Deck the halls in Dettah
Santa makes a special visit to Kaw Tay Whee School as part of the school's annual pancake breakfast
Cody Punter
Northern News Services
Published Friday, December 20, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Dettah was alive with Christmas cheer on Thursday morning as Santa made a special visit to Kaw Tay Whee School.
Santa Claus greets students at Kaw Tay Whee school in Dettah on Thursday. The jolly old elf was treated to a play from the pupils. - Cody Punter/NNSL photo |
Children's faces filled with joy as Santa greeted them before taking the time to hand out presents to each one of them.
"They were very excited and quite delighted," said principal Lea Lamoureux.
Before Santa arrived, parents and elders from the community were invited to the school for a pancake breakfast, where they were also treated to a performance of No More Cookies For Santa.
The short play tells the story of Mrs. Claus, who is withholding cookies from Santa Claus until he promises to take her on a sleigh ride with him.
The performance brought smiles to the faces of the parents in attendance as students sang, danced and told jokes.
Lamoureux said the Christmas breakfast, which is in its fifth year, is always something to look forward to.
"It's an opportunity to invite the community to meet the students and celebrate their talents," said Lamoureux.
The celebration also saw students come together to raise money for the Salvation Army by selling hand-made Christmas ornaments that they made themselves.
Charlene Sundberg, chairperson of the Dettah district school board, said the idea to sell ornaments to raise money for charity was brought forward by students at the school three years ago.
"The kids came up with this idea and the teachers are just there to support them," said Sundberg.
Grade 5 student Jennifer Drygeese-Yelle, who played Mrs. Claus in the play, said she enjoys helping those who are less fortunate than her.
"There some people who need food and somewhere to stay," said Drygeese-Yelle.
"It's fun to help."
According to Lamoureux, the students raised $110 dollars for the Salvation Army by the end of the day.
Lamoureux said Grade 6 and 7 students also spent Wednesday afternoon handing out gift bags to all the elders in the community.
"It's just a gesture of kindness and it's a reminder that we are very grateful to our elders," said Lamoureux.
Lamoureux was not left out of the spirit of giving as both herself and teacher Neil Penney were given gifts by the Dettah school board.
Lamoureux and Penney were given a pair of moosehide slippers and a pair of beaver and moosehide mitts respectively, to celebrate the fact that they were awarded the prime minister's award for teaching excellence earlier this year.
"It was a very kind and unexpected gesture," said Lamoureux.
