LIBERTY — The students at Chastain Road Elementary School showed their love on Valentine’s Day by hosting a canned food drive.

The school, which educates 560 students, is split into five “houses”: Care, Ownership, Learn, Teamwork and Strive. (Think Hogwarts.)

The Houses compete for points throughout the school year with a champion declared every nine weeks. House points can be awarded for things like attendance, performance and — in this case — collecting canned foods.

“Each can contributed allowed the student to write a valentine in their House color to a friend or family member and post it on the windows in the rotunda,” said Joy Ellison, CRE assistant principal. “The entire rotunda is filled with valentines!”

In addition to the valentines, every canned good was counted as a point for that student’s House, she said.

The “Spread the Love” canned food drive brought in 1,023 non-perishable food items.

“Donations were taken to Community Food Bank at First Baptist Church in Norris,” said Ellison. “The food bank gives food to over 100 families each month.”

Of the five Houses, the House of Learn collected 244 items for the food drive and walked away with bragging rights. The House of Ownership came in second with 206, Care and Strive tied for third with 203 and Teamwork contributed another 167.

Ellison congratulated the House of Learn for winning the canned food drive and maintaining their lead in the House competition but wanted to remind students the championship was still anybody’s game.

“There are still 4.5 weeks to go in the nine weeks to see which House will be crowned third nine weeks Champions,” she said. “Students, keep earning Dojo points and be on the lookout for other opportunities to earn House points for your House!”

Over 1,000 items were collected by the students at Chastain Road Elementary for a local food bank.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_078.jpgOver 1,000 items were collected by the students at Chastain Road Elementary for a local food bank. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

“Each can contributed allowed the student to write a valentine in their House color to a friend or family member and post it on the windows in the rotunda,” said Joy Ellison, CRE assistant principal. “The entire rotunda is filled with valentines!”
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_082.jpg“Each can contributed allowed the student to write a valentine in their House color to a friend or family member and post it on the windows in the rotunda,” said Joy Ellison, CRE assistant principal. “The entire rotunda is filled with valentines!” Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

Donations were taken to Community Food Bank at First Baptist Church in Norris which provides assistance to over 100 families each month.
https://www.theeasleyprogress.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_099.jpgDonations were taken to Community Food Bank at First Baptist Church in Norris which provides assistance to over 100 families each month. Kasie Strickland | The Sentinel-Progress

By Kasie Strickland

kstrickland@civitasmedia.com

Reach Kasie Strickland at 864-855-0355.