Heartwarming! Henderson Charter School Gives Students & Staff The Presents They Want This Christmas

LAS VEGAS – A Henderson charter school has started a new holiday tradition of giving its students and employees everything they want for Christmas.

Last year, Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon launched “winter wishes,” a program in which school authorities grant desires submitted by students and staff. This year, according to Principal Lisa Satory, a combination of school fundraisers and community donations resurrected the giving program.

“For the two weeks before winter break, we draw [wishes], see which ones we can grant, and grant as many as we possibly can,” Satory said inside her office Friday afternoon, dressed as Elf on a Shelf. “Because we’re a new campus, we want to have things that our students can relate to.”

The K-12 charter school first opened its doors three years ago. This activity, according to the principal, is an attempt to unite the relatively new school community.

Though not all wishes may be realized owing school budget limits, the principal reported that more than 500 were granted this year. Wishes varied from huge gummy worms to special meals with pals to more expensive gifts that kids were not expecting.

“I wished for Air Pod pros, and I got Air Pod pros,” eighth student Zackry Urbanski remarked inside the school Friday afternoon, slightly surprised.

“I wished for a Jane Austen book and ended up getting— I got a collection of her works,” eighth-grader Caroline Czarnezki explained next to her friend. “They could just send us here to learn using textbooks, but they’re going out of their way to aid students by raising money and bringing in all of these organizations.”

One specific gift is on its way to going viral. A video of Principal Satory giving Ivan Egberg a new kitten has nearly 22,000 views on Instagram, and the sixth grader described it as the best present he’s ever received.

“My cat died a few years ago, and I was really upset, so I wished for a cat stuffed animal, but they got me a cat instead,” Egberg explained Friday afternoon inside the principal’s office. “I was quite emotional.”

Wishes like these, according to school officials, will keep this program going for as long as they can afford it. Carrie Cox, the school’s reading interventionist and a new Henderson City Councilmember stated that the program may mean more to some pupils than others.

“It truly helps families and children who might not have everything they need,” Cox remarked in the school’s lobby. “It’s all about instilling hope and Christmas joy in our children.” “The enchantment!”

Friday night, the school community extended the celebration with a drive-thru holiday lights display surrounding the school. The installations were produced by students, faculty, and other members of the school community.

Credits: 8 News Now