The Humans Had No Idea ...
By Samantha Mallard Ms. Carey's 3rd Grade Class, Blakeney Elementary

The humans had no idea we were watching them.

We are Santa's reindeer, and we watch the children in Burke County for Santa all year long.

We stay hidden in the woods most of the day. We usually come out early in the morning and late in the evening. Most of the people in Burke County think we are just regular deer eating crops in the farmers' fields and running out in the road in front of your cars and trucks, but we are much more than your average deer.

Our names are Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixon, Comet, Cupid, Donder, Blitzen and Rudolph.

So all you hunters and drivers, please beware of every deer you see because they might just be Santa's favorite nine.

We have been very busy this year watching all the children. We have really been watching the children at Blakeney El- ementary School. We see the children when they are good and when they are bad.

The good students who do their work, behave in class and listen to the teachers can expect some good surprises from Santa Claus this year.

However, we are watching a few students at Blakeney Elementary that Santa says are being a bit naughty.

These students have just a few days to start acting better or Santa Claus will be leaving some coal in their stockings.

Ms. Carey's students need to read more AR (Accelerated Reader) books, practice their multiplication tables and listen when their teacher is talking.

Ms. Carey has even told us that she is planning a Christmas party for all her good little students.

So behave yourself if you want to join the party on Dec. 20. We can see and will tell Santa Claus that almost all of the children at Blakeney deserve what they truly want for Christmas … but what about all of those teachers and administrators?

That's right! We are watching the adults as well as the children. After all, adults are really just big children.

Teachers like Ms. Carey and Ms. Richardson have been very good girls this year. They have 19 students that can really test their nerves some days; however, they always greet their students with smiles and hugs each day. These teachers and all the others have been very patient with the children in Burke County this year.

Even the administrators are doing a great job this year, but you really have to watch Dr. Sams.

Dr. Sams is a good principal and has everything under control, but he has a habit of sneaking around the building and showing up when you least expect him.

Dr. Sams even has his sidekicks, Mrs. Sasser, Mrs. Cobb and Mrs. Jones, watching everyone too. They keep a close watch on everyone, but it is only because they care.

What is so funny with humans is that everyone is watching everyone else, and none of them have any clue that we, Santa's reindeer, are watching them all year long.

Based on what we have seen this year, Santa will have a few stops to make in Burke County this year, but some people still need to remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Most people are too caught up in the presents and forget that this is Christ's birthday.

We all need to remember to give to others like Christ gave himself for us.

Even though we are watching for Santa, let's all remember that God is watching us every single day of our lives, so don't be good just at Christmastime.