Students at Arlington High School recently transformed the school library into Santa鈥檚 Village to create an afternoon of fun and games for faculty members鈥 children.
Now a decade-long tradition, Santa鈥檚 Village allows teachers and staff to bring their kids to school after operating hours and participate in holiday activities and crafts. There鈥檚 even a special appearance from Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Arlie the Colt, the school鈥檚 mascot.
鈥淭his is one of my favorite traditions we have at Arlington, and every year we feel more and more like a real family,鈥 said Suzanne Kelley, teacher and Mrs. Claus. 鈥淚t amazes me to see my work family鈥檚 kids grow up right in front of our eyes each year.鈥
Children had the opportunity to create wooden snowflakes, color Christmas-themed handouts, decorate an edible Christmas tree made out of ice cream cones and frosting, and participate in a holiday scavenger hunt. And a holiday party wouldn鈥檛 be complete without lots of candy canes and hot chocolate.
鈥淲hen the kids finally see Santa, their faces light up the room,鈥 said publications teacher Emily Miller. 鈥淭he pure joy and excitement they have just makes my heart smile.鈥
Those big smiles couldn鈥檛 happen without the help of a group of students making the program happen. Arlington High鈥檚 student organization PALs, Peer Assisted Leadership, played a big role in setting up, organizing and engaging with students throughout the evening. Each week, the organization goes to elementary schools throughout the district to mentor students and assist them with their schoolwork.
鈥淢aking the kids smile, hearing them laugh and getting them ready for the holiday season is why we all love to help out with the village,鈥 said senior Sydney Stewart.
Santa鈥檚 Village may have only lasted for a few hours, but the memories made will last a lifetime.