Santa Claus made an appearance on Friday at the Davila Day School in Chula Vista to hand out specifically chosen gifts and connect with each student using American Sign Language.
Davila Day School is a special education school located in Chula Vista that serves preschool through 6th-grade students from neighborhoods in South and East counties. According to Dr. Amy Kalenderian, one of the staff helpers or “elves” who coordinated the visit, for students to see a Santa just like them “helps open up their world”.
Each student received age and developmentally-appropriate gifts from Santa, which the San Diego County Office of Education employees donated. Students also received books — one storybook with a Deaf/hard-of-hearing character and one general storybook — to support the school’s efforts to increase student literacy and self-esteem.
"Being able to communicate with Santa in their preferred language, celebrate the holidays as a community, and promote togetherness and the joy giving — it's just a beautiful moment," said Davila Day School Principal Cheryl Kaler.
At the school dressed as an elf was Stephanie Cabral, mother to 8-year-old Efrain "Manny" Jimenez, and a former Davila student when she was a child. Stephanie and Manny together with Kaler created a how-to video to sign "Happy Holidays" and other holiday greetings.
