Students at St. John Neumann Regional Catholic School, Lilburn, enjoy a “Polar Express” party after participating in a national program to read books and raise funds to help struggling school libraries. The National Education Association donated a dollar to school libraries for every book read. About 100 SJN students in kindergarten through second grade participated from Oct. 1-20. Shown, left to right, are Colleen Tam, Evan Wilson, Ryan Reese and Austin Collard at the party planned by school media specialist Kathy Schmidt.

Children at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Sharpsburg, take part in a special program to prepare for the beginning of Advent Nov. 28, making mangers and angels and decorating cookies that depict seasonal religious images. Above, Claire Fuchs shows off her homemade angel, while Chaz Miller works by her side.