School Participation Requirements & Guidelines
Welcome School Coordinators!
Thank you for partnering with Navidad En El Barrio for our 39th Annual Christmas Program.
This page outlines the participation requirements and responsibilities for schools selected to participate in the 2026 Christmas Program. Please review the information carefully and refer to our School Calendar for required deadlines and deliverables. ❤️
Interested in Participating? Here’s How to Get Started:
🏫Returning Schools: Click "Confirm Your School’s 2026 Participation", below.
🆕New Schools: Click "New School Program Interest Form", below.
✍️Submit the required information for review.
⚠️ Important
Schools must be Title I eligible to participate.
Submitting a form does not guarantee participation. Participation is confirmed only after official approval from Navidad En El Barrio.
Approved schools are expected to participate with 40 children, ages 6–12. Schools expecting fewer than 30 participants may forfeit their place so another eligible school may participate.
Schools must complete all required deadlines, documents, attendance requirements, and program guidelines. Failure to do so may result in exclusion from the 2026 program and may affect consideration for future participation.
Questions? Please email us or call us at 832-689-4518.
Once your school is selected, here’s a quick look at what’s needed to help make participation a success:
⚠️ 1. Mandatory Participation Requirements
📅 School Meeting: Each participating school must have a designated School Coordinator attend one of the two required in-person sessions on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Session #1: Noon - 1:00 PM | 👥In Person (Houston Police Officers Union 1600 State St, Houston, TX 77007 Lunch Provided)
Session #2: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM | 👥In Person (Houston Police Officers Union 1600 State St, Houston, TX 77007 Dinner Provided)
⚠️ Important: Please be sure your school is represented at one of the mandatory meetings. Schools that are unable to attend will have a $250 registration fee instead of the standard $200 fee.
💰 School Registration Fee: A $200 registration fee is required after your school has been officially approved.
Check: $200 or Credit Card: $206 total (includes 3% processing fee)
Cash is not accepted.
Please do not submit payment until your school has received official participation approval.
👧🧒 Participant Information
Participation is planned for 40 children, ages 6–12, per school, and we strongly encourage schools to identify as close to 40 participants as possible.
Reaching this goal helps us serve the greatest number of children and make the best use of the gifts, funding, and community support dedicated to each school.
⚠️ Please submit all required participant information by the published deadline so we can plan for your school and every child attending. Late or incomplete submissions may affect current or future program participation.
🚗 Transportation:
Each school is responsible for arranging and providing transportation for its students and chaperones to and from NRG Center, Hall E.
We strongly encourage schools to secure transportation as early as possible.
✍️ Essay Submission:
Each participating child is asked to write an essay based on the theme:
“If I Had 3 Wishes, I Would Wish For...”
Schools should submit 40 essays by the required deadline.
Essays are reviewed for our Little Wishes Program, which may provide additional special wishes when community sponsorship and funding are available.
🥫 Giving Back:
Each participating child is asked to bring two canned goods to the Christmas Program.
This simple act gives our children an opportunity to experience the joy of helping others in their community. ❤️
🙋♀️ 2. Who Can Participate?
40 Children Per School (Ages 6–12): Selected by the school, with priority given to children from low-income families or those experiencing financial hardship. Each child will receive 3–5 gifts, with the possibility of additional gifts or resources based on community sponsorships, donations, and available support.
4 Chaperones: Schools should provide one chaperone for every 10 participating children, for a total of four chaperones. To help us plan appropriately and ensure space and resources remain available for registered participants, we kindly ask that chaperones not bring additional children or family members to the event.
📅 3. SAVE THE DATES: 2026 annual christmas program
Participating Schools - Please make both dates part of your school's planning calendar.
🎁 Gift Wrapping Party
Time: 10:00 AM - until all presents are wrapped.
Goal: 10,000 gifts will be wrapped with the help of volunteers.
🎄 39th Annual Christmas Program
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Arrive by 9:00 AM).
Event: A Christmas party for 50 schools and 2,000 children, where each child will receive 3-5 gifts.
Bonus: Each school will receive two bikes as door prizes (if funding is available).
⚠️ 4. Important Participation Info: 📋
We’re grateful for every school interested in joining us! To help us serve as many children as possible:
Participation is limited to up to 50 schools, based on available funding and resources.
Returning schools receive priority consideration.
New school requests are reviewed as space becomes available.
Submission of a form does not guarantee participation; all schools must receive official approval.
Returning-school participation may be reconsidered if fewer than 30 students participated the prior year or if required program deadlines or requirements were not completed.
Because participation also depends on available funding and resources, the number of schools we can serve may vary from year to year.
👉 5. Next Steps:
🎉 For RETURNING Schools - Welcome Back!
Thank you for being part of Navidad En El Barrio! If your school would like to participate again in 2026:
✅ Complete the “Confirm Your School’s 2026 Participation” form below by Friday August 28, 2026.
📧 Wait for your school's official approval email from Navidad En El Barrio.
📅 Once approved, follow the School Coordinator Key Dates & Required Documents for all required deadlines and deliverables.
💳 Submit the participation fee only after your school has been officially approved.
🆕 For NEW Schools Interested in Joining this Year’s Program:
If your Title I school is interested in joining our Christmas Program:
✅ Complete the “New School Program Interest Form” below.
📧 Watch for notification from Navidad En El Barrio regarding your school’s participation.
📅 If approved, follow the School Coordinator Key Dates & Required Documents for required deadlines and deliverables.
💳 Submit the participation fee only after your school has been officially approved.