#phocagallerypiclens 5-phocagallerypiclenscode-Education/woodlands reba with boys.jpg

Patterson students greeted Hol...

HOLLY, Michigan – Armed with festively decorated bags of treats, Stephanie Raymoure’s Patterson Elementary School fourth-grade class took to the hallways of Holly Woodlands on Tuesday, doling out candy and wishing residents a Happy Thanksgiving.

This marks Raymoure’s ninth year bringing her students to Holly Woodlands for the holiday.

Raymoure said the kids collected leftover Halloween candy from all willing Patterson Elementary School student donors, then decorated and assembled the individual bags for Woodland residents.

“This year, the activity really fits in well with our school theme for October and November,” Raymoure said. “October was Caring and Compassion month, and November is Respect and Responsibility – it’s just a great way to show the kids how to care and have compassion for others.”

Taking turns within their groups, students knocked on doors and presented the goodies to those who answered. In cases where nobody was home, students opted to leave the bag outside of the door.

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to give back to the community,” Raymoure said. “It’s something the kids will always remember, and Thanksgiving is the perfect time to do it.”

#phocagallerypiclens 5-phocagallerypiclenscode-Education/paws for a cause danneker and plummer.jpg

Dawsyn Plummer and Deirdre Dan...

HOLLY, Michigan – Students at Patterson Elementary School are helping to make sure no child in the Holly community goes without a Christmas present this year, and they’re doing it one paw at a time.

From now until Dec. 4, Patterson students, as well as parents and teachers affiliated with Team Patterson, the school PTO organization, will take part in “Paws for a Cause,” a fundraiser whereby the group hopes to provide 400 plush teddy bears to Holly Area Youth Assistance Jacobson/Quinn Toy Drive.

Students do so by selling paper paws to those willing to make a $5 donation. For every four paws sold, Holly Area Youth Assistance receives one cuddly teddy bear for the toy drive.

“When I called HAYA and asked how many kids they gave presents to last year, they told me 760,” Patterson teacher and Team Patterson liaison Deirdre Dannecker said. “We didn’t think we could do that many, but we settled on 400 – it’s a lot, but we think it’s possible for us to do.”

#phocagallerypiclens 5-phocagallerypiclenscode-Education/patterson austin.jpg

The Pro Digitial audio system ...

HOLLY, Michigan - To say Christine King’s second-grade class at Patterson Elementary School was excited to show off their new audio equipment would be an understatement.

Students had their chance to “show and tell” how the system works as executives from FrontRow, the worldwide corporation responsible for developing the system, paid the school a special visit Oct. 23 as part of their company’s nationwide promotional campaign.

Matt Mello, director of Technology for the Holly Area School District said 50 FrontRow Pro Digital systems were purchased, divided and installed among Patterson and Holly elementary schools for about $60,000. Mello said all systems were purchased with American Recovery and Reinvestment monies.

Before going into the classroom to film student testimonials, FrontRow Regional Manager Bill McCoy gave a brief presentation on the new equipment to several members of the HAS staff and administration, including Superintendent Kent Barnes.