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A.K. Khalaf

This Friday night, children in the Student/Child Learning Center (SCLC) will see Principal Mike Wortman like they’ve never seen him before. In fact, they might not even recognize him, because he’ll be dressed up as Santa Claus.

Staff in the SCLC, with help from the Media Center, put on a Secret Santa celebration each year for LHS SCLC student parents and their children. This year’s party will be on Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 in the LHS Cafeteria from 5:30 – 7 p.m. featuring Wortman as St. Nick.

“Last year we had 12 student parents and every one of them was there,” SCLC director Nancy Hunt said. Student parents are encouraged to  invite their families. “And we have a lot of good food brought by families to the Winter Party,” Hunt added. “We also have a church group that provides a great deal of support to the student-parent program. They  enjoy meeting with parents and their children at  this event.”

Media specialists, teachers, and staff donated gifts to the students and their kids.“We provide books and a toy, and at least one winter outfit, a package of diapers, a package of baby wipes, and usually a gift card to the moms,” Media Specialist Paula McClung said.

“It’s a huge event that’s supported by all of Lincoln High, which I think is really neat, and it supports the Student Parent Program,” Hunt sad.

Some of the moms have a really hard time taking care of their babies and attending school at the same time. It may be really hard, but they have the support of their teachers/staff. “Our goal is to get them graduated,” McClung said. “That’s a huge district goal: to raise the graduation rate.”

The people in the Media Center put everything together and the staff helps out in many ways. “Lincoln High has an incredibly giving spirit,” Hunt said. “Things like diapers and wipes are always needed.”

From the support the staff gives the teen parents, to the presents, to Dr. Wortman dressing up as Santa Claus, McClung hopes it helps the all have “a little better holiday season.”

Anyone who want to donate anything can talk to McClung in the Media Center or anyone in the SCLC, and there are specific items that the organizers would still appreciate:

-12 packages of baby wipes
-chubby board books for boy 8 months old
– infant and toddler books for girls in Spanish (2 little girls that are siblings)
-Enfamil formula #1
-Enfamil Infant formula
-Enfamil Gentlease formula
-girl socks for age 3-6 months
-girl socks for age 6-9 months
-girl winter outfit for size 6-9 months
-girl socks and gloves for size 18-24 months
-girl socks for 2T
5 – Walmart gift cards
6 – Gordmans gift cards

Items can be dropped off in the Media Center any time.