THE VIKING GAZETTE

Military Tracks Santa!! By Tyler Lorenzen, 5th Grade   On December 1, NORAD, the official Santa tracker is active. NORAD stands for the North American Aerospace Defense Command.

NORAD started tracking Santa on December 24, 1955. They use satellite systems, high powered radars, and jet fighters to track his location across the globe.

NORAD receives more than 14,000 calls to the NORAD Santa tracking hot line from children all over the world on Christmas Eve. Live updates are provided on the website, in seven different languages. Just type www.noradsanta.org to see where Santa is located on Christmas Eve, but remember he knows when you are sleeping, and he knows when your awake!

Christmas Writing Contest Winners First Place: The Cookie Baking Contest by Molly Raussen, 3rd Grade

There was a little town called Jolly Hops. Once every year the elves would have a cookie baking contest. This year they had it in their factory.

It all started when the host, Mr. Sugar Pops, said to the contestants, “Get set, Go!” The baking contest has begun. After they were done the judges tasted their cookies. Judge Cristy toasted Jon the Elf’s cookies and gave him an eight. Judge December gave Elf January a nine because of her sprinkles. Then Judge Sparkles gave Elf Greg a ten because his cookies were perfect! Jon and January were very upset and started crying. Greg got a big trophy.

Santa walked in to see what was going on. He told them to stop crying. The room went quiet. The contestants gave Santa a taste of their cookies. He had a big smile on his face and said, “Ho, Ho, Ho! Everyone Wins!”

2nd Place: The Nice List By McKenna Farmer, 2nd Grade

One day there was an elf on a shelf. The elf on the shelf did not know how to be an elf and help Santa. She learned how to be Santa’s helper from her friend who already was Santa’s helper. Now, she was able to help Santa and help kids be on their best behavior.

She found a naughty kid that was so mean. Throughout the year, the kid thought about what he did. Christmas was approaching, and he knew he had to be nice. The elf was so proud to see him be nice. Santa was, too.

Santa and the elf were reading the Naughty and Nice list. He was on the Naughty list. Since he was nice, he moved to the Nice list. On Christmas morning he got a lot of gifts.

St. Veronica Catholic School December 2017

2017 Top 10 Toys By Tyler Lorenzen, 5th Grade Not sure what to ask for this Christmas? Here is the top ten hot toys this season!

1. Hoverboard 2. Squishy Toys 3. Fidget Spinners 4. Fingerlings 5. Nintendo Switch 6. Hatchimals 7. Nerf 8. Smart Watch 9. LEGOS 10. Razor Scooters

Fill-in-the-Blanks: Christmas Movie Edition By Anthony Garascia, 5th Grade

•"Seeing isn't believing; believing is ____.”- The Santa Clause

•"Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings __ _____ ___ ___ ____." - It's a Wonderful Life

•“Maybe Christmas, he thought... doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas, perhaps... ____ _ _____ ___ ____!" - How the Grinch Stole Christmas

• "Aaah! "Fra-GEE-leh!" It must be _______!" - A Christmas Story

• "This is extremely important. Will you please tell Santa that instead of presents this year, I just want __ ______ ____.” - Home Alone

• “One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they're going. What matters is ________ __ ___ __.” - The Polar Express

•“A toy is never truly happy until it is _____ __ _ ____.” - Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer •“_____ ________! Hey, I said my first words.” - Frosty the Snowman • “I never eat December snowflakes. I always wait until _______.” - A Charlie Brown Christmas • “We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: _____, ____ ____, ____ ____ and ____." - Elf

St. Veronica Catholic School December 2017

The Many Colors of Christmas By Matthew Irvine, 5th Grade

There are many beautiful colors associated with Christmas. Here are some of the more notable ones and their meanings.

Green – represented most often as evergreen plants, holly, ivy, and mistletoe. Green represents a longing for spring. It is also a sign of good luck (especially for the Irish).

Red – often seen in the berries in the holly plant and apples. To some, the apple represents the fall of Adam. Red often represents the blood of Jesus.

Gold – represents sun and light. A gold fire keeps you warm. Gold is also one of the presents that the wise men brought to Jesus. The star that led the wise men to Jesus was also gold.

White – represents purity and peace.

Blue – represents the sky and heaven. Mary is often shown wearing a blue garment.

Purple – represents royalty.

Pink – represents joy.

