Shawanoe Students, Community Members Climb Aboard Polar Express During Family Night

Conductor takes tickets at Shawanoe Polar Express night
Shawnee Mission School District

The Polar Express made a stop at Shawanoe Elementary just before students and staff went on Winter Break.

The school community invited students and their family members to gather for a family night that included reading, making crafts, eating snacks, and enjoying the season together. Community partners, who have connected with the school through Caring for Kids KC helped host the event, with volunteer Rick Krapes serving as conductor.

As Krapes welcomed attendees to the event, they were invited to walk through a door that was decorated like the Polar Express train. After enjoying activities, all attendees listened as Principal Dominic Flora read a version of “The Polar Express.”

Shawanoe frequently holds family nights, which are often focused on topics like academics or social/emotional well-being. This one was organized to bring families to the school to share a night of fun with family, Flora said.

“Our aim is to be the pillar of this community, a place that not only fosters the best educational experience for our students, but provides events that promote families being together and feeling comfortable at the school,” he said. “With relationships built with families it creates an avenue to support students and their families in a number of ways,”

 

Conductor takes tickets at Shawanoe Polar Express night
Families arrive walking through door decorated like a train on Polar Express Night at Shawanoe.
Students look through a window at Polar Express Night
Students and parents look through a window on Polar Express Night.
Principal Dominic Flora reads a Polar Express book to a large room filled with students with their family members.