NEWTON - Fifth-graders at St. Thomas School in Newton had a pleasant surprise when they opened their latest issue of the Holy Childhood Association's publication It's Our World.

In Polly's Mail Bag, HCA mascot Polly the Parrot "wrote" about a letter she received from St. Thomas students regarding their mission activities. Judy Millsap, missions coordinator and fifth- and sixth-grade English and religion teacher, assigned one interested student to compose a letter to Polly.

"Abigayle Ochs, one of my fifth-graders, noticed the column about writing letters to Polly and said, ‘I think we should do that,'" said Millsap. "So I gave her the assignment."

Abigayle wrote about how St. Thomas School has a mission party every year. At the party, which is held around Halloween, students bring in $5 to play different games and participate in fun activities.

"She explained about how the school works together," Millsap said. "She also wrote that students who are caught chewing gum have to pay a fine that goes to the missions.

"Naturally Abigayle was really excited when we opened up our newsletter to find the story about St. Thomas," Millsap said. "I couldn't believe it myself."  

To learn more about Holy Childhood Association, check out the Web site at www.hcakids.org .