Music got the kids dancing, photos were being taken, lunch was served and it was a happy and excited crowd that joined in for the Friends Helping Friends holiday dance, hosted at Escalon High School for special day class students from throughout San Joaquin County.
ESN, Extensive Support Needs, teacher Katie (San Julian) Hoffman, a 2010 EHS grad who now teaches at Escalon, working for San Joaquin County, was on hand to oversee the dance and praised those involved in bringing it together.
She said the Escalon High School’s Friends Helping Friends Club partnered with members of the CSF, California Scholarship Federation, on campus this year to put on the festive dance ahead of the holiday break from school.
“We partnered with CSF because Key Club’s not here anymore,” Hoffman said, noting that Key Club had been a sponsor in the past, especially during the early years of the program. “But CSF, they were great, they helped make the props, get all the decorations. It takes a village and CSF really stepped up and helped us this year. And we have over 175 students here, countywide, from Mountain House to Stockton.”
The dance attendees are enrolled in a number of special day class/special education programs at the various school districts in the county.
“It’s super cool,” Hoffman said of seeing them dance, mingle, laugh and enjoy.
“We have an airbrush tattoo station, we have a sweets and treats station,” she added. “We have ‘Your Magical Moments’ photo booth that has donated their time, volunteered to donate back to our kids with the photo booth and they print the picture (with Santa) for the kids to take home; the Kings of Entertainment DJ volunteered his time, providing good tunes and good times for the kids.”
Sophomore Mariananci Godinez Sanchez serves as president of the Friends Helping Friends Club this year and was busy serving up the sweets and treats – everything from popcorn to fruit snacks, Rice Krispies treats to waters – for the dance attendees.
“It’s really nice to see our school helping other schools and I like interacting with everyone,” she said.
Following the music, dancing, tattoos, snacks and photos, those attending the dance also enjoyed lunch before getting on the buses to head back to their home schools.
For Hoffman, who took part in planning this event when she attended EHS, the day couldn’t have gone better.
“It’s a full circle moment, I used to be in the club here and now I’m the teacher here,” she explained.
Hoffman also said seeing the special needs students having a chance to enjoy themselves and celebrate the holiday season was priceless.
“It makes me want to cry. It makes me emotional; all the hard work and the planning … this is their day,” she said of the kids attending. “They don’t ever get these things; this is their formal and they’re having the time of their lives. They’re singing, they’re dancing, Santa is here … I love it.”
