School Principal Dresses Up as Real-Life Elf on the Shelf, Turns Last Week of School Into a Ho-Ho-Ho-Holiday
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This article is one in a series at 麻豆精品 that profiles the heroes, victories, success stories, and random acts of kindness to be found at schools all across America. Read more of our recent inspiring profiles at The74million.org/series/inspiring.
Last week of school before winter break. Just a few more days before sleeping in, TV, candles, presents. So hard to wait for the holidays to come 鈥�
But the students at Westbrook Park Elementary School in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, didn鈥檛 have to wait. On Monday, the holidays came to them.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1967224093527561&set=a.1400553420194634.1073741828.100007199679353&type=3&theater
Welcoming early arrivals at the school: Principal Marc Comfort, in full-on elf regalia, looking down from his perch on the corner of the building, his feet dangling over the edge.
鈥淔or me, it was a really positive way to start the school day, and that鈥檚 how it was for kids,鈥� the second-year principal told the . 鈥淚f they鈥檙e talking about fun things like this, that鈥檚 the best thing.鈥�
And then, like the elf who was his inspiration, he placed himself 鈥� Amazon-bought costume and all 鈥� inside, outside, and all around the school.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1967441236839180&set=a.1400553420194634.1073741828.100007199679353&type=3&theater
鈥淭he complete idea is that this will get kids really excited and come here the next couple of days before the break and get our parents excited and build up the good will of the school,鈥� Comfort told the newspaper. 鈥淪chool should be fun 鈥� a place kids love to come to.鈥�
https://www.facebook.com/dkoonfinney/posts/1791078884236280?pnref=story
Comfort鈥檚 efforts hit the mark. Rave reviews on Facebook ranged from calling his work the 鈥渂est Elf on the Shelf ever鈥� to praise for his dedication and for the 鈥渓eadership, energy and laughs鈥� Comfort provides to the entire school community.
https://www.facebook.com/6abcPhiladelphia/posts/10159776745800230
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Tim Newcomb is a sports, education, and pop culture writer based out of Washington state. He is the author of the book 鈥淪TEM in Sports: Engineering,鈥� published by Mason Crest, and a father to three girls.
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