Although many of us might be fresh out of ideas of ways to keep our children entertained during this pandemic, brace yourselves – winter break is nearly here, and more down time is around the corner. 

If we rewind the clock, surely we all remember looking forward to blocks of time off from school. So, with our own happy memories of days off from school in mind, it’s time to make our own children’s days off from school just as memorable. 

As the cooler months arrive and with the holidays on the mind, many families start discussions within their own homes about what they are thankful for and how to serve the most vulnerable in their communities. In fact, statistics say that 30 percent of annual giving occurs in December and 10 percent occurs on the last three days of the year. 

Although parents, caregivers and schools should be discussing ways to give back to others all year long, here are some helpful ways to serve others this Holiday season, while safely navigating COVID-19.

The spread of the novel COVID-19 has forced more closures and stay-at-home orders than we have seen in our lifetime. Most of the news this month quickly inundated us with frightening stories and seeing the light at the end of the tunnel is, for many, difficult.

Developing empathy in children is imperative to ensure we are promoting good, responsible citizenry. Studies show that children start to show genuine empathy - understanding how other people feel - around 2 years of age. To help foster values of charitable giving, families must find ways to teach kids about giving back and make it FUN.

Last Wednesday was the official kick-off to Lent. This means for the next 40 days, most Catholics will institute some sort of limitation on the luxuries in their lives – be it fasting, a break from social media, giving up diet soda, etc. The idea of “giving up” something for Lent is based on Luke 9:23: “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’”

Campus Ministry is the faith in action arm of a student’s spiritual journey at Oak Knoll School of the Holy Child. It’s where students in grades 7-12 come together with faculty members to pray, serve the greater community, attend special retreats and develop a more meaningful relationship with God. While every member of Oak Knoll School will participate in various Campus Ministry activities throughout the year, it’s important to get involved in some of those extra activities that provide meaningful experiences throughout the year.

The sun is setting earlier, the temperatures are cooling and the holidays are right around the corner. There’s no better time than now to think about giving back to those less fortunate who could benefit from a helping hand — be it for warmth, food, shelter or holiday cheer.

This Spring Break, a group of 11 Oak Knoll students and two faculty chaperones have traveled to the Dominican Republic to assist with the Mustard Seed Communities organization, which serves children and young adults aged 6-23 who live with a wide range of physical and mental disabilities.