Newport teachers team up to buy Christmas gifts for homeless students

Fifth- and sixth-grade teacher Stephanie Abney's guiding role in her students' lives doesn't stop when winter vacation starts. Abney and fellow teacher Emily Norman have spent December playing Santa Claus for a family of six homeless students in need of some holiday help. "They live with another family, so they live in one room," Norman said. "In that room, there's two mattresses that all eight family members share. It's a tight squeeze for eight people to live in." Their school's homeless coordinator, Kristy McNally, helped them connect with the family and get Christmas lists from their students. At first, Norman said they started with small requests like candy.  She encouraged them to think bigger and learned they needed clothes, winter coats and shoes in addition to wants like games and snacks.