ATLANTA--Catholic school children spent the weeks before Christmas in the time honored way: helping others, learning about traditions of different cultures and strengthening family ties.

Before Advent, students at Our Lady of Assumption School decorated a Christmas tree with angel cards listing names of friends and relatives requesting prayers. Then, each morning during Advent, the entire school prayed for them.

A longtime school tradition was observed Dec. 6 when St. Nicholas, portrayed by Deacon Bob Gresher, visited each classroom. He told the children about the early Christian saint and how he began the tradition of giving presents to poor children.

OLA students raised money for children at the Metro Atlanta Respite and Developmental Services Center in the southwest area of the city by bake sales and other activities.

The $750 raised was given to Opal Murray, development director at the center, who visited the school Dec. 10 to express her thanks for the gift. She brought with her a video showing activities at the day care center which was founded in 1986 for children with mental and developmental disabilities. Christopher Propis, president of the student council, made the presentation.

December was the month for OLA students to collect toys which were given to the St. Vincent de Paul Society for distribution to needy children. Members of the school chorus visited the Ashton Woods Convalescent Center and gave two performances of Christmas readings and carols for the guests there.

Students at St. Thomas More School in Decatur learned about the traditions of Kwanzaa, the African-American celebration of life, love and unity, and created posters for the contest sponsored in connection with the archdiocesan celebration Dec. 14 at St. Paul of the Cross Church.

At Immaculate Heart of Mary School on Briarcliff Road, the children turned the tables on their elders at a special day honoring grandparents. They welcomed them before school started and sat with them in church during a special Mass.

Grandmothers and grandfathers sat in on the classes and later were honored at an all-school assembly in the gym. Children from kindergarten through fourth grade serenaded them with holiday and patriotic songs and grandparents' prizes relating to the event's theme, "Spreading The Seed Of Faith," were awarded.