In the heart of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, there was snowfall at the Early Childhood Education Center. To help celebrate the holiday season and spread Christmas cheer, the ECEC staff arranged for snow to be imported to the campus ramada area for the Winter Wonderland celebration on December 21. 

The students visited the snow during class breaks, ensuring everyone had enough time to enjoy it. Most of the students made snowmen, some attempted to make snow angels, and others playfully tossed snowballs at each other. 

During the Winter Wonderland celebration, Santa Claus made an appearance with students in each of the classrooms. To showcase their talents, the students sang in O’odham to Santa as well as “Jingle Bells.”

“Ho, ho, ho, that was wonderful singing,” said Santa to the children. He then asked each of the students what they would like for Christmas, and the ECEC staff assisted Santa in making sure every student received a gift.

Santa made his way back to the North Pole later that day to check his list twice and make sure he had all of the children’s names on his “nice list” this year.