Hundreds attend Grace Playschool’s holiday event

Santa Claus came to town a little early when he visited with more than 200 students, staff members and parents at Grace Playschool in Lynbrook for its Breakfast with Santa event on Dec. 9.

“It went well,” said Renee Costello, the school’s publicity chair. “The kids were excited to see Santa and have breakfast with their friends and families.”

Breakfast items at the event included bagels, fruit, munchkins, hot chocolate and orange juice.

After the students ate, Santa arrived and the children had the opportunity to tell him what they want for Christmas. Then music teacher Fran Rissland came to the school with her guitar, and the students sang along with her to holiday songs that they had previously learned in class. Parents were also encouraged to donate toys to the Mended Little Hearts Organization, which provides services for families of children with congenital heart disease.

Grace Playschool is a cooperative preschool, which was organized by a group of families more than 40 years ago. The parent-run Special Events Committee organized the Breakfast with Santa event.