The Kindergarten students at Santaquin Elementary were dressed in their pajamas, ready to board The Polar Express throughout the day on Thursday, December 20th.  Students decorated their very own train car and then paraded through the school spreading Christmas cheer to all.  Their journey ended in the gym where a very special visitor welcomed them and presented each child with a 'Christmas Bell' of their very own.  Seeing is believing, but sometimes the most real things in the world are the things we can't see!

Classes on Thursday, December 20th, started out hopping with a visit from the Time to Dance dancers!  Many of the performers are students here at Santaquin Elementary and were cheered on loudly by their classmates.  We were treated with performances from young and old alike, with several solos both in song and dance.  Thank you, dancers, for starting our day out on the right foot!

The Santaquin second-grade classes each performed a reader's theater production of "The Little Red Hen."  Sixth-grade "reading buddies" were invited to come and watch.  The students did a great job and the audience loved seeing the hard work the second-grade students had done.

The students at Santaquin Elementary were treated to a special visit from the Payson Choir on Tuesday, December 18th.  All of the various age groups performed, with the students joining in on favorites like:  Jingle Bells, Twelve Days and Christmas and Rudolph!  Well done, choir members!

Students, teachers, faculty, and staff all joined together Monday morning, December 17th, for our traditional 'Singing in the Gym'.  Some oldies but goodies included:  Jingle Bells, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and Silver Bells.  The holiday spirit is alive and well in Santaquin!

The Kindergarten students had a surprise visitor on Friday, December 14th ... The Gingerbread Man suddenly appeared in our Kindergarten classrooms and led the students on a spirited chase through the school.  The students finally caught up with him and unmasked the sneaky character ... Run, run, run, Mr. Argyle!!

Our friend, Damion, received his very own Santaquin Student Council t-shirt today!  He is the only kindergarten student to earn one of these cool shirts.  He has been trying to earn his shirt for several weeks by working toward great behavior at school, doing his work and being positive.  He had ten positive days to earn his very own t-shirt ... Great job, Damion!

"The words should paint the story without the pictures ... The pictures should paint the story without the words" -- Kobie Wilkerson

L. Kobie Wilkerson is a master teacher and an amazing storyteller.  The students at Santaquin Elementary were inspired by his excitement and his energy, encouraging them to love knowledge and to be life long learners.  The students learned more about the writing process as Kobie shared the steps he took to write his two children's books:  Mary and Fred, and Queen Infinity.  Open up, read, and enjoy the journey!

http://booksbykobie.com/whoiskobie.html

Grandma Beth Epperson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah.  She was so small when she was born that her parents put her in a shoe box on the oven door to keep her warm!  She has always been very active and used to walk everywhere she went.  She had to walk miles and miles to get to school, to piano lessons, and later to her jobs. She never rode the bus or got a ride, but would always walk no matter what the weather.  After she was married, she lived in many different places, including California, Missouri, North Carolina, Idaho, and Utah.  She has 2 children - 1 son and 1 daughter.  She is very good at knitting and used to own a knitting shop called "The Knit Wits".  She also loves to quilt and makes many quilts every year to give away.  She is always busy using her hands and serving others, and that is what has kept her so young at heart.  She looks forward to sharing her quilts with Mrs. Garcia's Kindergarten students each year at Santaquin Elementary.  Thank you, Grandma Epperson!

For our December Reading Celebration Activity, one student from every class won the opportunity to decorate gingerbread houses with Mr. Argyle as a reward for reading every day during the month.  Students worked in pairs to create very elaborate gingerbread houses, which were then proudly put on display in the office for students and parents to view!  It pays to read at Santaquin Elementary!