“Santa came last night,” was the enthusiastic shout Botkin heard that about brought her to tears. Her students and each of the roughly 70 first-graders at Horace Mann each got a gift containing a new board game with the intent of having something they could play with their family thanks to the generosity of those close to her.
“I’ve never not wanted a snow day. The joy on their faces today left me beyond thrilled,” said Botkin, who has worked for the Springfield City School District since 2015.
It began with Botkin asking if those close to her would contribute toward purchasing her students board games, something fun and educational, as gifts. It quickly transformed into a network of secret Santas.
“It happened organically. I thought I would really have just enough for every child to have something to open and thought board games were something they could do as a family,” Botkin said. “We had a group chat and soon my dad, brother, my husband’s family, everybody stepped up and we ended up with enough for all our first graders.”
In an age when video games dominate wish lists, Botkin didn’t hesitate to go old-school with her gift idea and was supported by intervention specialist Cara Hope. As the school has several English language learners, it was also a chance to serve their needs.
Game titles popular for decades — “Sorry,” “Jenga,” “Hi Ho Cherrio” and “Connect 4″— were among them.
The women stayed late on Thursday to get the presents wrapped and create the atmosphere that Santa himself had visited. They left with prayers the predicted possibility of snowy and icy weather wouldn’t come. The result was almost like watching their own kids on Dec. 25, which was appropriate as it was pajama day at Horace Mann with students dressing in night clothes.
“They were excited for their friends and couldn’t wait to play with their families. This is a very empathetic, generous group of kids who take care of each other and to see them this excited about a game was fun,” said Hope.
Word spread around the school of how elated the kids were. Botkin is eager to share the story of how much the generosity of donating the games meant during her upcoming holiday festivities.
Given the challenges the Springfield City School District and the community have faced this school year, this was a step in helping the youngsters put that behind them according to Botkin.
“It hasn’t been an easy year and this was just a way to give back a little joy. That was the goal,” Botkin said.
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