With the holidays right around the corner, Circle of Friends and many other clubs have events scheduled catering to the upcoming holidays.

COF is a club for students with special needs, and their peers who are willing to lend a hand to help with day-to-day activities.

“I really enjoy mentoring the others that might not be able to do as much as me and helping in every way I can,” sophomore Angela Johnson said.

The club has already started some holiday events. On November 13, during all lunches, students and club members went to room 1225 and made turkey crafts for Thanksgiving.

Circle of Friends is a non-judgmental learning environment so that everyone can feel good about being themselves.

“The students enjoy being with their friends in Circle of Friends,” teaching assistant Joni Knechel said.

A key concept the class is based on is learning how to handle real world problems so that the students will be able to learn and prosper once they are out of high school.

To help accomplish these types of skills, COF will have a community- based instruction at Grapevine Mills outlets on December 7, which gives the students a chance to learn how to interact with people on day-to-day basis and learn money management while shopping.

“Students will practice money skills and social skills,” special education teacher Julie Foreman said. “This outing teaches vocational skills; in hopes students after high school could get and keep jobs.”

COF will also be hosting an Angel Tree party to get the club members in the mood for Christmas and the winter holidays.

“I enjoy the parties the most,” freshman Alfred Reli said.

The party will be held in the gym during second period. The Circle of Friends will also have a Christmas party that evening at Sneaky Pete’s from 4-6.

“This is a great program because it helps kids meet people that they wouldn’t usually meet in regular activities,” Foreman said.