Dover Area School District’s Weigelstown Elementary School and Lieb Elementary School have incorporated elves on the shelves in their building during this holiday season. These magical toys are incorporated into the school, and the kids love it.

Leib Elementary School enjoys the elf on the shelf. It is a method of sharing the experience with students who do not have one in their home. Principal Jody Wickenheiser says, “in an attempt to bring some holiday magic into our school, we have our school elf named Buddy.” Buddy has facilitated great holiday spirit while demonstrating good behavior. 

The teachers at Leib take into consideration that the elf should be presenting PROUD behavior. This is only fair if that is what they expect from the students. This is different from the average elf a student may have at home. Typically, they will make messes and display naughty behavior. Buddy plays his role according to the school and sets a positive example for the children.  “He does demonstrate PROUD Eagle behavior, so he is not mischievous,” Wickenheiser said. 

At Weigelstown Elementary School, the students and staff enjoy their elf on the shelf, Snowflake. The school is continuing this tradition for the fourth year and does not plan to stop any time soon. With principal Bobbie Strausbaugh’s plans to retire after this school year, she hopes to share this tradition with the principal that follows her. “I will share the idea with the new principal to decide for the future,” she said.

The students come into school each morning looking forward to finding the elf and its new hiding place around the school. This creates a positive atmosphere where the students are ensured a fun activity everyday, this also may relieve feelings of stress when students come to school worried about the day ahead of them. “It gives them something to look forward to each day,” Strausbaugh said. Having an elf on the shelf in this school is a simple, yet meaningful, task that encourages students to enjoy the school day. 

Buddy and Snowflake are spreading holiday cheer at Weigelstown and Lieb and encouraging positivity amongst the student body. The practice of incorporating an elf on the shelf into schools creates a better environment for young elementary students.