December 18, 2025 — As the holiday season brought excitement and generosity to schools across Cobb, students, families, and community partners came together to celebrate what matters most. From festive breakfasts with Santa to schoolwide service projects and student-led shopping events, schools across the district created meaningful holiday experiences that supported families, strengthened community ties, and spread cheer to every student.
Pearson Middle Hosts Breakfast with Santa
At Pearson Middle School, families gathered this month for a festive community celebration that brought holiday cheer to hundreds in the community. The event welcomed more than 1,000 family members. It featured a hearty breakfast, with volunteers serving over 1,600 pancakes and waffles and cooking nearly 100 pounds of bacon—70 pounds of which were generously donated by Waffle House. Children enjoyed time with Santa, who made his fifth consecutive appearance, while more than 425 families received a keepsake photo to remember the day.
The spirit of giving was on full display, as more than 700 new toys were distributed to children ages 0–11. Community partners played a key role in the effort, including the Credit Union of Georgia, which collected nearly 200 toys during a November drive; Pay It Forward, which donated 150 toys and $200 in gift cards; and Pearson staff, along with their family and friends, who contributed more than 400 toys. Together, the event showcased the power of community partnership and the joy that comes from giving back during the holiday season.
At Argyle Elementary School, students and families kicked off the holiday season with a festive 5K celebration that brought the school community together. Students completed 10 laps around the campus, cheered on by family members and supported by partners from the Smyrna Police Department and Fire Department, who helped hand out medals, firefighter hats, and a Braves hat sponsored by the Atlanta Braves.
Following the run, families gathered for a community breakfast sponsored by local favorites including IHOP, Waffle House, and McDonald’s. The celebration continued with a special surprise as Santa and Mrs. Claus took the stage, delighting students before they lined up for photos with Santa. Each child received a stuffed reindeer and a cookie, and families were invited to pick up coats as they headed home. With multiple photo opportunities set throughout the beautifully decorated school, the event captured the spirit of the season through fitness, generosity, and holiday cheer.
South Cobb High School Annual Holiday Feast
At South Cobb High School, an annual tradition continued as friends and community members came together for a warm and festive evening. The Holiday Family Feast celebrated the spirit of the season by bringing students, parents, and staff together in a welcoming atmosphere filled with smiles, connection, and holiday cheer. It was a joyful night focused on togetherness, gratitude, and strengthening the school community during the holidays.
High School Students Give Back
Many high schools across the district hosted shopping events to support students at their feeder schools. Pope High School students welcomed Brumby Elementary students for the 18th annual Shop with a Greyhound, a cherished holiday tradition centered on mentorship and giving. The afternoon began with lunch and a festive celebration featuring Santa and a dance party, followed by student groups rotating through holiday activities on campus and trips to Target. Working in small groups, Pope students partnered with their younger peers to help select special gifts, creating a meaningful experience that combined holiday fun, leadership, and the joy of giving back.
Walton High School’s Shop with a Raider
Lassiter High School’s Shop with a Trojan
Harrison High’s Shop with a Hoya
For the first time this year, Harrison High School started a new schoolwide community service project called Shop with a Hoya. Harrison students who participated provided the ultimate holiday shopping experience for their feeder schools, which also included breakfast and lunch, crafts, and, of course, the chance to meet Santa.