Be Adventurous

  • Compass Program Showcases Adventurous Spirit with Christmas Closet

    Christmas Closet

    Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES students were able to shop in-house for gifts for family members again this year thanks to the Compass Christmas Closet.  

    The event, which was created and run by Compass Teacher Crystal Ponto, has been a tradition at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES for many years and has grown significantly in size and popularity.

    “I started the holiday shopping many years ago with another teacher back when we were at the Center for Learning. My fellow teachers and I would bring in our gently used items from around the house and shop at dollar stores and then let our students ‘shop.’ When we moved to the main campus several years ago, I decided to go a bit bigger; and over the last five years I decided to make it building-wide,” Ponto said.

    Ponto starts collecting donations in August by posting a request to Facebook and via email and text messages. The word then spreads throughout the community and beyond. 

    “This year a gym in Camillus posted about our event and their generous members donated a carful of gifts,” Ponto said.

    Ponto stores every gift in her garage and in October starts slowly bringing items to campus. She uses empty classroom space to store items until the big event.

    “On the first day of shopping, we ask the students to try to keep their shopping to three people, that way all students get a chance to look at all the goodies,” she said. “On the second day, it's a shopping frenzy! Students can return and shop for whoever is on their list.”

    Ponto estimates that 80 to 90 students participated this year, with many students taking home up to eight wrapped gifts. 

    For Ponto, the event has turned into a family affair. Her parents, aunt and uncle, and Principal Drew Yakawiak’s mom were among the volunteers who came and helped students shop. 

    “I think that is my favorite thing about Compass Christmas. It's a ton of work leading up to two days of frenzied shopping, but when you overhear a student say, ‘This is so awesome,’ it makes it all worth it!” she said.

    Ponto also said the efforts of her Compass co-workers cannot be understated.

    “We support and encourage each other. We cheer each other on, and we show up for each other. And we do this for our students as well. All day, every day. That's what makes our program so successful. I could not do this event without them,” Ponto said of her Compass co-workers.

    Yakawiak said the Compass Christmas Closet is a remarkable event that gives our students an opportunity to do something special for the ones they love over the holidays.