By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–The Polar Express rolled through Union City Elementary School Tuesday.
And from all indications, students were “All Aboard!”
From Assistant Principal Thel Taylor making his rounds to classrooms in his conductor’s uniform to hot chocolate enjoyed by students as they watched the movie of the rails-themed Christmas story, the annual holiday ritual was a rousing success once more.
Taylor roamed the hallways and read the 1985 story that was made into a movie in 2004, much to the delight of students – many of whom were dressed in their pajamas, as were their teachers.
Classes listened intently to Taylor’s readings, an annual practice that essentially signals the beginning of the Christmas season at UCES.
Later in the day, they enjoyed the film version of Polar Express while enjoying refreshments in their respective classrooms.
The film tells the story of a doubting young boy who — struggling to fall asleep on Christmas Eve — sees a mysterious train bound for the North Pole stop outside his window and is invited aboard by its conductor.
The boy joins several other children as they embark on a magical journey to visit Santa Claus preparing for Christmas.
Taylor said the activity initially focused on younger classes but he began including the entire student body in recent years.
Students at UC Elementary School will round out the final week before an extended Christmas/New Year’s break with a number of holiday-themed activities before dismissing early on Friday morning.
Pre-K students will be dismissed at 9:30 a.m., while kindergartners will be permitted to leave at 9:45.
The remainder of the UCES student body – which encompasses those in the 1st through 4th grade – will be dismissed at 10:15 a.m.