News

It wasn’t the North Pole. It wasn’t the night before Christmas. And they weren’t Santa’s helpers. But that didn’t keep “elves” from the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) from stuffing holiday swag bags and distributing them to their students. 

CHS faculty and staff worked diligently and in secrecy on Monday, Dec. 11 in the Multipurpose Room on the Wyvetter H. Younge Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis. The swag bags were distributed to each CHS student at the end of school on Friday, Dec. 15. 

The goal was to help brighten the holidays for CHS students with gifts purchased with donations from the school’s annual Angel Tree Campaign, according to CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. 

“Even if it’s the only thing I get this Christmas, I’m very grateful,” said CHS first year student Nazara Adams. “Other schools don’t get this opportunity, and I’m glad I did.” 

“I don’t know who’s more excited about this time of year, the East St. Louis Charter High School team or our students,” said Jeffries. “We are always thrilled to bless our scholars with items they both want and need.” 

Each CHS student was gifted with a swag bag that included:

• An Addidas sweatsuit
• Addidas tennis shoes
• A skull cap
• A scarf
• A pair of gloves
• A bag of toiletries
• The book, “Ain’t Burned All the Bright,” by New York Times Bestseller Author Jason Reynolds 

“This is such a fun and important time,” said CHS Assistant Director Liza Cummings, PhD. “It’s like wrapping gifts for your own kids. It’s great to have everyone coming together and to have the support of the entire Charter school and others at SIUE to help make the holidays special for our students.” 

Anne DeToye, CHS treasurer and SIUE School of Education Health and Human Behavior business administrative associate, recalls when the school first began its efforts in 2012 to provide gifts for a few identified students during the holidays. “It has truly ramped up over the years,” she added. “This effort of giving has always been near and dear to my heart. I’m always grateful to participate.” 

“It’s important to let our students know how much we care for them, and that we want to do something special to make them feel special,” said Tomisha Montgomery, CHS counselor. “We are also happy to assist our parents in helping to make the holidays bright for their children.” 

“Providing these gifts brings joy, happiness and a sense of family to our students and to the Charter School staff,” continued Montgomery. “We absolutely love doing it.” 

The CHS is continuing to accept donations for its Angel Tree Campaign. To donate, visit the following link, to Make a Donation of any size. 

For more information, contact CHS treasurer Anne DeToye at anmoore@siue.edu or visit the 2023 CHS Angel Tree Campaign. 

The SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century.  

Photos:
(L-R): CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD, and CHS Treasurer Anne DeToye stuff holiday swag bags with Addidas sweatsuits. 

(L-R) Helping to fill swag bags are Natasha Flowers, PhD, SEHHB assistant dean for anti-racism, equity and inclusion; Liza Cummings, PhD, CHS assistant director; and Tomisha Montgomery, CHS counselor. 

(L-R) CHS team members worked stuffing swag bags to make their students holidays bright: Edith Lakztian, Marquita Holton, Jeffries, CHS senior Lathan Streator, Montgomery, DeToye, Flowers, Cummings and Ronald Irving.