Gift From Principal

We have two new administrators this year and, as McDonald's says, I'm lovin' it!  The environment is very positive and they are very much for the kids, which is the way it should be, right? 

Last month, the principal asked every staff member to send her the name of any current student on our campus who "warms our heart".  Besides my own child, another student immediately popped into my head.  I had Alan my first year in first grade.  He is one of those kids who is low academically, can be a stinker, but also a sweetheart, and you cannot help but love him! 

All we were told was to send her the names....nothing else would be required of us.  Things that make you go hmmm.

Friday, our last day before the holidays, each teacher had a gift from the principal (with a little help from the students we chose).

This was in a picture frame.

 Every time I read this, my eyes tear up. 

I'm his favorite out of ALL the teachers!!

I...LOVE...THIS...KID!!!

The Secret of Santa's Island

The Secret of Santa's Island is a great book that I was introduced to just last week.  It is about a boy who receives the ultimate gift from Santa--all because he said "thank you".

The story ends with Santa giving Sam a snow globe with this inscription on it:

"Thankfulness is the secret to happiness."

I gave my kiddos a paper plate with the instructions to draw/color/write something(s) for which they are thankful.  We added a trapezoid to make the bottom piece, with the quote from Santa. 

Oh No....Santa's Stuck!

Several weeks back I found these paper plates at Target and got them, not knowing exactly what I was going to do with them. One day I read the book, Santa's Stuck, and an idea popped into my head. Students had to draw a Santa and write about how/why he got stuck and how he got out.  Here is the book and end result:

Holiday Break....Here I Come!

Have you heard this song? Take a moment to watch!