With a steady drizzle instead of snow outside the school commons, it didn’t look a lot like Christmas on Saturday, but inside, with holiday decorations all around and Santa Claus front and center, it was a very merry morning during Early Childhood and Family Education’s annual Breakfast with Santa.
A larger-than-usual crowd was on hand, said ECFE coordinator Ashley Genelin. An hour or so into the event, school food administrator Monica Manzey had only a few slices of egg bake left.
“I think it helps that we can send email announcements out to parents, but we have been doing this event for quite a few years now,” Genelin said. “Monica does a great job in the kitchen. We always have a ton of food. I think people expect just doughnuts when they come in here, but we always have a full breakfast.”
Besides having breakfast and sitting on Santa’s lap, kids could build gumdrop towers, make reindeer food, and write Christmas wish letters and mail them to the North Pole.
The Cleveland ECFE’s goal is to strengthen families and support parents by establishing a nurturing atmosphere where they can experience positive ways of being together. It holds several events throughout the year.
Jasmine Lassonde (6) and Lilly Lassonde (5) wrote letters to Santa…
and mailed them to the North Pole.
First grader Noah McCabe and his sister Lucy, a third grader, visit with Santa.
Fifth grader Raul and first grader Irving Andrade pose with Santa.
“Dear Santa…” Fourth grader Lucy Smith writes her Christmas list.
Brooks and preschooler Brenner Fasnacht work on gumdrop towers.
Kindergartner Calvin Devens reaches out to high-five Santa.
Santa will always have your back, discovered this student.
The reindeer food and gumdrop tower table.
Kindergartener Emilia Marchan has a one-on-one with Santa.
With egg bake, rolls, muffins, fruit and juices, Monica Manzey served a full breakfast.
Kindergartner Jordie Seely mails her Christmas wish letter to the North Pole.
Santa had his hands full with this group of siblings.