It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas at Brownsdale Elementary School.

From preschool to third grade classrooms, school secretary Eileen O’Connor’s front desk and down hallways in every direction, that favorite time of the year is in evidence.

Before the excitement takes over during Christmas/New Year’s vacation later this month, the local Partners In Education (PIE) organization has students engaged in a popular food drive.

According to Tina Ellis, PIE organizer, each classroom was challenged to bring the most non-perishable food items to school to be donated to the Salvation Army Austin Corps emergency food pantry.

That doesn’t mean the students are not ready to celebrate Christmas.

Here are six inside looks at holiday plans of some third-graders:

Wyatt Bakke, son of Larry and Beth, has two brothers: Tray is older and Thor is younger. The Bakke family lives at Hayfield.

Does Wyatt believe in Santa Claus? “Yes,” he said emphatically.

What does Santa Claus do for a living?

“He drives a sleigh,” Wyatt said.

What’s his day job?

“He makes presents for everybody,” he said.

Who helps him?

“Little people called elves,” he said.

Is there any other reason to celebrate Christmas?

“It’s the birthday of Jesus,” he said.

The Bakke family plans to celebrate Christmas at home.

Olivia Matti is the daughter of Mike and Leah Matti.

She has two brothers: Nicholas is older and Isaac is younger.

Does she believe in Santa Claus?

“My older brother tells me there isn’t any, but my younger brother says there is,” she said.

The Mattis plan to celebrate Christmas with grandparents at Hayfield and Austin.

If Olivia could go shopping for only one person at Christmas, who would that be?’

“My grandmother, Dorothy Zeller,” she said.

Kyle Jacobsen is the son of Scott and Kristi Jacobsen.

He has a younger sister, Jenna.

Does he believe in Santa Claus?

“Yes,” he said.

What does Santa Claus do when he’s not delivering presents?

“He makes Christmas presents,” he said.

Does he have any help?

“Little elves,” he said.

He plans to visit grandparents at Winnebago, Wis. and Hayfield at Christmas and to “celebrate at home.”

If he could buy a present only for one person, who would that be?

“Hans, my cousin,” he said.

Abby Melvin is the daughter of Tim and Kim Melvin.

She has four half- brothers and sisters.

Does she believe in Santa Claus?

“About half and half,” she said.

Is Christmas a big holiday in the Melvin family?

“It’s huge,” she said.

If Abby could buy a present for only one person, who would that be?

“My cats,” she said. “They’ve had a stressful year because we moved.”

Kallijo Klocke is the daughter of Jeannie and Bob Klocke. She has a sister and a brother.

Does she believe in Santa Claus?

“Yes,” she said.

What does Santa Claus do for a living?

“Deliver presents,” she said.

Is that all Mr. Claus does?

“Yes,” she said.

Has she ever seen Santa Claus deliver presents?

“Never, but I heard that’s what he does,” she said.

If the third-grader could buy a present only for one person, who would that be?

“My grandpa, because he can’t walk,” she said.

Miguel Anguiana is the son of Maria and Leo Anguiana. He has one brother and one sister.

Does he believe in Santa Claus?

“Yes,” he said.

What does Santa Claus do for a living?

“Nothing. He doesn’t work,” he said.

If he could buy a present only for one person, who would that be?

“My little sister, Brianna. She’s a baby. I would get her a rattle,” he said.

Food drive continues

Brownsdale Elementary School students have until Dec. 17 to bring non-perishable food items to school for the annual holiday food drive.

“Each of the classes who has the most pounds of food is competing for an ice cream party,” said PIE organizer Ellis. “We weigh the food at the school and the Salvation Army will come here Dec. 17 to pick up the food when we declare our winner.”

Last year, the school donated 806 pounds of non-perishable food items to the Salvation Army Austin Corps.

Canned goods, cereals, cheese sauce, fruit, large cans of corn, flour, sugar and so many other items are filling the display area at the school as the competition heats up in the cold of winter.

But education is also taking place here, according to Ellis.

“I think they are learning it’s not just about an ice cream party — it’s about helping families in need at this time of the year,” Ellis said.