At Oak Knoll, embracing the true meaning of the Christmas season — celebrating the birth of Jesus and serving others in His spirit — is at the heart of our mission. This year, that call to service once again united members of both our Upper and Lower School communities in meaningful and generous ways.

Living out the Holy Child spirit of “Actions, Not Words,” students, families, faculty, and staff responded with care and compassion to those in need throughout the Christmas season.

Upper School

This year, Oak Knoll’s Upper School community, along with faculty and staff, participated in the school’s annual Christmas Outreach program, helping to provide gifts to local families in need.

In total, nearly 250 Christmas gifts were distributed to the Linden Housing Authority, New Community Corporation, Pierre Toussaint Food Pantry, Babyland Domestic Violence Shelter, and Child Focus.

The Ensemble Christmas Concert Tour also returned, with student musicians sharing their talents and spreading Christmas joy at Oak Knoll’s fifth annual Tree Lighting Ceremony, St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Summit, Reeves-Reed Arboretum’s Holiday Open House, and with residents at Sunrise Senior Living in Madison.

“I have been humbled by the students’ response to our Christmas Outreach initiative this year,” said Michele Van Kalsbeck, Upper School Director of Campus Ministry.

“The holidays can be a difficult and stressful time for people, but every child, every person, should have a happy and peaceful Christmas,” Van Kalsbeck added. “Our students are committed to making a positive impact on the local community by making someone’s holiday a bit brighter.”

In addition to these outreach initiatives, grade 9 students in their advisory periods wrote Christmas cards for members of the Society of the Holy Child Jesus who are retired from active ministry and residing at the Holy Child Center in Rosemont.

Lower School

Students in pre-K through sixth grade also demonstrated a deep spirit of generosity this Christmas season through various service initiatives.

In keeping with a longstanding Lower School tradition, students and teachers in grades K-6 donated non-perishable food items to help fill Christmas baskets for families at Sacred Heart School in Jersey City.

Students also contributed hundreds of wrapped gifts to the Lower School Toy Drive, sponsored by the Oak Knoll Parents’ Association, to benefit St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Paterson. The toys were distributed to children in need by Santa Claus at the church over the holidays.

In addition, Oak Knoll’s Grade 3 Girl Scout troop extended the spirit of the season beyond campus, visiting residents at Sunrise Senior Living to deliver homemade cookies and share the joy of Christmas carols. Much like the Upper School Ensemble, their visit offered a simple but meaningful reminder of the power of presence, kindness, and connection during the Christmas season.

“It’s always inspiring to see our Lower School students and their families come together in service,” said Lower School Religion Coordinator Patti Cepparulo. “Their donations of food items and toys not only support those in need but also help our students understand that caring for others is at the heart of what Christmas truly means and an answer to our constant call to Holy Child service.”