How all elementary students at this Fort Worth ISD school got early presents from Santa
For the fourth year in a row, all students at Alice Contreras Elementary School in Fort Worth received presents from Santa a week before Christmas.
On Thursday, Dec. 19, more than 440 students in pre-K through fifth grade walked into their respective classrooms with red and brown gift bags adorned with their name, each containing personalized gifts. Ms. Flores’ kindergarten students were among the first to open their presents. They gasped, screamed and jumped in excitement when they saw what was waiting for them on their desks. No piece of tissue paper or wrapping paper was safe.
“The opportunity for every student to walk out of here with a gift was a no-brainer,” said Principal Amelia Cortes-Rangel. “We want to make sure that the students get what they want. That made it extra special because now it was going to be whatever was in their wish list.”
As the grand reveal was replicated throughout the rest of the elementary school hallway, executives with NT Window, a local community donor that made the present giveaway possible, interacted with students as they embraced their assortment of Barbies, Hot Wheels and Play-Doh. A chorus of children yelled “thank you!” to NT Window CEO and President Ryon Ray, Chief Operating Officer Loren Sloane and Chief Financial Officer Heather Young.
“All we did was help Santa Claus,” Ray replied.
Ray told the Star-Telegram the idea came about when he asked Cortes-Rangel if the school had an Angel Tree, or a holiday program that allows donors to provide presents to children in need. A program did not exist at the campus, and the conversation grew from providing presents to a handful of students to the whole school, he said.
Students create a wish list, and the NT Window staff shops for each child while taking their favorite color and age into account. The process starts the first week of October with collecting lists, then shopping starts before Halloween and spans into November. Packaging starts in early December.
“It really happened very quickly in year one. And once we saw the joy and happiness that it brought to the children year one, as well as the school community itself, we quickly committed to year number two, and year number three, and now number four,” Ray said, adding that next year the company plans to repeat the initiative again.
The Fort Worth ISD campus is a neighbor to the company’s headquarters. A Title I school, more than 90% of students are economically disadvantaged, according to the campus’ most recently available school report card from the Texas Education Agency. The Dallas-based Commit Partnership has recognized Alice Contreras Elementary for its jump in academic improvement in recent years after its school rating went from a “D” in 2019 to an “A” in 2022. NT Window executives highlighted the work and progression of Cortes-Rangel and campus staff, noting that they’re a small contributor to the campus.
“We always say we’re not sure who gets more joy out of doing this, if it’s the kids or if it’s us, because it’s something we’re excited about every year. It’s our favorite day of the year being able to give back,” Young, of NT Window, said.
Alice Contreras Elementary was the second Fort Worth ISD campus this week to enjoy a gift giving event. O.D. Wyatt High students surprised their younger peers at Clifford Davis Elementary on Wednesday, Dec. 18, with a toy drive. All 854 of the campus’ students also received presents.
