Two school buses from Meadow Lane School traveled to three senior homes (to Regency Place, Oak River Rehab, and Seasons at Las Robles), so students and their parents could sing Christmas carols to the residents and staff.

According to Brad Clagg, principal at Meadow Lane, there were about 60-70 people in attendance including Jeff Carr, one of the new board members for the district and his two children. Once they had finished caroling, the group went back to the school and had cookies and hot chocolate, heard a Christmas story read by Clagg and Mrs. Lafayette, while the children awaited Santa's arrival.

For the past decade students and their parents along with members of the faculty have been participating in the Christmas evening. It got its start in the library where five or six teachers would share a Christmas story, said Clagg.

"Families would come to listen to the various stories. We always have served cookies and hot chocolate. Santa has always made a visit."

A few years ago they added singing as well as a story and last year they started caroling at the shopping center and traveled to one retirement center.

"This year, we introduced the bus and a few more retirement centers," said Clagg. "The elderly were already waiting for us and were excited that we were there. We passed out song booklets and had them sing along with us. One senior complex had baked cookies and wanted us to stay."

"It was amazing. We had a lot of fun," said Autumn Mangold, a parent from Meadow Lane. "We sang through the halls and waved to people who couldn't get out of bed. The kids knew most of the songs, but the parents would help out when the kids didn't know the song."

According to Mangold, she felt the experience taught the children compassion and even though it was raining, no one complained about it.

After caroling, we returned back to school where Mrs. LaFayette and Mr. Clagg read a Christmas story. Cookies and hot chocolate followed. Santa made a surprise visit.