11 Amazing Facts I Bet You Didn’t Know About Santa Claus

By Kennedy Dehner, 5th Grade

I bet you’ve always wondered things like how does Santa fly all around the world in one night? Why are Santa’s cheeks rosy and red? Most of the questions you have will be answered with these fascinating facts about the one and only Santa Claus.

• Saint Nicholas, who was the original Santa, was a slim monk mostly known for his generosity. Cartoonists made him chubby and added red rosy cheeks.

• Santa has other names such as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Grandfather Frost, and Kris Kringle.

• Santa was born in 270 AD. That means he is over 1000 years old! It’s the Christmas magic that keeps him alive and well.

• In the poem “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” by Clemente Moore, Santa is described as a jolly old elf, cheeks like roses, his nose like a cherry and a little round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl of jelly.

•People believe that Santa’s elves work year-round.

•Throughout the year Santa keeps track of all the good and bad children with lists (naughty or nice lists). The kids on the naughty lists are believed to get coal on Christmas.

• Santa doesn’t deliver presents to children in one night; he has two nights because of the time zones!

•People say that Santa goes to about 9 million houses on Christmas Eve. That means that Santa’s sleigh travels at the speed of light or 671 million miles per hour!

•Santa has nine reindeer Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. Rudolph is the 9th reindeer.

•Santa uses Christmas magic to fly.

• If you send a letter to Santa’s workshop and bring it to the post office, Santa’s magic will pick it up.

St. Veronica Catholic School December 2017

Teacher Spotlight: Mr. Gardner

By Julia Cheek, 5th Grade

The teacher in the spotlight this month is Mr. Gardner, the music teacher at St. Veronica. I interviewed Mr. G because he does a lot of things to get our school in the Christmas spirit, and I wanted to see how he got into the Christmas spirit himself.

Q: How do you decide what songs you use for the Christmas concert?

A: I go to a website, pick a bunch of songs that the kids will enjoy, learn something, and sound good doing. I then narrow it down to a few and pick those.

Q: What was the first Christmas play and what year was it?

A: 2004, and the first plays were The First Noel and The Incredible Reindeer.

Q: How long have you been putting on plays?

A: I did the first Christmas Play in 2004 and more plays in the Spring. I enjoyed it so the next year I put on an all-school musical.

Q: What kind of cookies do you and your family set out for Santa?

A: Melting Moments.

Q: What are your favorite Christmas plays?

A: We Three Spies, and Angel Alert.

Q: Do you usually use new songs or repeat old songs?

A: Sometimes I do new songs but mostly old songs because we have so many of them.

Q: What is your favorite Christmas carol?

A: Oh, Holy Night and Carol of the Bells.

Mr. Gardner is the Teacher in the spotlight this month because he does a lot for our community and is excited to help us celebrate Christmas!

Christmas Traditions in Different Countries By Matthew Irvine, 5th Grade People all over the world celebrate Christmas in all sorts of ways. From countries that are scorching hot to those that are freezing cold, here are seven traditions from different countries that will blow your mind!

Christmas Candle – In Ireland, families put a tall thick candle on the largest windowsill of their home after Christmas Eve sunset. This candle is left to burn all night to provide a welcome light for Mary and Joseph. Even today, lights are often placed in windows to provide light to friends and neighbors all year round.

Christmas Pickle – This is traditionally thought to be a German tradition that started in the 1880’s when Woolworth stores sold glass ornaments, mainly in the shape of fruits and vegetables. The glass pickle is the last ornament that is hidden on the Christmas tree. Tradition says that the first child to find the pickle gets an extra present on Christmas Day.

There is also another interesting story that a soldier in the Civil War was in prison. He begged for the last pickle before he died. This pickle was said to bring him the mental and physical strength to live on.

Yule Log – The Yule Log is a Nordic tradition celebrated during the Winter solstice festivals in Scandinavia and Northern Europe. Originally an entire tree was placed into the hearth (fireplace) and the largest end was re-lit from last years’ Yule Log. Today, traditionally a family will select a log and a little is burnt each night during the twelve days of Christmas

Christmas Trees – The tradition of the Christmas Trees began in Indonesia, and since they are the biggest producer of pine trees located in Pancak, West Java. They also make trees from chicken feathers and export them from the Bali Island. The Christmas Tree is now a standard tradition in many countries.

Tio de Nadal (Christmas Log) – Christmas in Catalonia. Spain includes a character called Tio de Nadal, a small hollow log propped on two legs with a smiley face painted on each end. Beginning on December 8th, Catalonian families give the log morsels of food and a blanket. On Christmas Eve, the log gives out small gifts. Children sing and hit the log to help it “digest”. The log drops sweets, nuts and dried fruit. When a garlic or onion falls out of the log, the treats are finished for the year.

