Fallon, Aborn getting into the holiday spirit

LYNN-The William Fallon Elementary School on Robinson Street does not boast a large student population, but that did not stop the 135 students from continuing a tradition started by one of their teachers called The Giving Tree.Fifth grade teacher Tracey Zimirowski has taught in the city for 11 years, the last two at the Fallon, and during that time she has developed the annual Giving Tree fundraiser as a way for students and teachers to give back to the community.Each year, Zimirowski sets up a small Christmas Tree in her classroom with no decorations. As students bring in charity items, such as canned goods and winter clothing, they are awarded an ornament to place on the tree. As items are collected, the tree fills up with decorations and the generous contributions of the students are then donated to Serving People In Need (SPIN).This year, the 135 students managed to accumulate 282 items to donate to the charity, which they handed over Thursday morning.”The important thing is that it goes right back to the schools in the city, I have held this fundraiser in the past at other schools, and the students didn’t even realize the things they had donated were going right back to their classmates,” Zimirowski said. “Since I started this (in the year 2000) we have had approximately 2,000 items donated. This has never been anything but a success.”Along with the charitable effort, Zimirowski has found a way to work in an academic component to the gift giving. To brush up on concepts of math, the students perform data analysis on what was donated, and they also complete a writing assignment on how they are affected socially by what they have done.”For such a small number of students, they have done a remarkable job donating this much,” she said.Across the city at the Aborn Elementary School, students are also in the spirit of giving, as they donated $322 to the Item Santa fund Thursday. Collecting money from friends and family, the elementary school students were able to raise the money that will go toward purchasing toys for needy children this holiday season.”Each year in this hectic time, the families and staff at the Aborn School always come forward to share with those who are less fortunate,” said Principal Ann Graul. “I thank them all for their generosity.”