintendent for west cluster schools; Dr. Cathy Galloway, executive director of student and family services; Mark Allen, director of student services; and James Thomas, III, student services coordinator.
Lee Ann Begis, PWSH Early Childhood Professions teacher, and Jackson Principal Kris Benson covered the ears of student singer Jaylan Thomas when they described the many gifts and toys the Wolf Pack delivered for Jackson parents to provide to their families. Jaylan entertained the Wolf Pack with two songs, including "Let Your Little Light Shine."
In addition to the Plano West Wolf Pack adoption of Jackson, the Plano West PALS (Peer Assistance and Leadership Seniors), sponsored by Jean Rogers, reported the following "Holiday Helping Hands" activities:
- PALS worked with the science department to collect food items for Thanksgiving meals for PWSH students and their families in need.
- PALS coordinated with the counseling department to sponsor an Angel Tree so that gifts could be purchased for PWSH students in need.
- PALS held a canned food drive, collecting about 1,500 food items for Plano Santas.
- PALS held a coat drive for the Salvation Army, collecting 35 coats at the time of this report (with two weeks left).
- PALS also hosted a holiday party and made personalized items for students with special needs at PWSH. The PALS put on a party for the students and made crafts with them.
The Wolf Pack, including football teammates, cheerleaders and other students, faculty and staff got busy unloading gifts for 160 families in need at Jackson Elementary School on December 11.
More Holiday Helping Hands District-wide
In similar acts of kindness, Plano ISD's 55,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff members across the school district have reached out to families in need in Plano ISD and across North Texas. Their generosity is the subject of our annual Holiday Helping Hands Photo Gallery.
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