Smiles were merry and bright as Santa visited prekindergarten and kindergarten classes at Billingsley Elementary School this week!
Santa Beach stopped by Billingsley on Dec. 16, as the big day approaches next week. He read the holiday book “Elf on the Shelf” to the students. Santa Beach said that he wanted to spread to spread joy and love throughout the world and the school was one of the stops along the way.
Beach started off playing Santa for his two children when they were younger and over the past two years, he wanted to take it to the next level. “I started doing research and found the oldest professional Santa Claus school, Charles W. Howard [Santa Claus School] in Saginaw, Mich., and with over 300 Santas I was the only African American,” he said.
During his visit at Billingsley, Santa Beach passed out special holiday coins to a few students and gifts for teachers. “I enjoyed spending time with the children, seeing their eyes light up and their curiosity,” he said.
Sabrina Robinson-Taylor said that she enjoyed the anticipation of the students as they heard the bells on Santa Beach’s suit as he came down the hallway. “I loved watching the excitement when they saw him turn the corner,” she said. “It gives you the reminder of the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a child.”
At the end of the reading, students wanted to know if they were naughty or nice. The room grew quiet as they waited for Khalilah Thompson, instructional assistant (IA) for special education, to read the list as Santa Beach showed her his official “Naughty or Nice” list. “Billingsley is on the ‘Nice List,’” she said, and the students erupted with excitement.
About CCPS
Charles County Public Schools provides 27,904 students in grades prekindergarten through 12 with an academically challenging education. Located in Southern Maryland, Charles County Public Schools has 38 schools that offer a technologically advanced, progressive and high quality education that builds character, equips for leadership and prepares students for life, careers and higher education.
The Charles County public school system does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability in its programs, activities or employment practices. For inquiries, please contact Dr. Mike Blanchard, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (students) or Nikial M. Majors, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator (employees/ adults), at Charles County Public Schools, Jesse L. Starkey Administration Building, P.O. Box 2770, La Plata, MD 20646; 301-932-6610/301-870-3814. For special accommodations call 301-934-7230 or TDD 1-800-735-2258 two weeks prior to the event.
CCPS provides nondiscriminatory equal access to school facilities in accordance with its Use of Facilities rules to designated youth groups (including, but not limited to, the Boy Scouts).