The Holy Nativity Fast – In Egypt, Coptic Christians prepare a special fast during Advent. They eat a vegan diet with no product from animals. After Christmas Mass, they eat a feast of all the foods they were not allowed to eat during Advent.

This Christmas, try to celebrate in a different way – you may just find a new tradition for your family.

Top 20 Christmas Songs By Kennedy Dehner, 5th Grade

These are the top 20 Christmas songs of 2017 according to iTunes as of 11/25/17.

1. All I Want for Christmas is You By Mariah Carey

2. Mary, Did You Know? By Pentatonix

3. Christmas/ Sarajevo 12/24 By Trans-Siberian Orchestra

4. How Great Thou Art By Pentatonix

5. Last Christmas By Wham!

6. Jingle Bell Rock By Bobby Helms

7. You Make it Feel Like Christmas By Gwen Stefani

8. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree By Brenda Lee

9. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year By Andy Williams

10. Christmas Canon By Trans-Siberian Orchestra

11. It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas By Michael Bublé

12. Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town By Bruce Springsteen

13. Snowman By Sia

14. Away in a Manger By Pentatonix

15. The Christmas Song By Nat “King” Cole

16. Santa Tell Me By Ariana Grande

17. Carol of the Bells By Lindsay Stirling

18. Underneath the Tree By Kelly Clarkson

19. O Holy Night By Josh Groban

20. Candy Cane Lane By Sia

Which one is your favorite?

The Many Names of Santa By Matthew Irvine, 5th Grade Santa is known by so many different names: Santa Claus, Kris Kringle, Pelznickle, Sinterclaus, St. Nicholas, Father Christmas, Pere Noel to name a few. But where did it all begin?

St. Nicholas, also called Nicholaos of Myra, was a bishop in the 4th century in Myra (modern day Turkey). He was born to rich Christian parents, who died when he was quite young. He loved helping the poor and giving secret gifts to those in need. He used to drop gold coins down the chimneys of poor farmers so that their daughters would have a dowry to allow them to get married. Because he did many miracles he is known as Nickolaos Wonderworker. His feast day is December 6th. Today, children often put shoes by the door or hang stockings by the fireplace on December 5th in hopes that St. Nicholas will bring presents.

Father Christmas (Old Man Christmas) dates back to the 16th century in England under the reign of King Henry VIII. This was a large man dressed in green or scarlet robes lined with fur. He is said to be the spirit of good cheer at Christmas, bringing peace, good food, wine, and revelry. If you watch the Christmas show ‘A Christmas Carol’, Father Christmas takes the character Scrooge through the streets of London on Christmas morning spreading good cheer and happiness to everyone he meets.

Santa Claus (most known to us) brings toys and treats to good children on Christmas Eve. He is shown as a portly jolly man with a white beard and glasses wearing a red coat with white fur on the cuffs.

Throughout history and depending on where you are in the world, the name of Santa may change, but the idea of giving remains the same wherever you are.

St. Veronica Catholic School December 2017

Artificial Trees vs. Real Trees By Anthony Garascia, 5th Grade

The National Christmas Tree Association says artificial trees cost an average of $100 but last an average of 10 years while real Christmas trees cost an average of $75 per year.

For this poll, I asked students and teachers if they would prefer a real Christmas Tree or an Artificial Tree. Here is the info I found from grades 5 through 8. Take a look!

Mismatch Christmas Movie’s By Tyler Lorenzen, 5th Grade

How many Christmas Characters can you match up!

  Bo                                       A Chipmunk Christmas

Cindy Lou Who                Polar Express

Buddy                                Frosty the Snowman Snoopy                               The Year Without a Santa Claus

Snow Miser                       A Christmas Carol

Tiny Tim                           A Charlie Brown Christmas

Frosty                                 Elf

Hero Boy                           The Grinch

Simon                                The Star

Jack Skellington               The Nightmare Before Christmas

Reindeer Food By Julia Cheek, 5th Grade

What you will need: • 1/4 cup Oatmeal

•¼ Cup Sugar

• Red & Green Sugar Crystal or Glitter

Steps: 1. Take all ingredients mix and them

well.

2. Put mix in a container of your choice.

3. Sprinkle in yard or put with the cookies and milk.

And the angel said unto them, ‘Fear not: for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the City of David

a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, ‘Glory to God in the

highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” Luke 2:10