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This extraordinary event required an incredible team effort. Ruth credited her friends, family, and the Full-Day Kindergarten (FDK) team for their support. “There was so much to do, from setting up and decorating to preparing hot chocolate and cookies,” she says. “My daughter even hung foil balloons along the tracks to create the woodland animal scene. Everyone came together to make this happen.” The weeks leading up to the event were filled with themed learning activities. Ruth incorporated trains into every aspect of the curriculum, teaching children about local history, STEM concepts, and the story of The Polar Express. The school’s main hallway was turned into a train track using electrical tape, and children acted as train carriages as they walked to the gym for lessons. They built Lego landscapes and explored model trains to deepen their understanding. Ruth also partnered with fellow teacher, Marilyn Beaton from June Rose Public School, who is retiring at the same time. Together, they coordinated the two-day event, ensuring that all their students had the opportunity to participate. “Marilyn and I shared a train for the first day,” Ruth explains. “It worked out perfectly. We ironed out the wrinkles on the first day and had an even smoother experience for the kindergarten classes on the second.” The weather was another critical factor. “I was so nervous,” Ruth admits. “The week before, we had snow days and school closures. I prayed for the weather to cooperate, and thankfully, we had two perfect days. The next two days were bitterly cold, but everything worked out.”
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The children’s joy was the ultimate re- ward. Ruth describes listening to their highlights as a thrill: mailing their letters to Santa, seeing the train bridge go up, chatting with elves, spotting woodland animals, and enjoying hot chocolate and cookies. “Their excite- ment and happiness made all the effort w- orthwhile,” she says. As Ruth prepares to leave the class- room, she reflects on her career with gratitude and pride. “Teaching has been a privilege,” she says. “This Polar
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Express experience was my way of giving back to the children and the community that has given me so much. It’s a memory I’ll treasure forever.” Ruth Brown’s dedication, creativity, and passion for teaching have left an undeniable mark on countless students and colleagues. Her final gift to her students is not just the magic of The Polar Express but the lifelong lessons of imagination, wonder, and belief in the extraordinary.
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Hometown St. Thomas • Jan-Feb 2025 • Page 9
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