Goody bags of joy

Text: Shani Bishop

Pictures: North Zealand International School

It's a tough time for teenagers right now, with their learning happening online. To bring a smile to the faces of the secondary school students at North Zealand International School (NIS), the Parents Association (PA) planned a surprise.

“Smiles and whoops of joy greeted the parents as front doors were opened, and the students saw the bags.”

Over several weeks the PA ordered enough gifts and treats for 126 goody bags, one for each student. On the first day after winter break, an army of parents drove all over the area from the northern most tip of Sealand to South Copenhagen to drop off goody bags. Smiles and whoops of joy greeted the parents as front doors were opened, and the students saw the bags. The students were delighted with the bags, which contained a NIS mug saying 'with love from NIS', a chocolate bar for hot chocolate and a muffin from Lagkagehuset. "It was just so cool to have such a surprise in the middle of a school day in front of the screen," said one of the students.

Mariska Volkers, Head of the PA, said, "When the primary students came back a few weeks ago, they were greeted with balloons and festivities. We thought the older students should feel that we are thinking of them as well. They also miss their everyday life with friends and classmates. That's why three volunteer parents got together and had 126 goody bags made for them".

North Zealand International School is part of NGG (Nordsjællands Grundskole og Gymnasium). It has 280 students aged 3-16 from approximately 50 different countries.