"The leaves were so colorful," Curtin said.

After all, pausing to enjoy the autumn colors is not something students do when they are outside for recess.

"We never get a chance to actually stop and look at them," Curtin said.

Curtin was among 80 or so students from the third, fourth and fifth grade who took time yesterday to share the sights, smells and sounds of fall they experienced with those who don't get the chance to enjoy the seasonal changes.

The students showed off their artistic side, coloring leaves and also writing about their observations about fall that are called "Leaflets of Love" autumn-themed notes, which will accompany meals delivered by the organization Community Servings.

David Waters, executive director for Community Servings, said the nonprofit organization sends free home-delivered meals to people who are homebound throughout Eastern Massachusetts because of life-threatening illnesses.

"Our clients are all clients who are critically ill and can't shop or cook for themselves," Waters said.

Waters told the students that their drawings and letters would give an emotional lift to Community Servings clients.

"We're hoping that you're going to give them a gift that we can give them to help cheer them up," he said.

The project at Our Lady's was the kickoff for DoubleTree Guest Suites Teaching Kids to Care fall program that educates students on the environment. DoubleTree's fall campaign, titled the "Awesome Colors of Autumn" will continue at some 150 similar events at schools both across the country and internationally.

Mayor Jeannette McCarthy was on hand for the event at Our Lady's and read a special proclamation declaring it officially the "Leaflets of Love" day in the city of Waltham.

Vanessa Hargrove, fourth-grade teacher at Our Lady's, said students were taught why and how leaves change colors and went on nature walks behind the school to examine the changing leaves.

"When they returned to the classroom students then wrote down their observations," she said."They like the idea of being able to write about nature."

"I liked seeing all the trees and all the different colored leaves," said third-grade student Abby Carlson.

Students at Our Lady's also wrote pen pal letters about their fall observations, which will be sent to students at an elementary school in Dallas, Texas.

The students in Dallas will then send letters to Our Lady's describing what fall is like in their city.

Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.