For about 300 students at M.J. Kaufman Elementary, Christmas came early.

On Wednesday,  Kaufman’s students were given the gift of literacy in the form of books. During their lunch hour, they were surprised with gifts and candy canes.

Teri Johnson, president of the SWLA Federation of Teachers, said the literacy project is an all-around team effort. The books were purchased through a partnership between the Federation, the United Steel Workers and the central labor council, and wrapped by the EdRising students at Sulphur High School.

With $5,000, they bought 750 books for three area elementary schools. These books were hand-selected by Calcasieu librarians to ensure they were appropriate for learning at each grade level. For younger students, selections included “Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus,” “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See,” and “Chicka Chicka Boom Boom.”

Pokemon playing cards for each library were also purchased so students could have a fun and hands-on change of pace, she said.

As an extra treat, the Kaufman students were handed their gifts by four tall Santas, McNeese Mens Basketball players Jerome Brewer, Jr., Quadir Copeland, Sincere Parker and Christian Shumate. Johnson believes the players’ presence was inspiring for the students.

“Every kid wants to be a pro athlete when they grow up.”

Kaufman Principal Jill Deason said promoting literacy in elementary schools is especially important, calling reading a foundational skill that is vital for STEM and other humanities subjects.

“Getting them to love to read is so important. The older they get, the harder it gets, so anything we can do to make learning fun … and they can’t do anything without reading.”

The school is always grateful for generosity any time of the year, but they are especially thankful for charity during the holiday season, she said.

“Especially during Christmas time, some of our babies won’t get anything,” she noted. “And what kid doesn’t love presents.”

Deason – who used to be a librarian – said it is not just about nurturing literacy, but also sharing the raw power of prose.

“Even when things are going tougher in your life, you read that book and it transports you to another place.”

But one of the greatest gifts of all, she said, is granting students the knowledge that their community cares about them.

“Wehn we get to bring people in to show them what’s out there and who’s out there rooting for them … it just gives them a little extra motivation.”

Students at Ralph Wilson Elementary were paid a visit on Tuesday to be gifted books by the Washington Marion High School EdRising students.

One more CPSB school will be receiving the gift of books next week, but the name of the school is top secret, Johnson said.