FORESTVILLE - The post office in Forestville was bustling with activity Monday morning as third-graders shared the holiday spirit with their community - and troops overseas.
Described as "Santa's little elves" by one postal customer passing through, the 16 smiling children of teacher Nicki Schoenl's third-grade class helped hang decorations in the windows.
Schoenl worked with the post office in Forestville and the school principal to have her third-grade students spread holiday cheer by writing letters to U.S. troops and decorating the windows of the post office for the holidays.
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OBSERVER?Photo by Shirley Pulawski
Forestville elementary students prepared letters to send to the troops and decorated the post office windows for the holidays Monday morning.
The students collaborated on snowmen, doves and other decorations made to adorn the windows. On Monday morning, the whole group enjoyed seeing their decorations go up on the post office windows from the lobby and outside in the unusually warm, sunny weather.
Forestville Postmaster Jennifer Salerno, a Forestville native, said having the children come decorate brought back holiday season memories of her own.
"I remember doing this when I was a kid," she said. "I think it's great because they'll get to show everyone what they've done when they go by or come in with their families."
Schoenl said the idea came simply from wanting to participate in the community. "We had the kids write letters to the service men and women, and I thought it would be so nice to show our appreciation to Forestville," she explained.
Schoenl received approval from the principal and the postmaster to have the children decorate the windows. "The kids were just thrilled. Many of them had never been to the post office before," she explained.
When the children assembled for pictures in front of the post office, they cheerfully sang "Jingle Bells" together. When asked if they are always as well-behaved, Schoenl said, "Yes, they are. They're good kids."
On Friday, all the finished letters to the troops will be given to the elementary school librarian, Brenda Schneider for delivery overseas.
